Mercyhealth Freeport-Area Health Care Career Scholarship Last Chance
Offered by Mercyhealth
About This Scholarship
Mercyhealth, a hospital and clinic system serving southern Wisconsin and northern Illinois, funds up to four $1,000 scholarships each year for students in the greater Freeport, Illinois region who are training for health care careers. The awards target residents of five northwest Illinois counties: Stephenson, Jo Daviess, Carroll, Ogle, and Winnebago.
Applicants must already be enrolled in an accredited program in one of the system's priority fields — nursing (RN or LPN), imaging and radiology technology, medical assisting, rehabilitation services (physical, occupational, or speech therapy), respiratory therapy, or surgical technology — and show a current GPA of 3.0 or better.
The application asks for a roughly 500-word typed essay on why you chose your career path, what you have done to support it, and how it would benefit the Freeport area. Finalists interview in October-November, and winning funds are sent directly to the recipient's college for the Spring 2027 term. Mercyhealth's benefit-eligible employees are not eligible.
Eligibility
- Reside in Stephenson, Jo Daviess, Carroll, Ogle, or Winnebago County, Illinois
- Currently enrolled in an accredited program in nursing, imaging/radiology technology, medical assisting, rehabilitation services, respiratory therapy, or surgical technology
- Current GPA of 3.0 or better
- Not a benefit-eligible Mercyhealth staff member
How To Apply
- Complete the 2026 application form (PDF) linked on Mercyhealth's scholarships page
- Include GPA evidence and a typed ~500-word essay on your career path and how it would benefit the Freeport area
- Mail everything together to Mercyhealth Human Resources in Freeport or email it to [email protected] by September 4, 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the scholarship money paid out?
Funds are disbursed directly to the winning student's college or university and applied toward expenses for the Spring 2027 term. Finalists are notified and interviewed during October and November.
Can high school seniors apply?
This award requires current enrollment in an accredited program of study in one of the listed health care fields, so it is aimed at students already in college-level health care programs.