Health Scholarships

Mission Belles Nursing Education Fund Scholarship

The Mission Belles Nursing Education Fund Scholarship honors Mission Hospital’s Nursing School Alumni and their lifelong commitment to nursing and community care. Through their vision, “Charting Our Future,” this scholarship supports the next generation of nurses pursuing their first Registered Nurse (RN) degree. WNC Bridge Foundation sponsors this scholarship to help cover expenses incurred during a student’s senior year in a nursing program.

Eligibility & Requirements:

  • First-time Registered Nurse (RN) student

  • Enrolled in a fully accredited associate or baccalaureate nursing program

  • Graduating between April 2026 – December 2026

  • Attending school in Western North Carolina or a bordering state offering in-state tuition

  • Minimum 3.0 unweighted GPA

  • Complete application packet including:

All materials must be submitted by March 9, 2026.

Mission Belles Nursing Education Fund – Legacy Scholarship

WNC Bridge Foundation is proud to expand the Mission Belles Nursing Education Fund to include the Mission Belles Nursing Education Fund – Legacy Scholarship. This scholarship honors the legacy of former Mission Belles by supporting their grandchildren and great-grandchildren pursuing a nursing career.

The Legacy Scholarship is open to first-time Registered Nurse (RN) students graduating between April 2026 and December 2026 from a fully accredited associate or baccalaureate nursing program.

Eligibility & Requirements:

  • Grandchild or great-grandchild of a former Mission Belle

  • Currently enrolled RN student with a minimum 3.0 unweighted GPA

  • Graduating between April 2026 – December 2026

  • Complete application packet including:

All materials must be submitted by March 9, 2026

Scott Buchanan Nursing Scholarship

WNC Bridge Foundation is proud to announce the creation of the Scott Buchanan Nursing Scholarship, honoring longtime President and CEO Scott Buchanan’s decades of service to Western North Carolina.

The scholarship will support students enrolled in AB Tech’s nursing program who reside within the Foundation’s 18-county service area, helping remove financial barriers to those pursuing a career in nursing. Eligible recipients must be a first-year student and have a minimum 2.0 GPA.

Buchanan, who retired as CEO on December 31, 2025, has guided WNC Bridge Foundation through a transformative era of growth, expanding its role as a regional leader in health, wellness, and community resilience.

Community members are invited to honor Buchanan’s service by contributing to the scholarship. To make a gift use our online donation form at the bottom of this page or contact us at 828.277.4815.

Health Science Scholarships

We are committed to the people of WNC and to meeting the health challenges that face our region. We believe a crucial component of our mission is to ensure our communities have exceptional healthcare workers. We achieve this by:

  • We award a $2,000 scholarship each year to a deserving high school senior in the 18 counties of WNC who are pursuing health-related occupations and have been identified by their teachers as having the potential to make a significant impact in the healthcare field. View 2025 Health Scholarships Recipients.
  • Health Scholarships aim to enhance healthcare in WNC by supporting individuals who are pursuing health-related occupations. Through these scholarships, a crucial component of our mission is to ensure our communities have exceptional healthcare workers to meet the health challenges that our region faces.

WNC Bridge Foundation Health Scholarship Instructions for Health Science Teachers Instructions:

The entire scholarship form must be submitted online by Tuesday, March 31, 2026 at 11:00 PM. The following items must also be uploaded using our online portal:

  • Consent and Release Form
  • Senior Portrait of student (to be used in marketing materials for WNC Bridge)
  • Short biography of student
  • Academic/career plans of student

Donate Now:

Online via credit card by filling out the secure form below.

By check: checks should be made payable to “WNC Bridge Foundation” and note the scholarship’s name in the memo line. Mail to 294 Overlook Rd, Asheville NC 28803.

Financial information about WNC Bridge Foundation and a copy of our license are available from the State Solicitation Licensing Branch at 919.814.5400. The license is not an endorsement by the State.