Back in December 2020, University of Wisconsin System President Tommy Thompson announced an incentive for UW students with nursing skills and other health backgrounds to work on the front lines of Wisconsin’s fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The UW System has identified a need and is stepping up to help,” President Thompson said. “As Wisconsin deals with this terrible pandemic, the need for health care workers has never been greater. The UW System is glad to be able to offer this incentive to students, who can use this opportunity to learn and to help our fellow Wisconsinites.”
Then in December 2021, President Thompson announced students will be eligible for a new Spring 2022 $500 tuition credit for working in hospitals and other health care settings.
“The new variant threatens to overwhelm our health care system,” President Thompson said. “Our students have stepped up in the past, and this is another opportunity for them to gain valuable experience while helping Wisconsin combat the latest coronavirus wave.”
To receive the Spring 2022 $500 credit
- Must be enrolled at a University of Wisconsin System campus during the Spring 2022 semester.
- Must work a minimum of 50 hours in a Wisconsin clinical or health care setting, such as a hospital, clinic, nursing home, long-term care facility, state or local health care facility, or state veterans home, between December 1, 2021, and February 28, 2022.
- Must meet health care licensure and certification requirements, such as a Registered Nurse (RN), Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN), Certified Medical Assistant (CMA), Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), Emergency Medical Technician (CEMT), or Nurse Aid.
To have received the Spring 2021 $500 credit
- Must be enrolled at a University of Wisconsin System campus during the Spring 2021 semester.
- Must work a minimum of 50 hours in a Wisconsin clinical or health care setting, such as a hospital, clinic, nursing home, long-term care facility, state or local health care facility, or state veterans’ home, between December 1, 2020, and February 1, 2021.
- Must meet health care licensure and certification requirements, such as a Registered Nurse (RN), Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN), Certified Medical Assistant (CMA), Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), Emergency Medical Technician (CEMT), Certified Phlebotomy Tech (CPT), or Nurse Aid. Students who also qualify as a CNA under the emergency rule currently in place can participate as well.
UW-Madison students must have completed the UW-Madison Health Care Worker form verifying the type of work and the hours worked to the Office of Student Financial Aid by March 31, 2022 to be considered.
Students that qualify will receive the $500 scholarship by the end of the Spring 2022 semester – likely early April 20212 Students may receive only one $500 scholarship regardless of number of hours worked beyond the 50-hour minimum.
Questions about receiving the scholarship at UW-Madison should be directed to the Office of Student Financial Aid – finaid@finaid.wisc.edu, 608.262.3060.