Thanks to one of the largest School of Nursing grants in the school’s history, Wichita State University students who may not have been able to continue their education are able to do so.

A two-year $692,576 grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services was awarded to Alicia Huckstadt, professor and director of Graduate Programs, School of Nursing, at Wichita State.

Huckstadt, along with graduate program administrative specialist Amy McClintock, manages the grant.

The awards allow the students enrolled in Master of Science in Nursing or Doctor of Nursing Practice degree programs to continue their graduate studies, join the workforce sooner and graduate with less debt. The awards are used for tuition, books, fees and to reduce living expenses.

“This grant has helped me be able to cut down on the amount of hours that I have to work and focus more on my studies,” said Gregory Onchoke, a recipient of the award.

Twenty-six family and psychiatric/mental health nurse practitioners students are benefitting from the grant. The grant substantially benefits the health care needs in the state by preparing health care providers in primary care, rural or underserved areas/populations, or public health practice settings.

“It (the award) is one way that can attract more students to work in underserved areas here in the state of Kansas,” said Onchoke.