Scholarships for Disadvantaged Students - The University of West Alabama Project, entitled Educating Alabama Rural Nurses (EARN) 2.0 will expand access to associate degree nursing education for full time students from disadvantaged backgrounds with demonstrated financial need. The project will address persistent financial barriers, nursing workforce shortages, and limited access to health care in rural and medically vulnerable communities. Project EARN 2.0 builds on UWA prior HRSA funded Scholarships for Disadvantaged Students project, which supported 165 scholarship recipients, 124 ASN graduates, and the preparation of 121 registered nurses. Program Goal: Strengthen the nursing workforce and improve access to care in rural and medically vulnerable communities. Program Objectives 1. Increase enrollment and retention of full time students from disadvantaged backgrounds. 2. Increase the number of graduates practicing in primary care. 3. Increase the number of graduates working in rural, Tribal, and other medically vulnerable communities. Project EARN 2.0 will provide need-based scholarships to eligible students enrolled in UWAs Associate of Science in Nursing program. Scholarship assistance may support allowable tuition, fees, books, supplies, transportation, clinical expenses, reasonable living expenses, and allowable licensure related educational expenses. Recipients will also receive faculty mentoring, Success Coach support, academic remediation, clinical preparation, career development, and referrals to university resources based on identified needs. Partnerships with schools, community colleges, health care organizations, workforce agencies, and community stakeholders will support recruitment, clinical education, and employment pathways. Recipients will participate in clinical and educational experiences related to primary care, prevention, chronic disease management, patient education, behavioral health, transitional care, and care coordination. The project will primarily serve eligible ASN students from rural West Alabama, including communities in the Alabama Black Belt region that experience high poverty, health professional shortages, and limited access to care. UWA anticipates supporting approximately 30 eligible students annually, subject to documented financial need, continued eligibility, enrollment, and available funding. Through scholarships and coordinated educational support, Project EARN 2.0 will reduce barriers to nursing program completion, strengthen the registered nursing workforce, and prepare graduates to serve communities with significant health and workforce needs.
