Fall 2026 Cohort Applications

Fall 2026 Wellstar-Phillips Elite Honors Nursing Scholars applications are now closed (as of February 1, 2026).

Wellstar Tom and Betty Phillips Elite Honors Nursing Scholars

This elite program synthesizes the resources and opportunities of the KSU Journey Honors College, Wellstar Health System, and Wellstar School of Nursing to create a rigorous and unique Honors cohort experience. Upon admission to the Tom and Betty Philips Elite Nursing Cohort, students receive an associated scholarship in the amount of $2,000 each academic year for up to four years. Cohort membership includes privileged attendance at events and special programs at the Wellstar School of Nursing, some of which provide valuable information about the nursing program and becoming a nurse.
six ksu nursing cohort students standing on stairs and smiling
Students receive all the benefits of Honors learning in addition to exclusive nursing opportunities including:
  • Conditional acceptance to the Wellstar School of Nursing as a freshman
  • Access to Wellstar Honors Mentor and Wellstar Nurse Navigator
  • Student Mentorship opportunities
  • Opportunity to live alongside cohort members in the Honors Living-Learning community.
  • Opportunities to shadow specialty RNs
  • Opportunities to observe Wellstar Shared Governance Committee Meetings
  • Opportunities to shadow a Nurse Executive/CNO
  • Opportunity for select students to attend AJC Nurse of the Year event 
Scholarship and cohort membership eligibility must be maintained by meeting the following stipulations:
  • Apply and earn admission to the KSU Journey Honors College
  • Remain in good academic standing as determined by committees from KSU Journey Honors College and the Wellstar School of Nursing
  • Maintain a minimum KSU institutional GPA of 3.25
  • Apply for the Wellstar School of Nursing Traditional BSN Program per the mandated cohort deadline. (Note: If you apply for a semester other than the semester listed in your offer letter, you will not be granted conditional acceptance and you will forfeit this scholarship)

 

How to Apply

The application deadline for Fall 2026 cohort admission is February 1, 2026. 

  • Review all the criteria and eligibility requirements to participate in the Wellstar Tom and Betty Phillips Elite Honors Nursing Scholars Cohort.
  • On your Kennesaw State University Application, indicate interest in the KSU Journey Honors College.
  • Complete all related questions in the KSU Journey Honors College tab of the application.
  • Indicate interest in the  Wellstar Tom and Betty Phillips Elite Honors Nursing Scholars and complete the essay prompt.
  • For Wellstar consideration, you must be accepted to both Kennesaw State University and KSU Journey Honors College on or before February 1, 2026.
  • Students accepted to Kennesaw State University and the KSU Journey Honors College after February 1st will not be considered for the Cohort.
  • KSU Journey Honors College recommends that prospective students submit their complete Kennesaw State University application eight weeks prior to the Wellstar Tom and Betty Phillips Elite Honors Nursing Scholars deadline for best consideration.
  • Honors Interview Day
    • Top WSON-Phillips Nursing Scholar applicants will be invited to attend Honors Interview Day where they will interview for one of the Fall 2026 WSON-Philiips Nursing Scholar Cohort seats.

How the WSON-Phillips Nursing Scholar Review Process Works

  • Once you are admitted to Kennesaw State University for the Fall 2026 term, your application is received by the KSU Journey Honors College.
  • The KSU Journey Honors College may take 6-8 weeks after your Kennesaw State admission date to send your KSU Journey Honors College admissions decision.
  • Once admitted to Kennesaw State and the KSU Journey Honors College, your application will be reviewed by the WSON-Phillips Nursing Scholar Cohort Committee.
  • After the WSON-Phillips Nursing Scholar Cohort application deadline, the top cohort applicants will be contacted via KSU email with an invitation to attend Honors Interview Day. 
  • Seats in the Fall 2026 WSON-Phillips Nursing Scholar Cohort will be offered after Honors Interview Day, and students are given two weeks to accept or decline their WSON-Phillips Nursing Scholar seat and scholarship.
kennesaw state nursing cohort student in lab practing on a nursing dummy

 

FALL 2026 COHORT APPLICATIONS ARE NOW CLOSED.

However, applications to join the Honors College for Fall 2026 are still open! Apply at one of the links below:

APPLY TO KSU AND HONORS VIA COMMONAPP

 

Already accepted to Kennesaw State? 

Apply for the KSU Journey Honors College below. 

APPLY TO THE KSU JOURNEY HONORS COLLEGE