I. Purpose

The Shirley McConnell Palmer Nursing Scholarship Endowment Fund has been funded to provide financial support for licensed practical nurse and registered nurse students in the region.

II. Financial Need

Individuals who will be able to apply for scholarships from the endowment fund include employees of Mountain States Health Alliance (MSHA) and non-employees. First priority will be given to MSHA employees and their immediate family members. All applicants will sign a work commitment requiring them to work a specified period of time following graduation from a nursing program or to pay back the monies provided through the scholarship.

Each candidate must be reviewed for financial need. All scholarship monies will be deposited directly with the school where the candidate will attend. If an individual finishes schooling that was paid for through this scholarship program and he/she does not work for MSHA as committed, the individual must pay back the monies to the Foundation as stipulated in the agreement they sign. If a student fails or drops out of school, they must pay back monies to the Foundation. A period of time will be provided following the failure or drop out to allow the student opportunity to reapply to the school.

Based on the scholarship dollars provided, candidates will have a specified work time commitment. A scholarship may be granted for up to $4,000 per year. Scholarships will be reviewed on an annual basis with priority given to prior recipients who have a demonstrated need.

III. Selection of Candidates for Scholarship

Scholarship information will be provided to all MSHA facilities, MSHA Human Resources Office(s), East Tennessee State University, King College, Milligan College, and Northeast State Technical Community College. In order to maximize awareness of the scholarship program, flyers and information will be widely displayed where appropriate. All forms and information associated with the scholarship fund will clearly identify the "Shirley McConnell Palmer Nursing Scholarship Endowment Fund" and administered by the Mountain States Health Foundation.

Candidates will submit an application form providing information that is commonly used by nursing programs/schools. A rating grid will be used to rank the candidates.

The candidates will interview for scholarship consideration. Interviews, as well as the review of applications will be by a selection committee. The selection committee will recommend nursing scholarship candidates to the Foundation Board of Trustees.

Candidates who receive a scholarship will be asked to consider signing a release allowing the Foundation to publicly identify their acceptance of the endowment scholarship.

Scholarships provided by the
Shirley McConnell Palmer Nursing Scholarship Endowment Fund
with special thanks to
Mr. and Mrs. Tom Palmer
Dr. Chris Gillespie and the Emergency Physicians Group

Click here for application. At this time the application cannot be submitted on line. Please print the application and mail to Mountain States Health Foundation, 1021 West Oakland Avenue, Suite 103, Johnson City, TN 37604. For more information please contact the Office of Academic Programs and Student Services, Room 230, Roy S. Nicks Hall or phone 423.439.4578 or 1.888.37.NURSE.