New TAMIU Nursing Scholarship Program Announced by Cong. Cuéllar

Some 30 Texas A&M International University (TAMIU) economically-disadvantaged students from under-represented racial/ethnic minority groups in the Dr. F. M. Canseco School of Nursing program will benefit from a $152,031 grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

The grant funds the Disadvantaged Nursing Student Scholarships (DNSS) program and was announced by Congressman Henry Cuéllar (’82). DNSS funding will enable TAMIU to award scholarships to juniors and seniors who meet the eligibility criteria and are in good academic standing.

“Understanding the shortage of nurses we have in Laredo and surrounding areas, I applaud the efforts of TAMIU to secure necessary funding to address this serious issue,” Congressman Cuéllar said, “For the students and their families who will benefit from the program, I look forward to their progress and their contributions to our community.”

TAMIU president Dr. Ray Keck concurred, noting the students’ investment becomes a community benefit.

“This visionary grant truly enables our students to invest in themselves and their futures in nursing. Upon graduation, that investment is returned to Laredo and our surrounding communities when our well-prepared, culturally sensitive nurses enter the workforce. We are truly appreciative of this powerful endorsement of our College of Nursing and Health Sciences and its ability to improve the quantity and quality of area health care,” he said.

Scholarship recipients will receive funds up to their full financial need as determined by TAMIU’s Office of Financial Aid.

Eligibility criteria include that students be United States citizens, nationals, refugee aliens, or permanent resident aliens at the time of application; be eligible for financial aid as defined by the U.S Department of Education Pell Grant qualifying criteria, enrolled full-time during the semester for which the scholarship is received and meet GPA requirements.

For additional information, contact the TAMIU Office of Financial Aid at 326.2225, visit offices located in the Sue and Radcliffe Killam Library, room 158, e-mail financialaid@tamiu.edu or click on tamiu.edu/affairs/financial

Journalists who need additional information or help with media requests and interviews should contact the Office of Public Relations, Marketing and Information Services at prmis@tamiu.edu