Scholarships

Each year, Nebraska Health Care Foundation offers more than $60,000 in scholarships to support those seeking to launch or continue an education in long-term care.

Quarterly Scholarships

Applications for Medication Aide and Nursing Assistant Scholarships open in January, April, July, and October and close at the end of March, June, September, and December. Scholarship recipients and non-recipients are notified the month following the close of the application period.

Medication Aide Scholarship

NHCF offers three Medication Aide Scholarships per quarter to assist qualified persons who wish to become a medication aide in a Nebraska nursing facility and/or assisted living community.

Nursing Assistant Scholarship

NHCF offers four $500 scholarships per quarter to assist qualified persons with expenses related to becoming a nurse aide who will work in a Nebraska nursing facility and/or assisted living community.

APPLY FOR QUARTERLY SCHOLARSHIP

Scholarship Cycle Status
 2026 Annual Scholarships and Grant  Applications Closed and Awarded; All Applicants Notified
 2026 Quarter 1 Scholarships  Applications Closed and Awarded; All Applicants Notified
 2026 Quarter 2 Scholarships  Applications Open
Applications Close June 30
Anticipated notification to all applicants: July 31
 

Annual Scholarships

The application period for the 2026 Annual Scholarships has closed.

**Note: If your reference contact is unable to upload their letter of recommendation to Kaleidoscope, please have them email it directly to [email protected].

  • New! Kathy Mock Nursing Quality Scholarship — One $10,000 scholarship is offered to an individual pursuing education to become a registered nurse (RN) – whether through an Associate Degree in Nursing or a Bachelor of Science in Nursing – or to a current RN advancing their education through a Master of Science in Nursing, with a commitment to practice in the long-term care profession or help build the nursing workforce by serving as a faculty member at a Nebraska school of nursing.

Thank you to the following organizations for making NHCF’s annual scholarships possible: Health Care Information Systems, Nye Health Services, The Olson Group, Sysco Lincoln, and Vetter Gives.

To spread the impact of the scholarship program, if an applicant has received a scholarship in the same category within the last three years, another applicant may be given preference. However, past recipients are still eligible and encouraged to apply. 

  • Nursing Scholarships — Four $5,000 scholarships are offered to individuals who would like to become registered nurses (RNs) or licensed practical nurses (LPNs) and practice in the long-term care profession or to RNs and/or LPNs wishing to advance their nursing skills and capabilities.

  • Nursing Facility Administrator Scholarships — Two $3,000 scholarships are offered to individuals wishing to attend a nursing home administrator training program.

  • Assisted Living Administrator Scholarships — Two $1,000 scholarships are offered to individuals wishing to attend an assisted living administrator training program.

  • General Scholarships — Eight scholarships up to $1,000 each are offered to individuals working in Nebraska’s nursing homes and assisted living communities wishing to enhance their skills and abilities in non-nursing roles. This scholarship can be applied to trainings (i.e., social services designee, Alzheimer's and dementia, activity director, dietary, etc.) or events (i.e., AHCA/NCAL Quality Summit, AHCA/NCAL Annual Convention, NNFA/NALA Annual Convention, etc.)

  • Congressional Briefing Scholarships - Direct Care Staff — Three scholarships are offered to direct care staff individuals wishing to attend the AHCA/NCAL Congressional Briefing, June 8-9, 2026, in Washington, D.C.

  • Congressional Briefing Scholarship - Board Member — One scholarship is offered to a NNFA or NALA board member wishing to attend the AHCA/NCAL Congressional Briefing, June 8-9, 2026, in Washington, D.C. 

 

Future Leaders Program

Thank you to Vetter Gives for providing a scholarship in support of Nebraska’s participation in the American Health Care Association-National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL) Future Leaders Program.

 

 Programs

Safe Resident Assistance Grant

Thanks to a grant from the West Bend Insurance Company Charitable Fund at the West Bend Community Foundation, Nebraska Health Care Foundation is offering a Safe Resident Assistance Grant to eligible Nebraska Nursing Facility Association and Nebraska Assisted Living Association facility members. In 2026, the West Bend Community Foundation is making it possible for NHCF to subsidize the cost of safe resident assistance equipment, such as a lift, purchased by awarded facilities. NHCF will award a total of four grants at no more than $2,500 each. Applicants are not required to be West Bend Mutual Insurance customers. 

Emergency Support Fund

Following Nebraska’s historic flooding in 2019, Nebraska Health Care Foundation established a program to support individuals employed by a nursing home or assisted living facility after an emergency event.

Qualifying events include a tornado, flood, wildfire, and house fire. Appropriate uses include replacing personal items, furniture, and food; supplementing home repair or other expenses not covered by insurance; and transportation, housing, and childcare.

Individuals employed by a NNFA or NALA Facility Member may apply for up to $1,000. 

Email [email protected] to receive the application, eligibility details, and recipient responsibilities.

Nebraska Health Care LEAD

The Nebraska Health Care LEAD (Lead. Excel. Advance. Develop.) Program was established in 2016 to equip long-term care professionals to positively shape the future of health care in Nebraska through advocacy; grow leaders to benefit their local communities; benefit employers through leadership succession planning, operations improvement, and public relations; and lead participants to personal growth. The year-long program includes in-person and virtual workshops, book discussions, and connections with state and national leaders.

The 2025-2026 program is made possible by a Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Nebraska Health of Nebraska sponsorship, Choice Rehabilitation, Consonus Pharmacy, The Olson Group, Vetter Gives, and Nebraska Health Care Foundation.

Testimonials from just a few Nebraska Health Care LEAD graduates:

“I became stronger as a leader and have made adjustments to be a better administrator.”

“The program provided the tools on how to assess and adjust to the changing environment of health care.”

“I liked the group settings with discussions because it opened my eyes to other ideas and how other leaders handle issues.”

“LEAD made me a better leader, more confident, and more aware of others’ personalities.”

To inquire about participation or sponsorship, email [email protected] or call 402-435-3551.