Wasilla, AK — Help is now available for local people of all ages interested in pursuing education in the health and human services fields. Mat-Su residents are invited to apply for Mat-Su Health Foundation (MSHF) academic scholarships that can be applied toward the full cost of attendance for students pursuing degrees in health and human services at accredited colleges and universities.

“Mat-Su’s healthcare workforce of tomorrow is being built today,” said MSHF Chief Executive Officer Elizabeth Ripley. For the second year in a row, we dramatically increased academic scholarship funding. Last year, 275 local residents were awarded a total of more than $1.5 million in academic scholarships. We are striving to ensure that Mat-Su residents have access to the education and training they need to participate in a fast-growing sector of the economy, while also helping everyone in the community have access to the services they need to be healthy.”

The number of individual scholarships and the total dollar amount varies each year. Complete eligibility requirements and the online application are available at healthymatsu.org. The deadline to apply is March 1, 2020.

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Mat-Su Health Foundation (MSHF) is the official business name of Valley Hospital Association, Inc., which shares ownership in Mat-Su Regional Medical Center. In this capacity, MSHF board members and representatives actively participate in the governance of Mat-Su’s community hospital to protect the community’s interest in this important healthcare institution. The MSHF mission is to improve the health and wellness of Alaskans living in the Mat-Su and the tools it uses include grantmaking, convening of local partners, and policy change. The foundation’s work has resulted in significant improvements in systems that support the health of Mat-Su residents in areas such as behavioral health, child welfare, crisis response, community connections, workforce development, transportation, housing, and senior services. More information is available at healthymatsu.org .