PATH Grant for Health Care Students

Overview

Interested in the health care field? The PATH (Pipeline for the Advancement of the Healthcare Workforce Program) Grant offers training and aims to expand opportunities in health science programs, address workforce shortages and support career advancement.

Be part of the solution and become a nurse, EMT-paramedic, physical therapist assistant, surgical technologist and more! Illinois needs high-skill workers like you. Black Hawk College can provide stipends for current health care students’ program expenses and equipment and living expenses through this generous state grant.

Application for Spring 2025

PATH Grant applications will be accepted Monday, Jan. 6 through Friday, Jan. 31.

Recipients will be notified by email by Sunday, Feb. 23.

Apply for PATH Grant

Applications received after Friday, Jan. 31, 2025 may be considered if funds are still available.

Please note: If you have applied for the PATH Grant before, regardless of whether you received an award or not, you are welcome to apply again.

Due to decreases in total funding and changes in categories of awards, student awards will be calculated based on the total number of applications, amount of funding available for distribution and need. (Individual awards will be less than awarded in the past.)

PATH Grant eligibility criteria

1. Incumbent workers who are already in the workforce looking to continue their education and advance their careers in the nursing or health care pathway in Illinois, OR
2. New, entering students on a nursing or health care pathway with an identified need for support, OR
3. First generation or low-income or minority students or a combination of the above categories, AND
4. Enrolled in one of the Black Hawk College programs listed above.

Examples of Qualifying Expenses

• Mileage reimbursement
• Background checks for clinical sites
• Emergency funds for additional support such as food, housing, transportation and/or child care.

Note: This is not an all-inclusive list of eligible requests. If you have a request that is not on this list, email path@bhc.edu to inquire about its eligibility.

PATH purpose

The intent is to create, support and expand the opportunities of individuals in the nursing pathway and select health care pathways to obtain credentials and degrees to enter and/or advance their careers in the health care industry. This program aims to address the shortage of workers in the health care industry that has been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.