Data from the , the , and the document the significant need for additional nurses in Kentucky. The School of Nursing鈥檚 ongoing commitment to increase access to quality nursing education across the commonwealth is helping to address local, state and regional health care workforce shortages.

鈥淥ur objective is to address the shortage of practice-ready registered nurses by increasing access to baccalaureate nursing education across Kentucky,鈥� said Whitney Nash, dean of UofL School of Nursing. 鈥淭his collaborative effort with health care partners will provide greater opportunity to recruit and train more nurses, and meet workforce needs in medically underserved areas of Kentucky.鈥�

The funding provides greater opportunities for students to obtain significant financial support, therefore reducing the amount students need to work while pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree. The award also will help lessen student loan debt and provide students guaranteed employment upon graduation.

These dedicated HWIF scholarships, in addition to the school鈥檚 other academic scholarships, will increase the overall number of financially supported nursing students at UofL.

Research shows that an increased ratio of BSN-prepared nursing staff within a health care facility can lead to improved patient outcomes with regards to mortality, post-surgical complications, rapid response recognition, length of stay and readmissions.

With nine Kentucky counties in the UofL Health service area and 16 counties in the Owensboro Health service area, UofL BSN graduates employed by these health care partners can impact the health of Kentuckians in 21% of the commonwealth鈥檚 counties 鈥� the majority of which are designated rural and medically underserved areas.

鈥淭his grant and health care partnership make a BSN education more accessible and affordable for students, which is a true win-win for the community and the commonwealth,鈥� Nash said.听

The coronavirus pandemic prompted some spring test dates to be canceled or postponed. The uncertainty over future testing options caused concern for high school juniors and their families. UofL hopes to alleviate some of that anxiety by making the tests optional.

Tests still will be required for certain programs, such as those in the J.B. Speed School of Engineering, School of Nursing and College of Business. Most scholarships, including competitive and mentored scholarships, also will continue to require test scores. UofL will have some merit aid available for students without test scores.

鈥淲e have always attempted to look at students holistically,鈥� said Jenny Sawyer, UofL鈥檚 executive director of admissions, 鈥渆specially students with excellent grades, a strong desire to learn and be a college graduate and those without the resources of others. This gives us the opportunity to provide access to UofL in new ways and reduce the stress of standardized tests to our prospective students, especially during these difficult times.鈥�

First-time freshman who choose not to submit ACT or SAT results will follow the same process as those who do not meet the Kentucky Council on Postsecondary 成人直播鈥檚 College Readiness Indicators. They will be required to take one of several exams in math or reading to determine their proper first-year placement in courses after they are accepted.

As a trial, UofL allowed some students to apply for the freshmen fall 2020 class without submitting ACT or SAT scores. Those students provided a personal statement and resume, and grades and curriculum weighed more heavily in the decisions. The test-optional policy will be reviewed by the university to see if it will continue beyond fall 2021. For more information, visit

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