The DCH Health System is pleased to award scholarships for students choosing the healthcare field for their future profession. All scholarships will be awarded to the most qualified applicants meeting the criteria, as judged by the DCH Foundation Scholarship Committee. Students interested in applying for multiple scholarship opportunities need to submit only one completed application packet.

Important Information:

• Applications are accepted throughout each academic semester and are due by the following deadlines:
  • April 24, 2026 (Summer 2026 Term)
  • July 17, 2026 (Fall 2026 Term)
  • November 6, 2026 (Spring 2027 Term)
• Applicants must apply according to the criteria listed in this packet
• Award recipients are subject to the guidelines outlined in this packet
• Awards are non-transferable

Purpose:
The scholarships offered within this application are designed to promote identified healthcare careers and encourage students to pursue healthcare careers within the DCH Health System.

Requirements:
Interested applicants must be:

• Currently enrolled (or accepted for enrollment) at an accredited college/university or program of study as defined by individual scholarship guidelines.
• Entering freshman (recent high school graduate) - Must have a high school grade point average of 3.0 or higher based on a 4.0 grading scale as a full-time high school student.
• College Student—Must have a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or higher based on a 4.0 grading scale while taking 12 hours of class work and must be eligible for continued enrollment.
• Majoring in or enrolling with the intent to major in a healthcare discipline.

All completed applications will be reviewed by the DCH Foundation Scholarship Committee. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Scholarship decisions will be made in April. Recipients will be notified of their award in writing. All scholarship checks will be mailed directly to the college/university or school of study once proof of enrollment for the 2026/2027 academic year has been received by The DCH Foundation office. Checks will be mailed in early-August 2026.

 

• Clearly print/type and complete all sections of the application; including signature of applicant.
• Include all required additional documentation:
  • One-page personal essay to include:
    • Reason(s) for choosing a health-related career
    • Career goals (short and long-term)
    • Financial need (degree of hardship)
    • Leadership opportunities
    • Community service/volunteer opportunities
  • Transcript(s) from the last school attended
  • Two (2) letters of recommendation that addresses the applicant’s academic ability and studiousness, personal character, and/or leadership and community/civic activities. One letter from each of the following:
    • Educator/Academic Counselor
    • Professional, Community Leader or Supervisor
  • Letter of verification of current enrollment (for current college students) or a copy of your college/university or school of study acceptance letter.
  • List of all other scholarships/grants for which you have applied or received.
  • For scholarship consideration, all supportive documentation MUST be received. Incomplete applications will NOT be considered.
  • Applications will be reviewed by the DCH Foundation Scholarship Committee.
  • Applicants will be notified in writing of their award status and all additional deadlines related to their award.
  • Scholarship payments will be mailed directly to the recipient’s college/university or school of study

If you have questions, please contact the Scholarship Coordinator at 205-343-8457.

Hillcrest High School Adopt-A-School Partnership Scholarship

Sponsored by the DCH Health System

DCH Regional Medical Center is proud to offer the Adopt-A-School Partnership College Scholarship to a Hillcrest High School Senior who has demonstrated excellence and leadership while attending Hillcrest High School. All aspects of the candidate’s high school career, including scholastic achievement, leadership roles, work experience, community involvement and financial need will be considered. This scholarship will provide $1,000 towards the cost of the annual full-time tuition, books and supplies at an accredited community college or university.

Guidelines for Selection:

• High school senior enrolled at Hillcrest High School in Tuscaloosa, Alabama

DCH Phlebotomy School Scholarship

The DCH Phlebotomy School Scholarship will provide funds for a DCH employee or trainee to be used for tuition at the DCH Phlebotomy School. The scholarship is a one-time award up to $800 to be awarded annually based on eligibility requirements and the availability of scholarship funds. This award will include the registration fee, books, and scrubs, etc.

Guidelines for Selection:

• Full-time enrollment in the DCH Phlebotomy School.
• Meet all personal qualifications for the DCH Phlebotomy School.

Peggy Simpson Ford Scholarship

Sponsored by the family of Peggy Simpson Ford

Peggy Simpson Ford was born in Middleton, TN, one of four children of Mr. & Mrs. Lester Simpson. Following graduation from Middleton High School, she received her degree in education from the University of Tennessee in 1956. She taught sixth grade in Memphis, TN. She and James Henry Ford, Jr., of Walnut, Mississippi, were married in Peggy’s hometown in 1959. Jim graduated from Walnut High School, attended Booneville Mississippi Junior College and received a BA Degree from Memphis State University. He began work as an auditor at Sears, then as an assistant administrator at Methodist Hospital in Memphis. They had four children when they moved to St. Louis, Missouri in 1967 for Jim to study at St. Louis University where he received a MA degree in Hospital Administration, followed by completing a residency in Cincinnati, OH. In 1969, they moved to Tuscaloosa where he became Assistant Administrator of Druid City Hospital. In 1976, Jim became Administrator/President and served in that capacity until his retirement in 1996. Their four children are all graduates of The University of Alabama and Jim and Peggy have seven grandchildren. Their pride in the DCH Health System prompted their endowment of the Peggy Simpson Ford Scholarship. This scholarship will be awarded annually to a deserving and outstanding student who excels in academics, has exemplary good character, and demonstrates financial need.

The scholarship is a one-time award of $1,000 to be awarded annually based on eligibility requirements and the availability of scholarship funds.

Guidelines for Selection:

• Financial need will be considered but will not be the primary award criterion.
• Priority for awarding the scholarship will go first to those pursuing a degree in Physical Therapy, next to those pursing a degree in Respiratory Therapy and lastly to those pursuing a degree in Nursing.

DCH Radiologic Technology Program Scholarship

The DCH Radiologic Technology Program Scholarship will provide funds for current students who have successfully completed the first two quarters to be used for tuition at DCH’s Radiologic Technology School. The scholarship is a one-time award of $750 to be awarded annually up to two recipients based on eligibility requirements and the availability of scholarship funds.

Guidelines for Selection:

• Full-time enrollment in the DCH School of Radiologic Technology Program
• Successfully completed the first two quarters of the program
• Maintained a 2.5 GPA or higher while in the program

Kay Dodson Dockery Scholarship

Sponsored by the family of Kay Dodson Dockery

Kay Dodson Dockery was born in Tuscaloosa, AL; the oldest of two daughters of Mr. & Mrs. Billie Dodson. Following graduation from Brookwood High School in 1975, she was accepted into both the DCH School of Nursing and the DCH School of Radiologic Technology but chose the radiologic technology school because of the lower tuition costs. After graduation from the DCH School of Radiologic Technology, she began her career at DCH as a Radiology Tech. As fate would have it, she met her husband, George Dockery, through a co-worker in the Radiology Department at DCH. Kay enjoyed a rewarding career of many years at DCH as a Radiology Technologist and met many life-long friends while employed there. It is Kay and her family’s hope that this scholarship will help others pursue a career in this very rewarding field by creating this endowment of the Kay Dodson Dockery Scholarship. This scholarship will be awarded annually up to three (3) deserving and outstanding students at the DCH School of Radiologic Technology who excel in academics, demonstrate financial need and are life-long residents of Tuscaloosa County.

The Kay Dodson Dockery Scholarship will provide funds for deserving and outstanding students who are seeking a degree in radiologic technology. The scholarship is a one-time award of $2,000 to be awarded annually up to three recipients based on eligibility requirements and the availability of scholarship funds.

Guidelines for Selection:

• Full-time enrollment at the DCH School of Radiologic Technology
• Academic potential for successful completion of the radiologic technology program
• Evidence of financial need
• Tuscaloosa City/County resident as defined by applicant graduating from a high school physically located in Tuscaloosa County.

DCH Health System Volunteer Auxiliary Scholarship

Sponsored by the DCH Volunteer Auxiliary

The DCH Volunteer Auxiliary Scholarship is open to permanent residents of Tuscaloosa County and surrounding counties serviced by the DCH Health System who wish to pursue a health-related career as a full-time student at an accredited college or university in Tuscaloosa County. Consideration will be given to students who pursue a degree in a discipline not offered in Tuscaloosa County i.e. Pharmacy. Ten (10) one-time $1,000 scholastic scholarships will be awarded annually based on the availability of funds, with four of the scholarships restricted to students who meet the following additional criteria:

Guidelines for Selection:

• The Lucy Jordan Scholarship Award is awarded to a high school senior who has participated in the DCH Junior Volunteer program with 200 or more donated hours.
• Sarajane & Don Pugh Scholarship Award is awarded to a DCH employee going back to school to further their professional education toward a healthcare-related degree. The recipient must also demonstrate personal involvement in community functions. Many DCH employees have families, full-time work schedules, debts, etc. and need assistance to pay for course work and materials to obtain additional education. This award will be an incentive for employees to do so and also encourage retention of valuable employees.
• DCH Employee Family Scholarship Award will be awarded to two (2) DCH Health System employees or dependent children of DCH employees. The recipients may live in one of the surrounding counties served by the DCH Health System.

Harry W. & Lee T. King Memorial Scholarship for Critical Care Nursing

Sponsored by the family of Harry W. & Lee T. King

The Harry W. & Lee T. King Memorial Scholarship for Critical Care Nursing will provide funds for a DCH employee or trainee to be used for full-time tuition for the Fall semester at the Capstone College of Nursing at The University of Alabama. The scholarship is a one-time award of $1,000 to be awarded annually based on eligibility requirements and the availability of scholarship funds.

Guidelines for Selection:

• Full-time enrollment at the junior or senior level in the Capstone College of Nursing.
• Include an emphasis of critical care nursing, although outstanding students with other emphases will be considered.
• Employed within the DCH Health System with a desire to complete education for a BSN Degree.

I do hereby certify that, to the best of my knowledge, the above information is accurate. I understand that if I do not provide a complete application by the deadline, my application will not be considered.