Joanne and William Conway Establish Nursing Scholarship Program at Trinity Washington University
Trinity Washington University President Patricia McGuire announced the establishment of the Joanne and William Conway Scholarship Program for high-achieving, low-income students who intend to enter the nursing profession. Through their foundation, Joanne and William Conway pledged a commitment of $2.8 million to provide scholarships to young women from the District of Columbia, Prince George’s and Montgomery Counties who have high potential to complete a nursing degree at Trinity in four or five years.
“The Trinity community is deeply grateful to Joanne and William Conway, who, through their Bedford Falls Foundation, generously support aspiring nurses in the District of Columbia and close-in Maryland communities,” said President McGuire. “The Conways keenly understand that for low-income students in this area, nursing is a path to both economic stability and a rewarding career in the growing health care field. Their extraordinary commitment to improving the economic status of low-income families through higher education is exemplary. The Conway Scholarship Program will be transformational for Trinity because it gives us the opportunity to provide high-achieving, low-income young women with the financial support they need, combined with the academic structure of a cohort group, to ensure the successful completion of their nursing degrees.”
The Conway Scholarships will award $10,000 per year to each student for up to five years of enrollment as long as the student continues to achieve at the high levels expected at entrance. With the Conway Scholarships and Trinity’s own merit scholarships and other financial aid resources, Trinity will provide a financial aid package up to the total cost of enrollment depending upon the student’s financial need. The package will include federal loans, Pell Grants, and grants from state and local sources. Trinity’s estimated total cost of enrollment in Fall 2013 is $34,500 including tuition and fees, room and board, books, transportation and related expenses.
Conway Scholars will enroll in Trinity’s School of Nursing and Health Professions as first-time full-time pre-nursing freshmen. Conway Scholars must meet all requirements for full entrance into the nursing major by the end of their sophomore year.
Preferred candidates will have a high school cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0 and a science/math grade point average of 2.75. Candidates for the Conway Scholars Program must be Pell grant eligible. Candidates who meet the criteria and who are residents of the District of Columbia, Prince George’s County or Montgomery County will receive preference in selection. Conway Scholars must be able to live on campus at least throughout their first year of enrollment.
Trinity will select 20 Conway Scholars for the Fall 2013 class based on the results of the Conway Scholars Competition Day on Saturday, June 15, 2013, on Trinity’s campus. Participation in the Conway Scholars Competition Day is by invitation only, based on the nomination of principals or their designees, or Trinity’s selection of candidates from among current applicants. During the competition day candidates will be evaluated on writing ability, oral expression, comportment and ability to present oneself to nursing faculty, and personal characteristics affecting one’s eligibility to participate in clinical education.
Following the competition, candidates’ performance results will be carefully evaluated. Conway Scholars Program winners will be announced by June 30.
Principals and guidance counselors who want to nominate students for the Conway Scholars Program may contact the Trinity Admissions Office at ConwayScholars@trinitydc.edu
Trinity launched its nursing program in Fall 2007 and formally established the School of Nursing and Health Professions in 2010 under the leadership of Dr. Mary Romanello. Since Fall 2010, enrollment in the School of Nursing and Health Professions has doubled from just over 100 students to nearly 250 students.
- Learn more about the Joanne and William Conway Scholarship Program.
Media contact: Ann Pauley, pauleya@trinitydc.edu , 202-884-9725