.png?20250121100127)
Home
Welcome!
LeadingAge PA is sponsoring professional development scholarships to benefit staff at LeadingAge PA member communities who are pursuing further education, training, or certification opportunities both within and outside the field of nursing.
Click here to apply now.
For 2024, the LeadingAge PA Professional Development Scholarship Program will award $40,000 in scholarships as follows:
• Nursing – Awards of up to $1,200 each will be given to applicants of varying career levels who are pursuing a certification, associate degree, bachelor’s, or master’s in the field of nursing.
• Non-Nursing – Awards of up to $1,200 each will be given to applicants of varying career levels pursuing a certification, associate degree, bachelor’s, or master’s in fields other than nursing.
Applicants awarded a scholarship will receive additional financial support if enrolled in a program with a LeadingAge PA Higher Education Partnership Program (HEPP) partner. One of them is Harrisburg University, which has generously offered a one-time $1000 award match for students enrolled in the Nursing or Healthcare Informatics course of study at Harrisburg University. Visit our website for more details on the program.
Eligibility
The LeadingAge PA Professional Development Scholarship Program is available to staff of provider members of LeadingAge PA who:
• Have been employed by a LeadingAge PA member in PA for at least one year
• Agree to maintain a record of acceptable employment during the scholarship year
• Are accepted or enrolled* in an acceptable college, university, training, or certification program in areas of study, including nursing-related fields (i.e., CNA, LPN, RN, BSN, MSN, etc.) and non-nursing-related fields (i.e., food service, therapy, social work, management, accounting, marketing, engineering, hospitality, etc.) to benefit the senior services sector.
*If not yet accepted, an individual may still apply for the scholarship. If they are chosen for an award, proof of acceptance is required before award funds are dispersed (within 30 days of award notification, or the award will be rescinded).
A selection task force comprised of LeadingAge PA members and staff will determine awardees and reserve the right to add, remove, or waive eligibility criteria as deemed necessary. The selection task force will work to ensure transparency and fairness throughout the selection process. The total number of scholarships awarded for each category is based on the number of applications received. LeadingAge PA also reserves the right to confirm the eligibility of applicants.
Application Components
1. Fully completed LeadingAge PA Professional Development Scholarship application.
2. Personal Statement: Please upload your personal statement. Your statement should describe your future professional plans and any future commitment to work in an organization providing services to seniors. (No more than 300 words)
3. Proof of acceptance*
4. Copy of transcripts or most recent grade report, if applicable.
5. One recommendation form completed by someone familiar with the applicant’s professional work performance, such as an organization leader, director, supervisor, or manager. References from friends, family, or co-workers will not be accepted. Recommendations can be submitted at www.leadingagepa.org/scholarship
* If not yet accepted, an individual may still apply for the scholarship. If they are chosen for an award, proof of acceptance is required prior to dispersal of award funds (within a period of 30 days of award notification, or the award will be rescinded)
Evaluation Criteria
A selection task force of LeadingAge PA members and staff will evaluate applications using the following criteria:
• Does the applicant meet the defined eligibility requirements?
• Does the applicant demonstrate commitment to pursuing an educational opportunity that will ultimately enhance their professional development for a continued career in senior services?
Consideration may also be given to the following:
• Geographic location of the member organization
• Tuition assistance program currently offered by the member organization
• Type of program, degree, or certificate being pursued
• Financial need of the applicant
Submission Deadline
To ensure consideration, applicants must submit the completed application form and completed application components outlined above by April 17, 2024.
It is the responsibility of the scholarship applicant to ensure applications are complete prior to submission. Applications that fail to meet the eligibility criteria or are incomplete will not be considered for review. Applicants will receive notification of their acceptance status by the end of spring 2024.