Donald E. Pizzini Memorial Nurse Scholarship

The Montana Health Care Association Scholarship Fund is now accepting applications for the Donald E. Pizzini Memorial Nurse Scholarships.

Scholarships of up to $2,500 will be awarded to individuals interested in pursuing a career in nursing or advancing in their nursing career with an emphasis in long-term care. Scholarship applications are due the last day of February, and will be awarded in April for the upcoming academic year.

The Donald E. Pizzini Memorial Nurse Scholarship Program is designed to facilitate the development of an educated long-term care nursing workforce to meet current and future demands. Each year, scholarships of up to $2,500 will be awarded to college students from Montana, as well as professionals who are already working in the long-term care field in Montana who are interested in pursuing a career in nursing or advancing in their nursing career.  For more information, please call the MHCA office at 406-443-2876, ext. 2.

Scholarship Program Details

No matter what shape health care takes in the future, there will always be a need for people who provide skilled and compassionate nursing care, especially in long-term care. Pursuing a career in nursing will undeniably have its challenges. What shouldn’t be a challenge is finding the financial resources to help achieve career goals. To this end, the MHCA Scholarship Foundation has established the Donald E. Pizzini Memorial Nurse Scholarship Program.

This program will provide annual scholarships to individuals interested in pursuing a career in nursing or advancing their nursing career. It will help the students and healthcare workers of today become the caring nursing professionals of tomorrow and facilitate the development of a nursing workforce to meet Montana’s current and future needs.

Each year, one or more scholarships of up to $2,500 are awarded to college students, as well as professionals already working in the long-term care field, who are interested in pursuing a career in long-term care nursing or in advancing their nursing career in a long-term care facility.

This program memorializes Don Pizzini, a former MHCA President. During his many years as administrator of the Cascade County Convalescent Center in Great Falls, and in his work with MHCA, he had a passionate commitment to long-term care and the elderly, and to the dedicated caregivers who worked to give residents the quality of life they deserve. These scholarships are awarded in his honor as a dedicated, innovative leader.

Eligibility Criteria

All applicants must meet the following criteria: 

• Must pursue study on a full-time or part-time basis in a nursing program relevant to the long-term care field. 
• Applicants shall have maintained a 3.0 GPA or better in their previous studies (high school GPA shall be considered for first-year students). The scholarship committee may waive this requirement at their discretion in consideration of work experience and performance records as qualifying criteria for current long-term care professionals. 
• Attend a college with an accredited nursing program to which the scholarship is granted. 
• Pursue a nursing program designed to lead to an appropriate degree or certification, including advance practice nursing if applicable. 
• Must be a U.S. citizen or possess a Permanent Resident Visa. 
• Must reside in Montana, and plan to work or remain working in long-term care nursing in Montana. 
• Must be available for a qualifying interview.

Application Requirements

• All applicants must submit the following items. Incomplete applications will not be considered. An initial scholarship application. Mail the signed original or email an electronic copy (including signature). If you have already received a Donald E. Pizzini Memorial Scholarship, please complete the renewal application. 
• Official transcripts from the attended educational institutions (high school and college, if applicable) listed on your application. 
• Proof of acceptance into or proof of enrollment in (whichever applies) an accredited college nursing program. 
• Two recommendations from individuals familiar with the applicant (such as teachers, mentors, employers) who can discuss the applicant’s scholastic potential, personal qualities, and enthusiasm or passion for the long-term care nursing profession. Recommendations from family members will not be accepted.