Scholarships for Disadvantaged Students - Samuel Merritt University (SMU) College of Nursing (CoN) proposes the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) Readiness and Education in Accessible Community Health (REACH) project to strengthen the nursing workforce by increasing enrollment, retention, graduation, and workforce participation of BSN students from disadvantaged backgrounds who are committed to serving in primary care and medically vulnerable communities (MVCs). BSN REACH directly supports the HRSA Scholarships for Disadvantaged Students (SDS) program’s purpose by reducing financial barriers to education and preparing a workforce equipped to provide high-quality, team-based primary care and population health services. SMU has a deep commitment to educating students from disadvantaged backgrounds. During the past three academic years, 45% of BSN students identified as first-generation college students and 68% were economically disadvantaged. The program has a 97% retention rate, 98% graduation rate, and 93% employment within 6 months of graduation. 45% of graduates practice in primary care; 28% are employed in MVCs, indicating SMU's success in preparing nurses to serve MVCs in primary care. BSN REACH will provide SDS scholarships of at least 50% of annual tuition for eligible students with the greatest financial need. Students will receive comprehensive academic advising, faculty mentoring, tutoring, wellness services, career counseling, NCLEX preparation, and structured support to improve persistence and timely graduation. To prepare graduates for careers in primary care and MVCs, BSN REACH will strengthen curriculum integration of primary care, chronic disease prevention and management, population health, and team-based care across the BSN curriculum. Students will participate in clinical experiences within FQHCs, Community Health Centers, and other community-based organizations serving Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSAs), Medically Underserved Areas and Populations (MUA/MUPs), and other MVCs. Faculty mentors and clinical preceptors practicing in these settings will provide mentoring and career guidance while introducing students to employment opportunities through the HRSA Workforce Connector, a SMU job board, and other resources. Project implementation will be supported by collaboration among the CON, Financial Aid Office, Admissions, Student Affairs, Institutional Research and Evaluation, the Office of Research and Sponsored Projects, and a broad network of academic-practice partners. Continuous performance monitoring, rigorous evaluation, and quality improvement activities will ensure accountability, achievement of objectives, and dissemination of best practices that can be replicated and scaled nationally. By institutionalizing successful strategies and diversifying funding sources during the grant period, SMU will sustain BSN REACH beyond federal funding while continuing to strengthen the nursing workforce serving MVCs. Over the 5-year period, BSN REACH will: Maintain and increase enrollment of students from disadvantaged backgrounds at =>45% Maintain an annual retention rate of =>95% among participants Achieve an on-time graduation rate of =>90% for scholarship recipients Award SDS scholarships annually to a min of 16 eligible BSN students demonstrating the greatest financial need Increase and sustain employment of graduates in primary care settings at =>45% within one year of graduation Increase employment of graduates in MVCs at > 28% within one year of graduation. Expand primary care and community-based clinical education through partnerships with FQHCs and other safety-net organizations Maintain 100% on-time submission of required HRSA reports and implement continuous quality improvement based on quarterly performance monitoring and annual evaluation findings Funding priorities for the BSN REACH project are 2: Proportion of Graduates Practicing in MUCs; 3: Proportion of Full-Time Students Who Are Members of URM Groups; 4: HPSA
