Scholarships

Nebraska Academy of PAs Scholarships

STUDENT BENEFITS
NAPA offers many benefits to PA students. NAPA membership is free during school, allowing students to have access to continuous educational, leadership, and networking opportunities. NAPA also offers scholarships to students enrolled in Nebraska PA programs each year. Details on the scholarships, requirements and application process are below.

We are pleased to announce the Jesse Edwards PA Student Scholarship is now open for enrollment.  

Jesse Edwards has been described as a trailblazing pioneer with a lasting and profound impact on the PA profession.  He is credited with bringing the PA profession to the state of Nebraska.  He began his career in the United States Air Force where he worked as a healthcare provider and in medical administration.  He served at the USAF Surgeon General’s Office in Washington D.C.  After retiring from the military as a Major he took a position on faculty at UNMC in the Department of Pediatrics.  He was an active leader in PA education, he served as an Honorary Member of the American Academy of Physician Assistants and the Nebraska Academy of Physician Assistants.  He received numerous honors and awards throughout his storied career.  This scholarship is named in memory and in recognition of Jesse Edwards and all he has done for the PA profession.   Eight $1,000 scholarships will be awarded.

One especially deserving student will be awarded one $2,000 scholarship in honor of Michael Grutsch.  Michael Grutsch has been described by his peers as one of the founding fathers of NAPA and was the creator of the PA student scholarship and scholarship fund which has awarded over $200,00 since its inception.  Grutsch graduated from PA school in 1975 as a member of the inaugural physician assistant class at UNMC.  He served as NAPA President in 1975, 1976, 1980 and 1995.  He spent much of his career working in rural Nebraska in many capacities.  With a military background he devoted much of his time to training personnel working in emergency services.  Grutsch retired in 2014 as a Program Manager at DHHS Division of Public Health Office of Professional and Occupational Investigations.

​Qualified applicants must be:

• Enrolled and attending classes in the first or second year of an accredited PA program in the state of Nebraska.
• In good standing in their program.​

Please click on the link below to apply.  Be creative in your answers.  Do not be afraid to let yourself shine.  We are not looking for standard answers.  We want to see who you are.  A quote from a winning application may be used on social media.  Winners will be notified by email spring 2022 and will be publicly acknowledged at the Spring CME in Kearney, Nebraska.  Money will be distributed directly to your program.

APPLICATION DEADLINE:  JANUARY 28, 2022

• Donations to the Nebraska Academy of PAs Scholarship Fund are tax deductible.