NATCHITOCHES – Northwestern State University has been awarded a five-year grant expected to provide $3.25 million through the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), an agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, to support eligible Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) students and help strengthen Louisiana’s nursing workforce.
The award was made through HRSA’s Scholarships for Disadvantaged Students Program. Northwestern State received $650,000 for the first budget period, with $650,000 in annual support anticipated for each of the following four years, for an expected five-year total of $3.25 million, subject to the availability of federal funds and satisfactory program progress.
The project, Preparing Associate of Science in Nursing Students for Practice in Rural and Medically Vulnerable Communities, will provide need-based scholarship support to eligible full-time ASN students. For purposes of the federal program, eligible students include those from economically, educationally or geographically vulnerable backgrounds who also demonstrate financial need. Approximately 40 students are expected to receive scholarship assistance each year.
“This funding will have a direct impact on our students while also helping address the need for nurses across Louisiana,” said Dr. Aimee Badeaux, dean and chief nurse administrator of Northwestern State’s College of Nursing and School of Allied Health and project director for the grant. “Financial challenges can be a significant barrier for students completing a rigorous nursing program. These scholarships will help students remain focused on their education, complete their degrees and enter the nursing workforce prepared to serve the communities that need them most.”
Northwestern State’s ASN program provides multiple pathways to becoming a registered nurse (RN). Students may enter nursing through a traditional entry pathway, while transition options are available for those who bring previous healthcare education and experience, including licensed practical nurses, paramedics, military medics and other eligible allied health professionals. The program serves students at a variety of stages in their educational and professional journeys, with instructional locations in Shreveport, Alexandria and Leesville/Fort Polk.
Over the past five years, Northwestern State’s ASN program has graduated 651 nurses, contributing directly to Louisiana’s healthcare workforce.
“Northwestern State has a proud tradition of preparing nurses who serve communities across Louisiana,” said NSU President James T. Genovese. “This investment expands opportunities for students to pursue a nursing education while strengthening the pipeline of qualified nurses entering Louisiana’s healthcare workforce. Supporting these students is an investment in their futures and in the health and well-being of the communities they will serve.”
The initiative will combine scholarship support with academic advising, faculty mentoring, student success services, clinical education and workforce preparation. Students will gain clinical experience in a variety of healthcare settings, including rural and medically vulnerable communities, helping strengthen the pathway from nursing education to employment.
The five-year project period began Sept. 1, 2026, and extends through June 30, 2031. Continued federal support is subject to the availability of funds and satisfactory program performance.
For more information about nursing programs at Northwestern State University, visit nursing.nsula.edu.