(September 7, 2016) KANSAS CITY, MO – Avila University has recently announced a $1,526,000 grant from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), which will be awarded over the next four years to support scholarships for radiologic science students. Nationally, only 78 institutions received the HRSA grant and Avila University is one of only two institutions, along with Saint Louis University, in the state of Missouri to receive this award.
The grant will allow Avila to award five, full scholarships to first-year students and also provide an additional five, 50% scholarships to continuing or transfer students each fall.
The objectives of this grant are three-fold: increase the percentage of students from disadvantaged backgrounds who are pursuing a degree in radiologic sciences, increase retention rates of radiologic science students at Avila, and increase the percentage of radiologic science graduates who practice in primary care settings and medically underserved communities.
Ashlyn Hull, M.S., Ed., R.T. (R)(CT) is program director and chair of Radiologic Science for Avila University. She sees the many positives that will come from the grant. “These scholarships will have a significant impact on our students and their futures,” Hull said. “We are forever grateful to HRSA for providing our students with this opportunity. The positive impact this will have on the community will be felt for years.”
In 2012, Avila was first awarded a HRSA grant for $250,000 over four years. The 2016 award is a 510% increase.
Avila University, a Catholic University sponsored by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet, is a values-based community of learning providing liberal arts, professional, undergraduate and graduate education to prepare students for responsible, lifelong contributions to the global community. Our approach to education brings out the best in our students, so they can bring out the best in others.