The Alabama Nursing Home Association Education Foundation and the Alabama Community College System plan to offer a scholarship for students training to become a licensed practical nurse at an Alabama community college in the fall.

“Licensed practical nurses are very important to the operation of nursing homes and are the helping hands that provide our residents with a high quality of care,” Louis Cottrell, ANHA Education Foundation secretary-treasurer, said in a news release from the Alabama Community College System. “Our foundation is glad to provide a helping hand to Alabamians who are working toward improving their lives, and are interested in the health care profession.”

Each two-year college in the state with a licensed practical nursing program will receive two scholarships a semester. The scholarship provides $500 a semester to each student, a total of $1,000 per academic year.

The dean of nursing, dean of students and financial aid director of each institution chooses the recipients of the award.

Students must meet certain requirements to be eligible to apply for the scholarship, however. Students must be an Alabama resident enrolled in a public two-year college, have completed a semester in an LPN program with a 2.5 GPA, must perform clinicals at a long-term care facility and complete the scholarship application and demonstrate financial need.

“We hope this scholarship program will give LPN students additional resources to complete their degrees,” Cottrell said.

Money from the scholarship may be used for books, uniforms and other school-related expenses according to the Alabama Community College System.

“The health care facilities of this state need trained individuals capable of providing the service and care that patients need,” Alabama Community College System’s chancellor Bradley Byrne said. “One of our system’s main focuses is providing that training to the new professionals within the health care field, and this partnership allows us an avenue to do that.”

The ANHA Education Foundation promotes individuals who help make nursing homes a ‘home’ for residents and educates the public about long-term care issues.

To apply for the LPN scholarship, contact your director of nursing at any eligible Alabama two-year college.