High School Healthcare Scholarships

This gift-supported program encourages aspiring healthcare providers with scholarship awards and community connections. Our High School Healthcare Scholarship Program has a rich history that includes $552,000 awarded to 703 scholarship recipients, with many past awardees now caring for patients in western Montana, the state, and throughout the world.

Scholarships are currently awarded to Lake, Missoula and Ravalli County high school seniors who intend to pursue a career in medicine, nursing, or other health-related field that addresses human health. Our minimum scholarship award is $1,000. The awarding of Premier $2,500 Scholarships is considered by our Education Committee as annual applications are reviewed and donor support is secured.

Interested in applying for a scholarship?

Applications for the 2024 scholarship program are now open! Applications are DUE by March 11, 2024. Please read through this page for eligibility criteria, application requirements, selection & presentation information and awards presentations prior to applying for a scholarship. Required documentation includes:

  • Completed application with attestation signed by the student and parent or legal guardian. If using a legal guardian or the student is emancipated, please also submit court appointed paperwork.
  • Official transcripts must be received directly from the school.  Transcripts must be mailed or delivered in a sealed envelope, if a special accommodation has been approved. Emailed transcripts will only be accepted if they are sent directly by the school counselor or authorized school personnel and please mail or submit to Community Health Alliance at 2315 McDonald Ave Ste 102, Missoula, MT 59801 by the deadline.
  • Two letters of recommendation, written and signed by individuals who are familiar with the applicant (i.e., teachers, employers) and are able to discuss scholastic potential and personal qualities.
APPLY NOW

If applying online creates a barrier, please contact us at info@communityhealthwmt.org or 406.926.2522 to request an application. Requested applications and required materials must be returned to Community Health Alliance at 2315 McDonald Ave Ste 102, Missoula, MT 59801. It is the responsibility of the student to ensure all materials are received.

Eligibility

Applications are open to graduating seniors currently attending high school in Lake, Missoula or Ravalli County who intend to pursue a human related, healthcare career in the following areas:

  • MEDICINE (excludes animals): Physician, Dentist or other medical degree
  • NURSING: LPN, RN, NP, PA
  • OTHER HEALTH-RELATED (Human) FIELD: medical technology, radiology, clinical laboratory, medical records, respiratory therapy, physical therapy, occupational therapy, audiology therapy, pharmacy, social work, clinical psychology or other medical/technical fields.

A 3.0 GPA is required for all students applying.

Students must have applied, or be in the process of applying, to an accredited college, university, or post-secondary school, whether in Montana or out-of-state.

Application Requirements

All required documentation must be submitted by the deadline for the application to be considered. Required documentation includes:

  • Completed application signed by the student, parent and/or legal guardian. If using a legal guardian or the student is emancipated, please also submit court appointed paperwork.
  • Official transcripts, submitted directly by the school counselor. Transcripts must be mailed or delivered in a sealed envelope if submitting a hard copy application. Emailed transcripts will only be accepted if they are sent directly by the school counselor or authorized school personnel.
  • Two letters of recommendation, written and signed by individuals who are familiar with the applicant (i.e., teachers, employers) and are able to discuss scholastic potential and personal qualities.

Online application submissions are preferred. If submitting an application online is a barrier, contact us at info@communityhealthwmt.org or 406.926.2522 to request an application. Requested applications and required materials must be returned by the deadline by mail or in person to:

Community Health Alliance
2315 McDonald Ave Ste 102
Missoula, MT 59801

Selection & Presentation

All complete applications received by the deadline are reviewed by our Education Committee.  Recipients are selected based on consideration of academic record, quality of application, with emphasis given to the student essay, and other considerations such as, but not limited to, financial need and background information. 

Recipients are notified by Community Health Alliance and are required to submit written acceptance of award within 10 days of notification; acceptance should include the name and address of the chosen educational institution’s financial aid office.  Recipient and their families are invited to accept their scholarship award at the Awards Ceremony in late spring.

Award Payment

2024 Scholarships will be paid by July 15, 2024 directly to the college, university, or post‑secondary school indicated by the recipient. If an educational institution was not identified in the student’s written letter of acceptance, or if there was a change in the institution chosen, the information must be provided to Community Health Alliance no later than June 15, 2024.  The award may be applied to tuition, fees, and/or books.

“Thank you so much for your generous donation to my education. It means so much to me winning this scholarship. The money will help me finish paying off my first year at the University of Montana! I plan to pursue my dream of becoming a Pharmacist with their amazing program.”

– Crystal Hazel, 2022 Healthcare Scholarship recipient

Donors & Endowments

Donors

Our scholarships are made possible by our generous donors. Your gift helps to ensure caring and qualified medical practitioners for our community and beyond. We invite your support at one of the following levels:

  • Name a premier scholarship with a gift of $2,500
  • Name a scholarship with a gift of $1,000
  • Share a scholarship naming opportunity with a gift of $500 to $750
  • Give a general scholarship gift of any size
  • Endow a scholarship with a gift of $10,000 or more, depending on your goal for the scholarship award

Current Endowments

  • Theresa Seiffert Memorial Scholarship
  • Patricia & Chuck Douglas Memorial Scholarship
  • Dr. John & Nora Evert Memorial Scholarship
  • ServiceMaster Award
  • Ty Robinson Family Endowment

2023 Scholarships Recipients and Donors

Shaelo Benson

Susan Muralt Nursing Scholarship

Malia Bradford

Larry and Kristin Stayner

Alyssa Conwell

Dr. John and Nora Evert Endowment & Larry and Dee Dee Gianchetta

Emilie Courchesne

Patricia and Chuck Douglas Endowment

SeQuoya Dempsey

CHA Board of Trustees

Julia Huls

Dr. Rebecca and Mr. Carl Anderson & CHA Donors

Moriah Kinnunen

George Family

Delaney Lawrence

Tim and Tonda Richards & Rocky Mountain Surgical Solutions

Madison Lee

Bruce and Charlotte Whitehead

Addyson Lewis

Diane and Jeff LaPorte & Michael and Danette Stewart

Joshua Lucier

Monida Healthcare Network

Josie McKernan

Vince and Sue Meng

Sierra Poulsen

Holt Family

Reagan Remmers

Amy and Tom Frandsen & Missoula Family Medicine

Payton Smith

Ty Robinson Family Endowment

Clara Todd

Char Gatlin and Ariana Del Negro

Thank you to our general scholarship donors: Alita and Les Billington, Brad and Debbie Dantic, Steve and Rita Huck, Nerissa Koehn, Aubrey Nilsen, Mark and Mary Thane, and Wells & McKittrick. You can view our 2023 Scholarship Award Program here.