Pursuing a career in nursing has never been more vital or rewarding. With the rising demand for healthcare professionals and the retirement of a significant portion of the nursing workforce, opportunities in nursing are expanding rapidly.
Scholarships for nursing students can significantly reduce education costs, allowing you to focus on what truly matters: providing essential care and advancing in this critical field. Whether you're starting your journey or seeking further specialization, this article guides you through finding and securing the right nursing scholarships for 2024.
$1,000
Award Amount
170
Awards
May 1
Deadline
This award is available to Kansas undergraduate students who are planning to enroll in a certificate/two-year vocational-technical program.
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$500
Award Amount
2
Awards
May 1
Deadline
This award is given to Maine residents planning to pursue or currently pursuing a bachelor's degree or higher in a nursing program in Maine.
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$1,000
Award Amount
5
Awards
May 1
Deadline
This award is for U.S. students pursuing a degree in the fields of gerontology, social work, long-term care administration, medicine, nursing, or sociology.
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$1,500
Award Amount
2
Awards
May 15
Deadline
This scholarship is available for current undergraduate students at the University of Maine. Applicants must reside in Buxton or Hollis, Maine and pursue a major in nursing or pre-medicine.
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$2,500
Award Amount
1
Award
May 15
Deadline
This scholarship is available for current graduating seniors and recent graduates of Ashland Community High School in Ashland, Maine. Applicants must plan to major in nursing.
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$1,000
Award Amount
5
Awards
May 31
Deadline
Registered nurses who are residents of North Carolina and have been admitted to a bachelor's or master's degree program in nursing in North Carolina are eligible for this award. Students must have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher.
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$10,000
Award Amount
5
Awards
May 31
Deadline
Residents of Chatham, Durham, Orange, Wake, or Person counties in North Carolina who are incoming or current undergraduate nursing students are eligible for this award. Students must demonstrate financial need.
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$5,000
Award Amount
5
Awards
May 31
Deadline
Residents of North Carolina who have been admitted to a program in North Carolina offering a master's degree or doctoral degree in nursing education, practice, or administration are eligible for this award. Applicants must have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher.
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$5,000
Award Amount
27
Awards
May 31
Deadline
This scholarship is open to U.S. undergraduate students of American Indian or Alaskan Native descent who are enrolled at Arizona State University, Northern Arizona University, San Juan College-Farmington, the University of Arizona, the University of New Mexico-Albuquerque, or Western New Mexico University. Students must major in health or a health-related field, have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher, and have demonstrated financial need.
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$1,250
Award Amount
27
Awards
May 31
Deadline
U.S. undergraduate American Indian or Alaskan Natives attending a tribal college are eligible for this award. Students must have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher, and must major in math, technology, science, engineering, and/or business.
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$5,000
Award Amount
27
Awards
May 31
Deadline
U.S. undergraduate American Indian or Alaskan Natives enrolled at Dine College, Tohono O'odham Community College, Navajo Technical College are eligible for this award. Students must have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher and pursue a health-related career.
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$2,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Jun 1
Deadline
The Oklahoma Nurse Education Program Scholarship is available for nursing majors in Oklahoma who have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher.
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$1,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Jun 3
Deadline
This award is available for U.S. college sophomores who are pursuing an associate's degree in nursing. Students must be a member of a local, state, or national student nurse association and actively participate in the association, and have a grade point average of 2.5 or higher on a 4.0 scale.
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$500
Award Amount
1
Award
Jun 30
Deadline
This award is available for U.S. registered nurses pursuing B.S.N.s; graduate students in nursing education, nursing administration, or adult education programs with priority given to master's level then doctoral level; non-academic nursing or nursing-related programs leading to a certificate; students enrolled in undergraduate BSN programs; and students enrolled in undergraduate ADN programs. Students must be residents of Kansas and attend a college or university in Kansas. Students must also have a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or higher.
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$1,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Jun 30
Deadline
The Recovery Village Healthcare Scholarship is available for U.S. students who are enrolled in or accepted to an accredited college or university. Applicants must plan to pursue a degree in a health-related field.
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$500
Award Amount
1
Award
Jun 30
Deadline
This award is available for U.S. nursing students who are residents of Kansas and attend a college or university in Kansas. Students must have a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or higher. The scholarship committee shall consider the following priorities in making scholarship recommendations to the board of trustees: Graduate and postgraduate nursing study; registered nurses pursing undergraduate degree in a formal nursing program or advanced nurse practitioner program.
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$5,000
Award Amount
5
Awards
Jun 30
Deadline
This scholarship is available for Virginia undergraduate and graduate students who are enrolled in a nurse midwife or nurse practitioner program. Students must attend a Virginia college and have a grade point average of 2.5 or higher.
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$300
Award Amount
1
Award
Jun 30
Deadline
This award is available for U.S. nursing students who are residents of one of the following Kansas counties: Anderson, Franklin, Linn, or Miami and attend a Kansas college or university. Students must have a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or higher.
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$6,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Jul 1
Deadline
This scholarship is available for adult re-entry students who are at least 25 years of age and residents of Butler County, OH. Applicants must have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher and plan to major in nursing or a related healthcare field.
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$1,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Jul 21
Deadline
This scholarship is open to full-time students at any of the campuses of the Community College System of New Hampshire who are pursuing associate's degrees in nursing. Students must have a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or higher and demonstrate financial need.
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$1,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Aug 1
Deadline
This scholarship is available for U.S. students who are majoring in nursing at an accredited college or university in the U.S. Applicants must have a grade point average of 3.5 or higher.
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$1,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Aug 1
Deadline
This scholarship is open to U.S. and international students who are enrolled in or have been accepted to an undergraduate nursing program. Students must have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher.
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$500
Award Amount
1
Award
Aug 1
Deadline
This scholarship is available for U.S. men who are majoring in nursing. Applicants must have a grade point average of 3.5 or higher.
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$1,000
Award Amount
4
Awards
Aug 1
Deadline
This award is for U.S. undergraduate nursing students who are residents of Michigan and attend a college/school of nursing in Michigan. Students must be members of the Michigan Nursing Students Association (MNSA) or the National Student Nurses Association (NSNA).
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$5,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Jan 29
Deadline
The Rosellen Dee Pearsall Nurse Scholarship Fund is available for students who are currently enrolled at and planning to continue at the University of Kentucky College of Nursing professional program.
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How do you Find Nursing Scholarships?
There are many places to find scholarships for nursing students. Private companies, non-profit organizations as well as state and federal governments all may be sources to find scholarships and grants.
Why Nursing?
Now more than ever, nurses and health professionals are in high demand. This is because many nurses are hitting retirement age and are beginning to leave the profession. In fact, 23% of nurses plan to retire between now and 2027! The demand is compounded by the fact that as Baby Boomers get older, their need for health care grows.
According to BLS, the average salary for a registered nurse in 2023 was $86,070 and many nurses make six figure incomes, depending on location and area of specialization. So, nursing can be a rewarding career in terms of helping others and the money you can make.
Finding a scholarship for nursing can help offset the cost of going to school to become a nurse or for current nurses to further specialize.. Scholarships can help students graduate and make impactful contributions in this fast growing field.
10 Nursing Scholarships in 2024 To Apply For
Find hundreds of college nursing scholarships for all kinds of nursing students. Be sure to read the eligibility requirements. Also submit your documents and essay by the application deadline.
- AfterCollege/AACN Scholarship
- Tylenol Future Care Scholarship
- Army ROTC Nursing 4 Year Scholarship
- Army ROTC Nursing 2 Year Scholarship
- ENA Foundation Graduate Scholarship Program
- ENA Foundation Undergraduate Scholarship Program
- Army Nurse Corps Association (ANCA) Scholarship
- Amy Hunter Wilson M.D. Scholarship
- A Nurse I AM Scholarship
- Barbara Rhomberg Excellence in Nursing Scholarship
Which Nursing Schools Offer Scholarships?
Accredited nursing schools may offer scholarships to newly admitted students. Drexel University, University of California, San Francisco, West Coast University and New York University are just a few schools that have distinguished nursing programs. Schools like these offer scholarships for both undergrad students and graduate students. While many nursing schools specify that awards are for full time students, they may allow part time working nurses who are continuing their education.
Drexel University College of Nursing and Health Professions
Located in Philadelphia, CCNE accredited Drexel University offers nursing programs at all levels. Students may pursue a BSN, MSN, DNP, certificates and accelerated programs. Thanks to donors, the school offers a few prestigious scholarships for undergraduates that factor in merit (GPA of 3.0) and financial need (FAFSA). Undergrads may receive the James H. Beaver III Endowed Scholarship Fund or Margaret Aiken Endowed Scholarship Fund.
New York University Rory Meyers College of Nursing
NYU offers CCNE accredited programs. Students may find a degree program for BSN, MSN, DNP, and PhDs. NYU also offers accelerated programs and dual degrees like a MS/Master of Public Health. There are also post masters certificates available. There are several NYU Rory Meyers scholarships. If you are a U.S. citizen or eligible non citizen, you must complete the FAFSA each academic year to see how much aid you qualify for.
University of California, San Francisco, School of Nursing
The UCSF School of Nursing offers more advanced programs for nurses in the field that wish to further their education or specialize. UCSF offerings include a Doctor of Nurse Practitioner program designed for students that already have an BSN or MSN as well as a PhD program in nursing and a mental health nurse practitioner certificate program. Stipends, grants, and student employment are all available for qualified UCSF students.
West Coast University
CCNE-accredited West Coast University (WCU) offers a wide variety of programs including Associates of Nursing, RN to BSN, RN to MSN, MSN, and Doctor of Nursing Practice options. WCU also offers certificate programs to existing nurses who are looking to specialize including Nurse Educator, Nurse Leader, and Psychiatric-Mental Health. WCU offers various scholarship and grant opportunities including the Centennial Merit Scholarship for certain undergraduate students participating in eligible programs.
Entry Level Nursing Programs
If you are just graduating from high school or are seeking a new career as a registered nurse (RN) or other nursing professional, community colleges, regional state schools, and other nursing schools may be your best bet. Getting into an entry level program especially to become an RN can be competitive because there are not enough spaces in RN programs at U.S. nursing schools, for all students that want to become an RN.
Nursing Scholarships for High School Students
There are plenty of sources that offer nursing scholarships for high school seniors. Here are some awards for high school seniors who want to pursue nursing.
The FNSNA Undergraduate Scholarship Program offers two distinct awards. General Scholarship Program is open to all currently enrolled students in the United States. Funding is up to $7,500 per academic year. These awards tend to reflect a specific area of focus within the nursing profession. It could be oncology, critical care, or emergency nursing. You may qualify if from a certain group underrepresented in the field of nursing.
Caroline E. Holt Nursing Scholarship is offered by the Daughters of the American Revolution. The award amount is $2,500 to three DAR members. Eligible applicants must show financial need. You also must be accepted into a nursing program.
Male Nursing Scholarships
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, male nurse practitioners and registered nurses are in the minority. In fact, there’s still a thought that nursing is ‘women’s work’. To break this barrier down, there are nursing scholarships for men to help cover the rising costs of nursing school.
For instance, Nursing.org offers an annual $500 award. It’s called Breaking Barriers Scholarship for Men in Nursing. The funds support men enrolled in an accredited nursing program. To qualify and apply you need a 3.5 GPA and must submit a 500 to 1,000 word essay.
Nursing Scholarships for Students of Color
Not only is there a shortage of nurses in the country, there is also a lack of diversity. According to a recent survey by Minority Nurse, 10% of RNs identify Black or African American, 8.3% as Asian, 4.8% as Hispanic or Latino, and less than 1% as American Indian or Alaskan Native. pMany providers offer scholarships for persons of color that want to pursue nursing as a career. They provide financial assistance to underserved and underrepresented students.
Each year, the National Black Nurses Association awards at least 13 scholarships. Award amounts range from $1,000 to $5,000. To qualify, you must be a current NBNA member. You must have at least one year of studies left to complete. Since there are multiple award programs, each one has slightly different criteria to meet. For example, the Rita E. Miller Scholarship offers up to $2,500. It’s for a BSN student attending a HBCU.
Since 1928, the NSCDA offers the American Indian Nurse Scholarship. The award gives students of American Indian heritage. You may receive $1,500 each semester. You also must return to work among their people to improve healthcare. Educational funds are for tuition and specific study expenses.
National Association of Hispanic Nurses offers annual scholarships. NAHN members must be enrolled in accredited LVN/LPN, associate, diploma, baccalaureate, and graduate nursing programs. Criteria for these awards factors in academic standing (3.0 GPA) and financial need. Eligible applicants must also show promise as future role models for other Hispanic nursing students.
RN to BSN Scholarships
Registered nursing (RN) programs are typically 2 year programs, however, as nursing care has become more specialized, more nurses are going back to school to earn their Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). In fact, according to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN), over 70% of nurses have earned a BSN. A BSN can provide many benefits including higher pay and opportunities for career advancement.
If you are an RN looking to upskill to a BSN, there are some great scholarship programs to consider including the RN to BSN Scholarship offered by Azusa Pacific University or the Margaret McClure Scholarship for RN to BSN students offered by Western Governors University (WGU). You can be awarded up to a $ 5,000 scholarship to attend WGU and you can complete the program 100% online. The AfterCollege/AACN $ 10,000 Scholarship Fund is also a great way to fund your RN to BSN education. Last but not least, Johnson & Johnson offers hundreds of scholarships to qualified nursing students including RN to BSN recipients.
MSN Scholarships
Many nurses are pursuing their Masters of Science in Nursing (MSN). An MSN prepares students for advanced nursing roles in leadership, research, and overall practice. WGU offers scholarship awards of up to $ 2,500 for students to attend its online MSN program. Other fantastic scholarship programs for pursuing your MSN is the Tylenol Future Care Scholarship which provides 35 non-renewable scholarships, the March of Dimes Graduate Nursing Scholarship – which both provide students with awards of up to $ 10,000.
Graduate and Doctoral Scholarships for Nurses
Nurses who want to practice advanced nursing may pursue a graduate degree. Graduate nursing programs include Masters of Nursing, Doctor of Nursing Practice and PhD. programs.These graduate level programs can prepare current health professions for licensure exams in niche fields or for teaching new entry level nurses.
The ENA is the Emergency Nurses Association. They offer the ENA Foundation Graduate Scholarship. These annual scholarship awards are for members pursuing a master’s degree. To qualify you must attend an ACEN or CCNE accredited nursing school. You must have a minimum 3.0 GPA. Only nursing administration, nurse practitioner, nursing education and public health nursing majors are eligible.
The American Association of Critical Care Nurses offers scholarships each year. The AACN/AfterCollege scholarship fund is for AACN members who want to fund a personalized learning plan. This is an activity that links your goals with a way to achieve them. The award amount may help pay for an internship, advocacy for health policy or another worthy activity. Funding goes up to $10,000 per person.
Full Ride Nursing Scholarships
The demand for qualified nurses is great so there are many scholarship programs out there to help nursing students pay for their education – in some cases for all tuition, fees, and other educational related expenses.
HRSA or Health Resources and Services Administration is a federal agency. It works to improve access to health care for the uninsured, isolated or medically vulnerable persons. One of the programs they administer is the National Health Service Corps (NHSC).They award scholarships and have loan repayment for students and nurse faculty. In return, you must serve at least two years at a facility that experiences a critical shortage of nurses or other health care professionals. Awards made under the NHSC Scholarship may cover full tuition and fees as well as other reasonable educational expenses while providing recipients with a monthly stipend – for up to four years.
Like the NHSC Scholarship, the Army Nurse Corps Scholarship program will provide awards equal to full tuition and you will get paid for your service! Other military branches including the Air Force and Navy have similar programs. These programs are great if you want to specialize in fields like critical care, midwifery, and more.
Grants for Nurses
Federal and state grants as well as institutional grants are available for RN, BSN, and masters programs. Some grants, like the Pell Grant, are need-based, however, many grants are available simply to make education more affordable. These grants can be merit-based or simply designed to encourage you to pursue or advance your career in nursing!
Nursing Scholarships for Older Students
Based on the demand for nurses as well as the income potential, many adults who have been working in other professions are heeding the call to start a new career in nursing! Even if you have been out of school for decades, state and federal grants as well as scholarships are available for many students.
Scholarships for Children of Nurses
If you have a parent who is a nurse, many local and state nursing associations provide scholarships that can help you create a nursing legacy including the California Nurses Foundation. Many states offer state scholarships and grants to children of nurses including Texas’ Children of Professional Nursing Program Faculty and Staff, which can provide qualified children of nursing professionals with up to free tuition to attend a Texas public college or university, to pursue a nursing degree.
Tuition Reimbursement for Nurses
Some employers such as Bright Horizons, Johnson & Johnson, VA, and governments as well as major health care systems like the Mayo Clinic, Cleveland Clinic, and HCA Healthcare, offer programs to reimburse nurses for their tuition costs. These tuition reimbursement programs may help current employees who want to advance their education while at work. Since it is often an employee benefit, it is likely there are rules regarding your contract and the amount available to help pay for your education.
Our Scholarships
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$1,500 – I Have a Dream
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$10,000 – Unigo $10K Award
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$1,500 – Sweet and Simple
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$2,500 – Superpower
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$3,000 – All About Education
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$1,500 – Fifth Month Scholarship
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$1,500 – Do-Over
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$1,500 – Flavor of the Month
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$1,500 – Make Me Laugh
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$1,500 – Shout It Out
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$2,000 – Zombie Apocalypse
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$5,000 – Education Matters
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$1,500 – Top Ten List
Written by Dave Moniz
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Edited by Unigo Staff