Major Boost for Local Healthcare: $11.7 Million Endowment to Fund Nursing Scholarships in Citrus County

The College of Central Florida Foundation, in partnership with the Citrus County Hospital Board, has established an $11.7 million endowment to support nursing education for local students. Starting in August 2024, this endowment will fund scholarships that cover in-state tuition and lab fees for Citrus County residents enrolled in the Associate Degree Nursing program at CF. This program is available at the Wilton Simpson Citrus Campus and the Ocala Campus, the latter being ranked as the top nursing program in Florida by RegisteredNursing.org.

Dr. Jim Henningsen, president of CF, noted the ongoing challenges in recruiting and training skilled nurses, essential for local healthcare. The Citrus County Hospital Board's contributions, along with state support, have allowed CF to dedicate these funds to help eligible local students with tuition and lab fees. This reflects a commitment to improving access to quality nursing education in the community.

Applicants for the scholarship must annually complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid and the CF Foundation scholarship application. The nursing program requires a secondary application beyond general admission, and is only open to current Citrus County residents.

The scholarship aims to cover tuition and lab fees for up to 50 students each year in the Associate Degree Nursing program. Chris Knife, vice president for institutional advancement and CEO of CF Foundation, acknowledged the Citrus County Hospital Board's significant support, which helps meet the educational and healthcare needs of the community.

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