NURSE Act Launches Grant Program to Fund Nurses in High-Need Schools Through 2030

The Nurses for Under-Resourced Schools Everywhere Act, or the NURSE Act, sets up a competitive demonstration grant program through the Department of Education to get more registered nurses into public elementary and secondary schools. This isn't just about band-aids; the bill is targeting a major gap, noting that currently about one-third of schools nationwide don’t have a nurse on staff, even though experts say every school needs one full-time. The program is authorized to run from fiscal years 2026 through 2030, aiming to boost student health and, ultimately, academic performance.

The Health-to-Learning Connection

This bill operates on the premise that you can’t learn if you’re not healthy. The findings section of the NURSE Act highlights that over 25% of students deal with chronic conditions like asthma or diabetes, which require daily management. Nurses are the key players here, spending about a third of their time on mental health support and crisis intervention, besides managing long-term illnesses (SEC. 2). For parents, this means if your kid has a serious allergy or needs daily medication, having a dedicated nurse ensures they stay safe and in class, rather than having to rely on a teacher who has 30 other things to worry about.

Where the Money Goes

The grants are specifically aimed at high-need areas. To be eligible, a local school district (LEA) generally needs to have at least 20% of its students qualifying for free or reduced-price lunch. Priority for funding goes to districts where the need is greatest, or, critically, where some schools currently lack any school nurse at all (SEC. 3). The Secretary of Education will review applications that detail the current number of nurses, the health needs (or “acuity levels”) of the student body, and the existing workload of the nursing staff. This ensures the money is going where the health challenges are most pressing.

The Local Cost-Sharing Catch

While the federal government will cover up to 75% of the cost of hiring these new nurses, local districts must cover the remaining non-federal share—at least 25% (SEC. 3). Here’s the important detail: the federal share decreases each year the grant is renewed. This is a deliberate design choice to force local districts to gradually take on the full cost, ensuring that when the grant program ends in 2030, the nurse doesn't get laid off immediately. While the Secretary can waive the local share requirement for districts facing economic hardship, this 25% requirement still places a fiscal burden on local taxpayers and budgets. For a high-need district already strapped for cash, finding that 25% match will be a major hurdle.

The Long-Term Test

This isn't just a spending bill; it’s a demonstration program. Two years after the first grants are awarded, the Secretary is required to report back to Congress on how successful the program was. This report must specifically look at the impact new nurses have on student outcomes, including attendance and academic achievement (SEC. 3). This focus on measurable results—linking health services directly to learning metrics—is key. It acknowledges that the real value of a school nurse isn't just in immediate care, but in keeping kids healthy enough to actually show up and succeed in the classroom.