NEO RAAIN
Our Story
Northeast Oklahoma Recruitment and Advancement of American Indians into Nursing (NEO-RAAIN) is a collaborative project between Northeastern Oklahoma A & M and Northeastern State University.
NEO-RAAIN will provide needs based scholarships for students by increasing Native American enrollment in nursing at both the community college and university levels, including associate degree in nursing (ADN), baccalaureate of science in nursing (BSN), and master of science in nursing (MSN). Up to $20,000 in scholarship funding per applicant to be awarded.
Eligibility Criteria
To participate in the NEORAAIN Program, students must meet following criteria following eligibility criteria:
- To be eligible for NEORAAIN scholarships, students must be American Indian students enrolled in a federally recognized tribe. Students are eligible if they have already applied for an IHS Scholarship but were not awarded. Selection is based on financial need and priority is given to those students who are closest to graduation/class seniority.
- Be willing to sign an Indian Health Service Scholarship Program Contract (IHS-818) agreeing to a minimum two-year service commitment to practice at an Indian health facility upon completing the academic and/or post-graduate training.
- Must be currently admitted to or enrolled in a pre-health sciences, ADN, RN to BSN or RN to MSN program at Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College or Northeastern State University;
- Students should contact their respective program directors at NSU or NEO for assistance with the scholarship application and submission process.
- The first disbursement of funds to students will be made in the Spring of 2025, beginning with the committee's first-selected cohort. Additional funds and scholars will be awarded based on the needs of the first selected cohort.
Expectations of Scholarship Recipients
All students selected as NEORAAIN Scholars must:
- Meet with their respective program directors at NSU or NEO monthly by phone or Zoom for check-in, mentorship, and guidance.
- Starting January 2025, complete a mid-point check-in survey at midterm and an evaluation survey at the end of each completed semester. These surveys will serve as reflections on the NEORAAIN program and facilitate feedback for evaluation. Report content is used by Program directors, ITC, and IHS for evaluation and improvement recommendations for the program.
- Attend at least one monthly meeting with the Oklahoma Indigenous Nursing Association or other activity offered by NEORAAIN for professional development and mentorship.
Application Guidelines
Complete the Education Application which includes
- Confidential Information Authorization
- Signature Page
- Photo ID
- Tribal Membership Card
- Social Security Card
- Proof of residency (mail or document with applicant's name
- Proof of enrollment at either NEO A&M or NSU
- Document with costs and plan of study