Rebeca Cruz earned her nursing degree at Rivier and has returned to the university as the Project SEND coordinator. Courtesy photo/Rivier University

NASHUA – Rivier University will make a major investment in New Hampshire’s nursing workforce by awarding 45 full-tuition Project SEND scholarships to licensed practical nurses during the next three years. Project SEND will enable scholarship recipients to earn an Associate of Science in Nursing degree, which is a prerequisite to licensure as a registered nurse, without financial burden.

Project SEND scholarships have been made possible through a $4 million grant from the U.S. Health Resources Administration. This highly selective grant is one of only nine Nurse Education, Practice, Quality and Retention grants awarded by HRSA nationally in 2023. Annual award distributions over the next four years will fund 45 full-tuition in 2024-26, plus an additional 15 partial-tuition scholarships in 2027.

“The need to build a diverse nursing workforce is great; Project SEND will change the lives of 60 LPNs and expand qualified nursing care in our region,” said Rivier President Sister Paula Marie Buley, IHM. “The grant requirements and highly selective nature of the award speak volumes as to the quality of a Rivier education and the integrity of our nursing leadership and faculty.”

Project SEND directly supports diversity in the nursing workforce and promotes ongoing economic and community development. Scholarship applicants must hold a current, unencumbered LPN license; be a U.S. citizen or resident; and be a member of an environmentally or economically disadvantaged population and/or underrepresented minority.

“We are grateful for the HRSA grant and opportunity to support LPNs in becoming registered nurses,” said Dr. Paula Williams, dean of Nursing and Health Professions. “Diversity within the nursing workforce is known to enhance communication and trust between patients and care providers. This greater engagement helps to improve health outcomes and progress toward health equity within our nation.”

Prospective Project SEND students must apply to the university and the scholarship program.

Admissions criteria and scholarship guidelines are detailed at rivier.edu/ProjectSEND. The scholarship is available to new students applying to Rivier’s ASN program for Spring 2024 semester entrance; all applications must be submitted by Oct. 30. Applications received after the deadline will be considered for spring 2025 admission and scholarships.

To further support nursing education, the university offers tuition discounts to LPNs and RNs at a range of health facilities throughout the region and supports affordable access to education by awarding more than $14 million in financial aid to students annually.

Information on Rivier’s Nursing and Health Professions programs is available at www.rivier.edu/programs or by contacting the Admissions Office at admissions@rivier.edu or at 603-897-8507.