LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – The Reach for the Stars nursing scholarship program, which started in Dallas five years ago, is expanding to Arkansas – and 10 Baptist Health employees will be the first recipients in the state to attend nursing school with tuition paid.
The scholarship program at Baptist Health is fully funded by Baptist Health Foundation through an anonymous donor. It seeks to assist those already in health care to become registered nurses by providing tuition, books and reimbursement for eligible supplies. Scholarship funds may be used at any public nursing school in the state, including Baptist Health College Little Rock.
Applications will be accepted through May 31. Scholarship applicants will be reviewed during the first half of June, and recipients will be notified the week of June 22.
To qualify for the Reach for the Stars scholarship, Baptist Health employees must meet the following requirements:
- Be a current employee and be employed at Baptist Health for at least six months prior to the application date
- Continue to work for Baptist Health and meet minimum requirements of employment status throughout the degree program
- Have a high-school diploma or GED (preference will be given to those who have completed all pre-nursing coursework)
- Be enrolled full time or accepted to an accredited nonprofit nursing program that offers an associate or bachelor’s degree in nursing
- Commit to working at Baptist Health for two years upon completion of nursing degree
- Qualify for in-state tuition
To be considered, candidates must complete an application package, college transcripts and three recommendations (including one from a current supervisor and one from a co-worker). Applications will be reviewed and finalists identified through a selection process that will include a team of representatives from Baptist Health and Baptist Health Foundation.
Reach for the Stars started with several large hospitals in Dallas, Fort Worth and Houston to assist county hospital employees that work with populations in need. Since its inception, the program has partnered with 10 hospitals and provided 220 nursing scholarships throughout Texas. Nursing scholarships through this program are only available to employees of approved hospitals.
Click here to apply for a Reach for the Stars scholarship.
For more information about the Reach for the Stars nursing scholarship program at Baptist Health, Baptist Health employees can email nursingstars@baptist-health.org.
About Baptist Health
For more than 100 years, Baptist Health has delivered All Our Best in health care through Christian compassion and innovative services. Baptist Health is Arkansas’ most comprehensive health care organization with more than 250 points of access that include 11 hospitals; urgent care centers; a senior living community; over 100 primary and specialty care clinics; a college with studies in nursing and allied health; a graduate residency program; and access to virtual care anytime, anywhere. It is also the largest private not-for-profit health care organization based in Arkansas, providing care through the support of approximately 11,000 employees, groundbreaking treatments, renowned physicians and community outreach programs. For more information about Baptist Health, visit baptist-health.com, call Baptist Health HealthLine at 1-888-BAPTIST or download the myBaptistHealth app. Find us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.