In these tough economic times, with college tuitions rising, it's encouraging that organizations are responding with scholarships for students.

Tuesday, 15 nursing students at Community Medical Centers were awarded $3,000 scholarships each from the Alice A. Peters Nursing Scholarship Fund.

Community said the scholarships lessen the financial burden and help nursing students - who are Community Medical Center employees -- complete their studies on schedule.

The result for the San Joaquin Valley since the first scholarships in 2002: 75 registered nurse graduates.

Applications for the next year's scholarships will be available in March. The filing deadline will be June 18.

The scholarships started with a $300,000 gift in 2002 from Alice A. Peters. It was matched by the Leon S. Peters Foundation to encourage employee support of the program. Employees have contributed more than $140,000, Community said.

This year, Community said Wells Fargo Foundation also gave $25,000 for nursing education -- $12,500 for the Alice A. Peters Nursing Scholarship and $12,500 for the Marilyn Hawkins Nursing Leadership Scholarship.

The 2009 Alice A. Peters Nursing scholarship recipients are:

1. Brandy Bump

2. Jeremy Dobbins

3. Myra Ferguson

4. Phoebe Green

5. Jenna Gretsch

6. Vincent Hernandez

7. Sophear In

8. Antoinette Iskenian

9. Kam Khamnhoth

10. Angela Moro

11. Phil Olmos

12. Hayley Ripley

13. Jacob Scholar

14. John Tenedor

15. Emily Tuck