The Saint Francis Healthcare Scholarship Program is funded annually by Saint Francis Foundation and Saint Francis Auxiliary for the fall school semester. Students pursuing a career in healthcare or professionals seeking to advance their healthcare career can choose from 22 scholarships opportunities, worth up to $2,000 each. Applicants may receive one scholarship per year for a maximum of two years.
The Steven C. Bjelich Executive Scholarship is available to graduate students pursuing a Master’s degree in healthcare administration and awards $5,000 to one recipient every two years.
Apply
Eligible Applicants
- Students must have successfully completed one year as a student in an accredited healthcare program and be currently enrolled.
- Students must have a minimum cumulative college GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
- Students’ mailing address as indicated on the application must be within the Saint Francis Service Area.
- Students must submit a fully completed online application and all required documentation by the established deadline. Applications received after this deadline will be considered ineligible.
“My scholarship from Saint Francis Foundation enabled me to concentrate fully on my studies without the added concern of tuition expenses. Balancing a full-time job, full-time coursework, and motherhood over the past two years has been challenging, and this scholarship has significantly eased the financial strain. I am deeply grateful to all the donors whose generosity makes these scholarships possible!”
Addison Middleton, BSN, RN
Emergency Department
Required Documentation
The following should accompany the online application:
- Most recent official college transcript.
- Letter of verification of current enrollment in a professional curriculum as a student of an accredited healthcare program. Must include accrediting agency in letter.
- Two professional letters of recommendation (one academic, one personal).
- Response to essay question found on application.
Selection Process
- A scholarship selection committee will review all online applications and score the essay (one third of total score).
- All applicants will be notified by July 31, 2026 by email if they are selected to receive a scholarship.
- Scholarship recipient checks will be made payable to the college as indicated on the application.
All applicants will be considered regardless of race, creed, color, national origin, religion, ancestry, age, handicap or veteran status. Scholarship recipients are under no obligation to apply for or accept a position at Saint Francis Healthcare System.
“As a recipient of the Saint Francis Healthcare Scholarship, I am honored and thankful for the opportunity to further my education as an advanced practice nurse. With the support and consideration of the Saint Francis Foundation, my professional goal of becoming a Family Nurse Practitioner will soon be a reality this May. This scholarship allowed me to focus on my studies while also encouraging me to maintain a healthy balance of clinical rotations and working as a registered nurse. I have been a member of the Saint Francis Family since 2021, and I am truly grateful for their investment in my future.”
Klara Beel, RN, BSN
Post-Anesthesia Care Unit Department
Healthcare Scholarship Committee
| Committee Member | Name |
|---|---|
| Hospital Clinical / Ancillary Staff Member | Jill LeGrand |
| Auxiliary Board Member | Mona Nenninger |
| Hospital Clinical / Ancillary Staff Member | Mandie Presser |
| Foundation Board Member | Requi Salter |
| Hospital Clinical / Ancillary Staff Member | Elliott Sjuts |
| Human Resources Representative | Emily Vines |
Healthcare Scholarship Recipients
2025 Recipients
- Frances Ansberry – Susan Kluesner Hinkebein Memorial Scholarship
- Kyle Balsman – Carrie Suedekum Memorial Scholarship
- Lara “Bailey” Beussink – Raymond A. and Lillian K. Ritter Scholarship
- Emily Cates – Saint Francis Auxiliary Physician Honor Scholarship
- Alexis Dockstader – Earl Jr. and Lori Wills Memorial Scholarship
- Jenna Essner – Christen Joyel Aufdenberg Memorial Scholarship
- Taylor Fehr – Ken Hayden Memorial Nursing Scholarship
- Eli Glueck – Joseph and Harriette Hunter McCrate Scholarship
- Harley Glueck – Mark F. Scully Nursing Scholarship
- Courtney Huckabee – Bernadean Campbell Memorial Scholarship
- Whitney James – Lucy Ellen Towse Memorial Scholarship
- Mollie Jennings – Saint Francis Foundation Scholarship
- Kaitlyn Jones – Sisters of Saint Francis Nursing Scholarship
- Madison Kribs – Bess Estes Healthcare Scholarship
- Grace Landewee – Edythe M. Davis Scholarship
- Alexis Laster – Lee George and Katherine Jane Cochran Memorial Scholarship
- Jada Long – Mamie Hall Memorial Scholarship
- Charles McIntyre – Saint Francis Auxiliary 125th Anniversary Scholarship
- Kayla Overbeck – Saint Francis Auxiliary Healthcare Scholarship
- Payton Reinbott – Evalyn and S. David Nunley Scholarship
- Tyson Underwood – Clara D. Newnam Memorial Scholarship
- Maci Wendel – Raymond A. and Lillian K. Ritter Scholarship
- Teyarah Williams – Huttegger-Scherer Memorial Scholarship
2024 Recipients
- Klara Beel – Lucy Ellen Towse Memorial Scholarship
- Lara “Bailey” Beussink – Raymond A. and Lillian K. Ritter Scholarship
- Wendi Beussink – Carrie Suedekum Memorial Scholarship
- Abby Brey – Earl Jr. and Lori Wills Memorial Scholarship
- Claire Bruenderman – Saint Francis Auxiliary Healthcare Scholarship
- Caitlin Dilley – Saint Francis Auxiliary Physician Honor Scholarship
- Mary Dirnberger – Bernadean Campbell Memorial Scholarship
- Alexis Dockstader – Christen Joyel Aufdenberg Memorial Scholarship
- Taylor Fehr – Susan Kluesner Hinkebein Memorial Scholarship
- Evan Howell – Ken Hayden Memorial Nursing Scholarship
- Mollie Jennings – Sisters of Saint Francis Nursing Scholarship
- Madison Kribs – Mamie Hall Memorial Scholarship
- Emily Landewee – Clara D. Newnam Memorial Scholarship
- Addison Middleton – Mark F. Scully Nursing Scholarship
- Julia Mirgaux – Huttegger-Scherer Memorial Scholarship
- Lilly Nevill – Lee George and Katherine Jane Cochran Memorial Scholarship
- Kayla Overbeck – Bess Estes Healthcare Scholarship
- Madison Ray – Joseph and Harriette Hunter McCrate Scholarship
- Payton Reinbott – Evalyn and S. David Nunley Scholarship
- Ashley Robinson – Edythe M. Davis Scholarship
- Emma Shields – Saint Francis Auxiliary 125th Anniversary Scholarship
- Maci Wendel – Raymond A. and Lillian K. Ritter Scholarship
2023 Recipients
- Klara Beel – Lee George and Katherine Jane Cochran Memorial Scholarship
- Kailey Bell – Sisters of Saint Francis Nursing Scholarship
- Shannon Beussink – Raymond A. and Lillian K. Ritter Scholarship
- Abby Brey – Edythe M. Davis Scholarship
- Mary Dirnberger – Ken Hayden Memorial Nursing Scholarship
- Keely Felts – Lucy Ellen Towse Memorial Scholarship
- Brendan Gross – Susan Kluesner Hinkebein Memorial Scholarship
- Emily Heberlie – Raymond A. and Lillian K. Ritter Scholarship
- Emily Landewee – Joseph and Harriette Hunter McCrate Scholarship
- Tammy Le – Bess Estes Healthcare Scholarship
- Logan Lemons – Christen Joyel Aufdenberg Memorial Scholarship
- Collin McMahon – Bernadean Campbell Memorial Scholarship
- Addison Middleton – Huttegger-Scherer Memorial Scholarship
- Julia Mirgaux – Mark F. Scully Nursing Scholarship
- Sam Russo – Earl Jr. and Lori Wills Memorial Scholarship
- Jade Samanta – Saint Francis Auxiliary Physician Honor Scholarship
- Emma Shields – Saint Francis Auxiliary Healthcare Scholarship
- Emily Smith – Carrie Suedekum Memorial Scholarship
- Tra Statler – Saint Francis Auxiliary 125th Anniversary Scholarship
- Grace Walter – Mamie Hall Memorial Scholarship
- Ashley Wheeler – Saint Francis Auxiliary Healthcare Scholarship
- Anita Williams – Clara D. Newnam Memorial Scholarship
- Matthew Woodfin – Evalyn and S. David Nunley Scholarship
