Will County HEROES Nursing and Teaching Scholarship

Overview

The Will County HEROES Teaching and Nursing Grant ignites a new generation of heroes – students willing to enter these fields and take on the challenges of these noble professions. Both current and potential Nursing and Teaching students are eligible to apply for up to $2,500 a semester of scholarship money towards their education. The program also provides a pathway for employment after graduation, connecting students with local partners who can support their continued education and ensure a working environment that will foster positive career development.

Now is the time to become an Education and Healthcare Hero! Learn how to apply today!

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Grant Details

$10 MILLION of Will County’s American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding will be used to “prime the pipeline” for teaching and nursing students who live in Will County and expect to work at a Will County education or healthcare institution, respectively, after graduation. Will County has awarded four higher education partners, Governors State University, University of St. Francis, Lewis University, Joliet Junior College, funds to generate a pathway for enrollment, education, and employment.

The Will County Heroes Grant will award participants $2,500 per semester or $5,000 per academic year as an education and employment incentive for professionals to stay and work in Will County – beginning with students enrolled as early as Fall 2023!

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Qualifying Career Fields

Will County Heroes will provide assistance to students, including financial aid and connection with employment partners, at the four higher education partners pursuing careers in:

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Criteria

• 1. This program is available to impacted students which must qualify and attest to “ONE” of the following:


• • LOW OR MODERATE INCOME HOUSEHOLDS - Income at or below 300% of the Federal Poverty Guideline for the size of the household. Refer to the chart at the bottom of this page.


• • HOUSEHOLDS THAT EXPERIENCED UNEMPLOYMENT - Professionals seeking a career change as a result of losing their employment through the pandemic


• • HOUSEHOLDS THAT QUALIFY FOR CERTAIN FEDERAL BENEFITS - Which includes Medicaid, Pell, SNAP, WIC


• 2. Teaching and nursing students who live in Will County and expect to work at a Will County education or healthcare institution, respectively, after graduation.


• 3. Will County has awarded four higher education partners, Governors State University, University of St. Francis, Lewis University, Joliet Junior College, funds to generate a pathway for enrollment, education, and employment.

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President’s Statement

“This innovative collaboration serves as a model for institutions seeking to enhance the diverse needs of the local economy. We are grateful to Will County for their investment in the future of our students and the emerging workforce.”

Dr. Cheryl Green, President of Governors State University

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Impacted Households

• • U.S. Treasury states that income at or below 300 percent of the Federal Poverty Guidelines for the size of the household based on the most recently published poverty guidelines meets the definition of “impacted”. Please reference the income table to the right.


• • A household is defined as all the people who occupy a housing unit at their legal permanent residence.


• • A household includes the related family members and all the unrelated people, if any, such as lodgers, foster children, wards, or employees who share the housing unit. A person living alone in a housing unit, or a group of unrelated people sharing a housing unit such as partners or roomers, is also counted as a household.


• • A recipient may have experienced unemployment and can qualify as an individual.


• • A recipient may qualify for assistance based on their household’s qualifications or receipt of other qualified federal benefits.

Household Size	Gross Annual Income
1	$40,770
2	$54,930
3	$69,090
4	$83,250
5	$97,410
6	$111,570

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Resources