Give the Gift of an Education
Undergraduate Scholarship Endowments - $100,000
A
tradition of clinical excellence and academic rigor characterizes the
School of Nursing’s undergraduate program. Like all students who apply
for admission to the University of Virginia, nursing students submit
applications through the University Admissions Office and must meet the
admissions standards established for all undergraduate students at the
University of Virginia. The competitiveness of the admissions process
ensures that our students are of the highest quality.
One-third
of our undergraduate student body receives need-based financial aid. On
average, we are only able to meet 21 percent of their documented
financial need. We need to do better. One of the best ways to achieve
this is through the establishment of endowed scholarships.
Traditionally,
students who receive only a portion of the financial aid they need make
up the difference by taking out loans to cover their costs, either
through government programs or through commercial lending institutions.
Nursing graduates who enter the profession with thousands of dollars in
loan debt begin a career of caring already burdened by financial
hardship. Increased scholarship support would help relieve this burden,
and encourage students to explore the full range of nursing job
opportunities.
Scholarship support for
undergraduate students is one vital way to strengthen the School of
Nursing in this effort. A gift of $100,000 will create a named
scholarship that will benefit students in the nursing program in
perpetuity. A gift of this size can be paid in a number of ways,
including over an extended period of time.
Options are available for donors who want to support student scholarships but who choose not to name an endowment. Contact a development officer for more details.
Graduate Fellowship Endowments - $100,000 to $250,000
Outstanding graduate programs in nursing have at least two things in common—very talented students, and accomplished faculty. The link between students and faculty in graduate nursing education is a magnetic one. It is no surprise that the best graduate program applicants include faculty scholarship and academic reputation at the top of their list of criteria when choosing a graduate program in nursing. It is equally no surprise that distinguished faculty at the height of their careers wish to have bright, talented students to teach and mentor.
The hard reality in higher education today, however, is that every fine institution is competing for both students and faculty. If the School of Nursing intends to maintain and improve its position as one of the country’s leading nursing schools, it must be successful in its continued efforts to attract and retain the finest students and faculty.
Fellowship support for graduate students is one vital way to strengthen the School of Nursing in this effort. Currently the School of Nursing is meeting only 50 percent of the financial need of the students enrolled in the MSN, post-master's, and PhD programs. A sizable portion of that aid derives from federal training grants that may or may not be funded each year. With enrollment growth in each program projected at between 15 and 20 percent over the next five years, the need for graduate fellowship support will only increase. Providing financial assistance in the form of endowed fellowships to graduate students is essential if the School of Nursing is to sharpen its competitive edge and continue attracting the highest quality students.
A minimum gift of $100,000 will create a named fellowship fund that will benefit students in the graduate nursing programs in perpetuity. However, we hope to establish endowments funded with $250,000 to attract and retain graduate students to work with faculty leaders in Oncology, Gerontology, and Complementary Therapies (three priority areas for the School of Nursing).
For more information on establishing an endowed, named scholarship or fellowship contact a development officer
.