MAT-SU HEALTH FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE; NEW MAT-SU SCHOLARS AWARD ANNOUNCED
Wasilla, AK — Mat-Su residents interested in pursuing education in health and wellness-related fields are invited to apply for Mat-Su Health Foundation (MSHF) scholarships totaling more than $350,000. Individual awards may be as high as $20,000 to cover tuition, books, and required fees at accredited schools in Alaska and Outside. Applications are accepted online at healthymatsu.org, and the deadline to apply is February 24, 2017.
“Health care workers are in high demand, and the scholarship program helps us ‘grow our own’ in the Mat-Su,” said MSHF Executive Director Elizabeth Ripley. “Of the 25 occupations expected to grow the most in Alaska, 18 are related to health care. There are critical needs that can only be met with a highly trained and educated workforce.”
Mat-Su Health Foundation scholarships help defray the cost of higher education in degree programs that emphasize health or wellness, including mental health and substance abuse. Scholarships are also available for pursuit of degrees in nonprofit management. Awards for traditional MSHF scholarships are based on each applicant’s stated career goal and financial need as demonstrated by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The maximum amount awarded per student for these scholarships is $20,000. New for 2017 is the Mat-Su Scholars Award, which is also based on the applicant’s stated career goal, but not on financial need. Mat-Su Scholars Awards require an essay and interview as part of the online application process and may be for as much as $10,000 each for up to six applicants who meet specific criteria:
All MSHF scholarship applicants must be residents of the Mat-Su Borough, U.S. citizens, eligible for the Alaska Permanent Fund Dividend, and attending (or planning to attend) an accredited health care program at least half-time. Complete eligibility requirements and the online application are available at www.healthymatsu.org.
About Mat-Su Health Foundation: Mat-Su Health Foundation (MSHF) is the official business name of Valley Hospital Association, Inc., which shares ownership in Mat-Su Regional Medical Center. In this capacity, the MSHF board members and representatives actively participate in the governance of Mat-Su’s community hospital and protect the community’s interest in this important healthcare institution through board oversight. The MSHF invests its assets into charitable works that improve the health and wellness of Alaskans living in Mat-Su. More information is available at www.healthymatsu.org.