EICC one of 25 colleges to receive $20,000 grant to help nursing students impacted by pandemic


Eastern Iowa Community Colleges (EICC) is one of only 25 colleges recently selected to receive Ellucian’s PATH (Progress, Accomplishment, Thriving and Hope) Scholarship. Ellucian, the leading provider of software and services built to power higher education, created the scholarship fund to provide financial assistance to students experiencing economic hardship related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

EICC will receive a total of $20,000 to support nursing students who are currently enrolled but, due to the pandemic, experienced delays in finishing their coursework. These students were scheduled to take the NCLEX exam in early December. The PATH Scholarship will cover their costs of the NCLEX exam, the licensing fee and additional exam preparation.

“The scholarships will help them complete their programs, successfully pass the NCLEX exam and be gainfully employed in this time of great need,” said Naomi DeWinter, EICC’s Vice Chancellor for Student Development.

The NCLEX exam, also known as the National Council Licensure Examination, is a standardized test that every state regulatory board uses to determine if a candidate is ready to become licensed as a nurse. The scholarship also includes a small stipend to help students with costs related to taking the NCLEX review, which may include additional and unexpected childcare expenses, access to WiFi and other student-related costs.

“I feel honored to receive this,” recipient Cierra Millbrook said. “Thank you for the decision to contribute this grant to nursing students. We have all worked so hard. This will help me achieve my future success as a registered nurse so I can help fight this pandemic.”

Ellucian has pledged an initial $1 million to the scholarship fund and distributed $500,000 to community and technical colleges across the United States in November. Eastern Iowa Community Colleges offers a number of healthcare programs, including Certified Nurse Aid (CNA), Licensed Practical Nursing (LPN) and Registered Nursing (RN). For more information on the college’s health programs, visit eicc.edu/health

Toll-free 1-888-336-3907, email eiccinfo@eicc.edu

This story originally appeared on the Voice of Muscatine. Read More local stories here.

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