Nursing Scholarships

VENANGO CAMPUS TRANSITION

Cultural and economic growth in Venango County will get a boost under a plan developed by the Oil Region Alliance of Business, Industry and Tourism and Pennsylvania Western University Clarion for the university’s Venango property.

Starting in fall 2024, pending approval by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, the Associate of Science in Nursing will relocate to the Clarion campus. 

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Rosemary Coogan Endowed Scholarship: Established by John A. Coogan, Jr. in memory of his late wife, Rosemary Coogan, who had a long and distinguished nursing career. The endowment will provide annual scholarship(s) that will be awarded to a PennWest Clarion - Venango student(s) majoring in nursing. Candidates must demonstrate academic merit and financial need via FAFSA.

Dr. Julia Donovan Memorial Scholarship: Established by the family and friends of Julia Donovan, PhD, a life-long student and respected educator. Dr. Donovan taught as an Assistant Professor at PennWest Clarion's School of Nursing and the purpose of this award is to provide financial support to students pursuing a career in nursing. Eligibility for consideration includes the requirement that the student must be a graduating ASN student who will pursue the BSN, or entering the M.S.N. program at PennWest Clarion. The student must also have strong academic ability and demonstrate financial need.

Virgil and Carol Freebourn Nursing Scholarship: Established by 2007 PennWest Clarion - Venango Distinguished Alumnus Mr. Royce E. Freebourn to honor his parents Virgil and Carol Freebourn. It is awarded in the Fall to an ASN nursing student.

Elizabeth M. McCord Scholarship: Established by the McCord family in honor of Mrs. McCord and her service to the university's Health Center. Eligible candidates are full-time graduate students in the M.S.N. program. Second preference is to students with six or more graduate credits each semester. Thereafter, consideration will be given to bachelor's degree students and finally associate degree candidates within the Department of Nursing.

Nursing Department Scholarship Endowment: To be considered, students must be a registered nurse working toward a BSN, have a "B" average in nursing courses, 3.0 minimum overall QPA, have financial need and be a full-time PennWest Clarion student. Candidates should contact the Director of Nursing at PennWest Clarion - Venango for further information. All scholarship applicants must have recommendations from two nursing instructors, and exhibit service to the University and/or Nursing Profession.

Dr. and Mrs. Arthur William Phillips Scholarship Fund: Made possible by a donation from the Dr. and Mrs. Arthur William Phillips Charitable Trust of Oil City. They are available to students enrolled or planning to enroll for undergraduate work in the Nursing Program or other programs related to medicine. They must have attended high school or been a permanent PA resident for at least the past three years in Allegheny, Butler, Clarion, Crawford, Erie, Forest, Mercer, or Venango counties; who have achieved positive academic records or manifest promise of academic success; and have good moral character. Financial need shall be considered secondarily.

Lyle G. Reinhard Scholarship: Established by President Diane Reinhard in memory of her father. One award is designated for Nursing. To be considered, incoming student needs to be near the top of his/her senior high school class with SAT's over 1000 Total.

Theodore R. Shaw and Lillian M. (Shaw) Shinkle Nursing Scholarship: Established by an estate gift from Theodore R. Shaw, who graduated from Oil City High School in 1929. He was retired from the Foster Forbes Glass Plant after working 42 years in the glass industry. Mr. Shaw's sister, Lillian Mae, a teacher, was a 1927 graduate of Clarion. Scholarships are available to PennWest Clarion nursing students. Candidates can be an ASN, BSN, or MSN student (post Master's or Doctoral education).

Dolores Sherman Scholarship: Provides an annual award for full-time students pursuing a B.S. degree in nursing. Candidate selection criteria include grades in nursing course work, overall academic record, financial need, recommendation of nursing instructors, and service to the university and/or the nursing profession.

Dorothy Story Smith Memorial Scholarship: Established by David C. Smith ('64) in memory of his mother. The award will provide an annual scholarship to a PennWest Clarion nursing student. Eligible candidates must be an undergraduate student, have a 1000 SAT score, and demonstrate financial need per the FAFSA application, which must be on file by the application deadline.