Beacon Scholar Program

Program Name: Beacon School of Nursing at Ivy Tech Elkhart-South Bend

Geographic Scope: Ivy Tech Elkhart-South Bend campus only (currently available only at this location)

Purpose: To address the critical nursing shortage in the community and support equitable economic prosperity in underrepresented minorities

Program Details:

• Partnership between Beacon Health System and Ivy Tech Elkhart-South Bend
• Provides financial aid to nursing students and expands Ivy Tech's capacity

Eligibility:

• Any student enrolled in Ivy Tech's Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) Program at South Bend/Elkhart campus
• Automatic eligibility - no separate application required
• Must meet ASN program prerequisites
• Students do NOT need to be Beacon associates while pursuing ASN
• Must be eligible for rehire at Beacon (candidates ineligible for rehire are ineligible for Beacon Scholar status but may still attend Ivy Tech programs)
• Can include LPNs in LPN to ASN transition program
• Transfers from other schools eligible depending on individual circumstances

What is Covered:

• Tuition, books, and school fees: Covered on a "last-dollar-in" basis (fills gap after other financial aid applied)
• Prerequisites: Not included in scholarship scope
• Semester stipends: Provided for each semester in ASN program
  • Amount varies by semester
  • 4th semester includes $250 for NCLEX fee
• NCLEX exam fee: $250 (covered in 4th semester stipend)
• Kaplan NCLEX review course: $500 value, fully covered
• Employment: Full-time bedside RN position guaranteed upon graduation
  • 3-year post-graduation agreement required
  • Placement based on system need and individual preference

Additional Supports:

• Tutoring
• NCLEX review
• Academic advising
• Student wraparound services

Post-Graduation Requirements:

• Must work as bedside RN at Beacon for 3 years post-graduation
• Beacon associates must obtain BSN or specialty certification within 5 years of employment
• Eligible for Beacon's tuition reimbursement and other scholarship opportunities for BSN pursuit

Financial Aid Coordination:

• Works with other federal/state aid (PELL, loans, 21st Century Scholars, etc.)
• Beacon funding is applied last, after other scholarships
• Students must complete FAFSA and seek other available funding first

Obligatory Service/Repayment:

• Financial support is provided in exchange for 3-year employment agreement
• If student does not complete ASN: all financial support (tuition, stipends, etc.) must be repaid to Beacon
• If student opts out of program: all financial support must be repaid to Beacon
• Exceptions may be considered based on individual circumstances

Contact Information:

• For academic/admissions questions: asksouthbendelkhart@ivytech.edu
• For Beacon Scholar program questions: beaconscholars@beaconhealthsystem.org

How to Enroll

1. If not currently an Ivy Tech student:
   • Apply to Ivy Tech to complete prerequisite courses needed for ASN program
   • Visit: Apply to Ivy Tech link on website
2. If already an Ivy Tech student with prerequisites completed:
   • Apply to the ASN program
   • Visit: Apply to ASN Program link on website
3. Automatic Eligibility:
   • All students enrolled in Ivy Tech's ASN program are automatically eligible to become a Beacon Scholar
   • No separate Beacon Scholar application required

Frequently Asked Questions

Eligibility Questions:

• Who is eligible? Any student enrolled in South Bend/Elkhart's Ivy Tech Associate of Science in Nursing Program
• Do I need to be a Beacon associate? No - Beacon Scholars do not have to be Beacon associates while pursuing ASN
• Is this available at all Ivy Tech campuses? No - only at Ivy Tech's South Bend/Elkhart campus
• Are there prerequisite requirements? No prerequisites required for Beacon Scholar Program, but prerequisites required for Ivy Tech ASN Program (typically 2 semesters of classes)
• Can I transfer from another school? Yes, depending on individual circumstances - contact Ivy Tech counselor
• Are LPN to ASN students eligible? Yes - LPNs accepted into Ivy Tech's LPN to ASN transition program can become Beacon Scholars

Financial Support Questions:

• What financial support is offered? Remaining tuition, books, and school fees on "last-dollar-in" basis, plus semester stipends, NCLEX fee ($250), and Kaplan course ($500 value)
• How does this work with other financial aid? Beacon funding fills gap after PELL, loans, 21st Century Scholars, etc. Students must complete FAFSA and seek other funding first
• Will I need to get a BSN after this? Yes - Beacon associates must obtain BSN or certification in specialty within 5 years of employment. Tuition reimbursement available for this.
• Can I opt out and what does that mean? Yes, but all financial support provided (tuition, stipends, etc.) must be repaid to Beacon. Exceptions may be considered.
• What if I don't complete my ASN? All financial support must be repaid to Beacon. Exceptions may be considered.

Resources for Success:

• Tutoring available
• NCLEX review provided
• Academic advising available
• Student wraparound services available