Gov. Jay Nixon recently announced nearly $1 million in grants to educate additional nurses at college and universities across the state, marking the latest award of grants made available through the Governor’s Caring for Missourians initiative.
These Caring for Missourians grants are funded by revenue generated from nursing licensing fees collected by the Missouri State Board of Nursing. The program is providing $1 million in grants each year in Fiscal Years 2012, 2013, and 2014. Public and private colleges and universities are eligible to apply for grants of up to $150,000 per institution per year to hire additional faculty, purchase vital educational equipment or offer scholarships.
“An education in nursing is a clear pathway to a rewarding and lifelong career, but far too often, too many students were being turned away from nursing education programs because they were at full capacity,” Gov. Nixon said.
“As our state economy continues to move forward, health care will remain as a growing industry in our state. These Caring for Missourians program grants will assist our nursing schools in educating more students and connecting them with good jobs in every corner of Missouri.”
The State Board of Nursing has approved the following seven grants:
Lincoln University (Jefferson City) $124,115
Missouri State University (Springfield) $144,134
Research College of Nursing (Kansas City) $148,032
Truman State University (Kirksville) $150,000
University of Missouri – St. Louis $149,978
University of Central Missouri (Warrensburg) $131,266
University of Missouri – Columbia $150,000
To select the grant recipients, the Missouri State Board of Nursing reviewed competitive applications submitted by the institutions. In the third year of the program, the board will again be inviting applications and awarding the grants on a competitive basis.
Launched by Gov. Nixon in 2009, Caring for Missourians is a strategic initiative to increase the number of nurses, physicians, dentists and other health professionals being educated at Missouri’s public colleges and universities. Colleges and universities developed individual plans for how they would invest their Caring for Missourians funds.
Gov. Nixon and the State Board of Nursing announced plans for the expansion of Caring for Missourians using the license fee revenue in December 2010.
Nov. 15 deadline for scholarship applications
The Scholarship Foundation of St. Louis’ interest-free loan application deadline is Thursday, November 15, 2012. The Scholarship Foundation offers qualified students the opportunity to apply for renewable, interest-free loans of up to $7,000 per academic year, based on financial need, academic potential, and strength of character. High school students, college students, and nontraditional applicants pursuing their first bachelor’s degree are encouraged to apply at www.sfstl.org.
The Scholarship Foundation of St. Louis is a nonprofit organization that provides access to postsecondary education to eligible St. Louis area students who would not otherwise have the financial means to attend accredited two-year or four-year colleges, or technical schools. Applicants must reside in: St. Louis City and St. Louis County; the Missouri counties of Franklin, Jefferson, Lincoln, St. Charles and Warren; and the Illinois counties of Clinton, Jersey, Madison, Monroe, and St. Clair.
Interest-free loans and grants are awarded to students who have graduated high school or earned a GED and are planning to enroll in approved, accredited postsecondary programs. To be eligible, an applicant must be a U.S. citizen or U.S. legal resident and be a permanent resident of the St. Louis metropolitan area for at least two years prior to the date of application.
Students can apply for funding by completing an online “general application” which enables applicants to simultaneously apply for The Scholarship Foundation’s interest-free loan and a variety of external scholarships offered by several providers on the St. Louis Graduates website (www.stlouisgraduates.org). Upon completion of the general application, applicants must go on and complete additional questions for each scholarship to which they’re matched.
For more information, contact The Scholarship Foundation of St. Louis at (314) 725-7990 or email at info@sfstl.org.