Nursing Scholarships and Grants
Credit: Drazen_ / E+ / Getty ImagesMany nurses take out student loans to pay for a nursing degree. In fact, undergraduate nursing students graduate with an average of $23,000-$29,000 in student debt, while those with a master of science in nursing owe $49,000 on average, according to a report from NerdWallet.
Nursing students can limit their borrowing by maximizing their scholarships and grants. Professional associations, nursing schools, and private organizations offer scholarships for nurses. Check out our list of more than 50 nursing school scholarships to pay for your nursing program.
Nursing Scholarships and Grants
Nursing students qualify for many forms of nursing school financial aid. Submitting the FAFSA form is a critical part of the financial aid process for students across higher education. In addition to qualifying for federal student aid, the FAFSA can help you determine your eligibility for institutional aid and need-based scholarships.
Keep reading to find nursing scholarship opportunities. Eligibility and application requirements vary depending on the award.
A Nurse I Am
Ten students receive this scholarship sponsored by Cherokee Uniforms. The award includes a bag of Careismatic Brands nursing items and Careismatic Brands Student Nurse Advisory Council membership. Applicants must submit an essay.
- Who Can Apply: Any nursing student enrolled in an accredited program can apply.
- Amount: $3,000
AISES A.T. Anderson Scholarship
Each applicant must submit a resume, transcripts, verification of tribal citizenship, letters of recommendation, and three essays of up to 500 words each for this scholarship. Finalists need to submit additional documents for verification.
- Who Can Apply: Candidates must possess tribal citizenship and pursue STEM-related or nursing degrees to qualify.
- Amount: up to $2,000
Alice Newell Joslyn Medical Scholarship
Applicants entering healthcare professions or pursuing healthcare degrees can apply. Along with an online application, each student must provide two letters of recommendation, transcripts, a personal statement, and their estimated family financial contribution.
- Who Can Apply: This award supports students living in or attending college in San Diego County. Eligibility is based on financial need, scholastics, and community awareness.
- Amount: $500-$2,000
American Association of Post-Acute Care Nursing Scholarships
AAPACN offers multiple scholarships for students interested in post-acute care. Those earning a bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree can apply for a scholarship. A supervisor must submit a recommendation form.
- Who Can Apply: Applicants must hold an RN, LVN/LPN, or CNA credential.
- Amount: $3,000-$5,000
American Indian Medical Scholarship Program
This scholarship supports American Indian nursing and medical students who plan to provide healthcare in their communities after graduation. Applicants submit proof of tribal heritage, a recommendation from a school official, official transcripts, a photograph, and a biographical statement to qualify for this program.
- Who Can Apply: This scholarship is open to Indigenous Americans, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiian students pursuing nursing degrees.
- Amount: $1,500 per semester to recipients in good academic standing
American Legion Auxiliary Non-Traditional Nurses Scholarship
Idaho members of the American Legion can apply for this scholarship. Candidates submit a personal statement, letters of recommendation, high school or college transcripts with ACT or SAT scores, a resume, and proof of honorable discharge to qualify for this nursing scholarship.
- Who Can Apply: Residents of Idaho and members in good standing of the American Legion, American Legion Auxiliary, or Sons of the American Legion can apply if their higher education was interrupted or they started college later in life.
- Amount: $1,000
American Nephrology Nurses Association Scholarships
The organization offers multiple nursing scholarships and grants, including funding for clinical research. Most require an application, official transcripts, letters of recommendation, an essay, and documentation of eligibility.
- Who Can Apply: Students must be ANNA members, pursuing BSNs or master’s degrees in nursing, and actively involved in nephrology nursing to qualify.
- Amount: $1,000-$4,375
Arizona Foundation for the Future of Nurses Scholarships
AzFFN, part of the Arizona Nurses Association, offers multiple scholarships for undergraduate and graduate students attending nursing school in Arizona.
- Who Can Apply: Applicants must live in Arizona. Specific guidelines vary by award.
- Amount: Varies
Army Nurse Corps Association Scholarship Program
Army nurses qualify for this scholarship. Candidates submit an application, letters of recommendation, and official college transcripts. They must also provide a personal statement, school financial information, documentation of present or prior military service, and a photograph.
- Who Can Apply: Applicants may be undergraduate or graduate nursing students serving at any rank in the U.S. Army, including those who have received honorable discharge. Accredited nursing or nurse anesthesia programs qualify. Current or former military spouses, children, and parents may also apply.
- Amount: Varies
Association of Rehabilitation Nurses Scholarship
ARN offers undergraduate and graduate nursing scholarships. Applicants should submit official transcripts documenting enrollment in a BSN or graduate nursing program, a resume, and a 1-3 page summary of their professional and educational goals and achievements. They also need to upload a headshot.
- Who Can Apply: An ARN member enrolled in a BSN or a graduate program who demonstrates at least two years of rehabilitation nursing experience may apply.
- Amount: $1,500
Barbara Rhomberg Excellence in Nursing Scholarship
Sponsored by B4 Brands, this scholarship supports non-traditional, full-time undergraduate nursing students. Candidates must provide two recommendation letters, enrollment verification, and an essay.
- Who Can Apply: Full-time students pursuing associate or bachelor’s degrees in nursing may apply. Eligible candidates must have a gap of at least three years between high school and college.
- Amount: $1,000
California BSN Scholarship
Offered by the California Department of Health Care Access and Information, this award is funded by the state’s RN licensing fee and aims to distribute awards across the state to increase RN employment in high-need areas. California also offers an ADN scholarship.
- Who Can Apply: Students with minimum 2.0 GPAs pursuing BSNs may apply. Each recipient must be willing to work in a medically underserved area in California for 12 months.
- Amount: Up to $10,000
California Advanced Practice Healthcare Scholarship
Offered by the California Department of Health Care Access and Information, the scholarship supports nursing students pursuing advanced practice roles. Candidates must demonstrate minimum GPAs of 2.0 and be free of other service obligations. Each recipient must spend 12 months of full-time practice in a medically underserved area.
- Who Can Apply: This scholarship is open to prospective nurse practitioners, clinical nurse specialists, and nurse midwives attending California Board- or committee-approved programs.
- Amount: Up to $25,000
Caroline E. Holt Nursing Scholarship
The Daughters of the American Revolution sponsors this need-based scholarship. Each candidate must demonstrate financial need and submit their official college transcripts or letter of acceptance into a nursing program to qualify.
- Who Can Apply: This award supports three undergraduate students who are accepted into or enrolled in accredited nursing schools.
- Amount: $2,500
Charlotte McGuire Scholarship
The American Holistic Nurses Association supports nurses specializing in holistic nursing with its undergraduate and graduate scholarships. Qualifying members must demonstrate their commitment to holistic nursing practice.
- Who Can Apply: Undergraduate and graduate-level nursing students who are active AHNA members qualify. Graduate nursing students need a current RN license.
- Amount: $1,000
Coursey Enterprises
Coursey Enterprises sponsors two scholarships every spring and fall. Applicants must submit a 200-word personal essay and photo to qualify.
- Who Can Apply: Candidates must be first-year nursing students enrolled in registered nursing or licensed practical nurse programs.
- Amount: $250
District of Columbia Lena Ferguson Nursing Scholarship
This award is sponsored by the Daughters of the American Revolution and administered by the University of the District of Columbia. Two one-time awards go to graduates of public schools or public charter schools in Washington, D.C., attending nursing programs at the University of the District of Columbia or the University of the District of Columbia-Community College.
- Who Can Apply: Nursing students at the University of the District of Columbia who maintain GPAs of 3.0 or higher may apply.
- Amount: $5,000
Emergency Nurses Association Foundation Scholarships
ENA offers multiple scholarships for undergraduates, master’s students, and doctoral candidates. Applicants need a minimum GPA of 3.0 and must attend an accredited university. The scholarship requires two letters of recommendation, one of which must be from an ENA member.
- Who Can Apply: All scholarships are open to student ENA members. Previous recipients cannot apply under the same category.
- Amount: Varies
Exceptional Nurse Scholarships
This nonprofit organization supports nurses with disabilities and offers multiple scholarships. Applicants must have a documented disability and submit three letters of recommendation, a 1-2 page essay, and official high school and/or college transcripts.
- Who Can Apply: A candidate must have a disability and attend or plan to attend a nursing program full time.
- Amount: $250-$500
Foundation of the National Student Nurses’ Association Undergraduate Scholarship
The National Student Nurses’ Association offers multiple scholarships through its foundation, which awards over $500,000 in scholarship funding annually. Awards support nursing students in different specializations based on the scholarship sponsor. Applicants provide financial aid certification and official transcripts.
- Who Can Apply: The scholarships are open to currently enrolled undergraduate nursing students in the U.S. who intend to focus on specialty nursing areas.
- Amount: Up to $10,000 per academic year
Foundation for Seacoast Health Scholarship
The Foundation for Seacoast Health sponsors the Steven Cutter Award for Outstanding Undergraduate Student and theEdwina Foye Award for Outstanding Graduate Student. Applicants submit statements of support, personal essays, and proof of financial need.
- Who Can Apply: Candidates studying health-related fields who reside in Portsmouth, Rye, New Castle, Greenland, Newington, or North Hampton, New Hampshire; or Kittery, Elliot, or York, Maine, can apply.
- Amount: Varies
Frances Helen Ziegler Tunnell Scholarship
This need-based and merit-based scholarship supports Vanderbilt University nursing students pursuing MSN degrees. Six awardees receive full tuition scholarships. Applicants submit a statement of purpose, responses to essay questions, and letters of reference.
- Who Can Apply: Each candidate must be enrolled full time in an MSN program at the Vanderbilt School of Nursing and maintain a 3.0 GPA or higher.
- Amount: Varies
George B. Boland Nurses Training Scholarship
This scholarship is administered through a Forty and Eight Voiture Locale. Applications are available only at the Voiture Locale and must be submitted by mail.
- Who Can Apply: This award is open to students seeking undergraduate or graduate degrees in nursing. Each applicant must reside in a Voiture Locale with an official nurse training program and be a U.S. citizen.
- Amount: Up to $1,500
GoodRx Nurses for Change Scholarship
This scholarship aims to increase diversity in healthcare. Students can use the scholarship for two-year or four-year nursing programs. Applicants must register with GoodRx to apply.
- Who Can Apply: Current or recently graduated nursing students with minimum 3.0 GPAs from under-represented populations in healthcare are eligible to apply.
- Amount: $5,000
Health Resources and Services Administration Nurse Corps Scholarship Program
This award covers tuition, fees, and educational costs for nurses working in critical shortage facilities after graduation. Applicants submit recommendation letters, supporting documentation, and an essay to qualify. Eligible programs include nursing, nurse-midwifery, and nurse practitioner degrees.
- Who Can Apply: Applicants must be enrolled in an accredited nursing degree program at the undergraduate level and not have federal judgment liens, existing service commitments, or overdue federal loan payments. The Health Resources and Services Administration prefers students with financial need.
- Amount: Tuition, fees, and educational expenses
Hurst Review Services/AACN Nursing Scholarship
Hurst Review and the American Association of Colleges of Nursing co-sponsor this award. Applicants must register with Hurst Review Services before completing an online application. Hurst is a review service for nurses preparing for the National Council Licensure Examination.
- Who Can Apply: Open to undergraduate students enrolled at AACN schools with a minimum 3.2 GPA.
- Amount: $2,500
Jane Delano Nursing Student Scholarship
Offered by the American Red Cross, the award supports nurses and encourages new nurses to become involved with the Red Cross.
- Who Can Apply: Undergraduate and graduate who volunteer or work for an American Red Cross Unit.
- Amount: Varies
Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago Academic Scholarship
Nursing students with financial need and academic promise qualify for this award. This renewable scholarship suits students entering full-time undergraduate and graduate degrees.
- Who Can Apply: Applicants must be Jewish, raised in the Chicago metropolitan area, or have worked full-time in the area for at least one year and intend to remain in the area after graduation.
- Amount: Up to $4,000
Johnson & Johnson Andrea E. Higham Memorial Nursing Scholarship
Johnson and Johnson, in partnership with the Foundation of the National Student Nurses’ Association, sponsors this scholarship to support nursing students. Applicants must demonstrate financial need and strong academic achievement.
- Who Can Apply: Undergraduate nursing students enrolled in a state-approved program qualify. Graduate students cannot apply unless they are in their first year of nursing studies.
- Amount: Up to $10,000 per academic year
Kansas Nursing Service Scholarship
Undergraduates enrolled full time in Kansas nursing programs qualify for this Board of Regents scholarship. Applicants submit a FAFSA, commit to an eligible sponsor, and complete the State of Kansas Student Aid application. Kansas also offers a scholarship to support graduate students in nurse educator programs.
- Who Can Apply: This service-based award funds LPN or RN students who commit to practice in Kansas sponsor facilities such as psychiatric hospitals, home health agencies, and adult care homes. This award suits Kansas residents looking to work in Kansas healthcare roles.
- Amount: Varies
Lambda Pi Alpha Undergraduate Nursing Scholarship
Lambda Pi Alpha members in the Chicago chapter can apply for this nursing scholarship. Students submit official transcripts demonstrating a minimum 3.0 GPA, a personal statement, three letters of recommendation, and evidence of at least 20 hours of community service in the past year. Candidates must also have completed at least one semester of nursing coursework and demonstrate financial need.
- Who Can Apply: Candidates must be Lambda Pi Alpha members, Illinois residents, and undergraduate students enrolled in BSN or ADN programs to qualify.
- Amount: $1,000
Marcella Niehoff School of Nursing Scholarships
Loyola University Chicago students may apply for several nursing scholarships through the school’s online portal. Recipients may study nursing at the undergraduate and graduate levels.
- Who Can Apply: Applicants must be Loyola nursing students to qualify.
- Amount: Varies
Marion A. and Eva S. Peeples Foundation Trust Scholarship
Indiana nursing students can apply for this award. The scholarship is administered by the Johnson County Community Foundation and uses the foundation’s common application.
- Who Can Apply: Applicants must be graduates from Indiana high schools and attend an accredited Indiana college or university as a full-time student.
- Amount: Varies
Mildred Nutting Nursing Scholarship
Accredited nursing students can apply for this scholarship offered by the Daughters of the American Revolution. Candidates must demonstrate financial need and submit a transcript or letter of acceptance into a nursing program to qualify.
- Who Can Apply: Applicants should be admitted or attending an accredited nursing program. The scholarship gives preference to applicants from the Lowell, MA area.
- Amount: $2,000
Mitzi Harris Martin Healthcare Scholarship
Managed by the Johnson County Community Foundation, this scholarship provides financial support for geriatric nursing students in Indiana’s Johnson County. Candidates submit two letters of recommendation, a professional reference, and a personal statement detailing their interest in geriatric or long-term care.
- Who Can Apply: Applicants must be residents of Indiana’s Johnson County, 25 years of age or older, and enrolled or pursuing an advanced degree or certification in the specialty area of geriatric healthcare or long-term healthcare. Eligible candidates must commit to work in the geriatric healthcare community.
- Amount: Varies
National Association of Hispanic Nurses Scholarships
This association offers scholarship opportunities for eight undergraduate- and graduate-level nursing students. NAHN’s website provides individual criteria for each award. All scholarships require two references, a 500-word essay, a transcript, and a resume/CV.
- Who Can Apply: Candidates must be NAHN members enrolled full time in accredited nursing programs to qualify.
- Amount: Up to $10,000
National Black Nurses Association Scholarships
NBNA members can apply for more than 20 scholarships to cover the cost of a nursing program. Application materials vary among awards. Students submit official transcripts, a 500-word essay, two letters of recommendation, a resume, and a headshot.
- Who Can Apply: Candidates must be NBNA members at the national and local levels for eligibility. They must maintain current enrollment in a nursing program with at least one full year left in their studies.
- Amount: $1,000-$15,000
National CPR Association
The National CPR Association offers a scholarship for students. Along with a 500-1,500 word essay, applicants submit contact information and the name of their school. The first-place winner receives $3,000. Second- and third-place winners receive free access to the CPR certification program.
- Who Can Apply: Undergraduate and graduate students seeking degrees in the medical sciences, including nursing, qualify for this award.
- Amount: $3,000
National Health Service Corps Scholarship
The NHSC offers scholarships to students training to become primary healthcare providers such as nurse practitioners. Candidates must demonstrate academic excellence, submit two letters of recommendation, and write three essays for consideration. Recipients must perform two years of full-time service in an underserved location for each year they receive a scholarship.
- Who Can Apply: Full-time graduate students enrolled in accredited programs focusing on primary healthcare who do not have existing service applications can qualify.
- Amount: Tuition, fees, and a monthly stipend for living expenses
Nightingale Awards of Pennsylvania
This nonprofit organization provides scholarships for three residents pursuing nursing diplomas and degrees. Each applicant provides two recommendation letters, transcripts, and a letter of acceptance from their nursing program.
- Who Can Apply: Scholarships are open to Pennsylvania residents with minimum 3.0 GPAs attending a state board-approved program. High school students cannot apply.
- Amount: Varies; $1,000 minimum
Nurse Practitioner Healthcare Foundation Scholarships
Students in nurse practitioner programs can apply for scholarships through this foundation, which partners with organizations such as Proctor and Gamble to award scholarships. Applicants submit transcripts and a letter of recommendation.
- Who Can Apply: Candidates must be nurse practitioner graduate students enrolled in a master’s, DNP or PhD program.
- Amount: Varies
Nurses Educational Funds Scholarships
NEF offers financial assistance for graduate-level nursing students. Applicants provide three references, a personal essay and goals statement, and unofficial transcripts.
- Who Can Apply: Candidates must be licensed RNs and current graduate students who maintain membership in a professional nursing association. They must have at least two semesters of study left and possess GPAs of 3.6 or higher. Specific guidelines vary by degree.
- Amount: Varies
NurseThink Scholarship
Graduate students who plan to become nurse faculty can apply for this scholarship, awarded by the American Association of Colleges of Nurses (AACN). Students submit an essay on their career plans after graduation.
- Who Can Apply: Applicants must attend a master’s or doctoral program at an AACN member institution and hold membership in the Graduate Nursing Student Academy.
- Amount: $5,000
Nursing Foundation of Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania nursing students can apply for scholarships offered by the Nursing Foundation of Pennsylvania. Each of this organization’s four scholarships apply specific application guidelines.
- Who Can Apply: All awards are open to nursing students who reside in Pennsylvania.
- Amount: $1,000-$2,000
Oncology Nursing Foundation Scholarships
The Oncology Nursing Foundation offers bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral scholarships for RNs committed to working in oncology nursing. Applicants submit a recommendation letter from a supervisor or academic advisor.
- Who Can Apply: Nursing students who are enrolled in or accepted to an accredited nursing program.
- Amount: $3,000-$7,500
Scarlett Family Foundation
Students pursuing STEM or business degrees at four-year nonprofit institutions may apply online on the Foundation’s website. Applicants must demonstrate financial need through their 1040 tax returns. They should also submit information about their academic achievements, community service, and extracurricular activities, along with an essay. The Foundation awards more than 750 scholarships annually.
- Who Can Apply: Applicants must have graduated from high school in one of Middle Tennessee’s 40 counties. Any graduating high school senior or undergraduate student with at least one year left of school may apply. Students need to possess a minimum 2.5 GPA and score a 21 on the ACT to qualify for this award.
- Amount: Varies
Sigma Nursing Research Grants
Sigma administers several nursing scholarships and grants opportunities for graduate-level students. Application processes and eligibility criteria vary with each grant.
- Who Can Apply: These grants support graduate-level nursing students conducting research.
- Amount: Varies
Sinclair School of Nursing Scholarships
The University of Missouri Health’s Sinclair School of Nursing sponsors multiple internal, need-based awards for undergraduate and graduate students. Eligibility requirements vary among scholarships. The online portal identifies scholarship eligibility based on the applicant’s qualifications.
- Who Can Apply: Candidates must attend the Sinclair School of Nursing.
- Amount: Varies
Tylenol Future Care Scholarship
Tylenol offers 10 $10,000 scholarships and 25 $5,000 scholarships annually to support students pursuing healthcare careers. Applicants submit official transcripts, documentation of community involvement, and two 500-word essays to qualify for this scholarship.
- Who Can Apply: Graduate-level nursing students or college seniors who plan to attend nursing programs and have one or more years of school remaining can qualify.
- Amount: $5,000-$10,000
Velma Flies Anderson Scholarship
Nursing students with financial need can apply for this scholarship. Candidates must submit two letters of recommendation, hold a minimum 3.0 GPA, and live in the Mosaic Life Care Foundation service area to qualify for this scholarship.
- Who Can Apply: Undergraduate seniors attending accredited RN programs in the service can apply. Eligible candidates should demonstrate excellent clinical evaluation skills.
- Amount: Varies
Western Governors University Scholarships
Western Governors University nursing students provide documentation of financial need and submit general institutional scholarship applications to qualify. The university offers multiple health and nursing scholarships for undergraduate and graduate students pursuing nursing.
- Who Can Apply: Nursing students attending Western Governors University may apply.
- Amount: Varies
FAQ: Nursing School Scholarships and Grants
Yes, you can get a full scholarship for nursing. Nursing students attending accredited institutions can apply for federal student aid, nursing school scholarships, professional association scholarships, and other forms of financial aid to cover the cost of nursing school. Nurses may also qualify for state or federal loan repayment programs.
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