Northwestern Health Sciences University’s Scholarship Application Process Moving Online to Accommodate Scholarship Growth

BLOOMINGTON, Minn. —In the past five years, the number of scholarships at Northwestern Health Sciences University has grown from 12 to 36. Because of a wide array of choices Northwestern students now have in terms of available scholarships, the University has placed information and applications regarding most of the scholarships online, making it easier for students to access them.

Since 2003, scholarship numbers have jumped from zero to five for the Minnesota College of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine; zero to two for the Massage Therapy Program; and from 12 to 29 for the College of Chiropractic.

Debbie Peterson, executive director of alumni, development and career services, says they are working diligently to provide as many scholarship opportunities as possible, in an easily accessible format.

Brady Forseth, BA, director of development, says alumni and other supporters of Northwestern have been increasingly generous in providing dollars for scholarships.

"There is so much scholarship growth because many people see it as a positive way to remember a loved one, allowing their legacy to live on through the education of a student," Forseth says.

Others also contribute to scholarship assistance because they are alumni with a strong affinity to Northwestern, or corporate partners who identify with Northwestern’s mission, adds Forseth.

Therefore, as the number of scholarships awarded at Northwestern increases, the new online process should help educate students about available educational assistance options.

“The chiropractic scholarships awarded at homecoming had an online application process set up in January,” notes Marla Warner, student records financial services counselor for Northwestern.

Warner says the scholarship advisory committee decided to make the transition to the online format.

“Several people saw the need for it to be online, and now everyone can see what is available,” Warner explains. “There is background information on the scholarships, information on how to apply and the actual application. So far, this approach has worked better. We have had to field fewer questions, and this has provided a way for students to download forms and e-mail essays. The chiropractic scholarships were sort of our trial, and it really worked well.”

An online application process for the other two programs should be in place at some point also, Warner says.

The support has been impressive, Peterson says, noting that having scholarships online is a very effective way to reach students.

“We’re continually adding new scholarships,” Peterson says. “It’s very important that we have a variety of scholarships to offer our students.”

To learn more about available scholarships, please visit http://www.nwhealth.edu/finaid/scholar/index.html.

Northwestern Health Sciences University offers a wide array of choices in natural health care education including chiropractic, Oriental medicine, acupuncture, therapeutic massage, human biology, and integrative health and wellness. The University has more than 900 full-time students on a 25-acre campus in Bloomington, Minn.