Columbia University – Presbyterian Hospital School of Nursing Alumni Association Inc./Penny Hund West Scholarship Grant

Columbia University – Presbyterian Hospital School of Nursing Alumni Association Inc./Penny Hund West Scholarship Grant

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: Nurses Educational Funds Inc.
Last Updated: March 25, 2026

Summary

The Columbia University – Presbyterian Hospital School of Nursing Alumni Association Inc./Penny Hund West Scholarship, established by Nurses Educational Funds, Inc., offers support to graduate nursing students. It aims to honor Penny Hund West, a dedicated nurse and culinary enthusiast. Applicants must have two semesters remaining in their studies and meet specific eligibility criteria, including maintaining a minimum GPA of 3.6. This scholarship reflects NEF's commitment to fostering nursing leadership through advanced education.

Overview

Note: Applicants MUST have a minimum of two semesters of study remaining after notification of award in early June (i.e. summer and fall; fall and spring).NEF Scholarships are awarded directly to the successful applicants and not to their college or university. Nurses Educational Funds Nurses Educational Funds, Inc. depends solely on donations to advance our only mission, to promote nursing leadership through annual scholarship support for professional nurses seeking masters and doctoral degrees in nursing education, practice, research, and administration. NEF’s only purpose is to provide nursing scholarship assistance to make graduate level nursing education possible. NEF is one of the largest, national, private, professionally endorsed source of funds for advanced nursing study with over one hundred years of service to and for professional nursing. NEF is a non-profit organization with 501(c) status. Columbia University – Presbyterian Hospital School of Nursing Alumni Association Inc./Penny Hund West Scholarship In 2024, the Columbia University-Presbyterian Hospital School of Nursing Alumni Association, Inc. (CUPHSONAA) donated $50,000 to create a second permanent NEF scholarship. This scholarship honors Penny Hund West in memoriam. Ms. West graduated from Columbia Nursing in 1969. Her classmates remember her vividly and enjoyed studying and living together in Maxwell Hall. Ms. West dedicated her life to nursing and caring for others. She also trained at Le Cordon Bleu in Paris and enjoyed presenting her exquisite culinary creations to friends and neighbors. Ms. West had many interests and talents including being an avid gardener, accomplished horsewoman, and devoted animal rescuer. Penny Hund West died in 2021.

Eligibility

You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. General RequirementsThe following requirements must be met by ALL applicants:Current RN license/Registration with current expiration date, from any state within the USA RequiredCurrent national professional nursing association membership with a current expiration date – such as the American Nurses Association, or specialty organization and/or evidence of international honor society membership (Sigma Theta Tau International).You will be asked to upload a copy of your membership card.Proof of current citizenship or legal residency status, such as:United States Passport (biographic page) with current expiration dateBirth CertificateNaturalization Certificate from the USCISPermanent Resident (Green) Card with current expiration date Specific RequirementsMaster’s degree applicant must haveCompleted a baccalaureate degree in nursing (or the equivalent requirement if enrolled in an “entry” level Master’s program).Enrolled either full or part-time in a professionally accredited nursing program.Completed at least 12 graded credits (pass/fail & satisfactory credits are not counted) of the master’s program at the time the application is submitted.Maintained a minimum GPA of 3.6.Doctoral degree (PhD, DNP, DNAP, EdD) applicant must have:Completed a bachelor’s and master's degree.Enrolled either full or part-time in a professionally accredited nursing program.Completed at least 12 graded credits (pass/fail & satisfactory credits are not counted) of the program at the time the application is submitted.Maintained a minimum GPA of 3.6.Accelerated BSN to Doctoral (PhD, DNP, DNAP, EdD) applicant (includes student without a master's degree in nursing)Enrolled full or part-time in a professionally accredited nursing program.Completed 40 graded credits (pass/fail & satisfactory credits are not counted) of the program at the time the application is submitted.Maintained a minimum GPA of 3.6. Accredited Graduate Nursing Programs including but not limited to master's or DNP nursing programs, are those programs that are accredited by the following:Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN); Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE); Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCC); New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE); or other recognized American Nursing College or School of Nursing Accrediting bodies. A Nursing Program is defined here as:A graduate (master’s or doctorate) nursing program that is in a Department/School/College/University of Nursing granting graduate nursing degrees.If the applicant is enrolled in a dual degree program, one of the dual degrees must be in graduate (master’s or doctorate) nursing, granted by a nursing department/school/college/university and both of the degrees must be awarded simultaneously at the end of the program. An articulation agreement within the university or between two colleges in which degrees are given at different completion dates are ineligible (both of the degrees must be awarded simultaneously at the end of the program).

Ineligibility

A student in post-graduate certificate program is not eligible for an NEF Scholarship