Pennsylvania Higher Education Foundation Announces New Grant Program for Western Pennsylvania Nursing Students
National City Commits $200,000 to 24 Area Nursing Schools

Pittsburgh, PA - October 26, 2005 - The Pennsylvania Higher Education Foundation and National City hosted an event today to announce the new National City Nursing Grant Program. With a $200,000 donation from National City, the Foundation will provide scholarships to financially needy nursing students in Western Pennsylvania nursing schools.

The Foundation established the National City Nursing Grant Program with funds provided by National City to make nursing education more accessible and affordable to these students. It is expected that more than 120 students will receive nursing scholarships ranging from $1,000 to $10,000 per student. The program will help to reverse the Commonwealth’s nursing shortage by generating financial support which otherwise is not available to nursing students.

“National City recognized a serious nursing shortage in Pennsylvania and quickly stepped up with both innovation and commitment to help us develop a program with long-lasting benefits - - not just for the individual students and families, but for the entire healthcare community,” said Michael H. Hershock, President of the Pennsylvania Higher Education Foundation. “We are fortunate to partner with such a strong community leader.”

These funds have been earmarked to assist 24 area nursing schools, located throughout National City’s Western Pennsylvania marketplace. Each school will administer its own program and select qualified attending recipients.

Todd C. Moules, President and CEO, National City Bank of Pennsylvania, said, “National City is not only committed to bringing the highest quality products and services to our marketplace, we are also committed to improving the quality of life in the communities where our customers and employees live, work and raise their families. Our grant is an investment in the future of our communities.”

Direct financial support to nursing education programs, enables the Foundation to make Pennsylvania’s nursing schools a more attractive choice to future nurses and provides Pennsylvania’s citizens with qualified nursing care.

With generous support from partners such as National City, the Foundation has disbursed more than $25 million to 120 Pennsylvania nursing schools over the last three years, in the form of grants and scholarships to nursing students. As a private, non-governmental foundation, this has all been accomplished without the use of any tax dollars.

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.