CFCC: Community Foundation of Calhoun County

Tribute: The Community Foundation of Calhoun County established this scholarship to promote and celebrate the nursing profession. The Community Foundation was created in 1999 to serve broad-based charitable needs in Calhoun County and northeast Alabama. The largest assets of the Community Foundation are from a number of donors who have designated healthcare as the primary purpose of their gifts. Because of their generosity and commitment to better our community this scholarship is possible.

Awards: Scholarships provide funding for full-time enrolled students at Jacksonville State University Lurleen B. Wallace College of Nursing and Health Sciences (CNHS) RN to BSN Strategic Teaching for Enhanced Professional Preparation (STEP) program. If no one qualifies under the STEP program, the award may be given to a qualified applicant in the BSN program. Based on these guidelines the Foundation will further assess each applicant's background and financial need to determine a final award amount.

Application: An application is available from the CNHS and the Community Foundation of Calhoun office or website www.yourcommunityfirst.org by mid January to students already admitted to the STEP program. For those students entering the program during Marathon J (May-August) and Fall semester (September - December), an application will be included with their admission letter. The scholarship fund is announced in the student handbook (available on the CNHS web page), direct mail communications with STEP students, and by bulletins to be posted throughout the CNHS building during the call for applications.

Eligibility: Graduates of any accredited public or private high school within Calhoun County possessing an unencumbered Registered Nurse license are eligible to apply for the award without regard to race, religion, gender, national origin, or disability. This scholarship is limited to students accepted into the RN to BSN (STEP) program who possess a strong moral character, discernable academic ability, with a grade point average (GPA) of 2.5 or greater, recognized school and community service, and documented financial need. If qualified applicant is not identified from the STEP program then the award will be made to a qualified applicant from the BSN program.

All relatives of donors who contribute more than two percent of the Fund's assets are ineligible to receive a scholarship from the Fund. In addition, the Foundation's Board of Trustees, Staff and Scholarship Committee members, including their spouses, children, adopted children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren are prohibited from applying or receiving any scholarship, grant or financial award from the Foundation.

Review Process: Applications will be submitted to the Community Foundation by June 1 for the Fall semester, October 1 for the Spring semester and February 1 for Marathon J. An essay is required with the application. The student is asked to describe his or her personal aspirations and contributions to the nursing profession and how a scholarship would "Help Me Meet My Educational Goals". This composition should be typed and be no longer than three hundred words. The applicant should conclude the statement with the main reason why the CNHS should award the applicant a scholarship.

Review Committee: Scholarship candidates shall be selected by the Community Foundation's Scholarship Committee solely appointed by the Foundation's Board of Trustees. The committee may include one (1) advisor from Jacksonville State University College of Nursing and Health Services from among the following representatives: (i) Dean of Nursing (ii) Scholarship Coordinator, or (iii) STEP Nursing Instructor. If one of these individuals is not available or cannot serve, then the Foundation's Scholarship Committee shall continue to carry out the charitable purposes of the Fund as described in the Fund Agreement. The committee will submit their recommendations to the Foundation's Board of Trustees for their final approval.

Payment of Awards: Payment is made to the student account for tuition expenses at the beginning of the academic semester after the award. Because of the nature of the STEP Program, three scholarships of equal amounts will be awarded during one year. One scholarship ($833.00) will be awarded in the Fall semester, one scholarship ($833.00) will be awarded in the Spring, and one scholarship ($833.00) will be awarded in Marathon J. Distributions will not be made until the Foundation receives the (i) signed letter of acceptance provided by the Foundation, (ii) certified proof of enrollment from the institution and (iii) confirmation that the recipient is enrolled in one of the degree programs listed above. Checks are made directly to the financial administration office at the college or institution. No distribution will be made to any individual for any reason.

Students must notify 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 Jerry Medforth Nursing Scholarship.

Responsibility of Recipient: The recipient should attend the annual CHNS Honors Day program held each April. Each scholarship recipient is responsible for fulfilling requirements for admission to the college or institution of higher learning. The scholarship recipient must enroll no later than the winter term following their selection; otherwise they forfeit the award. No award shall be carried over beyond twelve months from the date of acceptance. Recipients not completing the full academic term due to transfer, or separation from the nursing program will no longer be eligible for the Jerry Medforth Nursing Scholarship. Any unused monies will be credited back to the Jerry Medforth Nursing Scholarship Fund for distribution to another candidate.

No obligation or liability of any kind will be imposed upon a scholarship recipient; nor will any obligation or liability be assumed by Jacksonville State University or the Community Foundation of Calhoun County, except as expressly stated in this document.

The Community Foundation will not (i) accept applications that are presented after the due date; (ii) contact students to locate missing documents such as letters of recommendation (iii) contact students to return the Letter of Acceptance form and (iv) contact students to provide proof of enrollment in order to receive payment.

Program Continuation: The Community Foundation of Calhoun County retains the right to alter the guidelines or to discontinue the STEP Nursing Scholarship Fund should there be a lack of financial resources to maintain the fund.

The Community Foundation of Calhoun County is partnering with Jacksonville State University for a period of ten years. During the first ten years, the Foundation will financially support the award. At the conclusion of the funding timeline, Jacksonville State University is required to raise the funds to maintain the award to insure its continuation and availability. As financial conditions permit, graduates are encouraged to contribute to the nursing scholarship fund to help sustain it in future years.

Revised January 11, 2007


	Several of the scholarships use the same application and recommendation forms; however, each individual scholarship has its own set of guidelines. The specific funds and corresponding guidelines are listed below. Scholarship applications are due by February 1, 2008. Download Application Download Recommendation Form	Jerry Medforth Nursing Scholarship Award Tribute: The Community Foundation of Calhoun County established this scholarship to promote and celebrate the nursing profession. The Community Foundation was created in 1999 to serve broad-based charitable needs in Calhoun County and northeast Alabama. The largest assets of the Community Foundation are from a number of donors who have designated healthcare as the primary purpose of their gifts. Because of their generosity and commitment to better our community this scholarship is possible. Awards: Scholarships provide funding for full-time enrolled students at Jacksonville State University Lurleen B. Wallace College of Nursing and Health Sciences (CNHS) RN to BSN Strategic Teaching for Enhanced Professional Preparation (STEP) program. If no one qualifies under the STEP program, the award may be given to a qualified applicant in the BSN program. Based on these guidelines the Foundation will further assess each applicant's background and financial need to determine a final award amount. Application: An application is available from the CNHS and the Community Foundation of Calhoun office or website www.yourcommunityfirst.org by mid January to students already admitted to the STEP program. For those students entering the program during Marathon J (May-August) and Fall semester (September - December), an application will be included with their admission letter. The scholarship fund is announced in the student handbook (available on the CNHS web page), direct mail communications with STEP students, and by bulletins to be posted throughout the CNHS building during the call for applications. Eligibility: Graduates of any accredited public or private high school within Calhoun County possessing an unencumbered Registered Nurse license are eligible to apply for the award without regard to race, religion, gender, national origin, or disability. This scholarship is limited to students accepted into the RN to BSN (STEP) program who possess a strong moral character, discernable academic ability, with a grade point average (GPA) of 2.5 or greater, recognized school and community service, and documented financial need. If qualified applicant is not identified from the STEP program then the award will be made to a qualified applicant from the BSN program. All relatives of donors who contribute more than two percent of the Fund's assets are ineligible to receive a scholarship from the Fund. In addition, the Foundation's Board of Trustees, Staff and Scholarship Committee members, including their spouses, children, adopted children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren are prohibited from applying or receiving any scholarship, grant or financial award from the Foundation. Review Process: Applications will be submitted to the Community Foundation by June 1 for the Fall semester, October 1 for the Spring semester and February 1 for Marathon J. An essay is required with the application. The student is asked to describe his or her personal aspirations and contributions to the nursing profession and how a scholarship would "Help Me Meet My Educational Goals". This composition should be typed and be no longer than three hundred words. The applicant should conclude the statement with the main reason why the CNHS should award the applicant a scholarship. Review Committee: Scholarship candidates shall be selected by the Community Foundation's Scholarship Committee solely appointed by the Foundation's Board of Trustees. The committee may include one (1) advisor from Jacksonville State University College of Nursing and Health Services from among the following representatives: (i) Dean of Nursing (ii) Scholarship Coordinator, or (iii) STEP Nursing Instructor. If one of these individuals is not available or cannot serve, then the Foundation's Scholarship Committee shall continue to carry out the charitable purposes of the Fund as described in the Fund Agreement. The committee will submit their recommendations to the Foundation's Board of Trustees for their final approval. Payment of Awards: Payment is made to the student account for tuition expenses at the beginning of the academic semester after the award. Because of the nature of the STEP Program, three scholarships of equal amounts will be awarded during one year. One scholarship ($833.00) will be awarded in the Fall semester, one scholarship ($833.00) will be awarded in the Spring, and one scholarship ($833.00) will be awarded in Marathon J. Distributions will not be made until the Foundation receives the (i) signed letter of acceptance provided by the Foundation, (ii) certified proof of enrollment from the institution and (iii) confirmation that the recipient is enrolled in one of the degree programs listed above. Checks are made directly to the financial administration office at the college or institution. No distribution will be made to any individual for any reason. Students must notify 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 Jerry Medforth Nursing Scholarship. Responsibility of Recipient: The recipient should attend the annual CHNS Honors Day program held each April. Each scholarship recipient is responsible for fulfilling requirements for admission to the college or institution of higher learning. The scholarship recipient must enroll no later than the winter term following their selection; otherwise they forfeit the award. No award shall be carried over beyond twelve months from the date of acceptance. Recipients not completing the full academic term due to transfer, or separation from the nursing program will no longer be eligible for the Jerry Medforth Nursing Scholarship. Any unused monies will be credited back to the Jerry Medforth Nursing Scholarship Fund for distribution to another candidate. No obligation or liability of any kind will be imposed upon a scholarship recipient; nor will any obligation or liability be assumed by Jacksonville State University or the Community Foundation of Calhoun County, except as expressly stated in this document. The Community Foundation will not (i) accept applications that are presented after the due date; (ii) contact students to locate missing documents such as letters of recommendation (iii) contact students to return the Letter of Acceptance form and (iv) contact students to provide proof of enrollment in order to receive payment. Program Continuation: The Community Foundation of Calhoun County retains the right to alter the guidelines or to discontinue the STEP Nursing Scholarship Fund should there be a lack of financial resources to maintain the fund. The Community Foundation of Calhoun County is partnering with Jacksonville State University for a period of ten years. During the first ten years, the Foundation will financially support the award. At the conclusion of the funding timeline, Jacksonville State University is required to raise the funds to maintain the award to insure its continuation and availability. As financial conditions permit, graduates are encouraged to contribute to the nursing scholarship fund to help sustain it in future years. Revised January 11, 2007 For more information, email us at: info@yourcommunityfirst.org