Clone of 2027 FNAMA $2,500 Scholarship

Maria Cristina “Tina” Banson Scholarship

In Honor of Maria Cristina “Tina” Banson

April 10, 1975 – January 1, 2026

The Maria Cristina “Tina” Banson Scholarship was established in loving memory of a remarkable nurse, mother, and community member whose life embodied compassion, resilience, and service. Tina’s journey—from her roots in Davao City, Philippines, to her decades of dedicated nursing practice in Massachusetts—reflects the strength, determination, and generosity that define the Filipino spirit.

Tina devoted her career to caring for others, serving in Critical Care, Neuroscience, and Vascular Access nursing with exceptional skill and unwavering heart. She was known for her kindness, her vibrant energy, and her ability to bring comfort, joy, and connection to everyone around her. Her legacy lives on through the countless lives she touched—patients, colleagues, friends, and family.

This scholarship honors Tina’s belief in education, opportunity, and the power of lifting others. It supports students of Filipino descent who demonstrate academic promise, compassion, and a commitment to serving their communities. By investing in the next generation of Filipino nurses, this scholarship continues Tina’s lifelong mission of caring, healing, and inspiring others.

May every recipient carry forward her light, her courage, and her enduring message: "Life is what I make it."

Verification of Eligibility/Criteria

Rows	I attest I meet the criteria listed
Complete a self-identification of Filipino descent
Student who has matriculated as a degree candidate and enrolled either part-time or full-time in an LPN certificate program, Associate Degree in Nursing program,or traditional undergraduate nursing program accredited by NLN-CEA, CCNE, or ACEN and approved by the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing.
Must provide verification from the school/college or university of formal admission into the nursing major and active enrollment in nursing coursework; students who are completing prerequisite or general education requirements prior to nursing coursework are not eligible.
Must demonstrate a minimum of a 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale upon application and completion of first semester in the educational program.
Scholarships will only fund students who reside in Massachusetts and attend a Massachusetts state-approved school of nursing.
Must not have been a recipient of an FNAMA/ANAMASS Scholarship or Award in previous two years.
Complete a narrative (no more than 500 words) describing describe how your educational journey, professional experiences, and future aspirations reflect the values exemplified by Tina. In your narrative, explain your educational and career goals, the experiences that have shaped your commitment to nursing, and how receiving the Maria Cristina "Tina" Banson Memorial Scholarship will help you achieve those goals. Include a specific example that demonstrates your compassion, resilience, leadership, or commitment to serving others, and describe how you will honor Tina's legacy by providing exceptional, patient-centered care with the same clinical excellence, dedication, and heart that defined her career.
Include 1 letter of support (can be from faculty or colleague); refer to FAQ and see additional prompts below
Scholarship recipients need to have a demonstrated financial need. Preference will be given to those who provide either a copy of Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) Student Aid Report (SAR) including Student Aid Index (SAI)or evidence of Annual Gross Income

The FNAMA $1,000 Maria Cristina “Tina” Banson Scholarship is designed to support students of Filipino descent who are pursuing initial licensure in the nursing profession. One $1,000 grant be awarded annually to support a student nurse matriculated into a curriculum leading to initial licensure as a licensed practical nurse or registered nurse (Associate Degree in Nursing, Diploma in Nursing, Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing, or LPN Certificate). FNAMA encourages applications from individuals of Filipino descent, in alignment with our commitment to equity and inclusion in nursing education. Filipino descent is defined by ancestral, cultural, and genetic ties to the Philippines. It includes individuals who trace their lineage, or whose family roots trace back to the ethnolinguistic groups and indigenous peoples native to the Philippine archipelago.

Those eligible to apply for the scholarships must be Massachusetts residents who have finished their secondary education (12th grade/HiSet). Student must provide evidence of formal admission into the nursing major and active enrollment in nursing coursework. Students completing only prerequisite or general education requirements prior to nursing program acceptance and coursework are not eligible. Student may be be enrolled full-time or part-time in the nursing program, which must be accredited by NLN-CEA, CCNE or ACEN and approved by the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing; and may not have been a previous (within the last two years) recipient of a FNAMA Scholarship.

Payments are made by check and mailed directly to the college or university of attendance. This scholarship is both need- and merit-based; preference will be given to those who provide either a copy of Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) Student Aid Report (SAR) including Student Aid Index (SAI) and/or evidence of Annual Gross Income via tax return. Applicant must demonstrate a minimum of a 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale upon application.
Demographic Information
Name

First NameLast NameCredentials (optional)
Permanent Email
example@example.com
Permanent Home Address

Street Address

Street Address Line 2

CityState / Province

Postal / Zip Code
Permanent Phone Number

Area CodePhone Number
I reside in Massachusetts
I plan to practice in Massachusetts
Highest Educational Level Attained
Attestation of Filipino Descent

Filipino descent is defined by ancestral, cultural, and genetic ties to the Philippines. It includes individuals who trace their lineage, or whose family roots trace back to the ethnolinguistic groups and indigenous peoples native to the Philippine archipelago. Scholarship recipients may be asked to provide proof of Filipino descent
I attest that I am of Filipino descent and can provide evidence if selected
Nursing Program Information
Type of Degree Sought
Please review requirements for each individual scholarship.
Name of School
If pre-licensure program, school must be approved by the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing
Expected Date of Graduation
CURRENT Program GPA
If you have not COMPLETED your first semester, please leave blank.
pre-Nursing Program GPA:
please upload transcripts next page
Submit an official transcript either from your current enrollment or past enrollment if just starting a nursing program. An official transcript demonstrating the minimum 3.0 GPA and completion of the first semester of the nursing program by May 30, 2026 is required prior to release of funds should the applicant be selected)

Browse Files
Please note only university transcript accepted (no screen shots). Please contact your school's registrar to obtain either official or unofficial transcript. Cancelof
Provide verification from college or university of acceptance and/or enrollment in good standing into an MA Board of Registration in Nursing (LPN, ADN, BSN) and NLN-AC or CCNE accredited nursing program (masters or doctoral degree)

Browse Files
Please note only official university verification accepted (no screen shots). Please contact registrar and request verification of enrollment or copy of acceptance letter if not yet matriculated. Cancelof
If pre-licensure program, are you an ANA/ANAMASS Student Subscriber?
To become a student Subscriber, go to https://www.nursingworld.org/membership/joinANA/Click Join, enter your email address, and become a Student Subscriber
Essay/Letter of Support

Please review FAQ and guidelines at www.fnama.org
Narrative Response Complete a narrative (no more than 500 words) describing how your educational journey, professional experiences, and future aspirations reflect the values exemplified by Tina. In your narrative, explain your educational and career goals, the experiences that have shaped your commitment to nursing, and how receiving the Maria Cristina "Tina" Banson Memorial Scholarship will help you achieve those goals. Include a specific example that demonstrates your compassion, resilience, leadership, or commitment to serving others, and describe how you will honor Tina's legacy by providing exceptional, patient-centered care with the same clinical excellence, dedication, and heart that defined her career. Note: Although AI as a writing tool can guide ways to create a strong application and letter of support, we highly recommend original work by the applicant to maximize integrity of the process.

Browse Files
Document MUST be submitted as a pdf. Include your name on the top right hand corner only/do not include your name in the narrative response. Do not scan from another document or submit as a picture. Cancelof
Letter of Support Please upload one letter of support from someone (faculty, manager, colleague). LOS should provide an assessment of the applicant's academic, clinical, and/or professional strengths. Please share examples of the applicant's compassion, professionalism, integrity, leadership, and commitment to patient-centered care. Letter should address how the applicant demonstrates the clinical excellence, dedication, and heart that exemplified Maria Cristina "Tina" Banson's legacy. Please also indicate in what capacity you know the applicant. Note: Although AI as a writing tool can guide ways to create a strong application and letter of support, we highly recommend original work by the submitters to maximize integrity of the process.

Browse Files
PLEASE review directions provided on FAQ and letter of support template. Please submit as .pdf or .docx Cancelof
Demonstrated Need

Please note that the FNAMA Scholarship is based on demonstrated social or economic need. Uploading of financial documents will help us to verify financial need.
What is your yearly household income?

Other
Are you a first generation college student?

Other
Please provide a BRIEF narrative addressing your social or economic disadvantage:

limit 100 words0/100
Please provide a copy of your 2025 Household Tax Return Here. Please redact all Social Security Information

Browse Files
https://www.irs.gov/individuals/get-transcript to obtain a copy of your tax return. Screen shots and cell phone pictures not accepted! Cancelof
Must provide a copy of Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) Submission Summary, formerly known as the Student Aid Report (SAR) and Student Aid Index (SAI). Scholarship recipients need to have a demonstrated financial need (as defined by the SAI).

Browse Files
only original SAI are accepted. No screenshots please! Please redact your SS#/Taxpayer Identification # Cancelof
SAI
Enter SAI from Submission Summary (SAR)
You have reached the end of our application form. By clicking "I Understand" in the checkbox below, you acknowledge that all the documents attached are legitimate
Please type in your name to digitally sign.

Typing in your name constitutes your agreement to the above and your legal signature0/100
Application Deadline for this scholarship is October 31, 2026.

Please save the date! The Awards Gala will be held on Friday, April 9, 2027 at the Boston Marriott Burlington (Burlington, MA) and scholarship recipients are required to attend. Incomplete applications will not be accepted.
Should be Empty:

Demographic Information

Attestation of Filipino Descent

Nursing Program Information

Essay/Letter of Support

Demonstrated Need

Application Deadline for this scholarship is October 31, 2026.