Reviewed by:
Former Admissions Committee Member, Hofstra-Northwell School of Medicine
Reviewed: 11/15/23
Nursing can be an expensive educational path, but we’ve got you covered! Take a look at these excellent nursing scholarships.
Sometimes scholarship research can seem overwhelming, and just finding the right scholarships for you can be more of a challenge than the actual applications themselves. That’s why we’ve created this up-to-date list of the best scholarships for nurses!
Follow along for the top 20 scholarships geared towards high schoolers, minority students, specific specialties, and more in this complete list. Let’s get started!
Here are our top picks for nursing student scholarships in 2024. Be sure to read each description, as some of the organizations on our list offer multiple scholarships you may be eligible for! Keep in mind that these are just our top picks, there are plenty of opportunities out there for nursing students, but this is a good place to start.
The Foundation of National Student Nurses' Association (FNSNA) has been offering scholarships to support nursing students since 1969. Today, the FNSNA offers a variety of undergraduate and graduate scholarships in varied amounts.
Some of the FNSNA scholarships are offered in partnership with big brands such as Band-Aid and Johnson & Johnson. Together, the organization offers over $300,000 in awards annually. To apply for these scholarships and view other opportunities offered by the FNSNA, visit their website to check your eligibility.
Scholarship Amount: Varied, up to $50,000 annually
Who qualifies: Varied
Deadline for Application: January 26th
The A Nurse I Am scholarship came to be after the Cherokee Uniforms assisted in the creation of two “A Nurse I Am” films. The film’s goal was to address the number of nurses leaving the profession early. By demonstrating how RNs impact the lives of their patients while maintaining a healthy work/life balance, the films aim to inspire nursing students to do the same.
The two films are available for public viewing on YouTube and live on through the “A Nurse I Am” scholarship. To apply for this scholarship, students must view the film and write a compelling essay in response to it. To learn more about the scholarship requirements, visit the “A Nurse I Am” scholarship page.
Scholarship Amount: $2000 annually
Who qualifies: Enrolled nursing students (full-time and part-time)
Deadline for Application: The application window is from February 1st to April 15th
The Barbara Rhomberg Nursing Scholarship was created in 2013 to honor the memory of beloved nurse Barbara Rhomberg, who became a nurse at a non-traditional age. After spending twenty-five years at home with her children, Barabara went to nursing school at 44 and served as a pillar in her local hospital in Iowa until 1995, when she passed away from cancer.
The Barbara Rhomberg Nursing Scholarship aims to assist non-traditional students by offering financial aid for nursing students. Applicants must have a minimum 3-year gap between high school and enrollment in a college or university to be considered for this award. To apply for this scholarship, you must review the information form and submit the required materials.
Scholarship Amount: $1000 per semester
Who qualifies: Non-traditional nursing applicants
Deadline for Application: April 30
The AfterCollege and AACN Scholarship Fund is a scholarship fund that is set up to help set up Nursing students with financial aid. AfterCollege was developed at Stanford in 1999 with the goal of giving new job seekers a competitive advantage.
Using their patented algorithm, the company can tap into sought-after professional networks to assist students in landing their first job after graduation. Today, the company also offers scholarships to further assist students in achieving their long-term career goals.
The organization gives special consideration to students who are interested in nurse education, are completing an RN-to-BSN or RN-to-MSN program, or are enrolled in an accelerated program.
Aftercollege awards $10,000 in scholarship funding to accepted applicants. The funding is distributed in installments of $2,500 to the student each quarter. To apply for this scholarship, you must already be enrolled at an AACN member institution.
Scholarship Amount: One scholarship of $2,500 each quarter. ($10,000 per year)
Who qualifies: AACN member institution enrolled (not just accepted) applicants.
Deadline for Application: December 31st
The NURSE Corps Scholarship Programs was created by the The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) to address the critical nurse shortages in underserved areas of the United States. The program advocates for the reparation of healthcare and routine wellness checkups many Americans have to go without each year, often leading to long-term preventable health issues.
This scholarship opportunity is significant, by offering full-tuition nursing scholarships. By committing to work in a critical need facility (CNF) in an underserved area for a minimum of two years upon graduation, the HRSA will pay your tuition, eligible educational fees, and provide you with a monthly stipend throughout your years in school. To apply for this scholarship, visit the HRSA and review all requirements.
Scholarship Amount: Full tuition, fees, and a monthly stipend
Who qualifies: US citizen, must commit to a minimum of two years service in a CNF
Deadline for Application: TBD
The American Holistic Nursing Association (AHNA) is an organization that aims to educate nurses about holistic practice and broaden healthcare options.
The AHNA offers several scholarships and awards for nurses and nursing students on their website, although the largest is the American Holistic Nursing Association Research Grant.
Applicants must be doctoral students and AHNA members of at least one year. To apply for this scholarship, you must have a specific interest in furthering the research of holistic medicine and present a 3-5 page research proposal on how you intend to do so.
There are also other scholarship opportunities on the AHNA website, so we encourage you to take a look!
Scholarship Amount: up to $5000
Who Qualifies: Doctoral students and AHNA members with a specific interest in researching holistic medicine
Deadline for Application: February 15th
The American Indian Nurse Scholarship Award Program was founded in 1928 to provide equal opportunity for people of Native American descent who want to pursue a career in nursing. Upon receiving this scholarship, winners are expected to work in Native communities, such as reservations or hospitals in predominantly Native areas.
This scholarship awards $1,500 per semester to accepted applicants so long as they remain in good academic standing. To apply for this scholarship, the applicant must be of Native American descent and provide proof of such.
Scholarship Amount: $1,500 per semester
Who Qualifies: Native American nursing students
Deadline for Application: January 28th
The Agnes Naughton RN-BSN Fund was created in 1983 by the Florida Nurses Association (FNA) with the purpose of honoring life-long FNA member Agnes Naughton. Today, the organization supports the education and research projects of Florida-based nursing students and nurses in need.
To qualify for this scholarship program, you must be a resident of Florida, a nursing student or researcher, or a certified nurse. When applying through this program, one application submits to multiple scholarships that you are qualified for based on your area and qualifications. To learn more about how to apply for this scholarship, review their application process page.
Scholarship Amount: Varied (average $500)
Who Qualifies: Enrolled nursing students and nurses who are residents of Florida
Deadline for Application: June 1st
The Asian American Pacific Islander Nurses Association Scholarship (AAPINA) is a $500 scholarship awarded to one AAPINA member annually. This scholarship is offered in affiliation with the National Coalition of Ethnic Minority Nurse Associations (NCEMNA), which offers multiple scholarship programs for minority nurses and students.
To qualify for this scholarship, you must be of Asian American Pacific Islander descent and provide proof of such. Applicants can be in either baccalaureate or a graduate nursing degree and have a minimum GPA of 3.5. To apply for this scholarship or learn more about the AAPINA award, visit their scholarships and awards page.
Scholarship Amount: $500
Who qualifies: Bachelor and graduate nursing students of Asian American Pacific Islander descent
Deadline for Application: January 29th
The National Black Nurses Association (NBNA) offers several scholarship opportunities to support Black nursing students throughout their careers. The main scholarship they offer is the Dr. Lauranne Sams Scholarship, which awards $5000 to one qualified NBNA member “based on scholastic achievement, financial need and community service.”
It’s important to note that when you apply for this scholarship, you submit one application for all of the NBNA scholarships ranging from $1000 to $15,000. To apply for this scholarship and the others, visit the NBNA’s scholarship information page and review the requirements.
Scholarship Amount: $5000
Who qualifies: Black nursing students, NBNA members
Deadline for Application: TBD
In partnership with Pampers, the March of Dimes Graduate Nursing Scholarships are awarded to promote excellence in the nursing care of mothers and babies. This organization has a long history of advocacy for early child health and wellness. Today, the board continues to uphold its legacy through distributing scholarships and awards.
Each year, the March of Dimes offers multiple $5,000 scholarships to RNs enrolled in maternal-child nursing graduate programs. To apply for this scholarship and review the eligibility requirements, check their website.
Scholarship Amount: $5000
Who qualifies: Registered Nurses
Deadline for Application: April 15th
Since 1968, the ENA Emergency Nurses Scholarship has offered multiple opportunities for teaching and networking. Today, the organization offers scholarships to nursing students interested in emergency nursing to further advance the field.
Like many others on our list, the ENA is a member-based organization. In addition to the ENA Emergency Nurses Scholarship, the ENA also offers several other scholarships based on different criteria - varying from $2500 to $10,000 depending on the category. To apply for this scholarship and other ENA awards, visit the ENA website and become a member.
Scholarship Amount: Varied, up to $10,000
Who qualifies: ENA members in good academic standing, enrolled nursing students
Deadline for Application: April 26th
The National Association for Hispanic Nurses offers scholarships to Hispanic nursing students to promote the Latino nursing population in the US. The organization offers multiple scholarships in varying amounts each year to NAHN members in good standing.
It is also in the distinct mission of the NAHN to create and promote leadership opportunities for nurses of Hispanic descent. The purpose of creating these NAHN opportunities is not only to promote representation but also to diversify the field of nursing to meet the diverse needs of the Hispanic community in a healthcare setting.
To apply for these scholarships, visit the NAHN page to become a member and review your eligibility for their programs.
Scholarship Amount: Varied, up to $10,000
Who qualifies: Latino nursing students, NAHN members
Deadline for Application: TBD
The National Association of Directors of Nursing Administration in Long Term Care (NADONA LTC) is an organization that aims to advocate for the excellence of long-term care nursing. In order to support nurses who wish to pursue long-term or geriatric care in their careers, NADONA LTC offers several scholarships and awards to qualified candidates each year.
The Stephanie Carroll Memorial Scholarship offered by NADONA LTC is specifically for undergraduate and graduate students who wish to pursue geriatrics and long-term care as their practice area after graduation. You can easily apply for this scholarship and others on the NADONA website.
Scholarship Amount: Varied
Who qualifies: Nursing students pursuing long-term care
Deadline for Application: April 15th
The Nurses Make a Difference scholarship is offered by Cascade Healthcare Solutions each year to one selected winner of their essay contest. The award is available to high school students who have been accepted to a nursing program, undergraduates and graduate nursing students.
All applicants must have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 and be a legal resident of the US or Canada. To apply for this scholarship, take a look at Cascade’s requirements page and start writing your essay!
Scholarship Amount: $1000
Who qualifies: High school seniors, Undergraduates and Graduates in Nursing
Deadline for Application: August 1st
The Nursing Economic$ Foundation is a journal that aims to advance leadership in the field of nursing. The journal provides nurses with easy access to “information and thoughtful analyses of current and emerging best practices in health care management, economics, and policymaking.”
The Nursing Economic$ Foundation Scholarships are awarded up to four times each year to registered nurses who have been accepted to a Master’s or Doctoral nursing program. Applicants must plan to pursue a career in nursing with a specific focus on nursing administration, leadership, management, or education. To apply for this scholarship, check out the online application form and review the requirements.
Scholarship Amount: $5000
Who qualifies: RNs in a Master’s or Doctoral nursing program (with a focus on administration or management)
Deadline for Application: May 15th
If you have an interest in oncology, take a look at the Oncology Nursing Society Foundation (ONS) scholarship opportunities. Since 1981, the ONS has awarded over $30 million in government-funded nursing school scholarships, fellowships, scholarships, and more. Their mission is to improve the field of oncology nursing by endorsing highly trained nurses and improving the quality of patient care.
The ONS foundation offers Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctoral scholarships, each with separate deadlines and application requirements. They also provide funding for research and educational endeavors, so be sure to check out their entire catalog. To apply for these scholarships, select the type of funding that applies to you and review the application requirements.
Scholarship Amount: Varied
Who qualifies: Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctoral students.
Deadline for Application: Varied; refer to individual scholarships
Here are some of our top tips on applying for nursing scholarships for students. If you’re applying for one and are stuck on any part of your application, consider hiring a nursing scholarship expert to help you build strong materials and get funding.
You should build your materials at least three months before your first scholarship deadline. Scholarships commonly request a personal statement or a statement of purpose, which is a short bio about you and why you’re passionate about nursing.
You may also be required to provide a CV, letters of recommendation, copies of transcripts, parents’ financial information, and standardized test scores. Preparing these materials early will allow you to devote all of your time to the additional materials the individual scholarships will ask for later on, like application forms and specific essays.
It may seem obvious, but it’s crucial to stay organized when you’re applying for multiple scholarships. Each deadline should be on your calendar, and you should set up reminders for yourself periodically in the months leading up to each deadline. We’ve all missed a deadline before, but when it comes to financial aid - lateness isn’t an option!
Look over your scholarship materials for spelling and grammar mistakes several times, including in your name or the names of establishments, cities, and states. Scholarships are highly competitive, so it’s more important than ever to ensure that one spelling mistake doesn’t cost you the opportunity. Having friends, family, and professors take a look at your work is recommended.
Here are our answers to some frequently asked questions about scholarships.
Yes! There are plenty of US scholarships available for nursing students. To name a few, check out the:
Make sure to do plenty of research to find scholarships–you may be surprised by the number of options available to you.
There are plenty of financial aid options for nursing school if you want to avoid taking out student loans or need help paying for nursing school on your own. Most universities offer entrance scholarships, bursaries, and other types of financial aid. You can also do scholarship research to find out what your options are.
As one of the largest scholarships in the country, the Nurse Corps scholarship can be quite competitive; however, a minimum commitment of two years in a critical needs facility is required by recipients, which only some applicants are willing to make.
Earning a nursing scholarship is within your reach. There are plenty of opportunities out there for incoming and graduate nursing students. All you have to do is apply! Getting started on your materials early is an excellent way of ensuring that you’ll be able to devote enough individual time to each scholarship you apply for.
One last tip from us is to pay attention to the smaller scholarships - every penny counts, and earning multiple scholarships looks great on your CV and can even help you win more awards in the future.
Good luck!
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