Scholarships for Nursing Students in Iowa

Grant and scholarship options are available to most financially needy college students, regardless of program. In the case of an in-demand profession like nursing, though, there are even more sources of funding assistance. Some are traditional nursing scholarships, which never need repayment. Others are service obligation scholarships, which won’t need repayment as long as you meet a work commitment of some sort.

How will you know what nursing scholarships to apply for? It depends on your current educational level, as well as the level of degree or licensing that you seek (LPN, BSN, MSN). In some cases, other factors, like geographical location within the state of Iowa, also determine eligibility. The following is a discussion of Iowa nursing scholarships; other nursing scholarships are administered at the national level.

Nursing Scholarship Requirements in Iowa

Some nursing scholarship competitions are open to high school seniors. Mercer Medical Center, in Dubuque and Dryersville, offers $500 nursing scholarships to seniors who will study to become registered nurses. The hospital bases selections on the criteria that are often used for competitive pre-college scholarships: ACT scores, class rank, volunteer service, essay, and letters of recommendation. The deadline is April 1.

Individual schools often have alumni-sponsored nursing scholarships The University of Iowa School of Nursing offers a number of them. Some have specifications, for instance, a interest in pediatrics or in hospice or palliative care. Others are open to any nursing student, regardless of level, who demonstrates both merit and need. Students can download applications through the student intranet site.

Other scholarship opportunities are available for postgraduate study. Iowa has a particular need for higher level nurses. This includes the nurse educators who will educate the next generation of direct care nurses — hence Iowa’s Nurse Educator Grant. Graduate students who are teaching in a school or clinical setting can receive up to $2,000 per semester to defray costs. The application includes sections to be completed by employer and registrar to verify eligibility. Unlike many scholarships, moneys are awarded on a first come first serve basis to eligible applicants — as long as funds are available, and up to a maximum of 32 awardees per year. Applicants should have nursing education as a career goal. They can reapply if they continue to be eligible, and they will receive first priority. Although the scholarship is administered by an organization that makes student loans, it is not a loan.

Nurse practitioners, nurse midwives, and psychiatric nurse specialists may also be eligible for moneys through the Primary Care Retention and Recruitment Endeavor (PRIMECARR) under the banner of the Iowa Department of Public Health. They must be committed to working as a primary care provider in a primary care HSPA or as a mental health provider in a mental health HSPA. In making funding decisions, the organization takes into account the particular community’s need as well as the candidate’s need, commitment level, and experience in rural health care.

Nursing Scholarship Professional Advice – IA

How does one improve their chances of winning a scholarship? It depends on the individual program. Remember that qualified applicants are given priority in the Iowa Nurse Educator Grant simply because they complete the application process promptly. Whatever the competition, one can eliminate their chances by not turning in all required materials. Some materials, like transcripts and references, you will need to request from others. Depending on your situation, you may need financial information from your parents as well as yourself. Do allow plenty of time. Surprisingly, scholarship committees report frequently receiving incomplete applications.

In the case of competitive scholarships, familiarize yourself with the goals of the donor organization. Sometimes winning essays are published online.

Contact Information for Nursing Scholarships in Iowa

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