Scholarships for Nursing Students in Michigan
If you have spent your life in Michigan, you are probably aware of various scholarships which are open to outstanding students, regardless of their career path. One of these would of course be the Robert C. Byrd Scholarship. If you’ve been out of school too long, though, or your academics aren’t up to that level, it doesn’t mean you’re out of luck. There are governmental grants as well as niche scholarships.
If you want to go into a field where there is a high demand, like nursing, there are additional options available to you. The academic requirements may be less, but all will want to see evidence that you have what it takes to be successful in a demanding but rewarding field. Various charitable organizations have taken on the job of giving a helping a hand to prospective nurses.
Nursing Scholarship Requirements in Michigan
The Michigan Nurses Foundation offers $500 scholarships for students pursuing nursing at any level from LPN on up. There is a July 15 postmark date. The Foundation also sponsors the CURN Award, a $5,000 research grant for registered nurses studying or practicing at at least the master’s level.
The Michigan League for Nursing Scholarship is a $1,000 competition, open to LPN, ADN, and BSN students. There is a March 1 deadline. The competition includes an essay on a choice of topics. The 2011 topics are either a memorable experience or client from your own experience or three aspects of nursing that you feel should be promoted.
Hispanic nursing students who are entering the field at the LPN, ADN, or BSN levels may apply for the National Association of Hispanic Nurses-Michigan Chapter Scholarship. The application requires a two-page personal statement, a faculty reference, and official transcripts. It is necessary to get application materials in by November 1. Minority nursing students of multiple ethnicities are also eligible to apply for the Mary Free Bed Minority Scholarship. Applicants should be in a degree program, have at least a 3.0 GPA, and have demonstrated leadership. This award has an April 15 application date.
There are additional scholarships that come with service obligations after program completion. The Mercy General Health Partners Diversity Scholarship is one such program. The committee favors applicants with a 3.0 or higher. They depend on both interviews and references from clinical instructors to find high quality future employees.
The Peggy Gulick Nursing Scholarship is another award that comes with a service obligation. Applicants should live within the Memorial Healthcare service area and have been accepted into an ADN or BSN nursing program. They must write about their career aspirations. The committee will look for someone with strong references who has demonstrated the kind of commitment that it takes to be a good employee. The award is worth $2,500 a year. The winner must be committed to finding a suitable position within six months after graduation and to working at Memorial for a full two years.
The Foundation also awards smaller scholarships to high school seniors. These do not necessarily entail a service commitment.
Professional Advice – Applying for Nursing Scholarships
Many competitions include essays. The Michigan League for Nursing notes that essays should be on topic, interesting, logical, and error-free. They should also demonstrate proper use of citations. Similar advice is given by other scholarship committees around the nation. They note the importance of addressing all questions and of engaging the interest of the reader — that person may have many compositions to read!
In some competitions, you are simultaneously applying for financial aid and future employment. Take stock of your skills, and brush up on your interview technique.
Contact Information for Nursing Scholarships in Michigan
Michigan Nurses Foundation
2310 Jolly Oak Road, Okemos, MI 48864
Website: michigannursesfoundation.org/awards.shtml
Michigan League for Nursing
Website: michleaguenursing.org/mimages/2011_scholarship.pdf
Hispanic Nurses-Michigan Chapter
Website: michiganhispanicnurses.org/
Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital
Grand Rapids, MI 800-528-8989
Website: maryfreebed.com/Jobs/Minority-Scholarship-Program
Mercy General Health Partners
Human Resource Department, 1500 E. Sherman Blvd, Muskegon, MI 49444-1849
Website: michigancenterfornursing.org/mimages/mghpscholarship.PDF
Memorial Healthcare Foundation
826 W. King, Owosso, MI 48867
Website: memorialhealthcare.org/?id=39&sid=1