Pennsylvania Higher Education Foundation Announces Grants to Aid Nursing Education Programs
Foundation Commits $635,000 to Twelve Area Nursing Schools

Reading, PA - April 2, 2004 - The Pennsylvania Higher Education Foundation held an event today to announce the distribution of $635,000 in grants to area nursing programs through the Foundation’s Nursing Education Grants Program, which has distributed nearly $5.5 million statewide to help nursing students in the academic year 2003-04.

The Foundation established the Nursing Education Grants Program with support from PHEAA and The Hospital and Healthsystem Association of Pennsylvania (HAP) to make nursing education more accessible and affordable. The program helps to reverse the Commonwealth’s nursing shortage by generating financial support which otherwise is not available to schools. This funding, in turn, helps Pennsylvania schools increase the recruitment and retention rates of their nursing programs, providing qualified nurses for the citizens of Pennsylvania.

Funds totaling $635,000 have been earmarked to assist 12 area nursing schools, including Reading Area Community College (RACC), DeSales University, Kutztown University and Millersville University.

According to the Department of Health’s Special Report on the Characteristics of the Registered Nurse Population in Pennsylvania (June 2003) only 17 percent of registered nurses in Pennsylvania are between the ages of 20 and 34 while 52 percent are between the ages of 34 and 50. 30 percent are in the age range of 50 and 64. Almost 50 percent of registered nurses are expected to leave nursing within the next 10 years.

State Senator Michael A. O'Pake, a member of the PHEAA Board of Directors, which authorized the creation of the Foundation and one of the original Foundation Directors, commented, “We want to encourage more individuals to get into the profession and join the critical front line of healthcare in Pennsylvania and we need to retain our existing nurses in the profession. These initiatives are going to help us accomplish those goals.”

“Unfortunately too few students are entering the nursing profession to meet the needs of Pennsylvania - - and that places a serious strain on hospitals and health care providers,” said Foundation President and C.E.O. Michael H. Hershock. “With the average student loan debt for nurses exceeding $18,000, the cost of a nursing education can also be a deterrent. Our unique combination of loan forgiveness, grant and awareness programs removes many obstacles for nursing students and unlocks the door to a rewarding career and a lifetime of success.”

By providing aid directly to nursing education programs, the Foundation is making Pennsylvania’s nursing schools a more attractive choice to future nurses and providing Pennsylvania’s citizens with qualified nursing care.

“Reading Area Community College is extremely grateful for the funds provided by the Pennsylvania Higher Education Foundation,” said Dr. Richard A. Kratz, president of RACC. “The grant provides numerous opportunities for our students, and that in turn allows RACC to help meet the community’s healthcare needs.”

Area Nursing Education Grant Recipients

• Reading Area Community College
• Alvernia College
• DeSales University
• Kutztown University
• Lancaster Institute for Health Education School of Nursing
• Millersville University
• Northampton Community College
• Pottsville Hospital School of Nursing
• Reading Hospital School of Nursing
• Saint Luke’s Hospital School of Nursing
• Lancaster County Career & Technology Center
• Lebanon County Career & Technology Center

For additional information about the Foundation’s initiatives or to inquire about donation opportunities, contact the Foundation office at (717) 720-3961 or visit www.HigherEdFoundation.org.