Equity Scholarship Program
Purpose
The Equity Scholarship Fund was created to increase the racial and ethnic diversity of the nursing workforce in Oregon. The program seeks to provide early financial support for applicants from underrepresented racial and ethnic groups enrolled in a nursing program. Applicants who self-identify as a member of an underrepresented group are encouraged to apply.
Background
According to national projections, the United States non-white population will be the majority by 2043, and will steadily increase thereafter, with people of color accounting for 57 percent of the country’s population by the year 2060. Those figures are significant because communities of color continue to experience disparities in the healthcare system, including access to quality healthcare, access to proper health education, and poor patient-provider communication.
Introducing more diversity to nursing is a vital tool to address health equity and improve patient care. Nurses interact with patients daily, so as the demographics change, the need to have patient care providers who are in tune with this increasingly diverse population is a pressing concern.
In Oregon, the registered nurse population is 88.5% white compared to 78.5% of the overall population. The Oregon Nurses Foundation supports the development, promotion and implementation of diversity, equity and inclusion policies, practices and programs to improve patient care.
Type of Program
Scholarship award for costs of attending a nursing prelicensure program, including tuition, fees and other expenses directly related to participating in the education program.
Eligibility
- Applicant must be enrolled in core nursing curriculum at either the Associate Degree (ADN), or Baccalaureate Degree (BSN) program.
- Applicant must have completed at least one quarter/semester of the nursing curriculum; proof of enrollment may be required.
- Preference given to students who reside in and are attending school in Oregon
Eligibility and Selection Criteria
- Applicant must be accepted into and actively enrolled (currently taking core curriculum courses) in core nursing curriculum at either the ADN or BSN programs.
- A cumulative grade point average (GPA) in nursing (not pre-nursing) of 3.0 or greater is required and OFFICIAL transcripts of all college coursework must be provided directly by college(s). GPA must be in core nursing curriculum courses and have completed at least one-quarter of the core nursing curriculum (not prenursing) education.
- Selection of the awardee is based upon the following elements:
- Identified as a member of an underrepresented group (35%)
- Leadership skills and experiences (25%)
- Career plans in nursing (30%)
- Demonstrated need (5%)
- Geographic location (5%)
Amount of the Award
Each non-renewable scholarship is for $5000. Up to two (2) scholarships may be awarded annually. Applicants are invited to reapply annually. As with all scholarships, the award will be sent directly to the educational institution for application towards tuition, fees and other educational expenses.
Application
Documents for a Complete Application:
- Completed application.
- OFFICIAL transcripts with at least one term of core nursing curriculum grades submitted directly to ONF
- Three (3) letters of recommendation along with and electronic reference form submitted directly to ONF from referencer. Instructions on this part is available in the reference section of this form.
Timeline
- March 1 – May 1: Applications are available online.
- May 1: Applications must be received by the ONF electronically.
- May 2 – May 31: Applications are reviewed by the ONF Scholarship Committee.
- July 30: Awards are announced.
- Fall: Funds are transmitted to the educational institution at the beginning of the term.
Applications must be submitted by end of day, May 1, 2024.
For questions about the scholarship or the application process, please contact the ONF at info@oregonnursesfoundation.org