Gero-STARR

The Gero-STARR (Specialized Training to Advance Recruitment and Retention of Nurses in Acute and Long-term Care) program is funded by Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) to provide undergraduate nursing students with enhanced training in Age-Friendly Care while receiving mentorship, specialized training, tutoring, and financial support.

The funding has the overall goal of increasing nursing capacity in North Dakota. 

Eligibility 

• Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident of the United States. 
• Current 1st Semester Nursing Student: This mentoring program is for students who have been accepted into the on-campus BSN nursing program at UND for the Fall of 2025.  You must have a minimum GPA of 3.0 or higher and be a full-time student. 
• To be eligible for the program, you must be considered Educationally Disadvantaged and must meet criteria for either A or B
• Educational Disadvantaged in North Dakota: To be eligible for the program, 1) you must have graduated from a North Dakota high school, and 2) be classified as Educational Disadvantaged. To be considered Educationally Disadvantaged, you must meet criteria either meet criteria for A OR B.
  1. Graduated from a high school in North Dakota considered rural by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) Rural Health Grants Eligibility Analyzer. To check, click the link on the analyzer and enter the name of high school and the zip code of the high school.
  2. Have/had no parents or legal guardians who completed a bachelor’s degree. 

Benefits

• Scholarship of $8,000 per academic year 
• Stipend of $1,200/month x 12 months ($14,400/year) 
• Designated Mentor, Advising, and Tutoring 
• Student Support, Resources, and Advocacy 
• Access to Gathering Space/Study Space 
• Learning Community Study Group and Activities with Support from Graduate Teaching Assistants and a Nurse Mentor

Requirements

• Agree to take a 2-week Gero-STARR training course at CNPD May 16-June 1, 2026 in Culturally Sensitive Age-Friendly Care Training in Acute & Long-term Care (this includes didactic, simulation, and clinical components). Gero-STARR Scholars will earn the Age-Friendly Care credential ‘Badge’ 
• Sign a scholarship Agreement to work in North Dakota following graduation for at least 1 year after graduation. 
• Agree to communicate contact information and respond to Gero-STARR surveys up to 4 years following graduation to facilitate required data collection and employment history tracking. 

• Give the Gero-STARR Leadership permission to access your academic records to facilitate coaching, advisement, and aggregate reports to the funding agency. 

Application 

Applications are due no later than Friday, November 14th, 2025.

Submit Application

Questions on the application can be e-mailed to dawn.denny@UND.edu  

Sample Application

In addition to submitting contact and eligibility information, the applicant is required to submit the following for consideration for this program. 

• Personal Information Questionnaire 
• Answers to the following Questions: 
  • Are you a Citizen or a Permanent resident of the U.S.? (Yes/No) 
  • Did you graduate from a high school in the state of North Dakota? (Yes/No) 
  • Are you enrolled in the BSN face-to-face nursing program in your 1st semester? (Yes/No) 
  • Do you currently have a minimum GPA of ≥ 3.00 on a 4.00 scale? (Yes/No) 
  • Do meet the criteria for an educational disadvantaged student, which requires meeting at least one of the following criteria? (Yes/No) To be considered Educationally Disadvantaged, you must meet criteria either meet criteria for A or B. 
    • A) Did you graduate from a high school in North Dakota considered rural by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) Rural Health Grants Eligibility Analyzer? To check, enter name of high school and the zip code of the high school into the Analyzer tool on the website.  
    • OR B) Have/had no parents or legal guardians who completed a bachelor’s degree. 
  • Would you be able to stay for Gero-STARR Training, May 18 through June 1st of 2026, if you are accepted to the Gero-STARR program? (Yes/No) 
• Written Statement: Please include the following components:
  • Statement of Career Goals in Nursing (limited to 100 words) 
  • Statement of how you anticipate contributing to the Health of North Dakota Residents after becoming a nurse (limited to 100 words). 
  • Statement of your Campus Activities and Health-Related Work Experience (limited to 100 words) 
• Signature Agreement to the following statement: By signing this application below, you are giving permission to release your information to the Selection Committee to determine eligibility for this program. I certify that all information on this application is true and complete to the best of my ability and that I meet all eligibility requirements as specified in this application and in the accompanying instructions. 
• Attachments:
  • • Resume’  
    • Transcripts: UND transcripts or transcripts from other college you attended (High School transcripts or courses taken at other colleges that are verified on the UND transcript do not need to be submitted separately). Unofficial transcripts are sufficient for this application process. 

Follow-up and Notification 

• The Gero-STARR Selection Committee will notify applicants regarding the outcome of your application. 
• Applicants will be notified in early December regarding selection or non-selection for the Gero-STARR program. 
• Successful applicants must commit to and sign a Scholarship Agreement (see additional program requirements) before any benefits will be initiated. All students receiving any financial aid must notify the financial aid office at UND if selected for the Gero-STARR program. 
• Proof of citizenship or permanent residency within the U.S. is required before official acceptance. 

Additional Program Requirements

• Enroll and complete the on-campus Gero-STARR course (1 credit) for the Summer of 2026 (a 2-week 400-level 1 credit course that includes didactic, simulation, and clinical hours). This will take place from May 18th to June 1st. Additional optional educational offerings may be offered related to Age Friendly Care in the Gero-STARR space during the academic year. 
• Sign the Gero-STARR Scholarship Agreement that represents a commitment to work as a nurse in North Dakota in acute care or long-term care following graduation for at least 1 year following graduation. 
• Following graduation, report employment information to Gero-STARR for 2 years. 
• Provide the most up-to-date contact information following graduation to the Gero-STARR Leadership Contact Person.