Eligibility & Policies

Each recipient of the Reach for the Stars Nursing Scholarship will be provided with information on scholarship eligibility, policies, and payment procedures. Recipients must attest they have received and understand this information before funds will be dispersed on their behalf.  Any actions taken that violate the policies or procedures of the Reach for the Stars scholarship may result in disqualification. 

Eligibility

Qualifications to receive scholarship 

Reach for the Stars scholarship recipients must have completed prerequisites for nursing school, and must be accepted into a nonprofit, public accredited nursing program through the college’s regular admission process. College transcript(s), if applicable, and nursing school acceptance letter must be provided during the application process.

Recipients must be employed by Baptist Health for at least 6 months prior to the application deadline and must not have been written up for disciplinary action within the previous 12 months. 

Approved scholars must continue to work for Baptist Health and meet minimum requirements of their employment status throughout their degree program. Scholars also must commit to working at Baptist Health for 2 years upon completion of nursing degree. 

Scholars must qualify for in-state tuition rates and provide a letter of acceptance from an accredited full time nursing program that offers an Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in nursing for the next scholastic term.  If for any reason an individual is selected to receive the Reach for the Stars Scholarship, and does not enroll in courses the next semester, that individual will need to reapply for the scholarship and complete the entire application process again.

Scholars understand that the intent of this scholarship is to complete their nursing program debt free.

To Remain in Good Standing 

Scholarship recipients must maintain enrollment in good standing in their nursing program for the duration of the program.  Reach for the Stars will continue to cover tuition, fees and other qualified expenses for recipients who maintain a C average in their nursing coursework. One failing grade will not disqualify any students from qualification for the scholarship.  Scholars will have to pay to retake the failed course themselves, and may not fail more than one class while receiving this scholarship. 

Scholarship recipients must file transcripts with grades to Baptist Health Foundation each semester, provide general progress updates toward their degree by email to nursingstars@baptist-health.org, and execute the Renewal Form each semester evidencing their continuation in the scholarship program.  

This scholarship is separate and distinct from the Baptist Health Tuition Reimbursement Program.  Recipients of this scholarship must follow Reach for the Stars Nursing Scholarship Policies and Procedures to pay for eligible coursework and may not use the Baptist Health tuition reimbursement employee benefit for courses paid for by the Reach for the Stars scholarship. It is also expected that the scholarship recipient not receive any other private, public, or federal loans for nursing educational purposes. If additional funding is approved on an exception basis, recipients must disclose any sources to the Baptist Health Foundation and the RFTS award will be adjusted accordingly.  Any attempt on behalf of the student to be reimbursed more than once for the same course will end their eligibility for the Reach for the Stars scholarship. 

Bachelors of Science in Nursing (BSN) 

The Reach for the Stars will continue to cover tuition, fees and other qualified expenses for scholarship recipients who successfully complete their RN degree and desire to obtain their Bachelors of Science in Nursing (BSN).  To qualify scholarship recipients must enter the BSN program within 6 months of the competition of the RN degree and submit a acceptance letter to the BSN program from a nonprofit, public in state accredited nursing program.

Policies

Costs covered by scholarship 

The purpose of the Reach for the Stars Nursing Scholarship is to cover school expenses incurred in the pursuit of a nursing degree. The program covers tuition, fees, educational software (if required by school), and books.  

In addition, a scholarship recipient will receive $1,000.00 to be used for other related expenses, such as nursing uniforms, nursing shoes a stethoscope, patches, pins, and other miscellaneous school related expenses. The scholarship will cover HESI and NCLEX exam fees if not included in school’s tuition and fee schedule. 

This scholarship does not cover any other expenses not expressly listed above. The scholarship does not cover previously incurred expenses, including tuition and fees, paid prior to the date of the scholarship award.  This scholarship will pay for “Nursing Degree Bridge” coursework that allows a graduate with an associate’s degree in nursing to take the remaining classes necessary to attain their BSN, as long as the Nursing Scholar goes directly from one degree to the next within six months.