Unique scholarship opportunities are popping up all over the country in an effort to curb the effects caused by the looming nursing shortage. Following suit, the University of Minnesota School of Nursing is now targeting American Indian and Alaskan nurses who are pursuing master’s degrees.

The five scholarships, which the school claims are the only in the country, provide full coverage of tuition and fees and a monthly stipend. Any student enrolled full-time in the master’s program at the school of nursing is eligible, but preference is given to those that are tribally affiliated.

In exchange for the scholarships, students must agree to work at least two years under the federal Department of Indian Health Services. The goal is to provide better patient care to tribal reservation residents. For more information, visit this site.

Sources: Indian Country Today and University of Minnesota press release.