Scholarships for Nursing Students in SC

South Carolina is expected to see 25% growth in the 2008 to 2018 decade for nurses — that tops even the national growth rate. Numbers like that mean that positions sometimes go unfilled. Yet hospitals want more than just licensed workers; they want high caliber professionals. If you have what it takes, there are a lot of organizations in the state that you can turn to for financial assistance.

There are several very generous professional organizations within South Carolina. Some hospitals also offer schooling assistance. They may offer loan forgiveness for new hires and also offer financial assistance to long time employees seeking career mobility and higher degrees. You’ll also want to talk to the financial aid office at your own school, of course. In addition to nursing scholarships, you may be eligible for general education scholarships. These can include LIFE or HOPE scholarships if you are an eligible first-time student.

Nursing Scholarship Requirements

The South Carolina Nurses Foundation administers a number of scholarships , including Nurses Care Scholarships. Ten undergraduate students and five graduate students are each awarded $1,500. Theses scholarships are funded by the sale of “Nurses Care” licenses plates. Other scholarships are funded by fundraisers and endowments. The Virginia C. Phillips Scholarship competition is also open to both graduate and undergraduate students, but applicants must be committed to a particular field: public health. The Mary Ellen Hatfield School Nursing Scholarship is open to LPNs and RNs who are currently licensed and working in schools, but desire further education in the field.

Residents of Lexington County have an additional resource in the Lexington Medical Center Auxiliary. There are scholarship opportunities at the ADN and BSN levels. Whether you are a high school senior or a mature student, there is an Auxiliary competition open to you. All competitions require an essay and references; some have additional requirements such as ACT or SAT scores. Most awards are between $1,000 and $3,000. Applications are due in March.

Residents of Charleston, Berkley, or Dorchester Counties may apply for the Jefferson Endowment Scholarship. Awards are in the amount of $2,500. The scholarship is administered through the Coastal Community Foundation. When you complete your online application with the Foundation, you will also be considered for other awards you may be eligible for. March 21st is the deadline for all competitions.

McLeod Health also offers assistance to prospective RNs and CRNAs, but most scholarships for non-employees comes in the form of debt forgiveness An exception? The Betty Jo Barnes Scholarship, which is awarded to a working mother The winner receives $500 a semester for up to ten semesters — that can go a long way toward helping you meet your expenses. Carolina’s Hospital System also offers nursing scholarships. You may contact the organization for details.

State-funded scholarships require a work commitment. The loan scholarship/ debt forgiveness program is open to professional nurses (RNs and CRNAs). An RN may receive $5,000. A CRNA may receive $20,000, but needs four years to work off the obligation. You will receive regular salary and benefits during this time, so it shouldn’t be a financial hardship.

Nursing Scholarship Expert Tips

You may also check on South Carolina’s SCIWAY website for links to community foundations throughout the state. There are many nursing scholarships available in South Carolina — you might find yourself applying for quite a few. Keep track of dates and download your application forms early. Scholarships committees report that a surprising number of applications are incomplete or don’t have exactly the information that was asked for. (Students may, for instance, include the wrong type of transcript.) Just by following all the directions and being a stickler for detail, you’ll place yourself ahead of many. Make sure to address each question thoroughly in your essay and make the overall appearance polished.

Contact Information for Nursing Scholarship Opportunities in South Carolina

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