Fellowship Financial Aid

Pamela Austin Thompson Fellowship Fund

Named in honor of AONL CEO Emeritus Pamela Austin Thompson to recognize Pam’s many contributions to the profession of nursing leadership, the Pamela Austin Thompson Fellowship Fund was established to support the AONL Nurse Manager and Nurse Director Fellowship programs and participants.

Thanks to generous support from AONL Foundation donors, the AONL Foundation is proud to offer financial aid for fellowship tuition to nurse leaders, with priority for nurse leaders from small, rural, or critical access organizations, to participate in the 2026 Nurse Manager or Nurse Director Fellowship programs.

Financial Aid Package Details

The Financial aid application window is now open. Funds can only be used for Nurse Director and Nurse Manager Fellowship tuition. Selection to the fellowship program does not guarantee receipt of financial aid.

See Full Financial Aid Application Guidelines Here.

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Applicant Requirements

Accepted into the Nurse Director or Nurse Manager Fellowship program.

Applicant has support of leadership from their own organization.

Release time to attend programs is supported by their organization.

Applicant’s organization provides mentoring support.

Sitting board members of AHA, AONL and the AONL Foundation are ineligible.

Completion of financial aid application.

Health Care Organization Eligibility

Priority may be given to applicants whose current organization fits within the criteria described as small, rural or critical access hospital or health care organization.

Small Health Care Organizations +

Your health care organization is defined as "small" according to the Healthcare Cost Utilization Project's Bedsize Categories - https://hcup-us.ahrq.gov/db/vars/hosp_bedsize/nisnote.jsp

Rural Health Care Organizations +

Your health care organization fits one of the following criteria for a "rural" setting:

Listing in Rural Health Information Hub’s “Am I Rural” tool: www.ruralhealthinfo.org/am-i-rural.
Qualifies for either the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Rural Health Clinics Program or the Federal Office of Rural Health Policy’s Grants Programs.
Has a United States Department of Agriculture/Economic Research Service Rural-Urban Commuting Area (RUCA) code of 10.
Has a United States Department of Agriculture/Economic Research Service Rural-Urban Continuum Code (RUCC) of 4 or greater.

Critical Access Health Care Organization +

Your health care organization is considered a "Critical Care Access" facility on the Flex Monitoring Team’s listing - https://www.flexmonitoring.org/critical-access-hospital-locations-list

Other "small non-profit, government or public health care organization" +

Your health care organization falls under one the following categories:

Schools (for a school nurse).
Long term care organizations.
Home health care organizations.
Skilled nursing facilities.
Community college.

Requirement and Expectations of Pamela Austin Thompson Scholars and their Organizations

Provide written reports on the Fellowship experience

At the mid-point of the Fellowship program | Following completion of the Fellowship program | Annually for a two-year period | Allow the AONL Foundation to use information in the reports in promotional materials

Written reports from the fellowship participant's supervisor and mentor

Personal Letter of thanks

Write personal letter of thanks to AONL Foundation donors at the beginning and end of the program.

Attend AONL Foundation events at the AONL Annual Conference including:

AONL Foundation Soirée | Meet and greet with program donors | Others events as appropriate

Required Application Documents

Candidate Statement

You agree to the requirements and expectations to become a Pamela Austin Thompson Scholar.

Letter of Support from Supervisor

This letter must address organizational structure, the need for financial aid, why you support the applicant's participation in this fellowship program, how the applicant will be supported internally and an agreement to the requirements and expectation of the Pamela Austin Thompson Scholars financial aid. Please be aware, the letters of recommendation and support from the applicant's supervisor and mentor carry significant weight in the evaluation process. Robust letters addressing the above and showcasing the applicant and their work will be scored higher than more generic letters.

Letter of Support from Organizational Mentor

The applicant's mentor must address how the mentoring relationship will work throughout the year. The statement should include at least one specific outcome and why the mentor supports the applicant. Please include a statement agreeing to the requirements and expectations of the Pamela Austin Thompson Scholars program. Please be aware, the letters of recommendation and support from the applicant's supervisor and mentor carry significant weight in the evaluation process. Robust letters addressing the above and showcasing the applicant and their work will be scored higher than more generic letters.

Fellowship Application

Submitted application of the Nurse Manager or Nurse Director Fellowship.

Financial aid application deadline

The financial aid application is due the same date as the Nurse Manager and Nurse Director Fellowship application.