Top MSN Scholarships for Nursing Students
The cost of higher education can be overwhelming. However, scholarships can help you pay for your master of science in nursing (MSN) program, regardless of whether you attend in person, online, or in a hybrid format.
Nurses may choose from two educational tracks when seeking an MSN: leadership and management or clinical. Leadership and management-oriented MSN programs prepare nurses to work as nurse managers, chief nursing officers, directors of nursing, and similar roles. Clinically focused MSN programs prepare nurses to be nurse practitioners (NP) in various patient-care-focused positions.
Scholarships can help students defray the costs of nursing school, while allowing them to focus on their studies. The list below details some of the top scholarships available for aspiring MSN and NP students. While the list is not exhaustive, it provides a current snapshot of the best scholarships available for prospective new learners in these important fields.
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Top MSN Scholarships
The following scholarships for nursing students can help offset the costs of your nursing program for students pursuing advanced nursing credentials, including MSN and NP. Examine application details closely, as requirements and deadlines vary.
Air Force Health Professions Scholarship Program
Who Can Apply: Sponsored by the U.S. Air Force, the Health Professions Scholarship Program offers two- and three-year scholarships for the following specialties: nurse anesthetist, certified nurse-midwife, women’s health nurse practitioner, and family nurse practitioner. The Air Force pays the scholarship winner’s tuition and fees and provides a monthly stipend. Awardees must fulfill a minimum three-year commitment to the Air Force after nursing school.
Amount: Varies
TYLENOL Future Care Scholarship
Who Can Apply: Each year, the TYLENOL Scholarship Program awards 35 nonrenewable scholarships to students pursuing an advanced degree in medical, nursing, or pharmacy programs. Applicants must be U.S. residents and either graduate students or college seniors already enrolled in a graduate program. Recipients must use scholarship funds on tuition, fees, books, and the equipment required for a full-time graduate student.
Amount: $5,000-$10,000
March of Dimes Graduate Nursing Scholarship
Who Can Apply: Through a partnership with Pampers, the March of Dimes offers several scholarships to RNs enrolled in graduate programs focused on maternal-child nursing. Applicants must be enrolled in a graduate program and an active member of one of the following organizations: American College of Nurse-Midwives; Association of Women’s Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses; or National Association of Neonatal Nurses.
Amount: $10,000
Nursing Economics Foundation Scholarships
Who Can Apply: The Nursing Economics Foundation offers up to four scholarships to RNs in a master’s or doctoral program that focuses on administration or management. Applicants must be RNs who have gained acceptance or are currently completing their master of science in nursing or a Ph.D. in nursing. After graduating, they must plan to pursue a career in nursing administration, management, leadership, or education.
Amount: $5,000
Oncology Nursing Society Foundation Scholarship
Who Can Apply: The Oncology Nursing Foundation and the Oncology Nursing Certification Corporation offer several nonrenewable scholarships to RNs earning a master’s degree and who are committed to pursuing a position in oncology. Applicants must be accepted or already enrolled in an accredited nursing program.
Amount: $5,000
Nurses Educational Funds, Inc. (NEF) Scholarship
Who Can Apply: The NEF Scholarship is available to current RNs pursuing an MSN at an accredited graduate school. Applicants must be members of a national professional nursing association, such as the American Nurses Association, a specialty organization, or an international honor society.
Amount: $2,500-$10,000
Deborah E. Trautman Future Nurse Leader Scholarship
Who Can Apply: The Deborah E. Trautman scholarship is available to two graduate nursing students committed to leadership roles in academic nursing. Applicants must be enrolled in a graduate program offered at an American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) member school connected with NursingCAS, a centralized application service for nursing programs.
Amount: $3,500
Nurse Think Scholarship
Who Can Apply: The Nurse Think Scholarship is open to nurses in master’s and doctoral programs at AACN member institutions who desire to become nursing faculty. Students who are members of the Graduate Nursing Student Academy receive $5,000 twice each year.
Amount: $5,000+
Career Mobility Scholarships
Who Can Apply: The American Nephrology Nurses Association (ANNA) awards multiple Career Mobility Scholarships. Candidates must have been an ANNA member for at least one year and accepted or enrolled in a BSN or MSN program.
Amount: Varies
Association of Rehabilitation Nurses
Who Can Apply: The Association of Rehabilitation Nurses (ARN) awards scholarships to graduate nursing students in MSN, DNP, DNS/DNSc, or Ph.D. programs. Candidates must be members of the ARN, have a minimum of two years’ experience in rehabilitation nursing, and be currently practicing in rehabilitation.
Amount: $1,500
Veterans United Foundation
Who Can Apply: The Veterans United Foundation Scholarship offers scholarships to veterans and their family members enrolled in an associate, bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree. Scholarship funds must be used only for eligible costs as determined by the foundation.
Amount: Varies
American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) Scholarship
Who Can Apply: The AANP Scholarship is exclusively awarded to AANP members enrolled in an accredited graduate school and pursuing an advanced nursing degree, including NP programs. Applicants must hold RN licensure with at least one semester of classes completed.
Amount: $2,500-$5,000
Nurse Practitioner Healthcare Foundation (NPHF)/Procter & Gamble Endowed Scholarship in Community Service
Who Can Apply: The NPHF/Procter & Gamble Endowed Scholarship is awarded to a graduate student enrolled in a nursing master’s or doctoral program. Applicants must also have made substantial positive contributions to their community or patient care while pursuing their advanced degree.
Amount: $1,000
Frequently Asked Questions About MSN Scholarships
Most MSN scholarships require an active nursing license and enrollment in or acceptance into a graduate program. Other requirements depend on the type of program and include interviews, letters of recommendation, commitment to serve, or active members of the organization conferring the scholarship.
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