Kinnser Software, an Austin-based home health software company, is continuing to support Austin Community College nursing students through a scholarship program covering tuition, books, and nursing program expenses. This year, 18 students are recipients of the scholarship.

“The Kinnser Software scholarships make education more affordable and accessible, giving our students – many of whom work while attending college – an opportunity to focus on their studies,” said Stephanie Dempsey, executive director of the Austin Community College Foundation. “We are grateful for Kinnser’s confidence in our students and appreciate the company’s investment in one of the most important, service-oriented professions in the nation.

The scholarship is designed to help address a rapidly growing demand for nurses.

“Education and training are important parts of Kinnser’s culture, and our entire company stands behind this scholarship fund that is helping hard-working nursing students at ACC to gain training and earn degrees in a career field that promises tremendous opportunity and a chance to give back to the community,” says Chris Hester, Kinnser Software’s founder and president.

ACC had 280 associate degree nursing graduates in 2011-12, with a 99 percent pass rate on the licensure exam. The college’s Associate Degree Nursing Program is among the top producers of graduates in the nation, according to a 2012 analysis by Community College Week. Among two-year institutions, ACC is ranked 15^th for associate degrees in registered nursing and related programs, and 18^th for associate degrees in health professions and related programs.

For more information on ACC’s Associate Degree Nursing Program, visit the department’s webpage. For information on scholarships available through the ACC Foundation, visit austincc.edu/foundation.