Apply now for MSHF scholarships

MAT-SU — Local residents interested in scholarships to pursue health-related careers have until 4 p.m., March 28 to apply for awards from the Mat-Su Health Foundation.

New this year, the foundation also will begin accepting applications for vocational scholarships year-round.

The foundation’s scholarship program makes investments in the education of local residents to help build the health care workforce of the future.

In years past, scholarships were offered to students who were completing a degree program emphasizing health or wellness. For 2014, the program has been expanded to include health- and wellness-related vocational scholarships as well.

The new vocational scholarships are designed to assist students with the cost of training in, or certifications for, jobs in a health and/or social/human services field. Examples of training that may be considered for the new vocational scholarships includes, but is not limited to, medical office professions, such as insurance coding and billing; medical assistant; addictions counseling; certified nurse assistant certification; phlebotomy technician; and paramedic training.

Academic scholarships will continue to be available to help defray the cost of higher education in degree programs that emphasize health or wellness.

The number of scholarships given each year and the amount of each award varies. In 2013, 67 scholarships totaling $250,000 were awarded to Mat-Su residents.

For more information or to apply, visit healthymatsu.org.