The IASN Foundation has several grants that are awarded each year. Details of regarding each grant and how to apply are included below.
Illinois Association of School Nurses Foundation NASN Annual Conference Grant
Deadline: Midnight May 1, 2025
Purpose: This program honors IASN’s commitment to meeting our mission of supporting and advancing the practice of professional school nurses in Illinois by helping increase Illinois school nurses’ attendance at the professional NASN Conference.
Procedure: As a benefit of membership in the organization, one grant in the amount of $510 (early bird registration fee) will be awarded annually to reimburse the cost of the current NASN Conference registration.
The grant will be awarded after the applicant successfully registers for the NASN Conference once the registration window opens.
Applicant Requirements
- Current Active membership status in IASN and NASN for at least one year.
- Current license as a registered nurse in the state of Illinois
- Current employment as a school nurse in the State of Illinois.
- Obtain proof of registration for the upcoming NASN Conference.
- Applicants may not be part of the selection committee.
- Only complete applications will be accepted and reviewed.
Application Process
- Submit a complete electronic application by May 1, 2025.
- Late applications will not be considered.
- Complete an essay, double-spaced 500 words.
- All applicants will be notified of the Scholarship Committee’s decision by the IASN Vice-President (or designee) by May 15, 2025.
Judging
- Grant essays and applications will be reviewed, scored, and verified by the Scholarship/Grant Committee based on the Essay Grading Rubric.
- The Scholarship will only be presented to candidates who meet all of the established criteria.
- Scholarships will not be awarded if a qualified candidate is not identified and the program’s budgeted funds will be placed back into the general fund for IASN.
- The decision of the committee will be final and not open to appeal.
Awards
- One grant is available per year based on IASN’s fiscal calendar (July 1st-June 30th)
- Once one grant is distributed, the program will close until the next fiscal year.
- Grants will be granted upon successful completion of the application requirements and proof of registration for the upcoming NASN 2025 conference.
- Grant recipients must complete and return the IASN Scholarship Recipient Form that is sent with the award notification.
- The recipient’s name and photo will be published in the IASN Social Media outlets.
- Recipient(s) will be recognized at the annual IASN conference during the awards ceremony.
Step 1: Complete application by May 1, 2025 Step 2: Complete an essay, double-spaced 500 words or less, using the evaluation rubric. Please address the following topics in your essay:
- Describe a significant challenge you have faced as a school nurse in your community, and how you addressed this challenge to improve student health outcomes. Discuss how attending this conference would enhance your ability to continue addressing similar challenges and promote health and well-being among the students and families you serve.
Step 3: Complete an application to include verification documents and essay attachments.
Illinois Association of School Nurses Foundation NASN Annual Conference Grant applicationDuPage and Will Counties PEL Grant
Deadline: Midnight September 1
The DuPage and Will Counties PEL Grant is intended to provide some financial assistance to IASN members in the former DuPage Valley Division area (DuPage and Will counties) obtaining their School Nurse Certification.
Up to 10 one-time grants of $1,000 awarded annually to IASN members living in DuPage or Will counties working on obtaining their Professional Educator’s License as a School Nurse. Applicants must have been an IASN member for at least 1 year and been approved for and started in the internship program of a PEL-CSN program, in the past 12 months.
Applicants must:
- Reside in DuPage or Will Counties.
- Been approved for and started in the internship program of a PEL-CSN program in the past 12 months.
- Been a current member of the IASN for at least one year.
The grant will be given to the individual. The Individual is responsible for any applicable taxes.
To Apply:
- Complete the application form (attached)
- Attach a letter (500 words or less) to the Illinois Association of School Nurses (IASN) regarding your philosophy of school nursing and your aspirations / goals for contributing to the of professional school nursing in Illinois.
- Have a School Nurse Certification Program faculty member sign the application
- E-mail the application form as an attachment and written pages explaining the project to: iasnfoundation@gmail.com.
The Cook County PEL Grant
Deadline: Midnight September 1
The Cook County PEL Grant is intended to provide some financial assistance to IASN members in the former LSCV Division area (Cook County) obtaining their School Nurse Certification.
Up to ten grants of $1,000 each annually to IASN members living in Cook County working on obtaining their Professional Educator’s License as a School Nurse. Applicants must have been an IASN member for at least 1 year and been approved for and started in the internship program of a PEL-CSN program, in the past 12 months.
Applicants must:
- Resides in Cook County
- Been approved for and started in the internship program of a PEL-CSN program, in the past 12 months
- Been a current member of the IASN for at least one year
Note: This grant will be given to the individual. The individual is responsible for any applicable taxes.
These grants will be given until the money given to the IASN Foundation for LSCV PEL Grants is exhausted – estimated to be 25 grants
To Apply:
- Complete the application form (attached)
- Attach a letter (500 words or less) to the Illinois Association of School Nurses (IASN) regarding your philosophy of school nursing and your aspirations / goals for contributing to the of professional school nursing in Illinois.
- Have a School Nurse Certification Program faculty member sign the application
- E-mail the application form as an attachment and written pages explaining the project to: iasnfoundation@gmail.com.
The Lake County PEL Legacy Grant
Deadline: Midnight September 1
One grant of $2,000 to a nurse pursuing a Professional Educator’s License as a School Nurse. The grants is for the purpose of assisting an IASN member residing in Lake County obtain their School Nurse Certification. The grant will go to a student attending Lewis University’s ISU/Mennonite’s School Nurse Certification Program. (The grants for other certification programs have already been awarded). Applicants must have been approved for and started in the internship program of a PEL-CSN program, in the past 12 months.
Applicants must:
- Reside in Lake County.
- Been approved for and started in an Approved Illinois School Nurse Certification Program.
- Be a current member of the IASN
The grant will be paid directly to the university.
To Apply:
- Complete the application form (attached)
- Attach a letter (500 words or less) to the Illinois Association of School Nurses (IASN) regarding your philosophy of school nursing and your aspirations / goals for contributing to the of professional school nursing in Illinois.
- Have a School Nurse Certification Program faculty member sign the application
- E-mail the application form as an attachment and written pages explaining the project to: iasnfoundation@gmail.com.
The IASN Foundation Statewide PEL Grant
Deadline: Midnight September 1
THE IASN FOUNDATION STATE-WIDE PEL GRANT
The IASN Foundation Statewide PEL Grant is intended to provide some financial assistance to IASN members obtaining their School Nurse Certification.
Two $800 grants given annually to nurses working to obtain their PEL-CSN. Recipients also receive complimentary admission to the next IASN Annual Conference (approximate value: $150). Applicants must be enrolled in an Illinois School Nurse Certification Program or have completed a program within the past academic year.
Applicants must:
- Be currently enrolled in, or completed within the past academic year, an Illinois School Nurse Certification Program.
- Be current members of the Illinois Association of School Nurses Association (IASN).
The grant will be given to the individual. The individual is responsible for any applicable taxes.
To Apply:
- Complete the application form (attached)
- Attach a letter (500 words or less) to the Illinois Association of School Nurses (IASN) regarding your philosophy of school nursing and your aspirations / goals for contributing to the of professional school nursing in Illinois.
- Have a School Nurse Certification Program faculty member sign the application
- E-mail the application form and letter to: iasnfoundation@gmail.com.
NEW THIS YEAR - RN to BSN Grants
DEADLINE: Midnight September 1
The IASN Foundation State Wide BSN Grant is intended to provide some financial assistance to IASN members obtaining their BSN. The IASN Foundation offers two $500.00 grants annually. Recipients also receive complimentary admission to the next IASN Annual Conference (approximate value: $150). Award will be based upon personal needs and individual goals in school nursing.
Applicants must:
- Be currently enrolled in, or completed within the past academic year, a BSN Program.
- Be working as an RN in a school setting currently and for the past 2 years.
- Be an Illinois Association of School Nurses Association (IASN) member currently and for the past two years.
The grant will be given to the individual. The individual is responsible for any applicable taxes.
To Apply:
- Complete the application form (attached)
- Attach a letter (500 words or less) to the Illinois Association of School Nurses (IASN) regarding your philosophy of school nursing and your aspirations / goals for contributing to the profession of school nursing in Illinois.
- Have a BSN Program faculty member sign the application
- E-mail the application form and letter to: iasnfoundation@gmail.com.