The Scholarships – Eligibility and How To Apply. The Massachusetts Educational Foundation currently distributes scholarships annually to mature women, aged 35 or older, living in Massachusetts, who are embarking on a career transition. To find out how the scholarships have made a difference, learn more about some of our past recipients.
Candidates must meet eligibility requirements, and are subject to a rigorous review and interview process. It will be awarded to a mature woman enrolled in a training or educational program, which will result in a career change. Consideration will be given to special circumstances that have been overcome and the goals of the applicant. The Massachusetts Educational Foundation Scholarships are approximately $1,000.00.
Congratulations to the 2011 Scholarship Recipients!
Read below to learn more about the four women awarded Massachusetts Educational Foundation Scholarships in 2011
Heidi DeCourcey - Cape Cod Community College – Kingston Resident
Heidi knew as a teenager that nursing was going to be her ultimate career choice. However, life changes derailed that choice and she pursued an associate’s degree in business majoring in paralegal studies. She found herself drawn to medical cases and discovered that the legal work often times went hand-in-hand with the ethics of medicine and that realization rekindled her desire to become a nurse. Currently employed as a Certified Nursing Assistant in the emergency room at Jordan Hospital has given her hands-on-experience in the medical field. To achieve an Associate Degree in Nursing will complete her short-term goals. She is a single mother of two young boys, works the night shift and attends school during the day. Clearly a bundle of energy, Heidi is committed, well organized and focused on her professional and personal goals.
Diane O’Neil – Lesley University, Cambridge – Cambridge Resident
Diane has a passion for working with underserved children and is planning a career in Educational Social Work. She has recently been accepted into a Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies program and she hopes to augment her previous work experience as a day-care teacher. She has two adult children and one grandchild and is excited at the prospects of returning to school. She looks forward to having a career that involves children and families so that she can help them navigate the educational systems. After graduation, Diane will be touching the lives of needy children every day and will be making the world a better place.
Madeline Santiago-Nova – Bunker Hill Community College – Malden Resident
After losing a job as an Administrative Assistant, Madeline began to reassess her life goals. With help from social service networks, she has embarked on a career that will allow her to become a medial interpreter for Spanish-speaking patients. She is enrolled in programs leading to certification as a Community Health Care Worker, as well as a Medical Interpreter. Her certification combined with her caring and warm personality will make Madeline a highly desirable and effective employee in a variety of clinical settings. She has developed self-confidence and knowledge that she will accomplish her personal goals. She is a single mother of two children and her ultimate goal is to become a licensed social worker.
Donna Taylor – Urban College of Boston – Hyde Park Resident
After working several years for two large banking institutions in their processing departments, Donna has decided to pursue a Bachelors Degree in Business Administration. She is currently attending classes at night and during the summer at Urban College while being employed full-time. She is a caretaker for her mother and is a single parent of a teen-age daughter. Donna expressed that her educational pursuit is in part for advancement for herself, but also as an example of strength and independence for her daughter. She is focused, ambitious and has a non-flappable, can-do-attitude. She looks forward to a career managing others and creating improved systems and working conditions in her place of employment.
2011 Scholarship Recipients - Donna Taylor, Diane O’Neill & Madeline Santiago-Nova
Congratulations to Heidi, Diane, Madeline & Donna the Massachusetts Educational Foundation 2011 Scholarship Recipients!!
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“Once again I would like to thank you for your support towards my educational goals. I successfully graduated from Curry College in June 2006 with a Baccalaureate degree in Nursing. I continue to work at Jordan Hospital and just recently qualified for an exciting position in the Cardiac/ Pulmonary Unit of the hospital. This career opportunity was made possible because of my educational achieve-ment. Without this degree I would not have qualified for the position.” – Joanne Wenhold BSN, RN, BC”
