The Nursing Bridge Merit Scholarship (NBMS) is a specialized academic and financial framework at St. Paul’s School of Nursing (Staten Island). It is designed for high-potential students who meet initial Scholastic Level Exam (SLE) benchmarks but require a foundational precursor before entering the Nursing program. The NBMS provides a structured pathway, offering financial support during the Medical Assisting (MA) program and a guaranteed matriculation bridge into Nursing upon successful completion.
Financial Benefits
- Total Award Value: Up to $6,000.
- Disbursement: $1,000 per parent term for each of the six terms of the MA program.
- Funding Limits: Awards are competitive, limited to three (3) new recipients per academic term and annual allocation of $85,000.
To be considered for the NBMS, applicants must submit a comprehensive enrollment packet and meet the following criteria:
- Achieve a minimum score of 19 on the Wonderlic SLE-Q (limit of two attempts).
- Earned no less than the equivalent of 12 semester hour credits from an accredited post-secondary institution or a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.25 from an accredited high school upon graduation.
- Submit a 500-word essay outlining the applicant’s commitment to the bridge program, long-term healthcare goals, and history of community service.
- Meet with staff to complete a mutually acceptable financial assistance plan.
To retain the scholarship and bridge eligibility, recipients must:
- Achieve a cumulative GPA of at least 2.5. (Forfeiture occurs if the GPA falls below 2.5 for two consecutive terms).
- Maintain continuous enrollment. Any interruptions require approval from the Dean of Academic Affairs based on documented extenuating circumstances.
- Adhere strictly to the College’s Code of Conduct.
Students who graduate from the Medical Assisting program under this scholarship are granted direct admission into the Nursing program, bypassing competitive entry barriers. To secure this bridge, students must:
- Graduate with a minimum 2.5 GPA.
- Pass the Certified Clinical Medical Assisting (CCMA) Exam within 60 days of graduation.
- Commence nursing studies within two semesters of MA graduation to remain exempt from SLE-Q and HESI re-testing.
An official audit will be conducted upon graduation to transfer eligible MA credits into the Nursing curriculum. A grade of "C+" or higher is required for credits to transfer. Graduates may receive as many as nine semester hour credits provided they meet the transfer credit criteria.
Note: This is a non-refundable, merit-based scholarship with no cash value; it cannot be used to generate a credit balance check.