The Jewish Foundation for Education of Women awarded the College of Health Professions a sixty-thousand dollar grant for female veterans.
“Thanks to the generous support of the Jewish Foundation for Education of Women, this is the first grant that is available to both nursing and physician assistant students, and the first grant specifically for female veterans and their dependents at Pace,” said Executive Director of the Center of Excellence Sophie Kaufman.
Female veterans in select programs of Health Professions qualify for up to $10, 000 each school year for the next two years. The financial assistance is awarded to those in the Combined Degree, Physician Assistant, RN-4 junior or senior students, or the Family Nurse Practitioner program.
“I grew up in Jamaica and came to the U.S. in 2000. I did not always want to be a nurse, but on deployment to Iraq, I had an epiphany. I can still vividly remember telling my sergeant that when it was over, I would return home and do something meaningful with my life,” said Casmin Bennett, a student in a 12-month accelerated combined nursing and baccalaureate program and the first beneficiary of the scholarship. “I came home and I have been working toward this goal ever since. The foundation’s scholarship will greatly alleviate the financial burden of paying for my nursing degree.”
“The Veteran Affairs team at Pace is committed to ensuring that veteran students’ transitions are seamless,” said Veteran Specialist Prof. Robert Rahni. “Casmin Bennett has honorably served our nation. The funds from the foundation’s Veterans Grant with the Pace 50 percent Veterans Scholarship and her well-deserved GI Bill benefits will enable her to complete the nursing program expeditiously.”
Pace has been recognized for its support of veterans in their pursuit of higher education after serving. This year, Pace was included in G. I. Jobs magazine list of the top 20 percent of best colleges for returning veterans.
“The Lienhard School of Nursing has a history of commitment to helping veterans,” said Dean of the College of Health Professions Dr. Gerrie Colombraro. “In 2009, Lienhard was one of the few nursing schools to participate in the Veterans Affairs Nursing Academy, a partnership to increase nursing faculty and students and enhance the professional development of VA nurses.”
Lienhard was also one of 20 schools from across the nation invited by First Lady Michelle Obama to attend a Joining Forces occasion in honor of Pace commitment to helping veterans achieve the education they need to be successful in the working world. Students who qualify can start the application process for the scholarship by emailing Robert Rahni at [email protected] or Sophie Kaufman at [email protected].