The Nightingale Award

The nursing scholarship is for full-time enrolled students to attend an accredited four-year college or university within the United States in pursuit of a bachelor's degree in nursing. The award is a merit scholarship totaling twenty thousand dollars ($20,000) over a four-year period. This amount is further allocated annually as four (4) five thousand dollar ($5,000) payments and can only be used for tuition and related expenses as defined by the Internal Revenue Service: "tuition and fees required for the enrollment or attendance of a student at an education organization described in section 170(b)(1)(A)(ii) and fees, books, supplies, and equipment required for courses of instruction at such an educational organization." The award cannot be extended beyond a four-year period.

Application: These guidelines and applications will be distributed to the guidance counselors at public and private high schools in Calhoun County. Also, applications are directly available from the Community Foundation.

To be considered for The Nightingale Award, applicants must submit the complete application and supporting documentation to the Community Foundation by Feburary 1 of each year. There are no exceptions to this due date and the Scholarship Review Committee will not consider incomplete applications.

Essay: An essay is required with the application. The student is asked to describe the person or experience that has been the greatest influence in his or her life, and articulate his or her personal aspirations and career goals as a registered nurse. This composition should be typed and be no longer than four double-spaced pages. The applicant should conclude the statement with the main reason why the committee should award him or her the scholarship.

Eligibility: Graduates of any accredited public or private high school within Calhoun County are eligible to apply for the Award without regard to race, religion, gender, national origin, or disability. Applicant's must have a 3.0 overall high school GPA on a 4.0 scale in order to submit an application. Applications not meeting this academic requirement will not be considered. Priority will be given to students with proven academic ability, strong moral character, recognized school and community service, and a discernible commitment to the nursing profession.

Community Service: Recipient's of the Nightingale Award are required by written contract to work in the nursing profession for two (2) years within Calhoun County after completing the BSN
degree. Failure to meet this requirement will result in refunding the Foundation the entire $20,000 award. Likewise, a recipient who fails to complete the BSN degree is obligated to reimburse the Foundation should he or she transfer to another major or terminate their pursuit of a bachelor's degree in nursing.

Review Committee: The Scholarship Review Committee of the Calhoun County Community Foundation will review all applications and make recommendations to the Foundation's Executive Committee.

Review Process: Students are to submit application packets to the Community Foundation by the due date; staff will review the application for clarity and completeness; copies of applications and all documentation will be forwarded to the Scholarship Review Committee. Committee members will have four weeks to review the applications, conduct interviews, if necessary; and hold a final determination meeting. This recommendation is submitted to the Foundation's Executive Committee for final approval. Awards will be finalized and made public in May.

Payment of Awards: Upon formal acceptance of the award, payment is made at the beginning of each academic quarter or semester. Checks are made directly to the financial aid office at the educational institution where the student is enrolled.

Students must inform the Community Foundation of any additional educational or financial aid grants or awards immediately upon notification. Failure to do so may result in the termination of the Award.

In addition, the scholarship recipient must provide the Foundation with an official copy of their college or university transcript at the end of each academic term (quarter or semester). Failure in any single term to maintain a 3.0 grade point average or better on a 4.0 scale will result in the termination of the scholarship award. Moreover, the transcript must indicate that the recipient is enrolled in the nursing curriculum and progressing in the nursing program.

The Award is further terminated should a recipient discontinue their pursuit of a bachelor's degree in nursing for another degree or career path.

Responsibility of Recipient: Each scholarship recipient is responsible for fulfilling requirements for admission to the educational institution of his or her choice. The scholarship recipient must enter a post-secondary institution no later than the fall term following their selection. The scholarship may not be extended or deferred to a later date.

Recipients not completing the full academic term (quarter or semester) must request that the school reimburse the Calhoun County Community Foundation for any funds eligible for refund because of separation from the nursing program.

Assumptions: The Nightingale Award Guidelines are not a contract. No obligation or liability of any kind will be imposed upon a scholarship recipient; nor will any obligation or liability be assumed by the Community Foundation, except as expressly stated in this document.

These guidelines are subject to change; therefore, applicants should inquire if revised guidelines have been issued. This may include the due date of the application documents. The Foundation is not required to accept applications that are presented after the due date.

Revised November 2, 2004