Nursing students all across the country are feeling the effects of the downturn in the economy and are finding it harder and harder to deal with paying tuition, textbook and other course costs.

There is, however, a way that they can relieve themselves of at least part of this burden: by applying for non-refundable scholarships and grants.

Indiana Nursing Grant Information

The majority of the scholarships and grants available to nursing students in Indiana are administered through the Indiana State University and are consequently available to ISU students only (although some of these programs may also be offered through other schools). Independent scholarship programs, on the other hand, include those offered by Indiana-based health care organizations as well as the American Legion Auxiliary.

This summary of available Indiana scholarships is not meant to be exhaustive and students should also do their own research through the Indiana State University website, the websites of other Indiana-based schools and those of state- and country-wide nursing organizations.

Specific Scholarships and Grants in Indiana

IHC Foundation Scholarship

This scholarship is presented by the Indiana Health Care Foundation and, generally, it aims to provide financial assistance to those students resident in Indiana who wish to pursue studies in nursing. The program lasts one year but scholarship recipients may reapply.

The deadline to submit applications is February of each year and the program comes with the following requirements for eligibility:

  • Students have to be resident in Indiana and have to hold at least either a high school diploma or a GED (General Equivalency Diploma);
  • Students have to be accepted into a nursing program in Indiana on either an LPN (Licensed Practical Nurse) or an RN (Registered Nurse) level, and must have a grade point average of 2.75 or higher; and
  • Students must file three letters of recommendation as well as their school transcripts.

If approved based solely on their paperwork, students will then have to be interviewed and those who have plans to work in a health-care-related field that benefits the elderly will be given special consideration. Financial need is not an issue with this scholarship program and anyone can apply. Further information and application forms can be obtained from the Indiana Health Care Foundation at One North Capitol, Suite 100, Indianapolis, IN 46204 (tel: 317-636-6406 and website: www.ihca.org).

Indiana Legion Auxiliary Past Presidents Parley Nursing Scholarship

This scholarship is only available for female nursing students, has a duration of two years and a March deadline for the submission of applications. There are some quite specific eligibility requirements relevant to this program, which include:

  • Applicants have to be daughters, granddaughters or great-granddaughters of members of the American Legion Auxiliary;
  • Applicants must also be members of the American Legion Auxiliary and resident in Indiana; and

Applicants must either currently be enrolled in or planning to be enrolled in a nursing program at an Indiana institute of higher education.

Further factors that have to be taken into account when determining eligibility include interest in the nursing professional, financial need and academic record. Further information about this program can be requested from the American Legion Auxiliary, Indiana Department, 8945 North Meridian Street, Indianapolis, IN 46360 (tel: 317-569-4500 and website: www.legion-aux.org).

Indiana Nursing Scholarship Fund Program

Established in 1990, this program offers annual monetary awards that can be renewed for up to three additional years to Indiana residents who wish to pursue careers in nursing. Those eligibility requirements that relate specifically to this program include:

  • Students have to reside in Indiana and must be able to prove financial need; and
  • Students have to be admitted, on either a full-time or a part-time basis, to an eligible Indiana school and must maintain at least a 2.00 grade point average.

Further information concerning this scholarship program can be obtained from the State Student Assistance Commission of Indiana (SSACI) at 150 West Market Street, Suite 500, Indianapolis, IN 46204 (tel: 317-232-2350 and website: www.in.gov/ssaci/index.htm).

Scholarships Offered Through the Indiana State University

ISU oversees the administration of a large number of independent scholarships and grants and helps their nursing students with, among other things, completing the application process. The programs offered through the university include those listed below and further information concerning these, and other, programs can be obtained from ISU at 200 North Seventh Street, Terre Haute, IN 47809 (tel: 1-800-468-6478 and website: www.indstate.edu/scholarships).

The Marilyn Brown Armour Memorial Scholarship

Major/Minor Requirements: The applicant should have a nursing major or, if no nursing majors are available, a related health care major would suffice.

Other Points of Interest:

  • The applicant must have graduated from North Central High School in Farmersberg; and
  • A preference will be given to an applicant with an interest in obstetrics and who wants to work in the local community.

The Marie Bettenbrock Scholarship

Major/Minor Requirements: The applicant should be enrolled in a bachelor’s degree program.

Other Points of Interest: This is a renewable scholarship that, if a student’s academic records warrant it, can be continued to the fourth year of the bachelor’s degree.

The Elizabeth V. Dempsey Scholarship

Class Requirements: The applicant can be either a junior or a senior.

Other Points of Interest: The scholarship funds can only be used for tuition fees.

The Mildred R. Bennett Scholarship

Major/Minor Requirements: The applicant should be pursuing a bachelor’s degree.

Class Requirements: The applicant must have completed 60 credit hours.

Financial Need Requirement: The applicant must demonstrate a financial need.

Other Points of Interest: The applicant should want to specialize as either an operating room nurse, a nursing education administrator or a teaching nurse.

The Lois E. Graesch Nursing Education Scholarship

Major/Minor Requirements: The applicant must be enrolled in one of the nursing programs on offer at ISU.

Minimum GPA Requirement: The applicant should have consistently high grades.

Other Points of Interest: The applicant must want to be of assistance to others and must be incredibly passionate and caring.

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