The School of Nursing at Platt College in Aurora, Colorado is pleased to announce,  the formation of an annual scholarship for eligible nursing students at Platt College.  The Joe Lee Memorial Scholarship was founded in spring 2016, after the passing of Joe Lee.

Mr. Lee was born in Miles City, Montana. He graduated from Parks Business College with a business degree and went on to own and operate Parks College. Later, he co-founded Denver Business College and Denver Institute of Technology. Mr. Lee was instrumental in serving as an advocate for nursing education through his service on various national and state-wide committees.  In the latter part of his life, he spent time working to ensure that nursing education opportunities would be available for hard working individuals who wanted to seek the profession.   

Platt College has partnered with the Colorado Nurses Foundation (CNF) who will facilitate the applications and awarding of the scholarship. The CNF, located in Aurora, is dedicated to improving health care and nursing practice in Colorado, and is devoted to creating nursing excellence through the promotion of educational and scientific activities and community based projects. 

Vice President of Academic Affairs at Platt College, Dr. Julie Basler, remarked that "this scholarship meets the mission at Platt College to foster life-long learning individuals and communities.  The scholarship represents the College's commitment to nursing opportunities for Colorado residents to encourage them to serve our communities in all aspects of patient-centered care.  As a long-time contributor to the College, Joe Lee's vision in higher education was to make education directly related to a successful and meaningful careers.  This annual scholarship represents the College mission, Mr. Lee's vision, and the Colorado Nurses Foundation's dedication to creating nursing learning opportunities that are consequential."

Applicants may apply directly for the scholarship through the CNF's webpage, http://www.coloradonursesfoundation.com/

2016 will mark the first time this $5,000 will be awarded to a Platt College student.

In order to be considered for the scholarship, applicants must:

1. Be accepted into the School of Nursing at Platt College
2. Be a Colorado resident committed to practicing nursing in Colorado
3. Be a minimum of one quarter of study remaining prior to completing their degree. 
4. Have a 3.25 minimum grade point average
5. Be classified as a junior or senior level BSN student
6. Have a documented financial need
7. Upon award of scholarship, provide written attestation of continued enrollment in the January quarter by the Platt College Registrar

Additional Requirements:

Applicants must:

1. Submit a current transcript
2. Submit a personal essay explaining the details of the financial hardship
3. Written attestation from Platt College Financial Aid office verifying financial need
4. Two letters of reference: one from employer/supervisor (if not employed, then from another individual)

Time Period:

• The application period opens September 1, 2016 and closes on October 30, 2016.
• Award will be made in early January 2017

Recipient Selection

• An application review committee has been established by CNF to make the scholarship selection.

Platt College is approved by the Colorado Department of Higher Education (CCHE). The college is an accredited member of the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC) as a degree-granting institution and has secured, maintains, and has documentation of institutional accreditation.  The Bachelor of Science in Nursing program is accredited through ACEN and is approved through the Colorado Board of Nursing (CBON) and through the CCHE.  The college offers a fixed curriculum leading to the degree of Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). The School of Nursing (SON) has four admissions per calendar year in the months of January, March, June and September.