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Called to Care Scholarship

Called to Care Essay Invitational

The Called to Care Essay Invitational at Indiana University Fort Wayne is an opportunity for high school seniors who are passionate about making a difference in the health field. Designed to recognize students who lead with compassion, integrity, and confidence, this scholarship supports those who are ready to turn their passion into purpose.

Students selected for the Called to Care Essay Invitational will have the opportunity to earn one of 10 scholarships, with awards ranging from $1,000 to $8,000 per year.

To be considered, students will submit either a video essay or a written essay sharing their commitment to serving others, improving lives, and pursuing a future in the health professions. Submissions will be reviewed to identify students who demonstrate a strong sense of purpose and dedication to making a meaningful impact in their communities.

Finalists and their families will be invited to an awards breakfast in February, where their essays will be recognized and scholarship awards will be announced. Students who choose to attend IU Fort Wayne will receive a scholarship to support their educational journey and help them take the next step toward careers in nursing, social work, public health, and other health professions.The Called to Care Essay Invitational is an investment in future leaders who are committed to shaping the future of health and improve the wellbeing of our region and beyond.

Application details

How to apply

To apply for the Called to Care Scholarship Invitational, students must submit:

  • A completed application 
  • A video or written essay responding to the provided prompt

Complete the application

Essay prompt

  • Introduce yourself. Share a little about who you are, including your high school, leadership experiences, service involvement, and any personal qualities or experiences that have shaped you.
  • Describe what it means to be “Called to Care.”
    • Explain which health profession or healthcare career interests you.
    • Share your personal motivations and what inspires you to pursue this path.
    • Discuss how your values, beliefs, and ethical principles align with your chosen profession.
    • Describe how you hope to make a meaningful impact on the health and well-being of individuals and communities throughout Northeast Indiana.

Written essay: Max 1,500 words
Video essay: Max 5 minutes 

Eligibility

This scholarship is open to high school seniors who plan to pursue a degree in a health-related field in Fall 2027. Ideal candidates demonstrate a commitment to serving others, improving community well-being, and making a positive impact through their future careers.

Application timeline

The Called to Care Scholarship Invitational application will open Monday, August 3, 2026 and close Saturday, October 31, 2026. Students are encouraged to apply early to ensure their materials are submitted on time. Late or incomplete applications will not be considered.

Scoring sheet

Evaluates how effectively the student introduces themselves.

  • 4 – Provides a clear, engaging introduction; includes high school background, leadership and service initiatives, and relevant personal characteristics.
  • 3 – Includes most required elements but lacks detail or clarity in one area.
  • 2 – Minimal information provided; missing two required elements or information is vague.
  • 1 – Very limited introduction with little relevance to prompt.
  • 0 – No introduction or content unrelated to prompt.

Evaluates clarity of the chosen health profession career.

  • 4 – Clearly identifies a specific health professions career and explains why it interests them.
  • 3 – Identifies a career but explanation of interest is brief or general.
  • 2 – Career area is vague (e.g., “healthcare”) and lacks explanation.
  • 1 – Mentions a career in passing with no meaningful description.
  • 0 – No identifiable career.

Evaluates personal interest and motivation to pursue the career.

  • 4 – Offers thoughtful, specific motivation with personal insights or experiences.
  • 3 – Provides motivation but with limited detail or depth.
  • 2 – Motivation mentioned but generic or unclear.
  • 1 – Minimal or tangential explanation of motivation.
  • 0 – No motivation addressed.

Evaluates how well the student connects personal values to the career.

  • 4 – Clearly connects personal values/beliefs to the career and demonstrates awareness of ethical aspects.
  • 3 – Makes general value-based connections but lacks depth or ethical discussion.
  • 2 – Mentions values but unclear connection to career.
  • 1 – Very limited reflection on values or ethics.
  • 0 – No discussion of values, beliefs, or ethics.

Evaluates understanding of regional impact and Called to Care alignment.

  • 4 – Offers a concrete, thoughtful vision for improving health and wellbeing in Northeast Indiana.
  • 3 – Provides a general idea of community impact with some relevance.
  • 2 – Mentions impact briefly without detail or regional connection.
  • 1 – Minimal or unclear community-focused discussion.
  • 0 – No discussion of community impact.