Formed in 2006, the Southside Health Education Foundation (SHEF) is a 501(c)3 charitable organization serving Petersburg and the surrounding region. SHEF’s mission is to advance educational opportunities for students pursuing a career in the healthcare industry through the receipt and distribution of educational scholarships and funds to be used for tuition and other related educational expenses. By supporting the region in this way, SHEF plays a critical role in improving the lives of residents through access to education; improving the overall health and quality of life for the region by expanding the number of healthcare employees; and improving the economic vitality and future of the region by developing a skilled workforce.
SHEF utilizes the Majorie Sylvester Garrett Student Emergency Loan Fund which was designed to assist students attending Southside College of Health Sciences (SCHS) through the benevolence of the Garrett family of Virginia. The fund was created as a memorial and tribute to Marjorie Sylvester Garrett and has been developed into a short-term emergency loan fund for currently enrolled nursing students.
Implementation:
- SHEF Scholarship Committee and/or Board will meet to determine the number of loans to distribute based on the fund’s performance.
- SHEF will promote the availability of the fund to all students enrolled at SCHS.
- Interested students must complete and submit the SHEF Application for Financial Assistance on the SHEF website. Applicants must submit a copy of their driver’s license or other form of government ID.
- Interested students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form and submit a copy of their Student Air Report (SAR) to SHEF with their SHEF Application for Financial Assistance.
- The SHEF Scholarship Committee will review the applications and recommend candidates to the SHEF Board of Directors.
- Applicants will be notified of decisions via the US Postal Service or through electronic mail.
- Prior to the release of funds, students will receive information regarding repayment of funds if the student falls below the required 2.0 GPA or cancels enrollment in SCHS.
Awarded to:
- Students enrolled in the SCHS Nursing Program.
- Students who have a minimum 2.0 or higher GPA.
- The loan is not to exceed $400 and will be awarded annually when funds are available.
- Recipients of this loan are required to obtain employment within the SHEF Service Region upon graduation and maintain employment within the service region for a minimum of two (2) years.