Pamela J. Carter Future Nurses of Southern California Scholarship

Scholarship Sponsored by Scholarship America

## Pamela Carter’s nursing legacy
**Career and impact**
Pamela devoted more than 40 years to nursing, spending her entire career at Kaiser Permanente in Southern California. She held multiple leadership roles and consistently prioritized patient care and community well-being. Nursing was more than a job for her—she practiced with compassion, integrity, and a steady focus on uplifting others. Her work left a measurable and lasting influence on patients, colleagues, and the broader Los Angeles community.

Key takeaways:
- Over 40 years of nursing experience at Kaiser Permanente
- Served in multiple leadership positions
- Prioritized patient care and community health
- Remembered for compassion, integrity, and mentorship

## Scholarship purpose and founding
**Honoring values and creating opportunity**
The Pamela J. Carter Future Nurses of Southern California Scholarship was established after Pamela’s passing from pancreatic cancer to preserve the values she lived by and to create hope for the future. The scholarship funds aspiring nurses who demonstrate a commitment to caring for others, extending Pamela’s generous spirit beyond her lifetime. It aims to support local students who will contribute to community health and carry forward her dedication to service.

Key takeaways:
- Created in Pamela Carter’s memory after her death from pancreatic cancer
- Intends to perpetuate her values of service and compassion
- Focuses on supporting future nurses who care for their communities
- Designed to inspire continued community impact

## Eligibility requirements
**Who may apply**
Applicants must be U.S. citizens and residents of Los Angeles County or San Diego County. Eligible candidates include high school seniors, high school graduates, and current college undergraduates. Applicants must be enrolled or accepted and planning to enroll full-time for the upcoming academic year at an accredited two- or four-year college or university located in Los Angeles or San Diego County, pursuing an associate’s or bachelor’s nursing degree. A minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale (or equivalent) is required.

Key takeaways:
- U.S. citizen and resident of LA or San Diego County
- Open to high school seniors/graduates and current undergraduates
- Must be enrolled or accepted full-time at an accredited local college/university for the upcoming year
- Minimum GPA: 2.5 (4.0 scale)

## Award amounts, selection, and renewal
**Funding, recipients, and conditions**
Selected recipients receive $5,000 for 2‑year program enrollment or $10,000 for 4‑year program enrollment, with award payments issued in U.S. dollars. If qualified applicants exist, up to five recipients will be chosen from San Diego County and up to five from Los Angeles County. Awards are renewable for up to three years—or until a bachelor’s degree is earned, whichever comes first—contingent on satisfactory academic progress. Renewal requires maintaining full-time enrollment and a cumulative GPA of at least 2.5 on a 4.0 scale.

Key takeaways:
- Award amounts: $5,000 (2‑year) or $10,000 (4‑year); paid in USD
- Up to 5 recipients per county (San Diego and Los Angeles), if qualified
- Renewable up to three years or until bachelor’s degree completion
- Renewal criteria: full-time enrollment and minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA