ABINGTON, Pa. — The Independence Blue Cross Foundation (IBC Foundation) has awarded $12,901 to the Penn State Abington RN to B.S.N. in nursing program to fund undergraduate nursing scholarships for underserved populations.

The Nurses for Tomorrow Scholarships from the IBC Foundation are available to nursing students who are graduates of community college nursing programs. Criteria for awards includes unmet financial need, full-time attendance in the Abington B.S.N. program, residency in the Philadelphia region, and a required GPA minimum. The scholarships will be valued at a minimum of $1,000 each.

“This award and scholarship is a perfect example of the Independence Blue Cross Foundation's collaboration and commitment to the Penn State Abington Nursing program and to the College of Nursing's goal of excellence in all that we do. The impact of the support is significant for the RN to B.S.N. students who practice in surrounding communities,” Raymonde Ann Brown, associate dean for Undergraduate Education and teaching professor in the Penn State College of Nursing, said.

Brenda M. Holtzer, assistant professor and coordinator of the RN to B.S.N. program at Abington, said, “This award supports the continuing education of nurses completing their bachelor’s degrees in nursing at Penn State Abington. The graduates of community colleges are motivated to pursue full-time programs of study in order to obtain employment at our local hospitals. Penn State Abington and the College of Nursing are committed to student success and completion of this program.”

Abington forged a partnership with Montgomery County Community College (MCCC) that allows MCCC students and county residents to earn a bachelor of science degree in nursing from the Penn State College of Nursing with the convenience of taking courses at MCCC. Abington faculty teach courses in the RN to B.S.N. program on MCCC’s Central Campus in Blue Bell, about 30 minutes from Abington. The program is open to any diploma or associate degree graduate with an RN license and a minimum 2.0 grade-point average from their nursing education.

This gift will advance "A Greater Penn State for 21st Century Excellence," a focused campaign that seeks to elevate Penn State’s position as a leading public university in a world defined by rapid change and global connections. With the support of alumni and friends, “A Greater Penn State” seeks to fulfill the three key imperatives of a 21st-century public university: keeping the doors to higher education open to hardworking students regardless of financial well-being; creating transformative experiences that go beyond the classroom; and impacting the world by fueling discovery, innovation and entrepreneurship. To learn more about “A Greater Penn State for 21st Century Excellence,” visit greaterpennstate.psu.edu.

About Penn State Abington

Penn State Abington provides an affordable, accessible, and high-impact education resulting in the success of a diverse student body. It is committed to student success through innovative approaches to 21st century public higher education within a world-class research university. With nearly 4,000 students, Penn State Abington is a residential campus that offers baccalaureate degrees in 19 majors, undergraduate research, the Schreyer honors program, NCAA Division III athletics, and more.