Scholarships Unlock Opportunities

Scholarships that open doors and change lives

Being in an intensive care unit is an unlikely place for inspiration.

But then, you’ve probably never met Madison College student and Marine Corps veteran Jake Griebe. A life-threatening health emergency ignited Jake’s motivation to help others.

“I saw and felt the nurses’ positive impact on me and other patients,” Jake says. “I want to have that impact and help people in the same situation I was in.”

Jake, a Madison College Reedsburg nursing student, received a $2,000 Celebrate a Nurse Scholarship last year. The annual Celebrate a Nurse 5K Run/Walk raises money for nursing students with the generous support of sponsors and participants.

The scholarship was a game-changer for Jake, allowing him to purchase a sound-amplifying stethoscope, which helps with hearing damage he sustained while serving in the United States Marine Corps.

After graduating in May 2025, Jake plans to enroll in a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree program through the Madison College-University of Wisconsin transfer program, ultimately bringing his skills back to the community. “My goal is to work in a local emergency department or intensive care unit,” he says.

Scholarships, Grants and Emergency Funding Available

More than 100 students at regional campuses benefited from $130,821 in Madison College Foundation scholarships during the 2024-25 academic year. Scholarships are earmarked for students attending the Fort Atkinson, Portage, Reedsburg and Watertown campuses.

Students can also receive emergency grants through the foundation for food, housing, medical bills, utilities, and child care.

Getting a financial boost gave student Jueilin Ortiz Díaz renewed confidence and hope. She had a daunting choice: either work full-time to support her three children or pursue a nursing career.

“I know that completing my nursing degree is ultimately the best path for us in the long run,” Jueilin says. “The scholarship greatly alleviates the burden and has been an enormous step forward in making that dream a reality.”

Another recent Watertown scholarship recipient said, “I love the idea of achieving personal goals and contributing to my community by being an excellent professional and improving the quality of life for my family.”