Nursing Scholarships for First-Generation College Students

Who Can Apply: Students of color planning to attend college in any major. More than half of all recipients are first-generation college students. Applicants must have a 3.3 GPA and demonstrate financial need. Some students receive full funding.

Apply for the Gates Millennium Scholars

Who Can Apply: Women ages 35 and older with incomes below the poverty level, including first-generation students. Applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents attending accredited vocational or technical schools, colleges, or universities.

Apply for the Jeannette Rankin National Scholar Grant

Who Can Apply: Women with international backgrounds, including first-generation Americans, who are entering U.S. colleges or universities. Each applicant submits two essays and two recommendation letters. Selected candidates are interviewed by phone.

Apply for the Red Thread Foundation for Women

Who Can Apply: Diverse candidates, including those from underserved communities who may also be first-generation college students. Applicants must be enrolled in accredited vocational, technical, or undergraduate degree-granting schools. Offered by Sallie Mae, this scholarship increases access to higher education.

Apply for the Bridging the Dream Scholarship Program for High School Seniors

Who Can Apply: Minority and underserved learners, including first-generation students in their final year of postsecondary education. Sallie Mae delivers awards based on financial challenges that threaten students’ ability to finish their degrees.

Apply for the Completing the Dream Scholarship Program

Who Can Apply: Full-time students who have completed one year of their associate or bachelor’s degree programs with a 3.0 GPA and demonstrate financial need. High school seniors are not eligible to apply.

Apply for the Scholarship America Dream Award

Who Can Apply: Incoming first-year college students, with a preference for first-generation students. Applicants need a minimum 3.5 GPA.

A total of $100,000 is awarded annually; individual amounts vary.

Apply for The Kim and Harold Louie Family Foundation Scholarship Program

Who Can Apply: First-generation college students are those with two parents who do not have a bachelor’s degree. The scholarship considers leadership, work experience, and unique personal or family circumstances.

Apply for the TIAA First-Generation Scholarship

Who Can Apply: Offered by the University of Central Florida, this scholarship supports a first-generation Florida resident attending the university’s college of nursing. Applicants must demonstrate financial need.

Apply for the First Generation College of Nursing Scholarship

Who Can Apply: West Chester University in Pennsylvania offers a nursing scholarship for first-generation students. Applicants must be at least rising sophomores; recipients can renew their award if they maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA.

Apply for the Lisa Steffy Montemuro ’81 Nursing Scholarship

Who Can Apply: Enrolled tribal members with 2.5 GPAs, including first-generation students, may apply for funds that support degree-seeking students in any field who want to serve their tribes after graduation.

Scholarships are awarded twice a year until students graduate.

Apply for the Association on American Indian Affairs Scholarship

Who Can Apply: Tribal members, including first-generation nursing graduate students, with 2.0 GPAs and demonstrated financial need. Recipients must commit to at least two years of postgraduate service in Indian healthcare.

Apply for the Indian Health Service Health Professions Scholarship

Who Can Apply: Graduate-level nursing students, including first-generation students, can apply for funding covering tuition and costs and monthly stipends. Criteria include native Hawaiian ancestry and a two-year commitment to work in underserved areas in Hawaii.

Apply for the Native Hawaiian Health Scholarship

Who Can Apply: NBNA awards several scholarships to its graduate student members, including first-generation learners. Each applicant must have at least one more year of school to complete and submit an essay for consideration.

Apply for the National Black Nurses Association (NBNA) Scholarship Program

Who Can Apply: Selected graduate nursing students, including first-generation applicants, receive a full year of funding. Qualifications include pursuing a primary care degree at an accredited program and a commitment to working in underserved communities.

Apply for the National Health Service Corps Scholarship Program

Who Can Apply: First-generation students enrolled in graduate nursing programs may apply if they commit to working in a critical shortage facility after graduation. The scholarship program prioritizes applicants with financial need.

Apply for the Nurse Corps Scholarship Program

Who Can Apply: NEF provides scholarships to advanced nursing program enrollees who demonstrate financial need, including first-generation students. Master’s and doctoral nursing students with registered nurse (RN) licenses and 3.6 GPAs can apply for funding to support their training at accredited schools.

Apply for Nurses Educational Funds (NEF)

Who Can Apply: Minority graduates and professional students from historically underserved communities. This includes first-generation nursing students pursuing master’s or doctoral degrees. Applicants must demonstrate financial need.

Apply for the Bridging the Dream Scholarship Program for Graduate Students

Who Can Apply: These scholarships support graduate nursing and certified nurse-midwife program students. Applicants must demonstrate a dedication to maternal and infant health.

Apply for the March of Dimes Nursing Scholarships