The Dunham Nursing Scholarship—Advancing Nursing in Aurora
The Dunham Nursing Scholarship—Advancing Nursing in Aurora is designed to support 121 nursing scholarships for qualified applicants over a two-year period. This project will expand healthcare education at all levels for exceptionally promising nurses, and offer local opportunities for nursing scholars to practice in diverse community settings as professional care providers for many years.
The scholarship program has been funded by a $750,000 grant from the Dunham Fund that honors the legacy of John C. Dunham and supports organizations that work to make the world a safer and more comfortable place for mankind to live and prosper, giving special consideration to Aurora-area organizations engaged in providing education, and to organizations engaged in assisting individuals to attain heights they may not have attained with the benefit of assistance.
The Organizations Involved
Aurora-area healthcare and academic organizations have joined together to create The Dunham Nursing Scholarship—Advancing Nursing in Aurora. The project team includes:
Who can apply for a scholarship?
The Dunham Nursing Scholarship is a merit-based program designed to attract the best and brightest to Aurora’s nursing workforce. Applicants will be selected by the Selection Review Committee consisting of representatives from each of the partner organizations. The program is community-based so it is not aimed at employees of any of the partner organizations, although eligible applicants from these organizations may apply. Eligible applicants must be:
- Nursing students currently enrolled at or accepted for admission to Waubonsee Community College and/or Aurora University
- Practicing nurses pursuing advanced degrees
- Individuals desiring a career in nursing and either living or working in the Aurora area as defined by the Dunham Fund (visit www.dunhamfund.org for more information on the geographic area).
Other important information to consider when applying for one of the scholarships
Waubonsee Community College and Aurora University are the two education partners in the program. No other academic institutions are involved so students must be either enrolled or accepted for admission to a nursing program at one of the two participating schools.
Program participants will also be expected to participate in a designated community service project to address an unmet health need of most significant to the Aurora-area community.
Applicants musts be a resident of the Aurora area as defined by the Dunham Fund for at least one year prior to application or employed at an Aurora area employer as defined by the Dunham Fund for a period of one year prior to scholarship application in a full or part time capacity.
Prior to receiving scholarship funding for any academic year, the recipient must sign a contract with the Dunham Nursing Scholarship Review Committee agreeing to work in the Aurora area as defined by the Dunham Fund as a registered professional nurse for a period of two years full time, or four years part time after graduation.