Applications for a scholarship to encourage Paulding County healthcare students to work in their home county after graduation are being accepted through April 30.

The Braly Scholarship-Loans for Health is given only to Paulding County residents, WellStar Paulding Hospital employees and Nurse Center employees. Applicants must be attending or accepted to a college with a major in the medical field, with plans to work at the Paulding Hospital or Nurse Center, said Jane Ragsdale, Braly Scholarship Committee chairperson.

The scholarship can range from $500 to $2,500 per recipient for most undergraduate or graduate programs, according to the application. The committee chooses recipients, who usually receive around $1,000 a year, Ragsdale said.

“We usually give the scholarship based on jobs that are really needed [in Paulding],” she said.

The committee averages three to six applicants each year, but in 1994, 2001 and 2011 there were no applications submitted, Ragsdale said. Most years the committee will choose one recipient.

“We have given as many as three one year,” she said.

It is a scholarship-loan, which means recipients may have to pay the money back. If the receiver chooses not to work at the hospital or center they will have to pay the money back in full, Ragsdale said.

“If studies are completed and I come to work at WellStar Paulding Hospital and Nursing Center, $100 credit [for the loan] is given for each month of full-time employment,” according to the scholarship-loan agreement.

The scholarship started in 1982, four years after longtime Paulding physician Dr. Sam Braly died. The family requested friends give money for a scholarship in lieu of flowers, Ragsdale said.

There have been 67 scholarships given to 47 recipients, with some having received multiple awards. The total amount of money given is $46,057, Ragsdale said. As of last year there are 10 recipients still working at the hospital.

Those wishing to apply can pick up an application at the human resource office, administrative office at the hospital or nursing home or email janeragsdale@bellsouth.net.