Hancock Health Foundation Scholarships: Investing in the Future of Healthcare
The Hancock Health Foundation is committed to improving the health and well-being of Hancock County by supporting local students pursuing careers in healthcare. Through various scholarship programs, the Foundation provides financial assistance to aspiring healthcare professionals, ensuring a continued high level of care for the community. The Hancock Health Foundation offers a number of scholarship opportunities for students interested in pursuing careers in healthcare fields. If you’re interested in nursing, nutrition, healthcare technology, or one of the dozens of other healthcare professions, we may have a way to help fund your education.
A Legacy of Support
Since 1977, The Hancock Health Foundation has awarded a total of 265 scholarships totaling more than $450,000 to students in Hancock County who are in the medical field of study. The Hancock Health Foundation’s Scholarship programs are made possible by generous contributions from the community. The Foundation has awarded 250 scholarships totaling more than $400,000 to students in Hancock County. The total number of awards will vary, the dollar amounts will vary by scholarship, and the deadlines will also vary by scholarship. Deadlines for each scholarship opportunity vary.
Scholarship Opportunities
The Hancock Health Foundation Scholarships are currently comprised of several key programs:
Edith Zike Nursing Scholarship
The Edith Zike Nursing Scholarship was created in 1970 in memory of a dedicated local nurse, Edith Zike, to encourage entry into the nursing profession thereby assuring the community of a continued high level of nursing care. This scholarship supports individuals at various stages of their nursing education. Applicants can be high school seniors accepted into a nursing or pre- nursing program, nursing students with partially completed programs, or Registered Nurses pursuing a Bachelor’s degree or other advanced degree.
Requirements:
- Three letters of reference (dated 2025 or 2026) are required from persons not related to you.
- At least one letter must be from an academic professional from your current program/school.
- If applicable, letters should be on official letterhead.
- All letters must be signed.
The Edith Zike Scholarship selection committee may request personal interviews with selected applicants.
Read also: Hancock Prep: Academics and Community
Past Recipients:
The 2024 Edith Zike Nursing Scholarship recipients include Chloe Albright, Allyson Beattie, McKenna Georgi, Kaitlyn Laffey, Kennedy Peggs and Sydney Springman. These students each received $2,000 toward their tuition.
The 2021 Edith Zike Nursing Scholarship recipients include: Allyson Beattie, Mt. Vernon High School; Chloe McCarty, Eastern Hancock High School; Lane Parker, Indiana University East; Emily Rollo, Mt. Vernon High School; Cassandra Soliday, Greenfield - Central High School; Jackie Stegman, Ivy Tech Community College; Audrey VanderWal, University of Indianapolis; Emma Walker, Anderson University; and Emma Wiggington, Ball State University.
John F. Stickford Nursing Scholarship
The John F. Stickford Nursing Scholarship was created in 2013 through a gift from the John F. Stickford Revocable Trust. Mr. Stickford was a long-time resident of Hancock County and had a great respect for those working in the healthcare field. It became his desire to help promote excellence in nursing in his community through a scholarship for local nursing students.
Requirements:
- Be accepted into a Bachelors of Science (to become a Registered Nurse) or Masters of Science (to become a Nurse Practitioner) program at an Indiana public university.
- Sign a contract stating that they will work for one year as a Registered Nurse or Nurse Practitioner in Hancock County or Shelby County, preferably at Hancock Health or Major Hospital, for each year that they have received the scholarship.
- You will be required to upload your reference letters (dated 2025 or 2026) to the application and submit them by the deadline.
Scholarship recipients will be chosen each year by a committee which will include members of the Hancock Health Foundation’s Awards & Scholarship Committee, as well as the head of the Nursing Department at Hancock Health, or a designated nursing representative. Interviews may be conducted with applicants. Applications submitted without reference letters will be considered incomplete and will be disqualified from the scholarship.
Award Details:
The amount of the scholarship will be determined annually, and will cover the cost of the recipient’s tuition for one year. The scholarship will be renewed each year that the recipient is in their nursing program, if they maintain a 3.0 GPA.
Read also: Joint Programs: Cal Poly & Hancock
Past Recipients:
The Foundation awarded the 2024 John F. Stickford Nursing Scholarship to Taylor Titus, who is attending Ball State University and participating in the family nurse practitioner program to obtain a Master of Science degree in nursing.
The Foundation has awarded the 2021 John F. Stickford Nursing Scholarship to Mercy Pui, IUPUI. This scholarship will cover their entire tuition for the 2021-2022 school year.
The John F. Stickford Nursing Scholarships are made possible through the generous gift from the estate of Mr. John F. Stickford.
Jill Carr Memorial Scholarship
The Jill Carr Memorial Scholarship was created in 2017 by the parents of Jill Billings Peloso-Carr. Jill was born at Hancock Memorial Hospital in 1962 and spent her life in the Greenfield Community. Jill worked in the kitchen at Hancock Memorial Hospital while she was in high school. She began working there again after college in 1998 and served nearly 20 years as the Director of Nutritional Services. Jill had a passion for food service, which was evident in her career and volunteer work with Meals on Wheels and the W.I.C. program.
Requirements:
- Two letters of reference (dated 2025 or 2026) are required to be uploaded to this application.
Applications missing reference letters will be considered incomplete and disqualified from this scholarship.
Read also: Community College Profile
Past Recipients:
The 2021 Jill Carr Memorial Scholarship was awarded to Ryan Brebberman, a Registered Dietician working at Hancock Health. Ryan is obtaining his Masters in Food Science and Nutrition at Colorado State University. The Jill Carr Memorial Scholarship was established in 2017 by the parents of Jill Billings Peloso- Carr. Jill was the Director of Nutritional Services at Hancock Regional Hospital for nearly 20 years.
School of Radiologic Technology Scholarship
The Hancock Health Foundation School of Radiologic Technology Scholarship was created by the Hancock Health Foundation to recognize Dr.
Criteria: To be awarded to an individual currently enrolled in the School of Radiologic Technology (going into their second year) and living in the Hancock Health primary service area.
Selection: The Hancock Health Foundation Radiologic Technology Scholarship selection committee will receive nominations and annually select the recipient(s) to be approved by the Hancock Health Awards and Scholarships Committee. Personal interviews may be conducted.
Requirements:
- You will be required to upload two letters of reference (Dated 2025 or 2026) to this application prior to submission.
Award Details:
The amount of the scholarship is $1,000 and will be paid to the Hancock Health School of Radiologic Technology to be applied toward the recipient’s fees. One or more of these scholarships may be given through the Luminescence Scholarship program.
Deadline: May 8th 4pm EST
Past Recipients:
This year’s recipients include Jessica Bennett, Hannah Dwenger, Jamie Morris, Taylor Sexton and Emily Suttles. They each receive $1,000 toward their tuition.
School of Radiologic Technology Scholarship for Mt. Vernon High School Graduates
The School of Radiologic Technology Scholarship for Mt. Vernon High School Graduates is made possible through the generous contributions of local radiologist, Dr.
Criteria: To be awarded to an individual who graduated from Mt. Vernon High School.
Award Details:
The amount of the scholarship will cover the student’s full tuition and books for two years of the program, as long as the student remains in good academic standing in the school.
Requirements:
- You will be required to upload two letters of reference (dated 2025 or 2026) to this application prior to submission.
Healthcare and Wellness Scholarship
The Hancock Health Foundation established the Healthcare and Wellness Scholarship in 2015 to support local students and encourage entry into healthcare and wellness professions.
Award Details:
Each year, the Hancock Health Foundation will award at least one $2,000 scholarship.
Examples of eligible fields of study may include, but are not limited to, athletic training, physical therapy, nutrition, pharmacy, social work or general medicine. Prior recipients of this scholarship may apply again.
Selection criteria: for this scholarship include academic achievement, community or extracurricular involvement and demonstration of interest and/or experience in healthcare or wellness activities.
Requirements:
- Three letters of reference (dated 2025 or 2026) are required from persons not related to you.
- At least one letter must be from an academic professional from your current program/school.
- If applicable, letters should be on official letterhead.
- All letters must be signed.
Past Recipients:
Each student received $2,000 toward their tuition. Sarah Burton received the $500 Richard A.
CL Morris Healthcare Management and Administration Scholarship
The purpose of this scholarship is to honor the legacy of CL Morris and contribute to the development of future leaders for the Hancock Health network. The CL Morris Healthcare Management and Administration Scholarship established through the Hancock Health Foundation provides financial assistance for Hancock Health associates who demonstrate leadership potential and enroll in a post-secondary or graduate academic program leading to a B.S. or M.S. degree in Healthcare Management or Administration.
Requirements:
- Two letters of reference (dated 2025 or 2026) are required from persons not related to you.
- One letter must be from your direct supervisor or the director of your department at Hancock Health.
- If you have been in your academic program for at least one semester, one letter must be from an academic professional from your current program/school.
- If you are new to the program, you can instead include a letter from another healthcare or academic professional.
- If applicable, letters should be on official letterhead.
- All letters must be signed.
- Applicants must be accepted into a B.S. or M.S.
How to Apply
To apply for Hancock Health Foundation scholarships, you will need to create a free Submittable account.
Make sure you read each scholarship’s application instructions carefully. Some nursing scholarships may ask for additional materials like recommendation letters, proof of clinical hours, or essays about your career goals.
Additional Information
For more information about the Edith Zike Nursing Scholarship, call the Hancock Health Foundation office at 317-468-4106.
Beyond Scholarships: The Foundation's Broader Impact
The Hancock Health Foundation is passionate and relentless in our goal of making sure Hancock County’s healthcare needs are met. Our projects truly run the gamut across the community. We step in wherever there is a need.
The Hancock Health Foundation received a 2024 Operation Round Up Grant made possible by the members of Coast Electric. The Hancock Chamber of Commerce is our promotional partner. We hold our monthly board meeting at the Business Resource Center, which is available to all nonprofits and government entities at no charge. Hancock Whitney proudly stewards the funds bequeathed to the Hancock Health Foundation by the late Leo Seal. A visionary business leader, dedicated philanthropist, and pillar of the community, Mr. Seal went above and beyond to support those in need.
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