INANA Leadership Scholarship

Purpose:
To support nurse anesthesia students in Indiana who demonstrate strong leadership potential and are committed to professional advocacy. The scholarship provides financial assistance during the final year of their program, with the expectation that recipients will pursue a leadership role at the state level after graduation.

Award Amount and Timeline for Disbursement:

• Marian University Students: Application opens July 11 – August 15, 2025; recipient selected by August 31, 2025
• University of Evansville Students: Application opens October 15 – November 15 each year; recipient selected by November 30
• Award: $3,000 total per student
• One student from each school will be selected annually

Eligibility Criteria:
Applicants must:

• Be currently enrolled in a nurse anesthesia program in Indiana
• Be a current member of the Indiana Association of Nurse Anesthetists (INANA)
• Have completed at least five semesters of their program (including summer)
• Hold a minimum GPA of 3.5 in their current program
• Demonstrate a strong record of academic performance and leadership involvement
• Be committed to engaging in all scholarship benefits, including post-graduation leadership expectations
• Preference will be given to students who were Indiana residents prior to starting their program and those who intend to live and work in Indiana after graduation

Leadership Commitment Requirement:
Recipients must run for a Board of Directors (BOD) position at the state level (in their current state of residence or employment) within two years of graduation. Winning the position is not required. If no BOD position is available, a committee role will meet this requirement.

Failure to meet this leadership obligation may result in repayment of scholarship funds.

Application Requirements:
Submit the following documents via email to inanapresident@gmail.com:

• Short Bio (1–2 paragraphs) detailing your background and why you qualify
• Current Resume
• Unofficial Transcript from current program
• Two Letters of Recommendation: one from your Program Director and one from a Clinical Instructor
• Essay Response to the following prompt:

How have you demonstrated leadership in your nursing career or education so far, and how do you plan to apply those skills as a CRNA to improve patient care and advance the profession? 

Selection Criteria:
Applicants will be evaluated based on the following:

• Academic achievements and GPA
• Evidence of leadership in professional, volunteer, or civic activities
• Strength and clarity of essay response
• Quality and relevance of recommendations
• Intent to remain and work in Indiana after graduation (preferred but not required)

Use of Funds:
Scholarship funds may be applied to tuition, housing, board fees, professional membership dues, board review courses, or other expenses related to professional development.