Three VNA Scholarships Available

Applications are now available for the three scholarship opportunities offered annually by Newtown Visiting Nurse Association. Return date for any of the 2009 awards is April 20.

Since 1972 the Newtown VNA has awarded more than $101,000 to graduating high school seniors entering the field of nursing. Two scholarships are available: The Newtown VNA Anna E. Clow Scholarship, which is an award in the amount of $4,000; and The Newtown VNA Janice B. Van Syckle Scholarship, a $2,500 award.

The Anna E. Clow Scholarship is available to students entering a nursing program giving an RN or BSN degree.

The Van Syckle Scholarship is for students entering a nursing program that will award a BSN degree.

The scholarships shall be awarded on the basis of interest in nursing, financial need, scholarship ability, personality, and recommendation of the high school guidance counselors or principal.

The Scholarship Committee requires that the recipient notify the committee at the close of each academic year regarding the student’s progress in the nursing school. If the committee does not receive a communication from the recipient, the award may be given to an alternate recipient chosen at the time of the interviews.

Announcement of the scholarship winner will be made at the NHS Awards Program. Both scholarships will be awarded to the recipient when he or she has entered the clinical portion of the nursing program, at least into the second year of his or her nursing education.

Full scholarship information and applications are available through the Newtown High School Guidance Department or from Sally Schwerdtle, Scholarship Committee Chairman c/o Newtown VNA Scholarship Committee, Edmond Town Hall, 45 Main Street, Newtown CT 06470. She can also be reached by calling 268-8333.

The third available scholarship, The Mary M. Holian-Newtown VNA Scholarship, is considered to Newtown residents resuming their college academy study in nursing. The $2,000 award is for those reaching for their RN, BSN, MSN, or APN qualifications. Applicants must be entering their second year of training, provided they have completed their first year within the last five years or have changed their college major to nursing and are entering their second year of training.

The cost of the student’s course load should exceed the amount of the scholarship. Selection will be based on interest in the nursing profession, personality, scholarship, financial need, and upon recommendation of a faculty advisor or dean.

For additional information about this scholarship contact Mrs Schwerdtle at the above address and/or telephone number.