Professional Procedures for Graduate and Professional Graduate Scholarship and Awards

Procedures

1. Students who wish to be considered for UNMC academic scholarships must complete the UNMC Scholarship Application found on their People Soft TO DO LIST by May 1 or within 30 days after acceptance to the CON. The application is completed annually. Some graduate scholarships may also require an application through the Graduate Studies Office.
2. Students interested in graduate assistantships should apply by June 1 for the academic year, and October 1 for the spring semester to the College of Nursing Student Services. Interviews will be conducted by faculty with funding designated for graduate assistantships and decisions made by July 1.
3. Graduate student scholarship funds are reviewed by student services, program directors, and specialty coordinators or a designated subcommittee then approved by the Professional Graduate Nursing Affairs Committee (PGNA), and the PhD Affairs Council (PAC), annually in May. Occasionally, awards become available for allocation at other times during the academic year, and PGNA and/or PAC hold special meeting(s) to approve recipients of those awards when notified by student services.
4. If applicants appear equally qualified for a scholarship, funds are awarded on the basis of academic excellence and to students who have demonstrated success in graduate programs. Other considerations in the event of a tie, include, but are not limited to, full time status in the graduate program, previous awards to the student, and service to the University. Students’ cumulative grade point averages are used to determine academic excellence.
   Some funds from the University of Nebraska Foundation are derived from monies designated for both undergraduate and graduate students. The graduate student portion of the funds is based upon the percentage of graduate students in the total CON student population.Other external entities, such as Gamma Pi At-Large Chapter of Sigma Theta Tau, have available funds about which students will be notified.
5. The funding source may stipulate scholarship criteria. When stipulated, the college honors the donor’s preferences.
6. If need is a criterion to receive a particular scholarship, scholarship funds are awarded on the basis of federally determined financial need as determined by the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). Students who wish to be considered for need scholarships should complete the FAFSA before May 1 every year.
7. Students who are awarded scholarships are informed in writing of:
   1. the criteria used
   2. the length of term and amount of the award
   3. the name and address of the donor or designee, to facilitate acknowledgment

The following is a timeline of procedures for administration of the graduate scholarships and awards:

May-June
Graduate Scholarships – Student Services will determine those eligible to receive scholarships based on donor criteria and need. The formula includes: financial need, GPA, full or part time status, and specialty. Funds will be split across graduate specialties, with a GPA >3.5, graduate students who have completed at least 6 graduate credits, and by those closer to graduating.

February
Charlotte Burgess for May MSN graduates – This award is given to all MSN graduates with a 4.0 GPA. Student services provides a list, and the award is presented at Convocation by a CON Alumni member.