The March 1 deadline for scholarships offered by the Bryan Whitfield Memorial Hospital Auxiliary is quickly approaching.

Area residents who are planning to purse a career in a healthcare field are encouraged to quickly apply for one of the seven scholarships to be awarded for the 2011-2012 school year.

“We actually began accepting scholarship applications back in September,” said Buddy Jones, Auxiliary President. “We try to give everyone as much time as possible to get everything together so that no one would miss out on having an opportunity to apply. We’ve received several applications already, but we’re looking for more.”

With a total of six $1,500 scholarships to award, this is no small endeavor for the group of volunteers.

“This is perhaps one of our favorite projects of the year,” Jones said. “It is so rewarding to be able to assist, in some small way, in helping to assure that deserving students get a chance to further their educations in healthcare.”

The Auxiliary initiated the scholarship program in 2005 with the establishment of the Emmett and Carolyn Clinkscales Scholarship and the Carolyn S. (Betty) McCormick Scholarship. While both of the $1,500 gift scholarships are available to residents of Marengo, Sumter, Hale, Choctaw, Perry, Greene and Clarke counties, the McCormick scholarship is granted only to children and/or grandchildren of employees of the Tombigbee Healthcare Authority.

With a total of six scholarships to present in 2011, three THA family members and three members of the general public will be assisted with their educations.

“This is a one-time, gift scholarship with very few strings attached,” said Jones who emphasized that the deadline to apply is strictly enforced.

“Because we have so many to express an interest in the program, we maintain a very strict deadline. Everything must be turned in by that date; otherwise, the application will not even be presented to the Scholarship Committee for consideration.”

Applications are available at all area high schools in the guidance department, as well as online at the Tombigbee Healthcare Authority’s website, www.bwwmh.com.

Eligibility requirements for each scholarship are as follows.

The Auxiliary may award up to $1,500 annually in financial assistance to individuals who reside within the medical service area of the Tombigbee Healthcare Authority and who wish to pursue education in the field of healthcare, without regard to race, color, creed, or national origin.

Any individual who is a graduating high school senior or above may apply for the scholarships as long as their chosen field of study is within the healthcare professions. The applicant must provide proof of residency in either of the following counties: Marengo, Sumter, Hale, Choctaw, Perry, Greene, and Clarke. The applicant must possess a high school education or equivalent GED or other qualification relevant to the field of study applicable.

The Auxiliary reserves the right to deny, limit, or otherwise reject the application of any individual who, in the opinion of the Auxiliary Executive Committee.

To obtain an application or more information, call the Volunteer Services Director at 334-287-2626. Scholarship applications are also available online at www.bwwmh.com.