Brief Description:

Description:

This scholarship provides financial support for individuals pursuing a bachelor’s degree in nursing (BSN). The goal is to increase the number of bachelor’s prepared nurses who are working within the Suncoast Nursing Action Coalition (SNAC) region (Sarasota, Charlotte, Manatee, & Desoto Counties).

The amount awarded per person may vary and is at the discretion of the SNAC selection committee. Award amounts will be based on individual need as determined by documented sources of support (e.g. scholarships, grants) with a minimum award amount of $2,500.

Recipients of the SNAC BSN scholarship are eligible to be considered for awards in subsequent years. Recipients must reapply and submit a complete application for consideration.

Students are selected for the scholarship in a three-step competitive process: a) Community Foundation Staff review application to ensure applicant eligibility and completeness; b) The SNAC Selection Committee will review eligible applicants and determine awardees; c) the Community Foundation Board of Directors approves the students selected.

A needs analysis is conducted considering the total cost of education, the expected parent and/or student contribution, and other grant and loan funds awarded to the student. Scholarship finalists may be contacted either by letter or telephone and asked to provide additional information to the Foundation on other grants or loans awarded by schools and other funding sources. This data will be used in determining the amount of certain awards. This information will be held in strictest confidence.

All applicants are notified by email whether or not they receive an award. Recipients will be notified by the Community Foundation by May 1. Payments are mailed directly to the school's financial aid office prior to the beginning of the Fall semester.

Special Eligibility Requirements:

Meet one of the following criteria:

•Currently live within the SNAC region (Sarasota, Charlotte, Manatee, & Desoto).
•Currently work at a medical facility within the SNAC region.
•A graduate from a high school from the SNAC region.

AND

Meet all of the following criteria:

•Have submitted an application for acceptance into a nursing bachelor’s program (may be traditional BSN, 2nd Degree BSN, accelerated BSN, or RN-BSN) that is regionally and nationally accredited (CCNE or ACEN accreditation). [Note: Scholarships will only be awarded after proof of acceptance & enrollment in a nursing program has been verified.]
•Plan to be a full or part-time student (based on the enrollment definitions at your intended school of enrollment).
•Demonstrate financial need.
•Obtain a minimum of 1 recommendation from an employer or faculty/instructor.

Links to Additional Information:

The Suncoast Nursing Action Coalition (SNAC) is aligned with the "Campaign for Action," a national movement of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and AARP and affiliated with the Florida Action Coalition's Education Action Team.

SNAC’s vision is that access to quality healthcare provided by a diverse, highly educated and skilled nursing workforce is available to communities it services. SNAC’s service area encompasses Charlotte, DeSoto, Manatee and Sarasota Counties.

SNAC’s mission is to promote higher quality of care and access to patient care by advancing baccalaureate and higher levels of nursing education.

SNAC achieves its vision and mission by engaging the health care employers (hospitals, nursing homes, and public health agencies), academics (organizations training nurses), and the community in a collaborative effort to address and achieve identified goals. It’s primary goals are:

• Increase the number and proportion of nurses with a BSN degree.
• Fulfill the faculty needs to teach the next generation of nurses by increasing the number and percentage of nurses with a doctorate (Ph.D./DNP/DNSc).
• Facilitate academic progression of all nurses.

The Suncoast Nursing Action Coalition was originally formed as a pilot project in 2013. Jan Mauck, CNO, Sarasota Memorial Health Care System and Charles Baumann, Kerkering & Barberio, Co-Chair SNAC’s leadership. For more information visit: www.snac4fl.org.

Contact Information:

For questions about this application, please contact the Community Foundation of Sarasota County Scholarships Team at Scholarships@cfsarasota.org