Scholarship Applicant,
Thank you for your interest in the Mercyhealth Scholarship Program!
Mercyhealth has a passion for making lives better and we take great pride in encouraging and supporting students who are pursuing a career in healthcare.
We are excited to present the 2026 Mercyhealth Scholarship Application with information regarding Mercyhealth’s scholarship opportunities for higher education in healthcare fields. Scholarship money will be awarded after completion of Fall 2026 semester and proof of Spring 2027 semester registration.
Mercyhealth Community Scholarships
Seven - $2,000 scholarships to graduating seniors or individuals already enrolled in college programs in all Wisconsin and Illinois Mercyhealth service areas-five general healthcare careers and two specifically for nursing. Scholarships are funded by Mercyhealth.
Mercyhealth Minority/Veteran Scholarships
Two - $2,000 scholarships to minority or veteran individuals residing in all Wisconsin and Illinois Mercyhealth service areas pursuing secondary education in a healthcare career. Scholarships are funded by Mercyhealth.
Ethnic Minority Nursing Scholarship
Three $1,000 scholarships are available to ethnic minority individuals pursuing a nursing degree and residing in Mercyhealth’s northern Illinois service area. Students must also be fluent in Spanish. Must have obtained and maintained a grade point average of 3.0 on a scale of 4.0 in related studies. Scholarships will be awarded based on an individual’s academic standing, extracurricular activities, volunteer efforts and financial need. Scholarship is funded by the Mercyhealth Volunteer Association of Northern Illinois.
Mercyhealth Janesville Medical Staff
Six - $1,000 scholarships to graduating seniors in the following communities: Janesville, Milton, Beloit, Whitewater, Edgerton, Walworth (Big Foot), Brodhead, Delavan, and Evansville pursuing a career in healthcare.
Mercyhealth Harvard Medical Staff
Two - $1,000 scholarships to graduating seniors at Harvard High School pursuing a career in healthcare.- one female, one male recipient.
Mercyhealth Crystal Lake Medical Staff
Two- $1,000 scholarships to graduating seniors at Crystal Lake High School District 155. (Crystal Lake Central High School, Crystal Lake South High School, Cary-Grove High School, Prairie Ridge High School) pursuing a career in healthcare.
Mercyhealth Crystal Lake Scholarship
Four - $1,000 scholarships to graduating seniors at Crystal Lake High School District 155 ( 1- Crystal Lake Central High School, 1 - Crystal Lake South High School, 1- Cary –Grove High School, 1 -Prairie Ridge High School) pursuing a career in healthcare. Scholarships are funded by Mercyhealth.
The Ina M. Cholke and Olga Dean Bullard Trust Fund Scholarship
Six - $1,000 scholarships are available to Winnebago County (Illinois) resident high school graduating seniors planning to enter a one or two-year program in a healthcare related field. Preference is given to students attending Rock Valley College in Rockford, IL. Must have obtained and maintained a grade point average of 3.0 on a scale of 4.0 in related studies. Scholarships will be awarded based on an individual’s academic standing, extracurricular activities, volunteer efforts and financial need. Scholarship is funded by the Mercyhealth Volunteer Association of Northern Illinois.
Mercyhealth Employee Partners Scholarship
Four - $1,000 scholarships are available to Mercyhealth partners living in Mercyhealth’s northern Illinois service area, to assist with their continuing health care educational goals, or business degree relating to healthcare. Scholarships will be awarded based on an individual’s academic standing, extracurricular activities, volunteer efforts and financial need. Scholarship is funded by the Mercyhealth Volunteer Association of Northern Illinois.
The Flora Taylor Scholarship for Mercyhealth student volunteers
Two - $1,000 scholarships are available to current volunteers who donate their time to Javon Bea Hospital in Rockford, or Mercyhealth Hospital and Physician Clinic-Crystal Lake. Must be a current active volunteer (high school senior, college or adult) and have served a minimum of 50 cumulative volunteer service hours.
Must have obtained and maintained a grade point average of 3.0 on a scale of 4.0 in studies related to the healthcare field. Scholarships will be awarded based on an individual’s academic standing, extracurricular activities, volunteer efforts and financial need. Scholarship is funded by the Mercyhealth Volunteer Association of Northern Illinois.
Note: Scholarship Qualifications for all scholarships
In order to qualify for consideration, you must have a minimum grade point average of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale and accepted into or are currently attending an accredited 2 or (preferable) 4-year college or university unless specified in scholarship description.
Partners of Mercyhealth are eligible to apply for the Minority/Veteran and Ethnic Minority Nursing Scholarships and Mercyhealth Employee Partners Scholarship. Mercyhealth partners who receive these scholarships remain eligible for other types of education assistance from Mercyhealth.
To avoid conflicts, scholarships will not be granted to candidates who are employed or attending competitive area hospitals programs.
Required documentation:
1. A completed Mercyhealth Scholarship Application. Please fill in all blanks. “NA” may be entered in spaces that are not applicable. The application form must be received by January 23, 2026. The deadline has been extended until January 30.
2. Include your official High School or College transcript and your school Counselor signature (high school only).
3. We require two letters of recommendation. The letters of recommendation should be as follows: one from an academic source and one from an extra-curricular source who knows the applicant well.
4. A 750-word essay discussing why you have chosen healthcare as a career, your goals for the future and how this scholarship will help you meet your goals. This is an opportunity for you to provide insight into your story and distinguish yourself from other applicants!
All scholarships applications must be submitted by January 23,2026, without exception. Incomplete applications will not be considered. If anything is missing your application will be considered incomplete.
If you have any additional questions, please contact Sue Hodges at 815-971-6401 or shodges@mhemail.org or Renee Dooman at 608-756-6552 or rdooman@mhemail.org.
Thank you for your interest in the Mercyhealth Scholarship Program.
Best of Luck! *