Health-Related Scholarships Program

Health-Related Scholarships Program

Funder: Bedford Community Health Foundation
Location: Bedford, Virginia (Town and County)
Website: healthybedford.org

Overview

The Bedford Community Health Foundation offers a variety of scholarships for individuals pursuing certification, degrees, and advanced degrees in health-related fields. Last year alone the Foundation awarded over $31,000 in scholarships.

Eligible Student Types

• Full-time nursing students
• Employed nurses seeking additional education
• Full-time allied health students
• Employed health providers wanting to specialize
• High school students enrolled in the Governor's Health Academy at Susie G. Gibson Science & Technology Center

Program Coverage

Scholarships provide financial assistance for:
• Nursing assistant courses
• Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) programs
• Registered Nurse (RN) programs
• Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
• Nurse Practitioner degrees
• Allied health degrees (e.g., dietitians, speech-language pathologists, physical therapists, respiratory therapists, audiologists, medical assistants, pharmacy technicians, diagnostic medical sonographers, dental hygienists, certified nurse assistants)
• Graduate degrees in health-related fields
• Continuing education and specialization programs
• Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) training
• Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) certification
• Gerontology specialization

What Scholarships Do NOT Fund

• General education courses typically taken in the first year of a four-year degree program
• Exception: Jean Casale Scholarship (covers first year bachelor's degree in nursing)

Available Scholarships

1. Allied Health and Graduate Studies Scholarship
- For full-time undergraduate and graduate students pursuing health-related degrees
- Covers roles like dietitians, speech-language pathologists, physical therapists, respiratory therapists, audiologists, medical assistants, pharmacy technicians, diagnostic medical sonographers, dental hygienists, certified nurse assistants, nurse practitioners, and licensed practical nurses

2. Maxwell Dudley Davidson Scholarship
- For full-time nursing students pursuing RN, BSN, or Nurse Practitioner degrees
- Award: $2,000 per academic year for maximum of 3 years

3. David W. and Sandra L.R. Boyes Physician Education Scholarship
- For health professionals and specialists seeking continuing education or degree focused on gerontology
- Special Consideration: Applicants currently practicing or planning to practice in rural Virginia or southern Appalachian areas
- Eligible professionals: Chiropractors, Physical Therapists, Physicians Assistants, Osteopaths, Dietitians, Speech Language Pathologists, Audiologists, Occupational Therapists, Registered Nurses, Nurse Practitioners

4. CNA/PN/EMT Scholarship (Governor's Health Academy)
- For adults and Bedford County students attending Susie G. Gibson Science and Technology Center
- For those pursuing CNA, LPN, or EMT certification

5. Bedford Life Saving and First Aid Crew Scholarship
- For current employees of the County or Town of Bedford, Virginia
- For volunteers of Bedford Emergency Medical Services (Fire, EMS, Police, and other first responders)
- Covers continuing education including training, certifications, and degree programs

6. Jean Casale Scholarship
- Eligibility: Staunton River High School graduates only
- For students pursuing bachelor's degree in nursing
- Special Feature: Only exception to first-year exclusion (covers first year)
- Unique Process: Application available through Staunton River High School guidance office (different criteria than other scholarships)
- Award: One student selected per year

Eligibility Criteria

• Residency: Must be resident of Town or County of Bedford, Virginia
• Academic Status: Must be student in "good standing" at current school
• Program: Must be enrolled in approved health-related program of study
• GPA: Must maintain "C" average or above during program of study
• Reporting: Any change in academic status must be communicated to Foundation

Scholarship Award Process

• Scholarships awarded once per academic year
• Successful recipients notified in writing
• Scholarship check sent to school where student is enrolled
• Successful recipients may apply again in following academic year
• Note: Scholarship award is NOT guaranteed

Contact Information

Phone: (540) 586-5292 Email: [email protected] Mailing Address: Bedford Community Health Foundation, P.O. Box 1104, Bedford, VA 24523 Physical Address: 2nd Floor, Bedford Central Library Office Hours: 9 AM - 4:30 PM, Monday-Friday