Beacon Scholar Program

A collaborative partnership between Beacon Health System and Ivy Tech Community College to combat the critical nursing shortage by providing full financial aid and guaranteed employment to nursing students.

Purpose:

• Address critical nursing shortage in the community
• Expand Ivy Tech's nursing program capacity
• Support equitable economic prosperity in underrepresented minorities
• Provide pathway to full-time RN positions

Program Details:

• Established: 2022 partnership between Beacon Health System and Ivy Tech Elkhart-South Bend
• Name: Beacon School of Nursing at Ivy Tech Elkhart-South Bend
• Location: Ivy Tech South Bend/Elkhart campus only (as of current information)

Eligibility:

• Automatically eligible for any student enrolled in Ivy Tech's ASN (Associate of Science in Nursing) program
• No separate application required
• Can include LPN to ASN transition program students
• Prerequisite requirements for ASN program must be completed (typically 2 semesters)
• Must not be ineligible for rehire at Beacon
• Students do NOT need to be Beacon associates while pursuing ASN
• Can transfer from other schools (dependent on specific situation)

Award Details:

• Tuition coverage: All tuition, books, and school fees covered on "last-dollar-in" basis (after other financial aid applied)
• Prerequisites: NOT covered under Beacon Scholar program
• Semester stipend: Varies by program
  • ASN students: $400/semester (semesters 1-3), $650/semester (semesters 4-5)
  • LPN to ASN students: $500/semester (all three semesters)
• NCLEX support: $250 of 4th semester stipend designated for NCLEX fee
• Kaplan review: $500 Kaplan NCLEX review course cost covered by Beacon
• Employment guarantee: Full-time bedside RN position upon graduation under 3-year post-graduation agreement
• Placement: Based on system need and individual preference

Academic Requirements:

• Must maintain satisfactory progress
• Tutoring, NCLEX review, advising, and student wraparound services available
• BSN or specialty certification must be obtained within 5 years of employment at Beacon
• Eligible for Beacon tuition reimbursement benefits for BSN pursuit

Financial Aid Integration:

• "Last-dollar-in" scholarships - fill gap after other available scholarships (PELL, loans, 21st Century, etc.)
• Students must complete FAFSA and make best efforts to secure other available funding
• Beacon Scholar support is applied after other aid

Post-Graduation Agreement:

• 3-year employment agreement required
• Full-time bedside RN position guaranteed
• Financial support (tuition assistance, stipends) must be repaid if agreement is broken
• Limited exceptions may be considered based on individual circumstances
• Exceptions may apply if student does not complete ASN

Contact Information:

• Academic/admissions questions: asksouthbendelkhart@ivytech.edu
• Program questions: beaconscholars@beaconhealthsystem.org

How to Enroll

1. If not currently an Ivy Tech student:
   • Apply to Ivy Tech Community College for general admittance
   • Complete prerequisite courses (typically 2 semesters)
2. If already an Ivy Tech student:
   • Complete prerequisite courses if not already done
   • Apply to the ASN (Associate of Science in Nursing) program
3. Automatic eligibility:
   • Once enrolled in Ivy Tech's ASN program, you are automatically eligible to become a Beacon Scholar
   • No separate Beacon Scholar application required

Application Links:

• Ivy Tech general application: Apply to Ivy Tech
• ASN program applications: Apply to ASN Program
• Ivy Tech Resource Center for Students: Available for transfer questions and advising
• Ivy Tech Nursing Program web center: General program information

Application Deadlines: See Ivy Tech's ASN program page for current application deadlines

Required Materials (standard Ivy Tech/ASN program requirements)

Contact for Questions:

• Academic/admissions: asksouthbendelkhart@ivytech.edu
• Program-related: beaconscholars@beaconhealthsystem.org