Bank of America Grant Assists SHU Nursing Students

The Bank of America grant will help students meet basic needs, including food, transportation, child care, books and other living expenses

Sacred Heart University received a $30,000 grant from Bank of America to support the second cohort of students in the Bank of America Success Stipend program. The program, which launched in 2024, helps support nursing students as they pursue degrees and prepare for careers in the nursing field.

With the Bank of America grant, the stipend program will decrease the financial burden associated with attending nursing school by assisting students and their families with basic needs and living expenses during the 2025-2026 academic year. Financial security for students can help them complete school and secure stable employment after graduation, setting them up for future success and growth.

“Nursing is an essential profession, and supporting the next generation of health care providers in Southern Connecticut is crucial for ensuring the wellness of our communities,” said Bill Tommins, president of Bank of America Southern Connecticut. “In partnership with Sacred Heart University, the Bank of America Success Stipend program helps alleviate the financial pressures of attending school. We look forward to welcoming a second cohort of nursing students to the program and helping them pursue their studies and achieve success after graduation.”

The Bank of America Success Stipend program focuses on supporting students from the two-year Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) and 15-month Second Degree Accelerated (SDA) programs. Students on these nursing tracks commute from the Bridgeport area and will benefit from stipends to assist with food costs, transportation, books, child care and other living expenses.

The grant funding goes directly to ADN and SDA students, providing stipends for everything from class books to gas to get to clinicals. Karen Daley, dean of the Davis & Henley College of Nursing, emphasized that “any amount helps these students, who sacrifice so much of their lives to learn with us.”

Professor Millie Hepburn, assistant director of the SDA program, echoed Daley’s message. “Our students complete a second bachelor’s degree in 15 months. With that said, many of our students have families to support, and due to the rigor and the time requirements of the program, maintaining even a per diem job is extremely challenging,” she said. “We are most thankful to Bank of America for their consideration to help support our hard-working students in their quest to obtain a second degree to become a nurse.”

The students could not be more grateful for Bank of America’s commitment to making their dreams a reality. Jennifer Denes ’25 was overwhelmed when she found out about the funding.

“This grant has been instrumental in alleviating financial burdens, allowing me to focus more on my studies and hands-on clinical experiences,” she said. “When I learned about the grant, I felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude, not just for the financial support but also for the recognition of the importance of our work as future health care professionals. Receiving this grant was a humbling and inspiring moment.”

Classmate Emma Gordon shared Denes’ gratitude. “I truly appreciate this support, as it has allowed me to focus more on my studies and my dream of being a nurse. The whole cohort is so grateful," she said.

Bank of America Scholars will also receive training, mentoring and support from Bank of America employees to build each student's financial acumen, professionalism and financial success.