Guide to Financial Aid Scholarships for Nurses
| Timon Kaple
The demand for nursing jobs continues to grow, thanks in part to the aging baby boomer generation and a growing focus on preventive medicine and chronic illness management. Many employers are looking for nurses with a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN). A BSN allows nurses to access higher-paying positions and more diverse job opportunities.
However, nursing school tuition is on the rise, presenting hurdles for prospective students. Learners may find financial aid through scholarships, grants, or loans. Nurses who already have an associate degree can benefit from RN-to-BSN scholarships, along with the flexibility of online programs.
Prospective nursing students can apply for both public and private scholarship and grant funding. Financial aid providers include colleges and universities, businesses, nonprofit organizations, professional associations, and community foundations.
Additionally, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the Institute of Medicine recently launched an education initiative for professional nurses. One goal of this initiative is to ensure that 80% of RNs have earned a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) by 2020. As a result, more tuition funding is now available to RNs seeking a BSN.
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Grants and Scholarships for Nursing Students
In this section, we offer information on a variety of grant and scholarship opportunities for nursing students at all levels. We also highlight specific financial aid opportunities for minority students, military members and veterans, and master's degree-seekers.
Who Can Apply: Undergraduates in their third or fourth year of BSN or ADN programs in Illinois may apply. Applicants should have documented evidence of at least 20 hours of community service and a 3.0 or higher GPA.
Amount: $1,500
Apply for Beta Mu Chapter of Lambda Pi Alpha Sorority Scholarship
Who Can Apply: High school and college students who previously received scholarship money through Kaiser may apply. Applicants must live in Oregon or southwest Washington, known as the Kaiser Permanente Northwest service area, for consideration.
Amount: Varies
Who Can Apply: Students pursuing a master's degree in nursing, nursing administration, nursing education, or public health may apply. ENA expects applicants to have a 3.0 or higher GPA, two letters of recommendation, and hold a current ENA membership.
Amount: Varies
Who Can Apply: Undergraduate or graduate students with at least one year's worth of college credits and current enrollment in a U.S. nursing program may apply. Applicants should have documented volunteer experience with the Red Cross.
Amount: $3,000
Apply for American Red Cross Jane Delano Student Nurse Scholarship
Who Can Apply: Current or prospective students planning to pursue a degree in nursing or a related field may apply, except those in a pre-med program, physician assistant school, or veterinary school. Applicants should have a 3.25 or higher GPA.
Amount: $5,000
Who Can Apply: First-year students in an RN or LPN program may apply. Applicants must be a U.S. citizen and must include a 200-word essay, photograph, and required contact information when applying.
Amount: $250 per semester
Who Can Apply: This scholarship program is open to nursing students of any level, in any speciality nursing program. Students in diploma, pre-licensure programs are eligible. Students in RN-to-BSN, RN-to-MSN, and LPN/LVN-to-RN programs may also apply.
Amount: $7,500 per year
Apply for Foundation of the National Student Nurses' Association Scholarships
Who Can Apply: U.S. and international pre-licensure nursing students enrolled in schools with AACN membership may apply. Applicants must include an application form and a personal essay.
Amount: $2,500
Who Can Apply: Students accepted or enrolled in an accredited nursing program in the U.S. may apply. Applicants must not have federal judgment liens, an existing service commitment, or overdue debts to the federal government.
Amount: Varies
Apply for Health Resources and Services Administration Nurse Corps Scholarship
Who Can Apply: This scholarship is open to current undergraduate nursing students or high school learners accepted into an accredited college or university nursing program. Applicants should have a 3.0 GPA or higher.
Amount: $1,000
Apply for Cascade Healthcare Solutions Nurses Make a Difference Scholarship
Who Can Apply: Students pursuing a career in helping patients may apply. Applicants must be enrolled in two- or four-year graduate programs at a college, university, or vocational school.
Amount: $5,000-$10,000
Who Can Apply: ANTSHE reserves this merit-based award for students who are at least 23 years old and enrolled in a public two-year college or university. Applicants should also be a parent, veteran, low-income, or minority student.
Amount: Varies
Apply for Association for Nontraditional Students in Higher Education Scholarship
Who Can Apply: Full-time learners who took at least three years off after high school before enrolling in an undergraduate nursing program may apply. Learners at the associate and bachelor's levels are eligible.
Amount: $1,000
Who Can Apply: Minority students pursuing a career in healthcare who are residents or students in Minnesota or western Wisconsin are eligible for this scholarship. Applicants need at least a 2.0 GPA and must show financial need.
Amount: Varies
Who Can Apply: Female U.S. citizens pursuing a degree in the medical field are eligible for this scholarship. Applicants need at least a 3.25 GPA. Interested learners may reapply each year.
Amount: $5,000
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