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June 17, 2008

Calhoun Community College Awarded $115,000 grant from Department of Health and Human Services

Calhoun Community College has received notification from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services of the awarding of a $114,592 grant for scholarships for Associate Degree Nursing students. 

According to Jan Peek, chairperson of Calhoun’s nursing department and director of the SDS (Scholarships for Disadvantaged Students) program, the scholarships will be awarded beginning the fall 2008 semester.  Eligibility for the scholarships requires that students be enrolled in Calhoun’s Associate Degree Nursing program and be economically or environmentally disadvantaged. 

Full-time, financially needy students from disadvantaged backgrounds are eligible to receive the scholarships. Disadvantaged backgrounds as defined by HRSA (Health Resources and Services Administration) include: (a) comes from an environment that has inhibited the individual from obtaining the knowledge, skill, and abilities required to enroll in and graduate from a school (environmentally disadvantaged); or (b) comes from a family with an annual income below a level which is based on low-income thresholds according to family size published by the U.S. Bureau of the Census, adjusted annually for changes in the Consumer Price Index, and adjusted by the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) for adaptation to this program (economically disadvantaged).

To be eligible, a school must have a program of recruiting and retaining students from disadvantaged backgrounds and meet HRSA’s outcome measures.

Peek said that during the fall 2007 and spring 2008 semesters, 115 nursing students received scholarships with more to be awarded for the summer semester.  “Calhoun’s nursing curriculum is difficult and time intensive and this money helps students to be successful,” commented Peek.

All funding from the grant goes directly to students to assist them with tuition, fees and books.  This is the fifth year Calhoun has received the funding.  

For more information, contact Jan Peek at 256-306-2795.

Janet Kincherlow-Martin
Director of Public Relations
(256) 306-2561

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