Nursing Scholarships and Grants in Alabama

In our present-day economy, students need all the help they can get. Here’s some information about how to find financial help in Alabama.

Alabama Nursing Scholarships and Grants

Scholarships and grants are also called ‘gift awards’ and this means that they don’t have to be paid back.

There are a few instances where a grant or scholarship will become a loan (and will have to be paid back) if a student does not fulfill one or more of the conditions under which the scholarship was awarded, but these types of grants are in the minority.

In Alabama, most of the available grants and scholarships are administered by the University of Alabama’s Nursing School, which assists students with completing the grant application forms and also announces exactly when the applications’ submission deadlines are.

Monies have been made available to Alabama nursing students by various organizations including the Alabama Commission on Higher Education, the Baptist Health System, and several memorial funds.

Most, if not all, of these scholarships and grants are available for Alabama residents only and most also specify that the recipient must pursue their qualification in Alabama.

There are even a few that stipulate that a student has to stay and work in Alabama after their graduation and this is usually the clause that, if contravened, will convert the grant into a loan.

This list is not exhaustive and further information can be obtained from the University of Alabama’s various websites.

Specific Scholarships and Grants in Alabama

Alabama Nursing Scholarship Program

This scholarship was developed for those residents of Alabama who want to pursue a career in nursing and usually lasts for one year, although it may be renewed.

The program is administered through different educational institutions and related organizations and the exact deadline for the submission of applications will be dependent on the individual organization’s requirements.

In order to be eligible for this scholarship:

• The applicants must be Alabama residents; and
• The applicants must already be admitted to nursing programs in Arizona-based educational institutions.

Further information about this scholarship program can be obtained from The Alabama Commission on Higher Education, Attn: Grants and Scholarships Department, 100 North Union Street, P.O. Box 302000, Montgomery, AL 36130 (tel: 334-242-2274 and website: www.ache.alabama.gov).

Alabama State Nursing Scholarship

This scholarship is a once-off award of $600 that will become a loan and, thus, repayable, should the student not work in Alabama for one year immediately after graduation. A student will be eligible to apply for this scholarship if:

• He or she is an Alabama resident and is currently enrolled in a clinical nursing course; and
• He or she is currently achieving a 2.5 or higher grade point average in their nursing school’s undergraduate program.

The scholarship is administered through the University of Alabama’s Financial Aid Office and they can be contacted for further information at The School of Nursing, Office of Student Affairs, 504 University Boulevard, Tuscaloosa, AL 35487 (tel: 1-800-313-3591 and website: nursing.ua.edu).

Baptist Health System Nursing Loan / Scholarship Program

This scholarship program provides for as many as five awards to be made each year to different students who are engaged in full-time undergraduate work in the field of nursing. There are several eligibility requirements that have to be fulfilled, however, and these include:

• Students must have a minimum of a 2.5 cumulative grade point average;
• Students must have an up-to-date Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) on file with the University of Alabama’s Financial Aid Office; and
• Students must also file three letters of recommendation (one from a clergy member, one academic and one personal or work-related).

If awarded the scholarship, students must sign a contract in terms of which they undertake to begin full-time work with the Baptist Health System within 30 days of their graduation.

This scholarship program is also administered through the University of Alabama and questions concerning the program can be answered by the University’s Birmingham Student Affairs Office, 503 Hill University Center, 1400 University Boulevard, Birmingham, AL 35233 (tel: 205-934-6290 and website: uab.edu).

Barbara Ingalls Shook Foundation Scholarship

This is another scholarship that is administered through the University of Alabama and, when relevant, the School of Nursing’s Office of Student Affairs will announce the deadlines for the application submissions. Eligibility requirements for this scholarship include:

• The student must be admitted to or currently enrolled in a clinical major degree;
• The student must have a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0; and
• The student must be an Alabama resident and a US citizen.

This scholarship can be awarded to the same student more than once but only if that student is enrolled for full-time study every time it is awarded. Further information about this program can be obtained from the UAB Student Affairs office (see above for contact details).

Benjamin and Roberta Russell Nursing Scholarship

This is another of the many scholarships and grant programs administered through the University of Alabama and, here again, the School of Nursing will announce the deadline for application submissions when relevant. This program has several requirements that have to be fulfilled before students are deemed eligible, which include:

• Students must have a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0;
• Students must be able to demonstrate financial need as defined by the UAB Office of Student Financial Aid; and
• Students must be currently enrolled in or admitted to a program at the University of Alabama School of Nursing that will provide them with a nursing degree when qualified.

Anyone can apply but preference will be given to those who are Alabama residents, those who want to work in the Alabama health care system after graduation and those who are studying full-time. Further information can be obtained from the UAB Student Affairs office (see above).