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.
The Annie Titmus Mitchell, Alpha Titmus Slate & Jerolien Tanner Titmus Memorial Student Fund (the “Fund”) is designed as a forgivable loan program (the “Program”) established by the estate of Jerolien Tanner Titmus in honor of her sisters, Annie Titmus Mitchell, and Alpha Titmus Slate. The Fund is available to eligible nursing students who are enrolled in an accredited nursing program. The Program is structured in the form of a forgivable loan. Students who accept financial assistance and successfully maintain employment following graduation in the geographic area surrounding Petersburg will receive credit for their time worked against the outstanding balance of the loan. The Program is administered by Southside Health Education Foundation (SHEF).
Implementation:
- 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 Aid Report (SAR) with the SHEF Application for Financial Assistance.
- A student attending an accredited nursing program may apply to receive an award of financial assistance from the Fund. SHEF will select qualified applicants and will administer the awards under the program for each semester of study.
- The financial award is distributed in the form of a forgivable loan and the recipient must enter into a work commitment agreement with SHEF and promise to repay the loan if the conditions of the program are not satisfied.
- A student who has received funds under the Program/Fund must take the NCLEX-RN examination within sixty (60) days following graduation and must successfully complete the examination in the first two (2) attempts. An individual who is unsuccessful on the first and second attempts at the NCLEX-RN examination, will be required to commence repayment of the loan.
- A student who has received funds under the Program/Fund must enter the workforce as a nurse within ninety (90) days following graduation in Petersburg or the surrounding SHEF service region. A description of the allowable geographic area can be located on the SHEF website at www.shefeducation.org. Students are responsible for obtaining employment and SHEF has no responsibility to provide or offer employment to any student.
- A student who has received funds under the program but is unable to successfully find employment as a nurse in the Petersburg or SHEF service region within ninety (90) days following graduation, must commence repayment of the loan on the 91st day.
- Six (6) months of continual full-time or permanent part-time employment as a nurse in the approved geographic area, will be credited for forgiveness of one (1) semester for which the student received financial assistance under the program.
- SHEF retains the authority to set any additional conditions or requirements for the program to preserve the intention of the Fund.