Navigating Nursing Scholarships in Arkansas
Arkansas, like many states, recognizes the critical role nurses play in healthcare. To address potential shortages and encourage qualified individuals to enter the field, various organizations offer nursing scholarships. These scholarships aim to provide financial assistance to aspiring and current nurses, making education more accessible and supporting the growth of the nursing workforce in Arkansas.
Types of Nursing Scholarships in Arkansas
Arkansas scholarships and grants are offered by several types of entities including universities, memorial trusts, student associations and The American Legion Auxiliary. In all fields, you find loans, which have to be paid back, and grants and scholarships that don’t. In the field of nursing, you also find loan scholarships, which don’t have to be repaid as long as you fulfill a service obligation or work commitment. Scholarships for Nursing Students in Arkansas Arkansas has struggled at times to find enough qualified nurses to fill vacancies. The BLS has projected 28% growth in demand for RNs in Arkansas. This has been a concern to many in the state. If you’re a student with the skills and drive to succeed, though, this situation can work to your advantage. Nursing is too important a profession to allow a worker crisis; the state gets creative and so do individual donors.
- University-Based Scholarships: Many universities in Arkansas offer scholarships specifically for nursing students. For example, the University of Arkansas (UA) Little Rock and the Eleanor Mann School of Nursing offer scholarships with varying amounts for both undergraduate and graduate students. These awards are based on a variety of criteria that are specific to each award, including academic merit or financial need.
- Foundation and Trust Scholarships: Several foundations and trusts provide scholarships to nursing students in Arkansas. These include the SHARE Foundation, which offers scholarships with a work requirement in Union County upon graduation and the Helene Fuld Health Trust, which awards scholarships to academically outstanding BSN students.
- Association Scholarships: Nursing associations, such as the Arkansas Nurses Association, offer scholarships to their members. The Dorothea Funk Scholarship and the Mary Gray Scholarship are awarded every year to provide financial help to current members of the association.
- Government Programs: The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) offers the Nurse Corps Scholarship Program, which provides scholarships to students pursuing undergraduate degrees in nursing. Act 9 of 2009 authorized additional funding for the nursing student loan program to encourage nurses to teach in Arkansas nursing education programs.
- Memorial and Honorary Scholarships: Many scholarships are established in memory or honor of individuals who have made significant contributions to nursing or the community. These scholarships often reflect the values and dedication of the person they commemorate.
Key Scholarship Programs and Opportunities
- Arkansas State Board of Nursing Fields Scholarship: Administered by the Arkansas Board of Nursing, this scholarship can provide up to $10,000 a year for full-time study leading to licensure as a licensed practical nurse or a registered nurse. Recipients must be Arkansas residents and, after program completion, work at an Arkansas medical facility for a length of time equaling the time that the state funded their studies.
- ThinkNurse! Scholarship: Also offered by the Arkansas Board of Nursing, the ThinkNurse! Scholarship awards accomplished nursing students in their final year of study with amounts ranging from $250 to $1,000. The selection process is competitive and includes a 500-word essay.
- Arkansas Bilingual Nursing Initiative: This initiative supports high school, GED, or college students in Northwest Arkansas who have written and verbal fluency in Spanish, Vietnamese, or Marshallese, as well as in English. It covers expenses from the pre-nursing phase through clinical programs.
- SHARE Foundation Scholarships: The SHARE Foundation offers scholarships to students pursuing nursing, with the requirement that for each year funded, one year of work in Union County is required upon graduation. Applications are accessible at www.sharefoundation.com/our-programs/scholarships or by calling (870) 881-9015.
- University of Arkansas (UA) Little Rock Nursing Scholarships: UA Little Rock offers various nursing scholarships, including the Willard and Pat Walker Endowed Nursing Scholarship, Corinne E. Phillips Endowed Scholarship, Florence C. Zook, RN Endowed Scholarship, and others, each with specific eligibility criteria.
Specific Scholarship Examples at UAMS College of Nursing
The UAMS College of Nursing offers a wide array of scholarships, each with unique criteria and purposes. Here are some examples:
- Howard A. and Johnnie Moum Scholarship: This scholarship was established by the late Howard and Johnnie Moum to honor and recognize Benni Ogden Fambrough, a retired College of Nursing faculty member.
- Jon K. Cook, Jr. and Lucille W. Dr. Scholarship: Awarded to an undergraduate or graduate-level student who has demonstrated an interest in practicing gerontology.
- Deborah Dorsa Carman Scholarship: Established by the Beaumont Foundation of America on behalf of Jon M. Huntsman, Sr., in honor of Deborah Dorsa Carman, to support underserved nursing students with a preference for those who commit to staying as faculty in nursing upon graduation.
- Helene Fuld Health Trust Scholarship: Awarded to academically outstanding BSN students for the five semesters of their undergraduate education, requiring recipients to maintain at least a 3.0 GPA.
- Honors Program Scholarship: Awarded to top academic students selected for the Honors Program who have made a commitment to eventually pursue a doctoral degree and teach in an Arkansas school of nursing, providing full tuition support for the last semester of each recipient’s baccalaureate education.
- Helen F. Dr. Nicholas and Helen Lang Scholarship: Established in honor of Helen for a lifetime devoted to the care of her patients and to the education of surgical house staff.
- Richard and JoAnn Smith Scholarship: Established by Richard and JoAnn Smith, longtime faculty of the College of Nursing.
- Becky Moore Scholarship: Established in Becky Moore’s memory by her parents, John and Margaret Heuston, awarded to two BSN students who have academic promise and financial need.
- Cammy Giffin Haynes Scholarship: Established by Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Giffin in memory of their daughter, with preference given to Joe T.
- Veronica McNeirney Scholarship: Established in memory of Veronica McNeirney, a longtime faculty member, supporting students in the BSN program.
- Ned Ray and Mary Purtle Scholarship: Established by Mr. and Mrs. Ned Ray Purtle, awarded to baccalaureate and graduate students who demonstrate financial need and a commitment to excellence in nursing practice, with preference given to students from Hempstead or Nevada counties.
- Martha Harding Gann Scholarship: Established by The Arkansas Medical Society Alliance in memory of Martha Harding Gann, who was very active in the Medical Society.
- Gloria Rauch Scholarship: Established by UAMS faculty, staff, students, and friends to honor her 34 years of educating students in the College of Nursing.
- Sharon Knighten Scholarship: Established by the Knighten family in honor of Sharon Knighten.
- M. B. Knighten Scholarship: Established by the Knighten family in memory of M.B. Knighten.
- Marion Pool Scholarship: Established by Marion Pool who served as Professor and Chairman of UAMS Public Health Nursing from 1957-1960.
- Flora Mae Griffey Scholarship: Established by Nancy Ann Griffey Jordan and Carla Marie Griffey Hazlewood in memory of their mother, to honor her love and compassion for the nursing profession.
- Mike W. Spades Scholarship: Established in memory of Mike W. Spades by his family.
- Mary Katherine Mourot Scholarship: Established by Wanda Weise in memory of her sister, who was a registered nurse.
- Dr. Elizabeth O’Connell Scholarship: Established by her former students, awarded to BSN students demonstrating leadership and financial need.
- Rita M. Woods Scholarship: Established by Rita M. Woods, a longtime friend of the College of Nursing.
- N. Scholarship: Supports BSN students with financial needs, established by Rita M.
- Dr. Lee and Mrs. Scholarship: Supports a second-year BSN student in the College of Nursing who demonstrates financial need.
- Dr. Janet E. Lord Scholarship: Supports BSN students demonstrating financial need.
- Benni Ogden Fambrough Scholarship: Established by the College of Nursing, family, and friends in honor of Benni Ogden Fambrough.
- Florence C. Zook Scholarship: Established by Mr. Harold Zook to honor his wife Florence, and her desire to help nursing students achieve their personal goals.
- Virginia L. Goosen Scholarship: Established in honor of Virginia Goosen.
- Crystal Webster Scholarship: Established in memory of Crystal Webster.
- Patricia Ann and Joseph Calvin Patterson Scholarship: Established in memory of her parents.
- Dr. and Mrs. W.B.H. Pool Scholarship: Established in memory of her parents.
- David L. Johnston Scholarship: Awarded to nursing students demonstrating financial need.
- Paul O. Canaday Scholarship: Supports BSN students demonstrating scholastic achievement and financial need.
- Kathryn Jean McClendon Scholarship: Established in memory of Kathryn Jean McClendon.
- Dr. Sophronia R. Williams Scholarship: Awarded to RN - BSN and/or Master’s nursing students who attend the nursing program at the UAMS Regional Centers.
- Angie Faye Waldrum Scholarship: Established in honor of Angie Faye Waldrum, the first registered nurse to serve on the Arkansas State Board of Health.
- Kim Oelke Scholarship: Established in honor of Kim Oelke.
- Dr. Ann Cashion Scholarship: Established in honor of Dr. Ann Cashion.
- Daphine Doster Scholarship: Daphine Doster served as the founding Dean of the College in 1952.
- Patrick J. McNeirney Scholarship: Established in memory of her father, Patrick.
- Ellen Sullivan Scholarship: Established by Ellen Sullivan, a clinical instructor at the College of Nursing.
- W. G. Cooper Scholarship: Established by the Cooper family, awarded to a MNSc or PhD student who has shown dedication to advanced psychiatric mental health and gerontological nursing.
- Lauraetta M. Edgar Scholarship: Supports graduate students in the Advanced Practice nursing program.
- William Randolph Hearst Doctoral Endowed Scholarship: Given to students pursuing a nursing Ph.D.
- Marion Pool Scholarship: Established by Marion Pool, awarded to a PhD in nursing student who has an expressed interest in long-term care and long-term care research.
- Dr. Elois Field and Dr. Michael Carter Scholarship: Supports PhD students interested in pursuing a career in clinical research.
- Dr. Cornelia Kelly Beck Scholarship: Established in honor of Dr. Cornelia Kelly Beck.
- Dr. Cathy Cole Scholarship: Established in memory of Dr. Cathy Cole.
- Carolyn L. Established by Dr.: Scholarship for disadvantaged and underrepresented students.
- Gertrude E. Skelly Foundation BSN to DNP Scholarship: Scholarship for disadvantaged and underrepresented students in rural and underserved areas.
- Deborah Dorsa Carman Scholarship: Supports students experiencing financial barriers enrolled at UAMS College of Nursing or Graduate School pursuing an advanced degree in nursing.
- Dr. Sheila Horner Scholarship: Established in memory of Dr. Sheila Horner.
- Dr. and Mrs. W.B.H. Pool Scholarship: Established by Marion Pool.
- Cornelia Sundermann Scholarship: Established by faculty, staff, friends, and family of Mrs. Cornelia Sundermann.
- Mary Emma Smith Scholarship: Dedicated to public health nursing and the establishment of the collegiate nursing education program in the state.
- Virginia Penick Scholarship: Awarded to graduate nursing students demonstrating financial need.
- Jan and Jeff Rooker Scholarship: Established in honor of Jan’s love for and commitment to Neuroscience Nursing.
- UAMS Northwest Nursing Scholarship: Supports four students enrolled in the graduate program at UAMS College of Nursing.
- College of Nursing General Scholarship: Provides support to scholarships and awards that need additional funds.
- DNP Scholarship in Tobacco Control: For a BSN - DNP student who is interested in tobacco control.
- Dr. Melissa L. Scholarship: Awarded each semester to a UAMS student who is enrolled in CON, demonstrates good academic standing, and demonstrates financial need.
General Eligibility Requirements
While specific requirements vary, common eligibility criteria for nursing scholarships in Arkansas often include:
- Residency: Many scholarships require applicants to be Arkansas residents.
- Enrollment: Applicants must be enrolled in a nursing program at an accredited institution.
- Academic Standing: A minimum GPA is often required, and academic transcripts must be submitted.
- Financial Need: Many scholarships consider financial need as a primary or secondary factor.
- Essay or Personal Statement: Applicants may be required to submit an essay or personal statement outlining their goals, experiences, and reasons for pursuing a nursing career.
- Letters of Recommendation: Some scholarships require letters of recommendation from teachers, mentors, or employers.
- Interviews: Some scholarship programs may conduct interviews as part of the selection process.
Application Process and Tips
- Research: Thoroughly research available scholarships and their specific requirements.
- Meet Deadlines: Pay close attention to application deadlines and submit all required materials on time.
- Highlight Achievements: Showcase academic achievements, volunteer experience, and any relevant skills or experiences.
- Craft a Compelling Essay: Write a well-written and thoughtful essay that demonstrates your passion for nursing and your commitment to serving the community.
- Seek Recommendations: Request letters of recommendation from individuals who can speak to your abilities and character.
- Professionalism: Maintain professionalism throughout the application process, including in written communication and interviews.
Nursing Scholarship Professional Advice
Some scholarships are quite competitive. How do you convince the committee that you deserve their funding? Part of it depends on what you do even before you sit down to fill out the form or write the essay. Some scholarships, like ThinkNurse, ask you to list your volunteer activities. If you have a history of giving your time, they’re more likely to give their money. If you read winning scholarship essays, you will see that some awardees have striking life experiences, like travel abroad. Some don’t. A representative of a minority scholarship fund noted that selection is a multi-faceted process. The interview is, for some, an opportunity to shine.
Read also: Your Guide to Nursing Internships
Contact Information
- Arkansas State Board of Nursing
- SHARE Foundation: www.sharefoundation.com/our-programs/scholarships or (870) 881-9015
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