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$1,500 Annual Award · First award September 2026

The Adair Caregiver Scholarship

A $1,500 annual scholarship for one Michigan student entering caregiving as a career. No GPA minimum. No service obligation. Awarded on the strength of a single 500-word essay about why you chose this work.

CNA student in a warm Michigan home — supported by the Adair Caregiver Scholarship for new caregivers.

$1,500

Award amount

1

Recipients per year

September 30

Deadline

Blind essay review

Selection

Why this scholarship exists

Caregiving is one of the hardest, most undervalued professions in healthcare — and it is also one of the most important. Michigan needs more trained CNAs, HHAs, and direct-care professionals than the labor market is currently producing, and the people who choose this work usually do so for reasons that have very little to do with the paycheck.

The Adair family — founders of Affordable Home Care — created this scholarship to recognize the next generation of caregivers entering the field. The award is intentionally simple: $1,500, one essay, no service obligation, no employment requirement. Whether the recipient ends up working in home care, a hospital, a memory-care facility, or a rural clinic, our goal is the same: support someone choosing this work, on their terms.

Eligibility

  • ✓Currently enrolled in a CNA, HHA, or direct-care certification program at an accredited Michigan community college, vocational school, or training institute.
  • ✓No minimum GPA required.
  • ✓No age requirement — career-changers are encouraged to apply.
  • ✓Open to all Michigan-program enrollees regardless of state of residence.
  • ✓No employment commitment to Affordable Home Care or any other agency.

Looking for caregiving work?

Affordable Home Care is actively hiring CNAs and HHAs across Southeast Michigan. Scholarship applicants are welcome — but never required — to explore open positions at affordablehomecare.org/careers. Career interest plays no role in scholarship selection.

Participating Schools

The Adair Caregiver Scholarship welcomes applications from students at the following Southeast Michigan institutions — among other accredited community colleges, vocational schools, and CNA/HHA training programs across the state.

Macomb Community College
Schoolcraft College
Oakland Community College
Wayne County Community College District
Henry Ford College

Financial aid offices: we welcome inquiries about listing this scholarship on your external scholarship page. Contact Affordable Home Care at 248-419-5010.

The essay prompt

"Why did you choose caregiving as a career?"

500 words. Plain prose. No specific format required. Tell us the story honestly — including the parts that aren't easy. Essays are read blind (your name and school are removed before review).

How to apply

Fill out the form below by September 30. The recipient is announced by mid-October. The award is sent directly to the recipient's school financial-aid office and applied toward tuition, certification fees, books, or required uniforms.

At a glance

Award
$1,500
Deadline
September 30, annually
Eligibility
CNA, HHA, or direct-care certification students in Michigan
Selection
Essay-based, blind review

Apply for the Adair Caregiver Scholarship

"Why did you choose caregiving as a career?"

0 words (400–600 required)

Your application is emailed directly to the owner. We do not store essays in any database.

FAQ

Common questions

Any student currently enrolled in a Certified Nurse Aide (CNA), Home Health Aide (HHA), or other direct-care certification program at an accredited Michigan community college, vocational school, or training institute. There is no GPA minimum, no age requirement, and no Michigan-residency requirement beyond enrollment in a Michigan program.
Solely on the strength of the 500-word essay describing why the applicant chose caregiving as a career. The essay is read blind — names and schools are removed before review. The recipient is selected by Austin Adair, owner of Affordable Home Care, with input from the agency's care-operations team.
The $1,500 award is announced in October each year. Payment is sent directly to the recipient's school financial aid office to be applied toward tuition, certification fees, books, or required uniforms. The award is not paid as cash to the student.
No. There is no employment commitment, no interview requirement, and no service obligation attached to the award. Essays are reviewed blind — names, schools, and any mention of employment interest are removed before review. The recipient is selected solely on the strength of the essay.
Use the application form on this page. Fill in your name, contact information, school, program, expected completion date, and your 400–600 word essay. You may optionally attach a PDF or DOCX of your enrollment confirmation. Submissions are due by September 30.
Affordable Home Care is a family business — founded by Greg Adair and now run by his son Austin Adair, who has been in the home care field since 2006. Naming the scholarship 'Adair' rather than after the agency reflects the family's personal commitment to the next generation of caregivers, separate from the company brand.

Ready to apply?

Submit your application using the form above by September 30. One essay. One chance. One person we will be glad to support with a $1,500 award.

Go to the application form