Friends of Saint Louis Municipal School of Nursing Scholarship

Scholarship Sponsored by Greater St. Louis Community Foundation

Background and purpose

**Origin and legacy**
The Friends of Saint Louis Municipal School of Nursing was founded in 1954 to support students in the municipal nursing program that staffed City Hospital. In 2007 the Friends’ mission was continued through a scholarship fund administered by the St. Louis Community Foundation to support nursing students with financial need. The scholarship preserves the organization’s history by helping trainees who will serve the City of St. Louis health system.

Key takeaways
- Established in 1954; scholarship created at the Community Foundation in 2007.
- Purpose: continue Friends’ support for nursing students.
- Focus on preparing nurses connected to City of St. Louis healthcare.

Who is eligible

**Applicant profile**
Applicants must be academically qualified undergraduate students who have been accepted to an accredited nursing program located in the City of St. Louis and who demonstrate unmet financial need. Unmet financial need is calculated as the cost of attendance minus grant aid from other sources and the Student Aid Index (per the FAFSA); loans are excluded from need calculations. Eligible academic paths include diploma, Associate’s, or Bachelor’s degrees, and students may attend full-time or part-time.

Key takeaways
- Must be accepted to an accredited nursing program in the City of St. Louis.
- Demonstrated unmet financial need (cost of attendance − grants − SAI).
- Open to diploma, Associate’s, and Bachelor’s students; part-time or full-time.

Eligible programs

**Participating schools**
The scholarship accepts applicants attending one of the designated local nursing programs. Only students enrolled in these listed schools qualify under the scholarship rules.

Key takeaways
- Barnes-Jewish College Goldfarb School of Nursing
- Saint Louis University School of Nursing
- St. Louis Community College at Forest Park

Selection and evaluation

**How applications are reviewed**
Applications are evaluated on academic record, demonstrated potential for continued success, essay quality, recommendations, and evidence of a commitment to healthcare. Preference is given to applicants who show intent to return to the City of St. Louis to work after graduation. The selection and award amount are determined from information provided by the applicant, their family, and the school; because the award is based on unmet need after other grant aid, the award amount can vary year to year. Incomplete applications will not be considered, so applicants should answer all applicable questions.

Key takeaways
- Criteria: academics, essay, recommendations, commitment to healthcare.
- Preference for candidates committed to working in the City of St. Louis.
- Award amount is need-based and may change annually; incomplete applications are disqualified.

Renewal terms

**Continuation rules**
Recipients may be considered for up to four years of total funding if they submit annual renewal applications with required supporting documentation on time. Renewal eligibility requires satisfactory academic progress toward the nursing degree and continued financial need. Because available funding and the student’s financial situation can change, renewal award amounts may differ from prior years.

Key takeaways
- Renewable consideration up to four years with timely annual renewal applications.
- Renewal requires proof of progress and ongoing financial need.
- Renewal amounts can fluctuate year to year.

Application requirements and checklist

**Required documents and items to prepare**
Applicants must complete the Scholarship Central General Application and provide specific supporting documents: the current fall transcript showing name, school, grades, and cumulative GPA; proof of acceptance to a nursing program; an essay describing career goals and reasons for choosing nursing; FAFSA Submission Summary and Student Aid Index (SAI); next year’s college Financial Aid Award Letter; and the school’s cost-of-attendance documentation. Additional requested items include high school transcript if the applicant has completed fewer than 24 college credits, employer tuition assistance details, siblings’ information, housing plans, any unusual financial circumstances, and a recommender’s contact information. Applicants must also sign (type) a certification authorizing the Foundation to verify records and acknowledging possible tax implications.

Key takeaways
- Upload fall transcript and proof of nursing program acceptance.
- Provide essay, FAFSA Submission Summary, and Student Aid Index.
- Upload next year’s award letter, cost-of-attendance document, and other requested background information.
- Provide recommender contact and complete the applicant certification/signature.

Notification and contact

**Timeline and who to contact**
Application decisions are posted in June when statuses change from “submitted” to either “offered” or “denied.” Applicants can view their status by logging into their Scholarship Central account. For questions or assistance, contact Ellen Vietor, Scholarship Manager at the St. Louis Community Foundation, via scholarships@stlgives.org or 314-880-4960.

Key takeaways
- Decisions posted in June through Scholarship Central.
- Check application status by logging in to your Scholarship Central account.
- Contact: Ellen Vietor — scholarships@stlgives.org; 314-880-4960.

Award, donor, and administration

**Funding and governance**
The scholarship is funded by the Friends of Saint Louis Municipal School of Nursing and administered by the St. Louis Community Foundation. Awards are up to $5,000 per year and may be renewable subject to the renewal rules. The Foundation determines eligibility, financial need, and award amounts for the program.

Key takeaways
- Donor: Friends of Saint Louis Municipal School of Nursing.
- Award: up to $5,000 per year; renewable.
- The St. Louis Community Foundation administers and determines eligibility and award amounts.

Non-discrimination and policies

**Equal-opportunity statement**
As a component fund of the St. Louis Community Foundation, this scholarship does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, creed, national origin, gender, age, color, sexual orientation, veteran status, or physical or mental disability. The Foundation and its agents will review and verify applicant academic records and information as part of the award process.

Key takeaways
- Scholarship programs are non-discriminatory and administered by the Foundation.
- The Foundation may verify academic and financial records as part of review.