Healthcare scholarships available

LAPORTE | Since 1983 Indiana University Health La Porte Hospital, the La Porte Hospital Foundation and the La Porte Hospital Auxiliary have sponsored scholarships and awards/loans to provide financial assistance to students pursuing healthcare careers. Through the combined efforts, more than $128,750 was distributed to 42 students in 2011.

The following Auxiliary scholarships are available in 2012:

Auxiliary Scholarships-a $750 available to first-time applicants. Renewals of $1,000 available for students applying for second year, based on satisfactory academic progress and need.

Friends of Auxiliary, $750 available.

Harold and Marcy Bowen Scholarship, $750 available.

Students must be in their freshman or sophomore year and enrolled in a healthcare program at an accredited school.

The Foundation offers the following scholarships:

Elizabeth & Eugene Siefker Scholarship, $500 available to students enrolled in a healthcare program.

Foundation Scholarships, available to undergraduate juniors, seniors or fifth-year students in degrees requiring five years of study in any healthcare program. Amount determined by Scholarship Committee.

Hrankja Scholarship, available to students entering their junior or senior year of a Bachelor of Nursing program.

Kemp Family Scholarship, $1,500 available to students enrolled in third- or fourth-year Bachelor of Nursing program.

Magnuson Scholarship, available to IU Health La Porte Hospital employees seeking an advanced degree in a healthcare program. Amount established by Scholarship Committee. Recipient may apply for one additional year, maximum of two years.

Richard M. Sisson Scholarship, $1,000 available to students enrolled in a nursing program.

Students eligible for all scholarships must be one of the following:

Resident of the IU Health La Porte and Starke hospitals service area, which includes La Porte and Starke counties as well as eastern Porter County, northern Pulaski County, Marshall County, northwest Kosciusko County, western St. Joseph County and southwest Berrien County, Michigan.

Current employee or child of an employee of IU Health La Porte or Starke hospitals, IU Health La Porte Physicians or IU Health Lakeshore Surgicare.

La Porte Hospital Auxiliary member or volunteer.

The following awards/loans are available:

The Foundation Kepler Award/Loan Program, $15,000 awarded to an exceptional student studying to become a physician. Student must have been accepted into a medical school accredited in conjunction with the American Medical Association or American Osteopathic Association. Upon graduation or completion of residency, recipient must establish medical practice in the IU Health La Porte or Starke hospitals service area and become a member of the IU Health La Porte or Starke hospitals medical staff for one year for each award/loan received or repay the award with interest. Renewals available for up to four years.

The Foundation Rumely Award/Loan Program-Up to $6,000 available annually to a college junior or senior enrolled in a full-time accredited healthcare program. Value to be determined by amount of tuition due for one school year. Renewals available for one additional year. Upon graduation, recipient must accept employment at IU Health La Porte Hospital, for one year for each award/loan received or repay the award with interest.

IU Health La Porte and Starke hospitals, IU Health La Porte Physicians and IU Health Lakeshore Surgicare Critical Occupations Award/Loan Program-Presented to a student pursuing a career in the following occupations: medical laboratory technician/medical technician, nursing (Bachelor of Science in Nursing or nurse practitioner program), pharmaceutical or occupational, physical and speech therapy. Up to $10,000 to be used for tuition, books and room and board available to a student in final year of training. Student must provide school financial statement before receiving award/loan. Recipient must join IU Health La Porte Hospital upon graduation and remain employed full-time for at least two years or repay the award with interest.

Mention of IU Health La Porte Hospital refers to: IU Health La Porte and Starke hospitals, IU Health La Porte Physicians, IU Health Lakeshore Surgicare and all other regional affiliated facilities.

Applications available at iuhealth.org/laporte/foundation/scholarships.

All completed applications and required documents must be returned or postmarked by March 16. Interviews may be required, and semi-finalists will be notified of their status. Final selections will be announced in June.

For more information, call (219) 326-2471 or toll-free at (877) 265.4539, email laportehospitalfoundation@iuhealth.org or visit iuhealth.org/laporte/foundation.