Et cetera : IHCA Foundation Offers Health Care Scholarships for Long-Term Care Employees

IHCA Foundation Offers Health Care Scholarships for Long-Term Care Employees, High School Students, Veterans and Rural Iowa Residents. 

More Than 50 Scholarships Now Available; Applications Due May 31

The Iowa Health Care Association (IHCA) Foundation is offering 51 scholarships to help individuals interested in pursuing or advancing their career in long-term care. Scholarship opportunities are available for current long-term care employees seeking to advance their health care or leadership skills, as well as high school seniors, veterans or individuals residing in rural Iowa counties who are pursuing an education in health care.

"As the need for highly skilled health care workers continues to grow, the IHCA Foundation has continued to enhance its scholarship program to help meet those needs. We are grateful to have this opportunity, thanks to our generous donors, to support those who are interested in working in the long-term care profession and building a long-term career," said Lori Ristau, executive director, IHCA Foundation. "For those who choose this profession, it is not just a job; it is a calling. It is a way to build and apply skills to make a meaningful difference in the lives of others, while working in a career that is in high-demand and provides opportunities for advancement."

Scholarship Offerings
The IHCA Foundation is now accepting applications for the following scholarships:

* John W. & Kimberly D. Grubb Registered Nurse (RN) Scholarship Program - This $3,000 scholarship, made possible by the John R. and Zelda Z. Grubb Charitable Foundation, is for employees of IHCA, ICAL and ICHC member organizations who are pursuing an RN degree or seeking to advance their nursing degree. A total of nine scholarships are available. 
* MolinaCares High School Scholarship Program - This $2,000 scholarship, made possible by The Molina Healthcare Charitable Foundation (MolinaCares), is for Iowa high school seniors who are in their senior year during the 2022-2023 academic year. This scholarship covers tuition fees to pursue a certified nursing assistant (CNA), licensed practical nurse (LPN), RN, or Bachelor of Science in nursing (BSN) program for the 2023-2024 academic year. This scholarship is intended for those interested in a future career in long-term care. A total of nine scholarships are available.
* Linda Juckette Family Rural and Veteran Scholarship Program - This $2,000 scholarship, made possible by the Linda Juckette Family Gift Fund, is for anyone residing in a rural Iowa county or is a veteran who is interested in pursuing a health care education, including nursing, health care administration degree programs or long-term care certification programs, with the goal of joining the long-term care profession. A total of five scholarships are available.
* Iowa Total Care Leadership Training Scholarship Program - This $1,500 scholarship, made possible by Iowa Total Care, is for leaders at IHCA and ICAL member organizations accepted into the IHCA Executive Leadership Institute program. This program is specially designed for leaders who work in long-term care and includes the leadership fundamentals necessary to lead others and the specific technical skills in demand in long-term care settings. A total of nine scholarships are available.
* Care Initiatives Director of Nursing (DON) Scholarship Program - This $1,500 scholarship, made possible by Care Initiatives, is for directors of nursing (DONs), assistant directors of nursing (ADONs) or RNs interested in pursuing an ADON or DON position with an IHCA, ICAL and ICHC member organization. The scholarship funds will help cover tuition and registration fees to attend eligible leadership programs offered by an Iowa community college or eligible education provider. A total of six scholarships are available.
* IHCA Member Employee Scholarship Program - This $1,500 scholarship is for employees of IHCA, ICAL and ICHC member organizations who are pursuing a nursing, health care administration or a physical or occupational training program. This scholarship, made possible by the Iowa Post-Acute and Long-Term Care (IPALTC), IHCA Districts and Iowa Council of Nurse Leaders (ICNL), is for employees of IHCA, ICAL and ICHC member organizations looking to advance their health care education. A total of thirteen scholarships are available.

How to Apply 
Eligibility requirements, application guidelines and materials are available online at iowahealthcare.org/foundation. Completed applications are due by May 31. Winners will be announced in July.

About the Iowa Health Care Association Foundation
Founded in 1988 by the Iowa Health Care Association (IHCA), the mission of the IHCA Foundation is to foster excellence in long-term care for Iowans by building a stronger workforce. The IHCA Foundation carries out this mission by empowering individuals to reach their career goals in the long-term care profession through scholarships, career education and career access programs. IHCA Foundation programs help support career opportunities available in the long-term care continuum, including nursing facilities, assisted living programs, residential care facilities, senior living communities and home health agencies.