Nurse & Educator Dependent Commitment

For students whose parents are nurses or educators

For our 130+ year history, the fields of nursing and education have been fundamental to PLU. Preparing our students to serve their communities as thoughtful, highly-trained, and effective nurses and educators has always been a core part of what we do and aligns with our mission of service, leadership and care. Now, motivated by gratitude and institutional history, we’re making a pledge to the families of educators and nurses with the Nurse & Educator Dependent Commitment.

The Nurse & Educator Dependent Commitment:

If your parent/legal guardian is a nurse or K-12 educator, at least HALF of your PLU tuition will be covered by PLU-funded scholarships and grants.

This commitment is just one way that we are continuously striving to honor our community and ensure that a PLU education is affordable and accessible. To learn more about other tuition commitments (including our fixed tuition guarantee), scholarships, and financial aid please visit plu.edu/admission/affordability.

Eligibility & Details

  • For first-year students admitted with a parent or legal guardian who is a full-time employed nurse or K-12 educator, at least half of tuition ($24,736 for the 2023-24 academic year) will be covered by PLU-funded scholarships and grants.
  • Students must complete the FAFSA or WASFA in order to be considered for this commitment.
  • The commitment is not a named scholarship, but rather will include any PLU-funded merit or need-based scholarships a student receives. This includes, but is not limited to, Academic, Presidential, Artistic Achievement, Alumni and/or Clergy Dependent, 253 PLU Bound, Act Six, and Housing Scholarships. If these PLU-funded scholarships and/or grants do not equal at least 50% of tuition, then a PLU Grant will be added to a student’s financial aid package to make up the difference.
  • No separate application is needed to be considered for the Nurse & Educator Dependent Commitment. Our application for admission includes questions about the occupations of parents/guardians. If a student does not complete that section of the application, they can instead complete this Nurse/Educator Parent Occupation Form (note: you will first have to log-in to your student applicant portal in order to access this form).
    • Proof of employment may be required in some situations when we are unable to fully tell where a parent/guardian works or their occupation from the application for admission.
  • Students do NOT need to major themselves in Education or Nursing to be eligible for this commitment.

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Q&A

How do you define nurse? I am wondering if my parent’s/guardian's job counts.

If your parent or legal guardian has the licensure, state designations, or requirements of and works full-time as a CNA, RN, LPN, APRN, NP or CNS their job will qualify you to receive at least 50% off of tuition at PLU.

How do you define educator? I am wondering if my parent’s/guardian's job counts.

If your parent or legal guardian works full-time for a K-12 public school district or a non-profit private school their job will qualify you to receive at least 50% off of tuition at PLU.

Does my parent or legal guardian need to be currently employed as an educator or nurse?

Yes, they must be currently and full-time employed at the time of application in one of the fields described above.

My step-parent and/or legal guardian is a nurse or educator. Do I qualify for this commitment?

Yes, you do! Ensure that your step-parent and/or legal guardian and their occupation is listed on your application for admission.

More than one of my parents/guardians are currently employed as an educator or nurse - does this mean all of my tuition will be covered by this commitment?

This commitment guarantees that at least half of your tuition will be covered by PLU scholarships and/or grants, even if more than one of your parents and/or guardians currently work as a nurse or educator. It will not cover full tuition.

I didn’t put my parent’s/guardian's occupation on my admission application. How can I update that information?

If you did not put your parent’s/guardian’s occupation on your application for admission, you can instead complete this Nurse/Educator Parent Occupation Form (note: you will first have to log-in to your student applicant portal in order to access this form).

Do I have to complete the FAFSA or WASFA?

Yes, in order to be considered for the Nurse & Educator Dependent Commitment, you will need to submit a FAFSA or WASFA. Although this is not a need-based commitment we want to make sure you also qualify for any state or federal aid that is available to you and your family.

How will I know if I’ve qualified for this commitment?

You will receive at least $24,736 in PLU-funded scholarships or grants on your financial aid offer, equal to 50% of PLU’s 2023-24 tuition. Financial aid awards are typically sent 2-3 weeks after you’ve been admitted and have filed either the FAFSA or WASFA.

Is this in addition to the academic scholarship I received with my acceptance to PLU?

This commitment includes any academic, merit, or need-based PLU-funded scholarships and/or grants you may receive. These may include, but are not limited to, Academic, Presidential, Artistic Achivement, Alumni and/or Clergy Dependent, 253 PLU Bound, Act Six, and Housing Scholarships. If these PLU-funded scholarships and/or grants do not equal at least 50% of tuition, then a PLU Grant will be added to a student’s financial aid package to make up the difference.

Will I receive this commitment all 4 years I'm at PLU?

Yes! You will receive at least 50% of tuition in PLU-funded scholarships and/or grants up to four years of undergraduate study.

If my parent leaves their job as a nurse or educator while I am attending PLU, will I lose this commitment?

No, you won’t.

Do I have to major in education or nursing?

You don’t!  You can choose to study any of our programs of study at PLU.

I'm a current PLU student. Am I eligible for this commitment?

Right now, we are offering this commitment only to first-year students entering for Fall 2021 or later.

Please connect with your PLU Admission Counselor with any additional questions about the Nurse & Educator Dependent Commitment.