Eileen S. and Earl C. Whittemore Advance Practiced/Nurse Practitioner Scholarship

Scholarship Sponsored by Mississippi Nurses Foundation

Description
**Purpose and sponsor**
This scholarship provides a one-time $2,500 award to support a nurse pursuing advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) education. The Mississippi Nurses Foundation (MNF) administers the award on behalf of the Eileen S. and Earl C. Whittemore, Jr Fund, a fund of the Gulf Coast Community Foundation. The award applies to the 2026–2027 academic year and is intended to be used for accredited nurse practitioner (NP) study.

Key takeaways:
- $2,500 scholarship for APRN/NP students
- Administered by the Mississippi Nurses Foundation (MNF)
- Funded by the Eileen S. & Earl C. Whittemore, Jr Fund (Gulf Coast Community Foundation)
- Award applies to the 2026–2027 academic year

Eligibility
**Applicant qualifications**
Applicants must be members of the Mississippi Nurses Association (MNA) and hold a current, unrestricted Mississippi registered nurse (RN) license. Candidates must be accepted to or currently enrolled in an accredited nurse practitioner program and maintain a minimum nursing curriculum GPA of 3.0. Eligibility focuses on state licensure, association membership, program enrollment, and academic standing.

Key takeaways:
- Must be an MNA member
- Must hold a current, unrestricted Mississippi RN license
- Must be accepted/enrolled in an accredited NP program
- Minimum nursing GPA of 3.0 required

Application Requirements
**Required documents and submissions**
Applications require a completed student information form and a set of supporting documents: a letter from the school verifying acceptance or enrollment in an accredited NP program, an official transcript showing the last completed college semester, a copy of the current Mississippi nursing license, two professional letters of reference, and a personal essay (up to 500 words) explaining inspiration to become an NP and how the scholarship will help meet educational goals. All items must be submitted as part of the application package for initial consideration.

Key takeaways:
- Student information form plus supporting documents required
- Letter from school verifying acceptance/enrollment
- Official transcript (last completed semester) and copy of MS RN license
- Two professional references and a 500-word essay

Award Value and Disbursement
**Payment amount and schedule**
The total award is $2,500, paid directly to an accredited academic institution on behalf of the student. Payments are made in two equal disbursements for the Fall and Spring semesters of the 2026–2027 academic year, contingent on the recipient maintaining eligibility. The funds are remitted to the institution rather than paid directly to the student.

Key takeaways:
- Total award: $2,500
- Funds paid directly to the academic institution
- Two equal disbursements: Fall and Spring (2026–2027)
- Disbursement contingent on maintained eligibility

Application Process and Timeline
**How applications are managed**
The Mississippi Nurses Foundation administers the application and award process, which begins with a public call for applications, followed by applicant submission, review, and selection. MNF will publish application opening dates and deadlines; applicants should monitor MNF communications for specific timeline details. The review process culminates in award notification and disbursement scheduling.

Key takeaways:
- MNF administers the application and selection process
- Process includes call for applications, submission, review, and award
- Applicants must watch MNF announcements for specific opening/closing dates
- Award notification follows MNF’s review process

Award Conditions
**Maintaining eligibility after award**
Recipients must remain eligible throughout the 2026–2027 academic year to receive both disbursements. As a condition of the second disbursement, MNF must receive required documentation demonstrating continued eligibility (for example, updated academic verification). Failure to maintain eligibility can result in withholding of the second payment.

Key takeaways:
- Recipient must maintain eligibility for the full academic year
- Continued eligibility must be documented before the second disbursement
- Second payment may be withheld if eligibility is not confirmed

History of the Award
**Funding origin and intent**
This scholarship is funded by the Eileen S. and Earl C. Whittemore, Jr Fund, a charitable fund held by the Gulf Coast Community Foundation, and is distributed through the Mississippi Nurses Foundation. The award was established to support advanced nursing education for nurse practitioners and to invest in the professional development of nurses in Mississippi.

Key takeaways:
- Fund source: Eileen S. & Earl C. Whittemore, Jr Fund (Gulf Coast Community Foundation)
- Distribution and administration by the Mississippi Nurses Foundation
- Purpose: support APRN/NP education and professional development in Mississippi