The application deadline for the Iowa Health Care Association (IHCA) Foundation’s scholarship program is fast approaching. Applications are due by May 31 to be considered for one of these scholarships.
Approximately 36 scholarships totaling $54,000 will be awarded this year. In addition, the IHCA Foundation is offering $9,000 in sign-on and retention bonuses for eligible scholarship recipients.
The need for health care workers has never been greater, and the IHCA Foundation has expanded its health care scholarship program to include new scholarships for high school students and veterans interested in joining the long-term care profession, in addition to scholarships for current long-term care employees interested in advancing their health care education.
“We need more skilled health care professionals in long-term care now more than ever before. During these extraordinary times, this is truly a once-in-a-lifetime chance to make a profound and meaningful difference in the lives of those who need care the most,” said Lori Ristau, executive director, IHCA Foundation. “Thanks to our generous Foundation donors, we now also have the chance to provide additional support to those seeking a career in long-term care with our expanded scholarship program, providing new opportunities for current long-term care employees and to those who want to join the profession for the first time.”
Scholarship Offerings
The IHCA Foundation is now accepting applications for the following scholarships:
- High School Student Scholarship (NEW) – This $1,000 scholarship is for Iowa high school seniors enrolling in a certified nursing assistant (CNA), licensed practical nurse (LPN), registered nurse (RN) or bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) program and interested in a career in long-term care. It also includes a potential additional $500 sign-on bonus for scholarship recipients who complete their certification/degree program, receive and accept an offer of employment from an IHCA member organization and remain employed with that organization for one year. Ten of these scholarships will be offered this year.
- Juckette Family Veteran Scholarship (NEW) – This $2,000 scholarship, sponsored by the Linda Juckette Family Gift Fund, is for those who have served in the U.S. military, National Guard or Reserves and are pursuing CNA, LPN, RN or Certified Dietary Manager programs in Iowa, with the goal of working in long-term care. Four of these scholarships will be offered this year.
- John W. & Kimberly D. Grubb RN Scholarship (NEW) – This $3,000 scholarship, sponsored by the John R. and Zelda Z. Grubb Charitable Foundation, is for employees of IHCA member organizations pursuing an RN degree. It also includes a potential additional $2,000 retention bonus for scholarship recipients who receive their RN degree and remain employed at an IHCA member organization for one year following their degree completion. Two of these scholarships will be offered this year.
- Member Employee Scholarship – This scholarship is for employees of IHCA member organizations looking to advance their health care education. Twenty scholarships will be offered, at $1,500 each, for employees interested in pursuing nursing, health care administration, or physical or occupational therapy programs.
Scholarships are for the 2020-2021 academic year.
How to Apply
Eligibility requirements, application guidelines and materials are available online at iowahealthcare.org/foundation. Completed applications are due by May 31.
Scholarship Sponsors
These scholarships were made possible by the generous support of these sponsors: John R. and Zelda Z. Grubb Charitable Foundation, Linda Juckette Family Gift Fund, NW IHCA District, Iowa Society of Post-Acute and Long-Term Care, Iowa Council of Nurse Leaders, NE IHCA District, HPSI Purchasing Services, The Vetter Foundation, Right Dose Pharmacy, SW IHCA District, SE IHCA District, PCPMG Consulting, VGM Education/CE Solutions, Clarence Nursing Home and ACCESS/Backroad Journeys.