QueensCare Scholarship
Scholarship Sponsored by QueensCare
Introduction
To honor John Joseph Brandlin’s 32 years of leadership and service to QueensCare, the John Joseph Brandlin Scholarship Fund awards $250,000 each year to support healthcare education. These scholarships are intended to help reduce the ongoing shortage of health professionals serving underserved communities.
About John Joseph Brandlin
John Joseph Brandlin (1913–2010) helped establish QueensCare with Arthur W. Barron to provide free and low-cost healthcare to low-income residents of Los Angeles County in 1998. A lifelong believer in the power of education, Brandlin was himself a four‑year scholarship recipient at the University of Illinois, attended the University of Southern California School of Law, and practiced law in Los Angeles for five decades.
Who the Fund Supports
The John Joseph Brandlin Scholarship Fund is restricted to students pursuing careers in healthcare — ranging from medical assistants to physicians — in fields designated by the QueensCare Board of Directors.
Award Types and Amounts
- One (1) four‑year scholarship reserved for a student at the University of Illinois, Champaign.
- One‑year awards for undergraduate and graduate students who live in and attend colleges or universities in California; these one‑year awards may be renewed for up to four (4) years.
- Awards may be up to $10,000 per year and are granted based on demonstrated financial need and academic achievement.
Eligibility Requirements
- Citizenship: Must be a U.S. citizen or legal resident.
- Residency/Enrollment: Applicants must reside in and attend an accredited college or university in California, or be enrolled at the University of Illinois, Champaign (Brandlin’s alma mater).
- Programs: Applicants must be enrolled in or accepted to a health professions program. Examples include (but are not limited to): medical assistant; medical/pharmacy technician; licensed vocational nurse; registered nurse; nurse practitioner; dentist; physician assistant; primary care physician; obstetrician; doctor of osteopathic medicine.
- Eligible Institutions: University of Illinois–Champaign; any University of California campus; any California State University campus; any California community college; private colleges or universities in California whose credits transfer equivalently to state institutions; and programs accredited by the California Board of Registered Nursing (BRN) or the Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians (BVNPT) for RN or vocational nursing.
- Minimum GPA: Community college/professional school students must maintain at least a 2.5 GPA. Undergraduate students must maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA. Graduate students must maintain a minimum 3.25 GPA.
- Financial Need: Applicants must demonstrate financial need.
Application Checklist
Applications are available online at QueensCare.org. Required materials:
1. John Joseph Brandlin Memorial Scholarship Fund application form.
2. A typed personal statement (up to 500 words) addressing:
i. Personal and academic achievements
ii. Career goals
iii. Community and/or school involvement
3. Two Evaluator Forms with letters of recommendation: one must be from a teacher or professor (or, for applicants with full‑time work experience, a current or former supervisor may substitute). The second letter may come from another teacher/professor, a guidance counselor, a community or church leader, or an immediate supervisor. Evaluators should discuss your academic/work accomplishments and personal qualities (work ethic, maturity, motivation, perseverance, leadership, etc.).
4. FAFSA documentation.
5. Official academic transcripts.
6. Resume or curriculum vitae.
7. Most recent federal income tax return (Form 1040 or 1040EZ). Dependent applicants must submit their parent’s or guardian’s IRS Form 1040.
How to Apply (Steps)
Step 1 — Confirm Eligibility: Review the requirements above to ensure you qualify.
Step 2 — Start Your Application Online: Create an account through the QueensCare funding portal, complete the online application, and save your progress as needed. All new applicants must submit completed Evaluator Forms.
Step 3 — Submit by the Deadline: Applications can be started on January 1 and must be completed by May. After submission you will receive an email confirmation.
Step 4 — Award Notifications: Scholarship recipients are notified in mid‑June.
Questions or Status Inquiries
If you need assistance or wish to check your application status, call (323) 669‑4301.