Nursing Scholarships for Hispanic and Latino Students
Are you ready to earn your online nursing degree?
Credit: wagnerokasaki / E+ / Getty ImagesHispanic and Latino/a students can pursue funding sources that apply specifically to their heritage, but they should also consider scholarships for all nurses. This guide offers advice and lists scholarship opportunities for current and aspiring nursing students at the undergraduate and graduate levels.
Undergraduate Nursing Scholarships
Eligible students can apply to these scholarships for Hispanic students, many of which accept applications from high school students and individuals admitted to, but not yet enrolled in, undergraduate nursing programs.
Who Can Apply:Students enrolled in a bachelor’s program may apply. Special consideration is given to individuals planning to become nurse educators, enroll in an RN-to-BSN bridge program, or complete an accelerated program.
Amount: $2,500
Who Can Apply: Nursing students pursuing a bachelor’s degree at an Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) or a Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)-accredited program may apply. Each candidate must possess a 3.0 GPA, and ENA membership is required for most scholarships.
Amount: Covers tuition and fees
Who Can Apply: Nursing students enrolled in or planning to enroll in a state-approved program leading to a diploma, associate degree, or bachelor’s degree may apply. Learners involved in student nursing organizations or community health, along with individuals with significant academic achievement or demonstrated financial need may qualify.
Amount: Up to $7,500
Who Can Apply: Bachelor’s-level nursing students with a 3.5 GPA accepted by or enrolled in a program accredited by ACEN or CCNE may apply.
Amount: $1,000
Who Can Apply: Students attending HACU-member colleges or universities (some scholarships specify select cities) who demonstrate financial need may apply. Most scholarships are open to all majors.
Amount: $500-$5,000
Who Can Apply: Community service-minded Hispanic and Latino/a high school seniors who plan to attend college and focus on a healthcare-related major qualify. Each candidate must possess a 3.0 GPA and U.S. citizenship, permanent residency, or DACA status.
Amount: Grant funding for college education
Who Can Apply: Graduating high school seniors with a 3.0 GPA, along with undergraduates and community college students with a 2.5 GPA transferring to a university may apply. Candidates must maintain full-time enrollment and possess Hispanic heritage.
Amount: $500-$5,000
Who Can Apply: High school seniors with a 2.8 GPA and at least one parent of Hispanic heritage may apply. Must attend college or university full time and maintain legal U.S. residency.
Amount: Varies
Who Can Apply: U.S. citizen, national, or legal permanent resident students accepted to or enrolled in nursing degree programs may apply. Recipients must commit to working in a critical shortage facility post-graduation, with preference given to applicants who demonstrate financial need.
Amount: Covers tuition, eligible fees, reasonable costs, and monthly stipend*
Who Can Apply: Full-time college students with a 3.0 GPA who attend the National Association of Hispanic Nurses (NAHN) conference gala and UHF Diverse Scholar Initiative; preference to rising sophomores and above
Amount: $5,000 per year for up to three years*
Graduate Nursing Scholarships
The following list includes scholarships for Latino/a and Hispanic students that apply specifically to nursing, as well as scholarships that don’t require Hispanic or Latino heritage.
Who Can Apply: Students enrolled in a master’s or doctoral program may apply, with special consideration given to those planning to become a nurse educator, complete an RN-to-MSN bridge program, or enroll in an accelerated program.
Amount: $2,500
Who Can Apply: Latino/a students pursuing a Ph.D. degree and conducting research in Latino healthcare improvement outcomes, along with NAHN members, may apply.
Amount: $1,000
Who Can Apply: Nursing students pursuing a master’s or doctoral degree at ACEN or CCNE-accredited programs. Each candidate must possess a 3.0 GPA and ENA membership.
Amount: Covers tuition and fees
Who Can Apply: California, Texas, and Washington registered nurses enrolled in an approved regional graduate program who plan to work in that region post-graduation may apply. Candidates must demonstrate a commitment to nursing education, academic achievement, and financial need.
Amount: Up to $7,500
Who Can Apply: Master’s or doctoral-level nursing students with a 3.5 GPA accepted by or enrolled in ACEN or CCNE-accredited programs may apply.
Amount: $1,000
Who Can Apply: Full-time master’s or doctoral students with a 2.5 GPA and Hispanic heritage, U.S. citizenship, permanent residency, or DACA status may apply.
Amount: $500-$5,000
Who Can Apply: Full-time graduate nursing students with a 3.0 GPA, documented leadership, and a commitment to healthcare for the U.S. Hispanic community may apply. Candidates must have U.S. citizenship, residency, or DACA status, along with NHMA membership.
Amount: Varies
Who Can Apply: Students accepted to or enrolled in a nursing degree program with U.S. citizenship or legal permanent residency status may apply. Candidates must commit to working in critical shortage facilities after graduation. Applicants with financial need receive preference.
Amount: Covers tuition, eligible fees, reasonable costs, and monthly stipend*
Who Can Apply: Graduate students in nursing focusing on specialties like administration, education, mental health, public health, and research may apply. Each candidate must possess a current registered nurse license, professional nursing association membership, and a 3.6 GPA.
Amount: Varies
Who Can Apply: Master’s- or doctoral-level nursing students focusing on nurse education who plan to pursue teaching careers may apply.
Amount: $1,000
Frequently Asked Questions: Scholarships for Hispanic and Latino/a Students
When should I start applying for scholarships?
High school students should start researching scholarships and applying in the summer between their junior and senior years. Current undergraduate and graduate students can find it helpful to sort their scholarship applications by deadline dates — focus on applications with fall deadlines over summer and awards with spring deadlines over winter break.
Who qualifies for Hispanic scholarships?
Hispanic scholarships typically require Hispanic heritage, often specifying that at least one parent holds Hispanic ancestry. Other common requirements include GPA minimums, enrollment or attendance plans at accredited colleges and universities, U.S. citizenship, legal residency, or DACA status. Some scholarships may require membership in specific organizations.
How do you get a Hispanic scholarship?
Students should research scholarships to identify opportunities with criteria that match their backgrounds and academic records. Scholarships may specify nursing or healthcare fields of study, but some scholarships for Hispanic students may apply to all majors. Schools and independent organizations often provide nursing scholarships for anyone with qualifying credentials and/or financial need, including Hispanic students.
Can international students study nursing?
International students can study nursing in the U.S. if they meet certain requirements. These include earning a passing score on the Test of English as a Foreign Language exam and proof of completion of prerequisite coursework to obtain a student visa. International tuition rates can be steep, so students should contact their schools’ financial aid offices to explore funding options.
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