BJC HealthCare and The Scholarship Foundation of St. Louis created the BJC Scholars Fund in response to the Ferguson Commission and For the Sake of All report, which outline the critical correlation between higher education, better health outcomes and greater longevity. Scholarships provide deserving students with the ability to afford higher education which serves as a catalyst for productive change for individuals, families, and communities.
In its seventh year, the fund has already supported a total of 96 students at institutions of higher learning throughout Missouri and Illinois.
“The BJC Scholars Fund Scholarship began with the goal of creating a new pathway to higher education for students who live in the communities that BJC serves,” said Lisa Lochner, president of Missouri Baptist Sullivan Hospital. “The connection between education and long-term well-being is real, and we want to be a part of that, as a key health care provider in the region. We’re proud that several students from our local communities have benefitted from the BJC Scholars Fund Scholarship. By providing this level of support, we know the future for these extraordinary students is that much brighter.”
Local Student Named 2023 BJC Scholar
One of those scholarship recipients from the 2023 BJC Scholars class is Ella Eichwald of Bourbon, Mo. This scholarship has meant so much to Eichwald, helping her prepare for and embrace all that her college experience has to offer.
“I am extremely grateful to have been awarded this scholarship,” said Eichwald. “It has given me the opportunity to attend a four-year college of my choice that I would not have been able to afford without it. It has also allowed me to focus solely on my academics without the added stress of having to get a job while going to college. This extra time has allowed me to get familiarized with the campus and make new friends as well as connections.”
Eichwald is currently enrolled as a freshman at Missouri State University and majoring in sports medicine. She is in a special program that will allow her to get her master’s degree in five years. Eichwald hopes to one day work as an athletic trainer with a sports team at either the collegiate or professional level. She is also considering working in a hospital setting, where she can specialize in rehabilitation for patients and injury prevention for athletes.
The BJC Scholars Fund
Open to high school seniors planning to pursue a two- or four-year degree at a public Missouri or Illinois state college, university or a school with tuition reciprocity, the BJC Scholars Fund scholarship offers need-based awards of up to $12,000 per academic year. The annually renewable scholarship can be applied toward tuition, fees, room and board, transportation, and incidental costs.
The Scholarship Foundation of St. Louis – a nonprofit organization based upon the tenet that an educated society is essential to a healthy society – administers all aspects of the program and supports the awardees and their parents in taking full advantage of other state, federal and institutional funds to which students are entitled, to ensure that the BJC Scholars award completes the funding required for full year attendance. The Foundation also provides ongoing support that includes advising, workshops, financial aid counseling, participation in paid internship programs and additional funding opportunities if relevant.
Interested in Applying?
For those students who are interested and eligible, visit MyScholarshipCentral.org, follow the instructions to complete the General Application, and then submit the supplemental application for the BJC Scholars Fund Scholarship. To be considered, completed applications and all required supporting documents must be submitted by April 15, 2024. Awards will be announced in June 2024.