TO:Interested Persons

FROM:Dr. Tera Kirkman, Program Director

Dr. Ernestine Davis, Co-Program Director

SUBJECT: Re-Application/Awarding of the Project OPEN Scholarships

Scholarship monies have been awarded to the College of Nursing and Allied Health at the University of North Alabama from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). These funds will be provided in the form of a scholarship to pre-nursing and nursing students from disadvantaged backgrounds (financial, educational, and environmental), particularly underrepresented minorities for the fall 2014- spring 20l5 academic year. Students that have previously received the Project OPEN Scholarship must reapply. The criteria for the scholarships are included in this application packet.

If you believe that you meet the requirements for the Project OPEN scholarship, we encourage you to proceed with the application process. The applications are available on the UNA and the College of Nursing homepage. Completed applications must be submitted online or received in the Project OPEN, UNA Box 5186, Florence, AL 35632-0001, on or before March 25, 2014 to be considered. The application process includes: a completed application, a reflective essay, a letter of recommendation from your guidance counselor, teacher, or professor, and a completed FAFSA web worksheet at

If your application is approved, you will be notified of the date, time, and location of your interview. For further information, please contact Mrs. Patricia Holley, Administrative Assistant, Project OPEN, (256) 765-5228.

Respectfully,

, EdD, MSN, RN

Assistant Professor of Nursing

UNA College of Nursing

Director, Project OPEN Scholarship Program

/ph

TRADITIONAL NURSING PROGRAM
College of Nursing and Allied Health
UNA Box 5054, Florence, AL 35632-0001
P: 256.765.4580 I .F: 256.765.5002 I

Equal Opportunity / Equal Access Institution

Project OPEN Scholarship Program

Selection Criteria

Students from disadvantaged backgrounds (financial, educational, and environmental), particularly underrepresented minorities who desire to attend UNA and select nursing as a major will be eligible for the Project OPEN Scholarship Program. Scholarship selection will be based on application completion; an essay, a completed FAFSA web worksheet at before application deadline, and an interview. Students will be required to sign a contract indicating their commitment to completing the nursing program and activities designated for scholarship recipients (i.e., attend monthly group meetings, monthly meetings with faculty advisor, submit a monthly academic progress report, and participate in cultural initiatives). Priority in selection of scholarship renewal will be considered if criteria are met: participate in program activities, adhere to policies, and continue to demonstrate commitment to achieving success. Students who withdraw from OPEN, the Nursing Program, or seek a change of major from Nursing will be required to repay the OPEN scholarship amount awarded.

Freshman / Sophomore / Junior / Senior
Admitted to the University of North Alabama
*Minimum 2.5 GPA
*Minimum 18 on ACT / Admitted to the University of North Alabama
*Maintain 3.0 GPA or above / Admitted into the nursing program
*Maintain 3.0 GPA or above / Admitted into the nursing program
*Maintain 3.0 GPA or above
Declared nursing as a major / Declared nursing as a major / Nursing student / Nursing student
Adhere to scholarship criteria. / Adhere to scholarship criteria. / Adhere to scholarship criteria. Serve as peer mentor – 10 hours/week to scholarship recipients. / Adhere to scholarship criteria. Serve as peer mentor – 10 hours/week to scholarship recipients.
Recipients will receive a 6-credit hour scholarship (tuition & fees) / Recipients will receive a 9-credit hour scholarship (tuition & fees) / Recipients will receive a 15-credit hour scholarship (tuition & fees) / Recipients will receive a 15-credit hour scholarship (tuition & fees)

Contact Persons:

Dr. Tera Kirkman, Program Director
(256) 765-4382

Dr. Ernestine Davis, Program Co-Director
(256) 765-4583

Mrs. Patricia Holley, Administrative Assistant

(256) 765-5228

UNA Box 5186, Stevens Hall Room 221

The application process for re-admission to the Project OPEN (Opportunities for Entry into Nursing) Scholarship Program consists of the student submitting the following application; letter of recommendation from teacher, professor, or guidance counselor; 1 page typed essay and participation in the interview process, if contacted. The written application requests information on the student’s background and financial aid status.

Please print clearly or type the information. Students must complete this application packet and have allmaterials returned to the Project OPEN UNA Box 5186Florence, Alabama 35632-0001before March 25, 2014.Late applications will not be considered.

PERSONAL INFORMATION

Legal Name:

Permanent Home Address: ____

City:______State: Zip Code:

Local Address: ______

City: State: Zip Code:

Telephone: Home: Other:  Work Cell

E-mail address: ______

Birthdate: Social Security Number ______- ____- ______

Gender: Male Female Marital Status: ______

Classification during award year: Pre-Nursing:FreshmanSophomoreJuniorSenior

Circle:1st Semester/1st Semester/1st Semester/1st Semester/

2nd Semester2nd Semester2nd Semester2nd Semester

Nursing/Admitted:Junior Senior Second degree/Accelerated Student

Circle: LevelI 2 3 4

Number of Dependents?______What are their ages?

Did either of your parents attend college? ______Yes ______No

If yes, which parent? ______Mother ______Father

Did he/she graduate? ______Yes ______No

Please choose your race. Please choose all that apply:Which best defines your ethnicity?

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____American Indian or Alaskan NativePlease choose one of the following:

____Asian

____Black or African American___Hispanic/Latino

____Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander___Non Hispanic

____White

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ACADEMIC INFORMATION

Composite ACT or SAT score:______

Please list all colleges you have attended:

______

Name of InstitutionLocationGPA

______

Name of InstitutionLocationGPA

Please list all high schools you have attended:

______

Name of SchoolLocationGPA

______

Name of SchoolLocationGPA

Please list any academic honors and awards (indicate date received)

AWARDDATE(s)

______

______

Please list any memberships and participation in community organizations and/or service:

ACTIVITYDATE(S)

______

______

______

______

Please list current and past places of employment:DATE(S)

______

______

______

______

INCOME INFORMATION

Do you receive or expect to receive any other means of financial assistance?YES NO

If yes, please state type of aid received: ______

YES NO Completed FAFSA web worksheet at

My signature below certifies that the information I have given is true, accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge

.

Signature: Date:

PERSONAL ESSAY

The information provided in the essay is very important to the selection process. Please attach a brief essay(approximately 1 double-spaced typed pages with a 12 font) to include the following:

  1. Describe how the Project OPEN Scholarship Program has helped you to achieve academic success.
  1. Describe how your commitment and motivation for achieving academic success has changed after receiving the Project OPEN scholarship? Give examples.
  1. Describe how the Peer Tutor/Mentor/Mentee component has helped you personally, socially and academically.

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