Granite Edvance donates $15,000 to support NH nursing students through Granite State P.A.R.T.N.E.R.S. program

Concord, NH — As the great need for skilled nurses continues in New Hampshire, Granite Edvance is pleased to announce an additional donation of $15,000 to the scholarship fund that covers tuition for prerequisite courses for nursing students participating in the Granite State P.A.R.T.N.E.R.S. (People Aligning Resources Towards Nursing Expansion and Retention Strategies) program. P.A.R.T.N.E.R.S. is a federally funded statewide program led by Elliot Health System in cooperation with multiple state, educational, and community partners designed to tackle the nursing staffing shortage and strengthen the future of healthcare in New Hampshire.  

Granite Edvance, a statewide nonprofit that supports NH students in navigating their education and career goals, provided $25,000 in seed funding last fall to help fund prerequisite courses, after learning that some students who are accepted into the P.A.R.T.N.E.R.S. program may not have the funds to complete necessary prerequisites, which are outside the scope of the P.A.R.T.N.E.R.S. grant. These students can now apply for awards of up to $1,050 to cover tuition for prerequisite courses at schools within the Community College System of New Hampshire. Funds are administered by the Foundation for New Hampshire Community Colleges. To date, these funds have covered 130 courses for 67 students. 

“In recent years, we’ve seen over and over again how even small amounts of funding can make a meaningful difference in helping students achieve their goals,” said Granite Edvance President and CEO Christiana Thornton. “Seeing the effects of this scholarship fund in students’ lives is especially rewarding because we know we’re investing in the future health of our state while also supporting nursing students.” 

Established in response to the healthcare shortage in the state, the P.A.R.T.N.E.R.S. program aims to expand the nursing workforce in part by removing barriers for individuals who want to pursue a career in nursing. Participants can receive financial assistance as well as support services and mentoring. More than 271 Granite Staters are receiving support from the program to pursue degrees as registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, or licensed nursing assistants. Some participants already have careers in healthcare and are using this support to upskill to LPN or RN roles, while others were unemployed or underemployed and are now using this opportunity to pursue new career goals. 

“We are sincerely thankful to Granite Edvance for their support of aspiring nurses across New Hampshire,” said Martha Dodge, MS, RN, CENP, CPPS, Senior Vice President and Chief Nursing Executive of Elliot Health System. “One of the most common hurdles nursing candidates face is affording prerequisite courses, which are often required before they apply to a formal program. Without this acceptance, students typically don’t qualify for traditional financial aid—making this early stage especially challenging. These funds help remove that barrier. Granite Edvance’s initial seed funding also inspired others to join the cause, resulting in additional contributions that brought the total scholarship fund to an impressive $126,800.”  

“The P.A.R.T.N.E.R.S. program has been instrumental in creating opportunities for NH residents to pursue their healthcare dreams,” said Elliot Health System Workforce Development & Granite State P.A.R.T.N.E.R.S. Student Retention Specialist, Vanessa Rashid. “Furthermore, the additional financial support from Granite Edvance has opened the possibility of achieving a nursing degree to those who might not have otherwise been able to afford the prerequisite classes, lifting a significant barrier to success out of the way!”

Many of the students in the P.A.R.T.N.E.R.S. program have already overcome significant challenges to pursue a nursing degree. Jesula, a single mother and LNA, was accepted to a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) program in 2024 but learned that her tuition would not be fully covered as she had expected.  

“This crucial support allowed me to cover my essential prerequisite courses, removing a significant financial barrier and allowing me to focus on my studies and gain essential skills for my future career,” said Jesula, who, thanks to the scholarship support and working with P.A.R.T.N.E.R.S. Case Manager Vanessa Rashid, has committed to pursuing her associate degree in nursing at Manchester Community College. Jesula will begin the program this fall. “This funding has not only made my education more accessible but has also motivated me to excel in my classes without a burden of financial stress.” 

To apply for the Granite State P.A.R.T.N.E.R.S. program or to learn more, visit https://www.elliothospital.org/nursingexpansion.   

About Granite State P.A.R.T.N.E.R.S program 

The Granite State P.A.R.T.N.E.R.S. program is designed to tackle the staffing shortage and strengthen the future of healthcare in New Hampshire. The program is working to enroll 300 new, diverse, underserved, and underrepresented individuals in the New Hampshire nursing pipeline. The total funding of the Granite State P.A.R.T.N.E.R.S. Nursing Expansion Project is $3.75 million with 80% funded through a U.S. Department of Labor- Employment and Training, Nursing Expansion Grant. ($3M). Additional support of 20% is provided by non-governmental resources. 

 About Granite Edvance  

Granite Edvance (formerly the New Hampshire Higher Education Assistance Foundation, or the NHHEAF Network) is a New Hampshire nonprofit that supports New Hampshire students and their families through free career and higher-education counseling and resources, as well as funding assistance including scholarships and competitive private student loans. Established in 1962, the organization rebranded as Granite Edvance in November 2023. The Granite Edvance Student Loan, as well as the EdvestinU Private Student Loan and the EdvestinU Refinance Loan, are loan products offered by Granite Edvance Corporation and may be funded by Granite Edvance Corporation or Bank of Lake Mills, member FDIC.  

 About Elliot Health System 

Elliot Health System is a non-profit organization serving the healthcare needs of the community since 1890. The largest provider of comprehensive healthcare services in Southern New Hampshire, Elliot Hospital, a 296-bed acute care facility and the first community hospital in the state, serves as the cornerstone of the health system. Elliot is home to Manchester’s designated Regional Trauma Center, Elliot Breast Health Center, Elliot Urgent Care, a Level 3 Newborn Intensive Care Unit, Elliot Medical Group, Solinsky Center for Cancer Care at The Elliot, Elliot Senior Health Center, Visiting Nurse Association of Manchester and Southern New Hampshire, 1-Day Surgery Center, Elliot Memory & Mobility Center, NH Arthritis Center, Elliot Retail Pharmacy, Elliot Medical Centers in Bedford, Londonderry, Hooksett, and The Elliot at River’s Edge.