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July 8, 2009

Calhoun Receives Grant from
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

Calhoun Community College has received notification from the Department of Health and Human Services of grant funding in the amount of $134,901 to be used for scholarships for Associate Degree Nursing students at the college for the 2009-2010 academic year.

Eligibility for the scholarships requires students to be enrolled full-time in the Associate Degree Nursing program and be economically and/or environmentally disadvantaged. 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).

This is the sixth year Calhoun has received the funding. To be eligible for funding from the grant, a school must have a program of recruiting and retaining students from disadvantaged backgrounds and meet HRSA's outcome measures.

Grants coordinator Debi Garrison says that over 300 scholarships have been awarded to deserving Associate Degree Nursing students since the college received its first funding through the grant in 2005. "The ADN curriculum is intense and can be stressful for students. These funds help to alleviate some of the financial stress for some of our students. We are very grateful to receive the funding and strive each year to increase the potential amount we receive. Every penny of the funds is awarded in the form of scholarships to our ADN students." The college retains no administrative costs from the grant.

For more information regarding the Scholarships for Disadvantaged Students, contact the Calhoun Grants Office at 256.306.2581.

Coverage of this release:

• College grant to assist needy , The Huntsville Times, Wednesday, July 22, 2009 issue, p.L1
• Calhoun receives scholarships grant, The Decatur Daily, Thursday, July 9, 2009 issue, p.D3
• Calhoun Machine Tool Student Wins Gold Medal at National Skills Competition, Speakin' Out News, Wednesday, July 8, 2009 issue, p. A2

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:

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

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