RUMFORD – For more than 30 years, Rumford Hospital and its auxiliary have offered financial support to area students studying for careers in healthcare. The hospital is repeating the offer this year and has set Friday, May 7, as the application deadline.

Awards to students accepted into college or technical school programs are made as loans; however, the loans are forgiven if students work at Rumford Hospital for 12 months or the Rumford Community Home for six months after completing their studies. The loans are also forgiven if there is no opening at the hospital or home for the student’s specialty.

Scholarship loans are $2,000 a year up to a total of $8,000 for a four-year program. Students must successfully complete the first semester of each year before the loan is paid directly to the student’s school or college.

The areas of study designated for awards this year are nursing, radiology, laboratory technician and physical therapy. Students living in the area served by Rumford Hospital who have been accepted into programs of study in these fields are eligible to apply.

Rumford Hospital and auxiliary student loan applications are available in the guidance offices of Dirigo High School, Mountain Valley High School and Telstar High School, as well as at Rumford Hospital.

Anyone interested should pick up an application and submit them to school guidance directors or to the administration office at Rumford Hospital. For more information, contact Diana Lemelin at 369-1032.