His time in the Army National Guard and deployment to Dubai helped veteran James-Cameron Chenault find his purpose – to serve his community no matter where he is placed.
Now 30, Chenault is attending Washtenaw Community College tuition-free thanks to a Divisional Scholarship granted by the Health Sciences Division and will begin the Registered Nursing program with the Winter 2024 cohort.
A Divisional Scholarship covers a student’s full in-district tuition and up to $300 in books each semester. At $99 per credit for in-district students WCC’s tuition is already among the lowest in the state.
He’s thankful for the scholarship because it means he can save the benefits from his GI Bill and apply them to higher- priced tuition at a four-year university when he transfers for a bachelor’s degree in nursing.
Chenault started his higher education career more than 10 years ago between serving two stints in the Army National Guard.
He had heard about the Health Sciences Division scholarship in the student e-newsletter and was impressed with the ease of the application process. Each of WCC’s academic divisions offer Divisional Scholarships to fully cover Fall and Winter tuition for current students who are Washtenaw County residents with at least 30 credits and a 3.3 grade point average.
His advice for students considering applying for scholarships? “Do not be intimidated by the requirements. You have done something outstanding in your life, and you have a story to tell. Do not get discouraged; just apply for it!”
Chenault applauds WCC for its welcoming and safe environment and says the college’s Wadhams Veterans Center has been an outstanding resource for him and his fellow veterans.
After Chenault completes his nursing degree at WCC, his goal is to work at the Ann Arbor VA Hospital or Michigan Medicine as a labor and delivery or cardiac nurse.
DIVISIONAL SCHOLARSHIPS
WCC pays full tuition plus $300 in books for recipients of Divisional Scholarships from five academic divisions. Contact the Office of Financial Aid at 734-973- 3523 or email [email protected] and apply by May 10!
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This story appears in the Winter 2024 edition of Launch magazine. See complete issue.
Tags: 2023, December 2023, Divisional Scholarship, Launch, Launch winter 2024, Nursing, On The Record, Veteran, Wadhams Veterans Center