Fall 2025 Renewal - FirstHealth Nursing Sponsorship

For students already supported through the FirstHealth Nursing Sponsorships and applying for Fall 2025.

Eligibility Requirements:

Employees must be full-time or part-time, worked at least 1,040 hours per year, and have completed six (6) months of employment with FirstHealth of the Carolinas.
- Nurse externs must successfully complete probationary period and must be hired and work 0.2 FTE at a minimum.
- RNs seeking advanced degrees (BSN, MSN or DNP) must have an unencumbered and current North Carolina RN license or RN multi-state licensure privilege through the Nurse Licensure Compact required.
Agreement to complete one (1) year of employment in a hospital for every $2,000 dollars awarded.
No written counseling in the employee’s file during the previous 12 months.
Annual review will show outstanding attendance and customer service with no elements of performance below a satisfactory rating.

Maximum Lifetime Benefit – $10,000

For LPN Program: (maximum cumulative award – $4,000)
• Recent acceptance and enrollment in a regionally accredited LPN nursing program. Applicants may enroll in full-time or part-time studies; coursework must be completed within three years of term of entry.

For ADN Program: (maximum cumulative award – $6,000)
• Recent acceptance and enrollment in a regionally accredited ADN nursing program. Applicants may enroll in full-time or part-time studies; coursework must be completed within three years of term of entry.

For BSN Program: (maximum cumulative award – $6,000)
• Recent acceptance and enrollment in a regionally accredited BSN nursing program. Applicants may enroll in full-time or part-time studies; coursework must be completed within three years of term of entry.

For MSN/DNP Program: (maximum cumulative award – $10,000)
• Baccalaureate or Master’s Degree in Nursing with Registered Nurse licensure in North Carolina.
• Recent acceptance and enrollment in a regionally accredited MSN/DNP nursing program with an administrative or executive leadership concentration. Sponsorship applications will also be accepted by applicants awaiting final notification of admission. Applicants may enroll in full-time or part-time studies; coursework must be completed within three years of term of entry.

Applicants must demonstrate:
• Academic and professional achievement with leadership abilities.
• The commitment to provide the best evidence-based care.
• Demonstrate FirstHealth’s shared vision “To Care for People”.

Fund Support
• Sponsorships will be awarded on an incremental basis of a maximum of $2,000 per semester or per session with the cumulative maximum as noted above.
• The amount of the sponsorship awarded will be determined based on the actual cost of the program, other funds received, and expenses incurred. Receipts will be required with the final amount determined by the Nursing Scholarship Committee. Awarded funds may be used for the payment of tuition, student fees, and course related textbooks.
• To cover other expenses causing a barrier to pursuing an advanced degree. Those items must be submitted with/on the application form.
• Employees receiving more than $5,250 in support through the Nursing Sponsorship and/or other FirstHealth tuition reimbursement programs, will have any excess of funds that exceed $5,250 included in their wages and reported on their W2. The taxes for these wages will also be deducted from their check. If your support total remains under $5,250 for the calendar tax year, the funds will not be taxable.

Recipient Requirements
• Sponsorship recipients must sign a commitment agreement to practice at a FirstHealth hospital for one year for every $2,000 awarded. If the recipient does not complete the agreement term, the recipient will be required to repay all awarded funds.
• The student will need to reapply each semester/session as sponsorships will be awarded on a semester or session basis. Transcripts will need to be submitted from the completed semester/session before funds for the next semester/session will be disbursed. Sponsorship recipients must be in good academic standing, i.e., a minimum of 3.0 GPA or receipt of PASS or HIGH PASS in all courses, to be deemed eligible by the committee to receive continued support beyond the initial fund allotment.

Submission of Application
Applications are accepted throughout the year:
Deadline for Fall Semester – August 1
Deadline for Spring Semester – Nov. 1
Deadline for Summer Semester – June 1