The intent of Helton Scholar is to provide funding for individuals seeking to complete a higher education degree. Preference is given to candidates who have a financial need and demonstrate how their degree will improve WakeMed's care for patients.
Structure for approval: Helton Endowment Fund Committee
Applications will open on November 1, 2025.
Deadline: April 24, 2026
Eligibility:
- Max $10,000 per individual per cycle.
- Graduate certificate programs are eligible for funding.
- Applicants must have been an employee of WakeMed for at least six months.
- Applicants must remain employed at WakeMed at least 2 years post award.
- Applicants must be a benefits eligible FT/PT employee at WakeMed.
- Applicant does not have any active disciplinary actions.
- Applicant has received a score of 3 or higher on their most recent annual evaluation.
- Applicant can only receive Foundation education funding one time per calendar year.
- Applicant must be currently enrolled or accepted into an academic program.
- Must be 18 years of age or older.
- All returning applicants must complete a new application each year.
- Availability and number of awards is dependent on availability of funds and number of applicants at the time of application.
- Applicant must be a non-medical staff employee (physicians, APPs are not eligible).
- Employees who are at the director level or higher are exempt from funding.
- Applicants can be awarded a maximum of $20,000 for the same degree program.
Other Requirements:
- Applicant must participate in an in-person or virtual interview.
- Sign a promissory note with the WakeMed Foundation that asks for repayment of funds if you leave your position within two years.
- Return all unspent funds to the WakeMed Foundation.
- Recipients may also be asked to meet with supporters and/or participate in promotion and recognition of the program.
If applications are incomplete by the deadline, they will not move forward to the next phase of the process.
Helton Scholar
The intent of Helton Scholar is to provide funding for individuals seeking to complete a higher education degree. Preference is given to candidates who have a financial need and demonstrate how their degree will improve WakeMed's care for patients.
Structure for approval: Helton Endowment Fund Committee
Applications will open on November 1, 2025.
Deadline: April 24, 2026
Eligibility:
- Max $10,000 per individual per cycle.
- Graduate certificate programs are eligible for funding.
- Applicants must have been an employee of WakeMed for at least six months.
- Applicants must remain employed at WakeMed at least 2 years post award.
- Applicants must be a benefits eligible FT/PT employee at WakeMed.
- Applicant does not have any active disciplinary actions.
- Applicant has received a score of 3 or higher on their most recent annual evaluation.
- Applicant can only receive Foundation education funding one time per calendar year.
- Applicant must be currently enrolled or accepted into an academic program.
- Must be 18 years of age or older.
- All returning applicants must complete a new application each year.
- Availability and number of awards is dependent on availability of funds and number of applicants at the time of application.
- Applicant must be a non-medical staff employee (physicians, APPs are not eligible).
- Employees who are at the director level or higher are exempt from funding.
- Applicants can be awarded a maximum of $20,000 for the same degree program.
Other Requirements:
- Applicant must participate in an in-person or virtual interview.
- Sign a promissory note with the WakeMed Foundation that asks for repayment of funds if you leave your position within two years.
- Return all unspent funds to the WakeMed Foundation.
- Recipients may also be asked to meet with supporters and/or participate in promotion and recognition of the program.
If applications are incomplete by the deadline, they will not move forward to the next phase of the process.