Scholarships and Grants | Dorsey Career Schools in Michigan

Dorsey College Institutional Scholarships & Grants

Institutional Scholarships

Dorsey College offers some scholarship opportunities to students. One of the main goals of the Financial Aid Department, which oversees a majority of these scholarship awards, is to identify eligible students and assist them in funding their education. Financial aid is available to those who qualify.

Great Start Scholarships

To encourage student commitment, Dorsey College offers the Great Start Scholarship for new students in select programs. Students must be in an active school status at the time of each award. The scholarship is awarded at the campus (institutional aid) from a limited allocation of funds and will be awarded to eligible students until the allocation for the calendar year has been met.

Students must first apply for Federal Student Aid funds using the FAFSA on the Web application. This institutional scholarship is intended to help students reduce or eliminate the need to utilize a private loan, including the Dorsey Institutional Loan. To remain eligible to receive the disbursement students must be in an active school status. Each disbursement of the Great Start Scholarship will be posted to a student’s account at the end of the applicable completed term. This scholarship can only be used to cover direct cost incurred by the student (e.g., tuition, fees, textbooks, etc.). It cannot be used to cover other educationally related expenses that a student may have (e.g., travel, room & board, etc.). If eligible Great Start Scholarship recipients receive other forms of financial aid funds that cover all the direct institutional costs for any term of their program, the recipient will not be eligible to receive the scholarship.

Students must sign the “Great Start Scholarship Commitment” form to have a “Great Start” at Dorsey College and meet the following eligibility criteria:

- Maintain a 3.0 CGPA,
- Maintain at least 90% attendance in each course (course requirements may be higher), and
- Be in good financial standing (current on payments, no outstanding financial aid issues, etc.).

Student must enroll for the entire program of study to be eligible for the Great Start Scholarship. Transfer students and students readmitting into a Dorsey College program with transfer credits or hours previously earned are not eligible.

Great Start Short-Term Programs Scholarship

Programs eligible for the Great Start Short-Term Programs Scholarship in the amount of $250 include:

Scholarship payments of $250 will be awarded to eligible students after successful completion of the first payment period/term (defined as 1 quarter or 2 modules), up to the maximum amount of $250 per student. The amount awarded to each student will be determined by the amount needed to cover their institutional charges for the payment period/term.

Great Start Programs Scholarship

Programs eligible for the Great Start Programs Scholarship in the amount of $500 include:

The first scholarship payment of $250 will be awarded to students after completion of the first payment period/term, the second scholarship payment of $250 will be awarded to students after completion of the second payment period/term, up to the maximum amount of $500 per student. The amount awarded to each student will be determined by the amount needed to cover their institutional charges for the payment period/term.

Great Start Nursing and Associate Degree Scholarship

Programs eligible for the Great Start Nursing and Associate Degree Scholarship in the amount of $2,000 include:

The first $1000 will be awarded to each eligible student who signs their “Great Start Scholarship Commitment” form to have a “Great Start” at Dorsey College.

The second scholarship payment of $500 will be awarded to students after completion of the first payment period/term, the third (3rd) scholarship payment of $500 will be awarded to students after completion of the second payment period/term, up to the maximum amount of $2,000 per student. The amount awarded to each student will be determined by the amount needed to cover their institutional charges for the payment period/term.

Karen Cortis – LEADS Scholarship

The Karen Cortis – LEADS Scholarship is awarded based on the following criteria:

Dorsey College, in cooperation with the Ohio-Michigan Association of Career Colleges and Schools (OMACCS), is offering the Karen Cortis – LEADS Scholarship to ten (10) new students that have recently graduated from a high school in Michigan or Ohio. Students must first apply for Federal Student Aid using the FAFSA on the Web application. The primary objective of this scholarship is to provide students with the education and training necessary to obtain a job in a Michigan business or industry, and encourage students to learn more about leadership in their communities and in Michigan. Scholarship recipients will receive up to $2,500. Finances for the scholarships are borne by Dorsey College and no state or federal funds are involved.

Who is eligible for the Karen Cortis – LEADS Scholarship?

This scholarship is available annually to any current high school senior graduating from any Michigan or Ohio high school by June.
The applicant only needs a “C” average or better to apply. Students do not have to demonstrate financial need.
Each applicant must be nominated by a local civic or community leader or by a current member of the Michigan Legislature.
Any recipient of a scholarship must be able to meet Dorsey College’s entrance requirements.
The scholarship recipient must start classes either the summer or the fall term following their high school graduation.

The Karen Cortis – LEADS Scholarship amount awarded will be allocated over the length of the program. Scholarships are not transferable from one program to another and funds may be used for tuition, fees and other institutional charges only. A scholarship committee will select the winner for the scholarship. The recipient must meet the requirements of the institution offering the scholarship. Scholarships recipients will be notified in May and recipient information will be posted on the OMACCS website at www.omaccs.org.

To apply for the Karen Cortis – LEADS Scholarship applicants will go to the OMACCS scholarship website: www.omaccs.org/scholarships and follow the steps below:

Select Dorsey College from the participating schools listed, and then select the program of their choice.
Complete the information on the Scholarship Application and obtain the appropriate signatures.
Submit two current letters of recommendation from teachers, counselors, employers, or others, with your application.
A copy of your high school transcript (grades) and attendance records for the past 4 semesters and verification of your grade point average (GPA) signed by the school guidance counselor or principal, must accompany each application.
Submit a written statement of approximately 250 words describing why you want a career in the field you have listed on this application and how you would be successful in this field. This can be typed or handwritten, but must be on the standard 8 ½” X 11” paper. Your name, address, phone number and high school name should be printed in the upper left-hand corner.
Complete the Nomination Form. Choose a civic leader from your community or from the Michigan General Assembly to nominate you for this scholarship. Examples could be: local elected officials, community project leaders, business leaders but no family members, teachers, priests or pastors. Send a note or call your chosen leader to introduce yourself and what you are doing. If they agree, send them a short note with the Nomination Form by email, fax, or U.S. Mail.

NOTE: This form should be returned to you or your counselor from your nominator and then submitted with your application. Scholarship submission deadlines are posted on the OMACCS website. Applications are to be submitted to: Ohio-Michigan Association of Career Colleges and Schools at the following address:

2109 Stella Court, Suite 125, Columbus, OH 43215

Phone: 614.487.8180

Fax: 614.487.8190

This institutional scholarship is intended to help some students reduce or eliminate the need to utilize a private loan, including the Dorsey Institutional Loan. To remain eligible to receive the disbursement, students must be in an active school status. Disbursements of the Karen Cortis – LEADS Scholarship will be posted to a student’s account at the end of each completed term. This scholarship can only be used to cover direct cost incurred by the student (e.g. tuition, fees, textbooks, etc.). It cannot be used to cover other educationally related expenses that a student may have (e.g. travel, room & board, etc.). If eligible Karen Cortis – LEADS Scholarship recipients receive other forms of financial aid funds that cover all or a portion of the direct intuitional costs of the program, the recipient will not be eligible to receive the full amount of the scholarship.

Vickie Harness Courage Scholarship

Awarded quarterly to one student at each Dorsey campus who demonstrates great courage and determination to overcome obstacles and continue their education with a positive spirit and outlook. This scholarship honors Vickie Harness, who served as Dorsey’s Information Technology Director for 12 years before succumbing to cancer in 2020. Vickie continued to work to support Dorsey students and staff until the day she passed, and always did so with a positive, forward-focused attitude, refusing to let her challenges impact her commitment to others. This scholarship recognizes students who demonstrate similar courage similar in pursuing their goals.

Eligibility requirements:

Student must be enrolled
Must have financial need
Student must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
Student must be nominated by a Dorsey staff or faculty member

Award amount: $500

Fund availability:

One scholarship will be awarded at each campus the first month of the each quarter.
The Scholarship is awarded at the campus (institutional aid) from a limited allocation of funds and will be awarded to eligible students until the allocation for the calendar year has been met.

Evaluation, selection and notification:

Nominations will be reviewed and awarded by the Managing Director of the campus
Scholarship recipients will be notified by the Managing Director

Dorsey College Legacy Scholarship

The Dorsey College Legacy Scholarship is awarded to eligible students who have been accepted into Dorsey College’s Practical Nurse, Associate of Applied Science in Nursing, Associate of Applied Science in Radiologic Technology, or Associate of Applied Science in Surgical Technology programs. Eligible students must have graduated from one of Dorsey College’s Allied Health or Paramedic programs. Scholarship recipients may receive up to a total of $8,000 allocated over the length of the program in increments of $1,000 for each quarter that the student remains eligible for the scholarship. Legacy Scholarship recipients are not eligible for any other institutional grants or scholarships. Finances for the scholarship are borne by Dorsey College and no state or federal funds are involved. Scholarships are not transferable from one program to another program, and funds may be used for tuition, fees, and other institutional charges only.

Dorsey College Legacy Scholarship Eligibility Requirements

Students must have graduated from one of Dorsey College’s Allied Health programs with a 2.75 CGPA or Dorsey College/Dorsey Emergency Medical Academy’s Paramedic program with a minimum cumulative grade of 75%.
Graduates of the Practical Nurse program must be currently licensed as an LPN in the state of Michigan.
Graduates of the Paramedic program must have passed their National Registry for Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) certification examination at the paramedic level.
Students must have graduated from their respective Dorsey College program with no documented instances of unprofessional conduct.

Maintaining Eligibility Requirements

Students must maintain a CGPA of 3.0 while in the Practical Nurse program, Associate of Applied Science in Nursing, Associate of Applied Science in Radiologic Technology or Associate of Applied Science in Surgical Technology program and must pass every course.
Students shall have no documented instances of unprofessional conduct in the Associate of Applied Science in Nursing, Associate of Applied Science in Radiologic Technology, or Associate of Applied Science in Surgical Technology programs.

This institutional scholarship is intended to help some students reduce the need to utilize a private loan, including the Dorsey Institutional Loan. To remain eligible to receive the disbursements, student must be in an active school status. Disbursements of the Dorsey College Legacy Scholarship will be posted to the student’s account at the end of each completed term. The scholarship can only be used to cover direct costs incurred by the student (e.g., tuition, fees, textbooks, etc.). It cannot be used to cover other educationally related expenses that a student may have (e.g., travel, room & board, etc.). If eligible recipients receive other forms of financial aid funds that cover all or a portion of the direct institutional costs of the program, the recipient may not be eligible.

Todd Stanaway Memorial Scholarship

The Todd Stanaway Memorial Scholarship is awarded annually to two current, full-time residents of the City of Westland or the City of Wayne for costs associated with the Dorsey College Paramedic and Emergency Medical Technician programs. Scholarship funds are utilized to cover the cost of the program tuition, textbooks, and laboratory fees.

Brian Woehlke Memorial Scholarship

The Brian Woehlke Memorial Scholarship is awarded annually to two graduating seniors who attend Wayne-Westland School District for costs associated with the Dorsey College Paramedic and Emergency Medical Technician programs. Scholarship funds are utilized to cover the cost of the program tuition, textbooks, and laboratory fees.

Institutional Grants

Dorsey College Grant

Institutional grants are intended to help reduce or eliminate the need to utilize a private loan, including the Dorsey Institutional Loan. To remain eligible to receive the disbursement, students must be in an active school status. Disbursements of the Ruth Dorsey Grant, the Pat Fischer Culinary Arts Grant, and the Veterans Grant will be posted to a student’s account at the end of each completed term. This grant can only be used to cover direct cost incurred by the student (e.g. tuition, fees, textbooks, etc.). It cannot be used to cover other educationally related expenses that a student may have (e.g. travel, room & board, etc.). If eligible institutional grant recipients receive other forms of financial aid funds that cover all or a portion of the direct intuitional costs of the program, the recipient will not be eligible to receive the full amount of the grant.

Ruth Dorsey Grant

The Ruth Dorsey Grant, formerly the Dorsey Schools Grant, is awarded based on the following criteria:

Students must first apply for Federal Student Aid funds using the FAFSA on the Web application. Students that are not eligible to receive Pell Grant may be eligible to receive the Ruth Dorsey Grant. If a student becomes Pell Grant eligible for any term/payment period after the Ruth Dorsey Grant has been awarded, the student will no longer be eligible for the full amount of the grant.

The grant is awarded at the campus (Institutional Aid) from a limited allocation of funds and will be awarded to eligible students until the allocation for the calendar year has been met. It is awarded by term/payment period up to the maximum program eligibility amount, based on the total number of credits or clock hours in the student’s program of study as follows:

Credit Hour Program	Maximum Award Amount
54 credits or more	$1,500 (up to $500 per term)
48 credits or fewer	$1,200 (up to $500 per term)
Clock Hour Program	Maximum Award Amount
1500 hours or more	$1,200 (up to $600 per payment period)

If student becomes eligible for a Pell Grant for the same term/payment period that they received the Ruth Dorsey Grant, any portion of the Ruth Dorsey Grant not needed to cover institutional charges will be returned to the program.

Pat Fischer Culinary Arts Grant

The Pat Fischer Culinary Arts Grant is awarded based on the following criteria:

Students enrolled in the Dorsey College Culinary Arts program must first apply for Federal Student Aid funds using the FAFSA on the Web application. Eligible Pell Grant students may be eligible to receive the Pat Fischer Culinary Arts Grant. If a student becomes ineligible for the Pell Grant for any term after the Pat Fischer Culinary Arts Grant has been awarded, the student will no longer be eligible for the full amount of the grant.

The grant is awarded at the campus (Institutional Aid) from a limited allocation of funds and will be awarded to eligible students until the allocation for the calendar year has been met. The grant is awarded by term up to a maximum amount of $1,200 for the program; the amount awarded each term will be determined by the amount needed to cover the institutional charges for the term, up to the full eligibility amount.

Program	Maximum Award Amount
Culinary Arts	$1,200
Baking and Pastry Arts	$1,200

If student becomes ineligible for a Pell Grant for the same term that they received the Pat Fischer Culinary Arts Grant, any portion of the Pat Fischer Culinary Arts Grant not needed to cover institutional charges will be returned to the program.

Veterans Grant

Veterans Grant is awarded based on the following criteria:

Students that are veterans or spouse of a veteran must first apply for Federal Student Aid funds using the FAFSA on the Web application. The Veterans Grant will be awarded to any active duty member or honorably discharged veteran of any United States military service branch, and their spouse. This grant awards up to $1,000. The purpose of the grant is to help those with military service and their spouse, receive a career education and make the transition from military to civilian life. A maximum of one (1) grant may be awarded to any single applicant.

The Veterans Grant is awarded at the campus (Institutional Aid) from a limited allocation of funds and will be awarded to eligible students until the allocation for the calendar year has been met. Applicants must provide documentation to their financial aid office that confirms they are Veterans or spouse of a veteran. The grant is awarded by term up to the $1,000 maximum for each student. The amount disbursed each term will be determined by the amount needed to cover the institutional charges for the term, up to the full eligibility amount.

Maximum Award Amount: $1,000

If eligible Veterans Grant recipients receive other forms of financial aid funds that cover all the direct institutional costs for the program, the recipient will not be eligible to receive the full amount of the grant.

Other Scholarship Opportunities

Scholarships for Students Pursuing Career and Technical Education
(Compiled by Career Education Colleges and Universities)

CECU has compiled a list of scholarships and resources specifically designed for those who wish to pursue private career education. Visit their website to learn more.

Highlights Scholarships and Grants