Total request was $369,440 of which the VA will pay half or $184,720 and the SVH will contribute the other half

The Department of Veterans Affairs Veterans Health Administration awarded the Utah Department of Veterans & Military Affairs $184,720 on October 1, 2025, under the Payments to States for Programs to Promote the Hiring and Retention of Nurses at State Veterans Homes program (CFDA 64.053).

The award funds tuition assistance and retention bonuses to address nursing workforce challenges at Utah State Veterans Homes. Tuition assistance enables employees to advance their education to become Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) and Registered Nurses (RNs); recipients must sign employment agreements committing to remain employed. Retention and attendance bonuses are provided to Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs), LPNs, and RNs who deliver direct patient care. Bonuses are distributed monthly to full-time and part-time employees who complete full months without absences or missed shifts.

The total project cost is $369,440. The Veterans Health Administration funds half ($184,720) and the State Veterans Homes contribute the matching half. Performance occurs in Utah, USA, over the period October 1, 2025, through September 30, 2026. This is a Project Grant assistance type.

The program includes tuition assistance and retention bonuses. Tuition assistance is provided to encourage employees to advance their education to become lpns and RNS. Students must sign an agreement to remain employed. The program includes retention and attendance bonuses for cnas, LPS, and RN who provide direct patient care. Bonuses are given to full-time and part-time employees who work a full month without calling out or missing a shift. Funds are given on a monthly basis.