Hospital gives financial aid to employees' children

Hospital gives financial aid to employees' children

During the 2007-2008 school year, approximately 47 percent of all undergraduate degree candidates received tuition assistance from the government, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. Now, many private organizations and universities are also making efforts to improve financial aid programs.

Recently, the Van R. Johnson Sutter Scholars program awarded tuition assistance packages to 230 children of Sutter Health and affiliate employees. The program has awarded more than 3,500 scholarships totaling more than $5 million to students from Northern California.

"During tough economic times many families struggle to pay college bills," said Charlie Wait, vice president of Fund Development for Sutter Health. "Sutter Health believes the rising cost of education should not be the barrier that keeps outstanding students from having the opportunity to reach their fullest potential."

Scholarships range from $1,000 to $3,000 per student and can be applied to the cost of continuing education at a community college or four-year university.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, financial aid may come in the form of scholarships, student loans, grants and federal work-study initiatives.
 

By Mark Danson