Good Samaritan
Good Samaritan Educational Assistance, Scholarships and Grants
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Employees Only
Educational assistance is an employee benefit in which the employer reimburses employees for the costs associated with continuing education. The employee must be seeking a degree at an educational institution that maintains a regular faculty and curriculum and normally has a regularly enrolled body of students in attendance at the place where it carries on its educational activities.
Application Period: Applications accepted throughout the year
Certifications are designated credentials earned by an individual to gain the extra knowledge needed to stay competitive and up to date in their field. Employees are eligible to apply for specialty certification and re-certification reimbursement upon employment. Check with your supervisor for more information.
Application Period: Applications accepted throughout the year
The Sanford Health Equity in Education Scholarship is a targeted financial scholarship program aiding underrepresented and traditionally underserved populations seeking higher education. The scholarship application is open to Sanford Health employees and the broader community. Award recipients must demonstrate exceptional character and leadership in furthering their own progress and in enriching the lives of others, especially in service, academics, and community involvement and impact.
Application Period: September 20 - November 15
Donor: Sanford Health & Good Samaritan Foundation
The Sanford Health Military and Veteran Scholarship is awarded to any veteran, Guard/Reserve, or active-duty military service member who has demonstrated exceptional character and leadership in furthering their own progress and in enriching the lives of others, especially in service, academics, and community involvement.
Application Period: June 27 - September 30
Donor: Sanford Health & Good Samaritan
Because of generous donors to the Good Samaritan Foundation, a Good Samaritan location may have endowments or funds available to award scholarships to dedicated employees enrolled in post-secondary education. Employees interested in a local scholarship should speak with their administrator about what opportunities may be available for them at that location.
Application Period: Applications accepted all year
Donor: Good Samaritan Foundation
Sanford Health and The Good Samaritan support lifelong learning and provide financial support for continuing education that will develop our employees’ competence in their current positions or enhance their employability within Sanford Health of Northern Minnesota.
Purpose: Support current Sanford Health of Northern Minnesota employees working in the Bemidji region seeking to further their health care education and advance their careers. The scholarship will help employees pursue education that leads to advancement in the field of long-term care (including but is not limited to CNA certification, LPN, BSN), medical interpreter education, social work, job-related English as a second language or Adult Basic Education training.
Application Period: Applications accepted all year
Donor: Sanford Health & Good Samaritan Foundation
Established in 2021, this scholarship supports Native American students pursuing post-secondary education opportunities.
Purpose: The Sanford Health Lakota Nation Scholarship supports Native Americans who demonstrate leadership and commitment in their community.
Application Period: October 1 – February 1
Donor: Randy and Sonia Bury
Jane was a Sanford employee and was passionate about mission trips. This scholarship was created in her memory by her colleagues and family to provide scholarships for Sanford employees to assist in funding mission trips that they would participate in.
Application Period: September 20 - November 15
Donor: Family and friends of Jane Lindgren
Employees and Community Members
The Sanford Health Equity in Education Scholarship is a targeted financial scholarship program aiding underrepresented and traditionally underserved populations seeking higher education. The scholarship application is open to Sanford Health employees and the broader community.
Award recipients must demonstrate exceptional character and leadership in furthering their own progress and in enriching the lives of others, especially in service, academics, and community involvement and impact.
Application Period: September 20 – November 15
Donor: Sanford Health & Good Samaritan Foundation
The Sanford Health Military and Veteran Scholarship is awarded to any veteran, Guard/Reserve, or active-duty military service member who has demonstrated exceptional character and leadership in furthering their own progress and in enriching the lives of others, especially in service, academics, and community involvement.
Application Period: June 27 – September 30
Donor: Sanford Health & Good
Established in 2021, this scholarship supports Native American students pursuing post-secondary education opportunities.
Purpose: The Sanford Health Lakota Nation Scholarship supports Native Americans who demonstrate leadership and commitment in their community.
Application Period: October 1 – February 1
Donor: Randy and Sonia Bury
Purpose: Promote nursing as a profession and provide financial support to students pursuing their Licensed Practical Nursing (LPN) degree.
Application Period: Application closes on April 18th, 2025
Requirements & Eligibility: Scholarships are available to students enrolled in an LPN program.
Application Submission Requirements:
- Resume
- Unofficial Transcript
- Optional: One scholarship reference from an instructor, current supervisor or academic advisor
Award: The number of awards varies each year, with each award being $1,000.
Distribution: Scholarships will be awarded in May 2025.
Donors: Good Samaritan
Resources and State Programs
Many states are working to address their workforce shortages by developing financial incentive programs for students with the goal of recruiting and retaining talent for their skilled workforce needs.
This is a program for current Sanford and Good Samaritan employees who are returning to school in Minnesota. We currently support those in LADC, LPN, RN, RT, and Surgical Tech programs. The student agrees to work for Sanford/GSS in Minnesota for 2 years, full time following the completion of the schooling. The funds are sent to the program.
This program is for students in a North Dakota technical school program or for students who have recently completed their studies at any North Dakota college or university. The funds are provided by the state of North Dakota and a community partner. Sanford is happy to discuss becoming a community partner for students in the following programs:
- Diagnostic Medical Sonographer
- Health Technologist/Technician
- LPN
- RN
- Medical & Clinical Lab Technologist/Technician
- OT Assistant
- Surgical Technologist.
The student agrees to work for Sanford in North Dakota for 3 years, full time following the completion of the schooling. The funds are shared directly with the program.
This program is for students in a South Dakota technical school program. The funds are provided by the state of South Dakota and a community partner. Sanford is happy to discuss becoming a community partner for students in the following programs:
- LPN
- Medical & Clinical Lab Technologist/Technician
- Surgical Technologist
- Invasive Cardiac Tech
- RN (associate degree)
The student agrees to work for Sanford in South Dakota for 3 years, full time following the completion of the schooling. The funds are sent to the program.