Oct. 16, 2023 GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – – Grand Rapids Community College Nursing students are receiving an opportunity to have their final semester of tuition paid for by Mary Free Bed. Tuition will be covered for nursing students with a one-year commitment to working for the hospital after graduation. Students in GRCC’s Associate Degree and Practical Nursing programs are eligible for this new last-dollar scholarship.
“Mary Free Bed has also agreed to cover the fees for the required licensing tests, which cost just over $500," said Michelle Richter, director of GRCC's Nursing program. "When our students get help with tuition, they’re able to focus on their education and ultimately are better prepared for the workplace."
Benefits of the partnership will extend beyond the students and the hospital, said Maria Opoku-Agyeman, Mary Free Bed’s chief nursing officer and vice president of inpatient services.
“The creation of nurse scholar programs is a huge win for our community!” said Opoku-Agyeman, a GRCC alumna. “This partnership will allow Mary Free Bed to serve more patients, improve our care delivery, and create a more consistent talent pipeline.
“This program will also allow more individuals to achieve their dream of becoming a nurse at GRCC, a highly respected organization with nursing graduates who complete licensure exams at rates above national and state averages.”
The Mary Free Bed scholarship is the second scholarship created by the Grand Rapids Community College Foundation with goals of strengthening the local pipeline for nursing talent. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics warns of a nationwide registered nurse shortage, with more than 203,000 openings predicted annually through 2031.
In November, the GRCC Foundation established a similar nursing scholarship program with the University of Michigan Health-West.
“We are grateful that West Michigan hospitals are willing to partner with us,” said Erin Van Egmond, GRCC Foundation executive director. “These partnerships help our students achieve their dreams while supporting health care providers and the greater community.”