Why the UPMC McKeesport Scholars Program?


The UPMC McKeesport Scholars Program is an exciting new collaboration between CCAC and UPMC McKeesport Hospital! This program offers health sciences students* an opportunity to receive tuition, fees, textbooks, academic support, wraparound services, career exploration, job shadows, peer/cohort support and other benefits to help them achieve their goals of becoming a nurse or allied health professional!

Additionally, all Scholars Program students will commit to working at UPMC McKeesport Hospital for two years after graduation, with guaranteed job placement!

To help our Scholars reach their goals and be their best, we aim to tackle tough issues head on with them, such as academic achievement gaps, family and social issues, and lack of college preparedness.

Our goal is your success!

*Eligible programs for the UPMC McKeesport Scholars Program are listed below:

The Scholar’s Program Application is OPEN!

Before applying to the Scholars Program, be sure to apply to CCAC through the general application here. If you experience any technical difficulties, please email mckscholarsprogram@ccac.edu

Scholar's Program Application

Admission to the UPMC McKeesport Scholars Program

The UPMC McKeesport Scholars Program at CCAC has specific admission requirements that must be met before a potential applicant can be considered for the Scholars Program. Additionally, once admitted to the Scholars Program, students must meet all cohort requirements and program-specific (Nursing and Allied Health) requirements to remain eligible for the Scholars Program.

For all of the requirements, see below.

Admission Requirements

Criteria

The following must be met in order to apply for the Scholars Program:

  • U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident (legally eligible to work in the U.S.)
  • Priority given to McKeesport residents (ZIPs 15132 and 15134)
  • Should reside within 1 of the 44 ZIPs listed below. Other ZIPs will be considered on a case-by-case basis. (ZIPs are based solely on drive times to a CCAC campus and to UPMC McKeesport.)
  • Sign a release of information for all required documents (e.g. transcripts and test scores)
  • Complete an application to the Community College of Allegheny County (CCAC)
  • Express a desire to pursue a profession in one of the following CCAC Health Science programs:
    • Nursing
    • Diagnostic Medical Sonographer
    • Dietary Manager/Dietetic Technician
    • Medical Laboratory Technician
    • Nuclear Medicine Technology
    • Phlebotomist
    • Radiologic Technologist (X-ray/CAT/MRI)
    • Respiratory Therapy
  • Express a desire to work at UPMC McKeesport Hospital upon completion of the CCAC program
  • Commit to working for UPMC McKeesport for two years after CCAC graduation, before receiving any Scholars Program funds
  • Agree to allow UPMC McKeesport to review any previous or current employment history with UPMC.
  • Reflect the motivation necessary for success by signing an agreement to follow all of the UPMC McKeesport Scholars Program requirements
  • High school students only:
    • Attain at least a “C” average in science and mathematics
    • Earn a minimum 2.0 GPA
    • Have a signed Parent Form on file
    • Letter of recommendation from a teacher or counselor (10th grade only)
    • Accuplacer testing required for Dual Enrollment courses (10th grade only)
    • Application review by CCAC Academic Committee for Dual Enrollment courses (10th grade only)

Three Cohorts

High School

  • McKeesport HS top priority
  • Other HS students who reside within one of the ZIPs listed (students who reside outside of these ZIPs will be considered on a case-by-case basis)

CCAC students

  • Pre-Nursing/Pre-Allied Health (e.g., Year 1: taking prerequisites and corequisites)
  • Current Nursing/Allied Health students (already admitted to the program)

Adult learners from the community

  • UPMC McKeesport Hospital employees
  • Local community adult learners

Cohorts Program Requirements

Cohort 1 (HS students)

  1. Must enroll in and complete a free SEM 103 dual enrollment course
  2. Must participate in the two-week-long Summer Academy 2025
    1. Will receive $100/week/student stipend
    2. Will receive free bus passes and free lunches
  3. Must complete 10 hours of community service (opportunities built in to the cohort and the Summer Academy)
  4. Must have their cameras on at all times during all remote activities (e.g., Zoom meetings) unless approval is given in advance by the Program Coordinator
  5. Will utilize online tutoring support through CCAC
  6. Will utilize peer tutoring support within their HS
  7. Must maintain a 2.0 GPA and a C average in HS math and science courses each semester
  8. Will participate in an after-school health careers club monthly
  9. Will participate in all other scheduled opportunities (e.g., hospital tours, job shadows, internships as available)

Cohorts 2 and 3 (CCAC students and adult learners)

  1. Will receive tuition and fees each semester (Scholars Program funds will be applied only after all other student funding is applied, such as Pell grants and scholarships.)
  2. Will receive textbooks and program-required supplies each semester
  3. Must work with the Program Coordinator to develop an Individual Goal Plan (IGP)
  4. Must meet with the Program Coordinator on a regularly scheduled basis
    1. Pre-Nursing/Allied Health students: every 1–2 weeks
    2. Current Nursing/Allied Health students: weekly
  5. Must participate in quarterly scheduled Scholars Program activities (e.g., job shadows, conferences, etc.)
  6. Must complete 10 hours of community service (opportunities built in to the cohort) each school year
  7. Must complete TEAS Prep courses as deemed necessary by the Program Coordinator and academic staff
  8. Must participate in all scheduled cohort activities (e.g., study group, exam review session, etc.)
  9. Must complete Confidence Builder sessions
  10. Must have their cameras on at all times during remote activities (e.g., Zoom meetings) unless approval is given in advance by the Program Coordinator
  11. Must meet all Nursing or respective Allied Health program admission requirements and program requirements to remain eligible for the Scholars Program (refer to your Program Manual)
  12. Specific GPA requirements:
    1. Pre-Nursing and Pre-Allied Health students must earn and maintain a GPA that meets their respective Nursing or Allied Health program admission requirements.
    2. Program Admission GPA:
      1. Nursing: minimum 2.8 GPA
      2. Allied Health:
        1. Minimum 2.5 GPA for DMS, Dietetic Technician, RAD, NMT
        2. Minimum 2.0 GPA for Dietary Manager, MLT, Phlebotomy, Respiratory Therapy and Surg Tech

ZIP Codes

15018

15020

15025

15034

15035

15037

15038

15045

15047

15063

15083

15085

15088

15104

15110

15112

15120

15121

15122

15123

15131

15132

15133

15134

15135

15137

15145

15148

15203

15206

15207

15208

15210

15211

15218

15220

15221

15227

15234

15235

15236

15332

15642

15692

Contact Us

Email Us to Request More Information!

If you would like more information about our Allied Health programs, please email us!

nursinginfo@ccac.edu

alliedhealthinfo@ccac.edu