39 Scholarships for Nursing Students

Nursing is a meaningful field with a steady job outlook, but the education can take years and cost real money. Figuring out how to pay for it is its own challenge. Scholarships are one of the best tools you have, and even a single award can make a real difference. Plenty are open to all kinds of nursing students, and many target specific specialties, cultural identities, military backgrounds, and other characteristics. Do not assume you will not qualify. Apply widely.

Nursing-Specific Scholarships

Registered nurse employment is projected to grow five percent through 2034, with about 189,100 openings each year, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Licensed practical and vocational nurse jobs are projected to grow three percent. With many states reporting nursing shortages, the demand is real, and both public and private organizations fund students who will help fill it.

American Red Cross Jane Delano Student Nurse Scholarship

Open to: Undergraduate or graduate nursing students who are employees of, or have volunteered with, an American Red Cross unit.

Requirements: Good academic standing in a U.S. nursing program with the equivalent of one year of college credits completed, plus Red Cross volunteer or employee service at least once in the past five years.

Deadline: May; check the Red Cross site for details.

Amount: A limited number of $3,000 scholarships, applied to tuition, books, and academic fees only.

How to apply: Complete the onsite application and a two-part essay covering your Red Cross experience and your plans in nursing.

Association of periOperative Registered Nurses (AORN) Foundation Scholarship

Open to: Undergraduate and graduate students pursuing perioperative nursing in an accredited bachelor's, master's, or doctoral program.

Requirements: Interest in perioperative nursing, plans to continue in the field, and a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher. Financial need is also considered.

Deadline: Mid-June; check the AORN site for details.

Amount: Varies; covers allowable expenses like tuition and books, paid as reimbursement after you submit proof of payment.

How to apply: Apply on the website with an essay and personal statement on your interest and experience in perioperative/surgical nursing.

DAR Caroline E. Holt Nursing Scholarship

Open to: Students accepted to or enrolled in an accredited nursing school who demonstrate financial need.

Requirements: Proof of financial need plus a letter of acceptance or current transcript.

Deadline: February 15.

Amount: A one-time $2,500 scholarship awarded to three students per year.

How to apply: Apply on the website with a financial need form.

Coursey Enterprises Student Scholarships

Open to: First-year students in an RN or LPN program.

Requirements: U.S. citizenship.

Deadline: December 1 (spring) and May 1 (fall).

Amount: A $250 scholarship to one student each semester.

How to apply: Mail the application, a 200-word essay titled "Why I Want to Be a Nurse," and a personal photo.

Foundation of the National Student Nurses Association (FNSNA) General Scholarship

Open to: U.S. nursing students in a state-approved undergraduate or graduate program.

Requirements: Criteria vary by the annual sponsor and often emphasize a specialization. Applicants must be U.S. citizens or hold permanent resident status.

Deadline: Mid-January; check the FNSNA site for details.

Amount: $1,000 to $7,500 per academic year, paid to your school for tuition, fees, and books. Unused funds are returned at year's end.

How to apply: Apply online with an enrollment certification form, financial aid certification form, and transcript.

Hurst Review Services Nursing AACN Scholarship

Open to: Students at a school that belongs to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN).

Requirements: Pursuing a professional nursing degree at an AACN member school.

Deadline: January 15 and July 15.

Amount: Two $2,500 scholarships, awarded twice a year.

How to apply: Apply on the website.

HRSA NURSE Corps Scholarship Program

Open to: Nursing students accepted to or enrolled in an accredited diploma, associate, baccalaureate, or graduate program.

Requirements: U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident, free of federal judgment liens, existing service commitments, or overdue federal debt, and willing to work at an eligible facility with a critical nurse shortage after graduating.

Deadline: Varies; sign up on the site for cycle notifications.

Amount: Covers full tuition and fees, a monthly stipend, and costs like books, uniforms, and supplies. Accepting it commits you to a federal service obligation after graduation.

How to apply: Read the Application and Program Guidance document and apply online. A current FAFSA is required, and funding preference goes to applicants with financial need.

Cascade Healthcare Nurses Make A Difference Scholarship

Open to: Current undergraduate nursing students at an accredited school, and high school students accepted to college who plan to study nursing.

Requirements: Legal U.S. resident or student visa holder, at least 18, with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher.

Deadline: Early August; check the website for details.

Amount: A one-time $1,000 payment to the recipient's student account.

How to apply: Apply on the website with an essay on the current prompt.

TravelNurseSource Future U.S. Nurse Scholarship

Open to: First-time undergraduates with at least one semester completed in a U.S. nursing school.

Requirements: Legal U.S. resident, at least 18, with a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher.

Deadline: October; check the TravelNurseSource site for details.

Amount: A one-time $2,000 award paid to the school and applied to current tuition.

How to apply: Submit an application and a 30-second to one-minute video on why you want to be a nurse and the impact the award would have.

Tylenol Future Care Scholarship

Open to: Undergraduate and graduate students at an accredited nonprofit two- or four-year college, university, or vocational-technical school, pursuing a degree to actively treat patients.

Requirements: U.S. or Puerto Rico residency with at least one year of school remaining. Undergraduates must have completed at least one year of study by the deadline; graduate students provide proof of enrollment. Selection weighs GPA, academic records, community service, and a required essay.

Deadline: End of June; check the Tylenol site for details.

Amount: Ten one-time $10,000 awards and 30 one-time $5,000 awards each year, applied to tuition, fees, books, supplies, and required equipment.

How to apply: Upload the registration form, required documents, and an essay on the Tylenol site.

Scholarships for Adult Students

These awards help adults return to school and finish degrees that life interrupted.

B4 Brands Barbara Rhomberg Nursing Scholarship

Open to: Nontraditional, full-time students pursuing an undergraduate, associate, or bachelor's nursing degree.

Requirements: A gap of at least three years between high school and college enrollment. Past winners and applicants may reapply each year.

Deadline: End of March; check the B4 Brands site for details.

Amount: A one-time $1,000 award paid to the school for the fall semester.

How to apply: Download the application and return it with two letters of recommendation and an essay.

Unigo $10K Scholarship

Open to: Anyone 13 or older at the time of application.

Requirements: Legal U.S. resident, currently enrolled or enrolling at an accredited postsecondary institution.

Deadline: December 31.

Amount: A one-time $10,000 award paid to the recipient's institution.

How to apply: Apply on the website with an essay of 250 words or less on the current prompt.

Scholarships for First-Generation College Students

These awards ease the financial load for students who are the first in their families to attend college.

Kim and Harold Louie Family Foundation Scholarship Program

Open to: High school and current college students entering a U.S. college or university as a freshman in the upcoming year.

Requirements: Cumulative GPA of 3.4 or higher and a minimum SAT of 1200 (out of 1600) or ACT of 25. Preference goes to first-generation students, military service members or veterans, and applicants with financial need or a documented significant disability.

Deadline: End of March; check the Louie Family site for details.

Amount: About $100,000 distributed among recipients; individual amounts vary by year.

How to apply: Apply on the website with a 300-to-500-word essay on the current prompt.

The McKelvey Foundation Scholarship

Open to: High school seniors who will be the first in their families to attend college.

Requirements: Open to all fields. Preference goes to students with a record of community involvement and limited financial resources.

Deadline: Varies; check the McKelvey site for details.

Amount: 125 scholarships of $12,000 each, applied to a four-year college in the recipient's home state.

How to apply: Apply on the website.

Scholarships for Single Parents

These awards often cover educational costs and other expenses, since personal responsibilities can leave single parents short on both time and money.

Soroptimist Live Your Dream Award

Open to: Undergraduate women of any major who are the sole providers for their families.

Requirements: Proof of financial need and primary-provider status, enrolled in or accepted to a vocational/skills program or undergraduate degree, residing in the U.S. or a Soroptimist member country or territory.

Deadline: November 15.

Amount: $1,000 (local), $3,000 or $5,000 (regional), and three national awards of $10,000, for up to $16,000 total. Funds cover tuition, loans, childcare, or other costs that interfere with attending school.

How to apply: Apply on the website with an essay of 750 words or less on the challenges you have faced and how the award will help.

Women's Independence Scholarship Program, Inc.

Open to: Single mothers with young children who have survived domestic violence and want to return to school.

Requirements: Separated from an abusive partner for at least one year but no more than seven, a GPA of 2.75 or higher, and demonstrated financial need.

Deadline: Rolling; new submissions are reviewed in about two months.

Amount: $250 to $5,000, paid directly to the recipient for tuition, books, and other fees.

How to apply: Apply on the website.

Scholarships for Women

Women held more than 86 percent of U.S. nursing positions as of 2021, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. These awards support women building careers in the field.

Steven Bufton Memorial Educational Fund Legacy Scholarship

Open to: Women in their freshman or sophomore year of a nursing degree program.

Requirements: GPA of 3.0 or higher. At least three qualified applicants must complete the process for the award to be granted.

Deadline: Varies; check the Stephen Bufton site for details.

Amount: National scholarships of $5,000 to $10,000 each year.

How to apply: Apply on the website.

Scholarships for Men

Men make up about 14 percent of all RNs, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. These awards support men entering this predominantly female field.

Nursing.org Breaking Barriers Scholarship for Men in Nursing

Open to: Male students enrolled in an accredited nursing program.

Requirements: U.S. citizen, at least 18, with a minimum GPA of 3.0.

Deadline: Early August; check the Unigo site for details.

Amount: A one-time $500 award paid to the school. The recipient sits for two brief interviews, one at the award and one six months later.

How to apply: Apply on the website with an essay on the current prompt.

American Association for Men in Nursing (AAMN)

Open to: Undergraduate and graduate male students in an accredited nursing program who are AAMN members.

Requirements: Attending an accredited university with at least one academic term completed. Graduate applicants include RN students pursuing a master's, DNP, or PhD.

Deadline: Varies; check the AAMN site for details.

Amount: Two undergraduate scholarships of $1,000 each and one graduate scholarship of $1,500. The graduate recipient gives a 15-minute presentation at the AAMN conference or a 60-minute webinar on "Improving Men's Health."

How to apply: Apply on the website with an essay on the current prompt.

Scholarships for Veterans

These awards recognize veterans' service and can be key to re-entering the workforce. Some extend eligibility to a veteran's parents, spouse, and children.

Army Nurse Corps Association (ANCA) Scholarship

Open to: Students in a baccalaureate or advanced nursing or nurse anesthesia program who serve or have served in any branch of the U.S. Army, plus their parents, spouses, and children.

Requirements: U.S. citizenship. There is no military service obligation, and individuals funded by a component of the U.S. Army are not eligible.

Deadline: Varies; posted on the ANCA site each fall.

Amount: One-time $3,000 payments.

How to apply: Apply online with academic and personal recommendation letters, a personal statement, and proof of military service.

Purple Heart Scholarship Program

Open to: Purple Heart recipients who are members of the Military Order of the Purple Heart (MOPH), plus their spouses, widows or widowers, or direct descendants.

Requirements: A high school or GED graduate (or current senior), accepted or enrolled full-time at an accredited U.S. college, university, or trade school, with a cumulative GPA of at least 2.75.

Deadline: Varies; check the MOPH site for details.

Amount: Varying amounts to multiple winners each year.

How to apply: Apply on the MOPH site, which may require a personal essay and recommendation letters.

VFW Sport Clips Help a Hero Scholarship

Open to: Active duty, honorably discharged, retired, National Guard, or Reserve members enrolled in or accepted to a VA-approved program at an accredited postsecondary institution.

Requirements: U.S. citizen who has completed basic and follow-on training, holding or separated at military rank E-5 or below, with demonstrated financial need.

Deadline: April 30 (fall) and November 15 (spring).

Amount: $5,000, paid to the school for tuition and fees.

How to apply: Apply online with a current FAFSA report on file.

Scholarships for Minority Students

These awards build a more diverse nursing workforce. Some are open to all minorities; others target a specific group.

Asian American / Pacific Islander Nurses Association Scholarship

Open to: AAPINA members pursuing an undergraduate or graduate nursing degree.

Requirements: Two years of AAPINA membership and current active status, enrolled in an accredited undergraduate or graduate nursing program, with a GPA above 3.5/4.0.

Deadline: Varies; check the AAPINA site for details.

Amount: A one-time $500 award to one winner.

How to apply: Submit a CV, personal essay, and two recommendation letters to the Awards Committee chair.

Minority Nurse Scholarship Program

Open to: Third- and fourth-year minority students in an accredited BSN program or an accelerated path to a BSN (RN-to-BSN, BA-to-BSN), including accelerated master's-entry students with a non-nursing bachelor's.

Requirements: Racial or ethnic minority, U.S. citizen or permanent resident, with a GPA of 3.0 or higher.

Deadline: Varies; check the Minority Nurse site for details.

Amount: Two $1,000 scholarships and one $3,000 scholarship, disbursed in summer for the fall semester.

How to apply: Mail the application with a 250-word personal statement and a recommendation letter.

NSCDA American Indian Nurse Scholarship Program

Open to: Undergraduate and graduate nursing students in an accredited two- or four-year program who are at least one-quarter American Indian and enrolled in a tribe. Applicants who can prove direct tribal ancestry are also considered.

Requirements: Good academic standing in pre-nursing or a health program. Associate students must graduate in two years, bachelor's students in four. Applicants must show financial need and a career goal tied to Native American needs. Indian Health Service Scholarship recipients are not eligible.

Deadline: June 1 (fall) and December 1 (spring).

Amount: $1,500 per semester, renewable while in good academic standing, paid to the school for tuition, books, and program fees.

How to apply: Apply and submit required documents online.

Hispanic Scholarship Fund

Open to: High school seniors, undergraduates, community college transfers, and graduate students of Hispanic heritage, all majors, with an emphasis on STEM.

Requirements: Enrolled or planning to enroll at an accredited nonprofit four-year university or graduate school. High school applicants need a GPA of at least 3.0; college and graduate applicants at least 2.5. Open to U.S. citizens, permanent legal residents, and DACA or eligible noncitizens. Merit-based.

Deadline: Early April; check the HSF site for details.

Amount: $500 to $5,000.

How to apply: Complete the online profile.

National Black Nurses Association (NBNA) Nursing Scholarships

Open to: Undergraduate and graduate nursing students who are NBNA members.

Requirements: Good scholastic standing with at least one full year of school remaining. NBNA offers 17 scholarships a year, each with its own criteria.

Deadline: Varies; check the NBNA site for details.

Amount: $1,000 to $6,000, terms varying by scholarship.

How to apply: Apply on the website with a two-page essay and recommendation letters.

Scholarships for Students with Disabilities

ExceptionalNurse.com Scholarships

Open to: Full-time students with a documented disability who have applied to or been admitted to a college program.

Requirements: Undergraduates get preference. Applicants must show commitment to nursing study and career excellence. Several awards are given; check the site for individual criteria.

Deadline: June 1.

Amount: A one-time award of $250 to $500.

How to apply: Mail a one-to-two-page essay on how you plan to contribute to nursing and how your disability influences your practice. Medical verification of the disability is required.

DisABLEDperson Inc. Scholarship

Open to: Full-time students at an accredited two- or four-year U.S. college, plus part-time students who cannot attend full-time because of their disability.

Requirements: Register on disABLEDperson.com and become a community member before applying. Recipients must provide proof of disability.

Deadline: Varies; check the DisABLEDperson site for details.

Amount: A $2,000 scholarship each competition period.

How to apply: Register and apply on the website with an essay of 1,000 words or less.

Scholarships That Don't Require U.S. Citizenship

These awards open the field to international students and U.S. residents who are not citizens.

R&D Systems Scholarship

Open to: Students pursuing a baccalaureate, graduate, associate, or diploma in nursing or any science-related field.

Requirements: A declared major in nursing or a science field. Open to applicants worldwide.

Deadline: Two deadlines a year; check the R&D site for details.

Amount: A $1,500 scholarship to one student in fall and one in spring.

How to apply: Apply on the website with a personal statement of 500 words or less and a response to the prompt.

Gallagher Student Health Careers Scholarship Program

Open to: Full-time undergraduates pursuing a first degree at an accredited four-year institution with at least two full semesters before graduation.

Requirements: Open to non-U.S. residents and international students studying at a U.S.-based institution.

Deadline: Varies; check the Gallagher site for details.

Amount: Six $7,500 scholarships a year, split between fall and spring and paid directly to recipients.

How to apply: Mail the application, a financial aid form, a 500-word essay on your healthcare career choice, and two recommendation letters by the deadline.

Regional and State Scholarships

The nursing shortage keeps demand high nationwide, so many organizations offer geographically specific awards, some requiring recipients to work in the area for a set period. Wherever you live, search for scholarships in your state. A few notable examples:

California Health Professionals Education Foundation (HPEF)

Open to: Students at qualified nursing programs in California.

Requirements: HPEF runs six programs with different criteria. Some require a period of service to a medically underserved community after graduation.

Deadline: The cycle opens January 2; deadlines vary. Check the HPEF site for details.

Amount: Varies by scholarship.

How to apply: Complete the appropriate application on the website.

Georgia Nurses Foundation and Georgia Nurses Association Scholarship Awards

Open to: Full- or part-time undergraduate and graduate students who are Georgia residents in an accredited nursing program.

Requirements: Three co-sponsored scholarships: the Katherine Pope (non-RN seeking a BSN), the Annie Lou Overton (RN seeking a BSN), and the Kathryn Suggs Chance Leonard (master's or doctoral students). Undergraduates need a GPA of at least 2.5, graduates at least 3.0 in prior nursing education.

Deadline: June 15. Awarded every two years, in odd years only.

Amount: Varies by year, with a minimum of $500 guaranteed, paid directly to recipients.

How to apply: Submit a separate application and recommendation form for each scholarship.

Kaiser Permanente Healthcare Career Scholarship

Open to: High school seniors at each of 139 eligible high schools in the Kaiser Permanente Northwest service area, which runs from north of Longview, Washington to Eugene, Oregon.

Requirements: Minimum GPA of 2.5 and plans to pursue a healthcare career full-time at a nonprofit accredited U.S. college. No proof of citizenship or legal residency required.

Deadline: Early December. Registration opens in September.

Amount: One winner per eligible high school, with one-time awards of $2,000 to $10,000. The largest awards split across the first and second years of college. Recipients can later apply for a third-year award or a paid Kaiser Permanente summer internship.

How to apply: Apply on the website.

Nursing Foundation of Pennsylvania (NFP) Scholarships

Open to: Undergraduate, graduate, and post-graduate nursing students at a Pennsylvania nursing school.

Requirements: NFP runs several scholarships with their own criteria and separate applications.

Deadline: The cycle opens January 1; deadlines vary. Check the NFP site for details.

Amount: Varies by scholarship.

How to apply: Complete the appropriate applications on the website.

Pride Foundation Scholarship

Open to: Residents of Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, or Washington pursuing postsecondary education who identify as LGBTQ+.

Requirements: Three essays, a resume, and an academic transcript (transcripts required for Washington residents only).

Deadline: Varies; check the Pride Foundation site for details.

Amount: Multiple recipients receive varying amounts. In 2021, the foundation awarded 108 students a total of $705,000.

How to apply: Create an account and apply through the online portal.

Scholarships with No GPA Requirement

These awards skip academic minimums, which helps students whose GPAs do not reflect their commitment, including older applicants whose most recent grades are years old.

Niche Nursing Scholarship

Open to: High school and college students interested in nursing.

Requirements: A free Niche account. No essay, recommendation, or minimum GPA required.

Deadline: December 31.

Amount: A $500 scholarship each year.

How to apply: Apply through your Niche account.

Graduate and Doctoral Scholarships

Graduate students may have drained their resources earning a bachelor's, or face adding to existing undergraduate debt. These awards support the next step into advanced clinical or administrative roles.

Nurses Educational Funds, Inc. (NEF) Scholarships

Open to: Full- or part-time master's or doctoral students pursuing a nursing degree.

Requirements: U.S. citizen with a minimum GPA of 3.6, a current RN license from any U.S. state, and national professional nursing association membership. The board reviews applications for more than 20 scholarships, some focused on a specialization.

Deadline: Varies; check the NEF site for details.

Amount: Varies up to full tuition, depending on the scholarship.

How to apply: Apply on the website with a $20 PayPal fee, three reference forms, and a personal essay of 750 to 850 words.

Uniform Advantage-GNSA Scholarship

Open to: Graduate Nursing Student Academy (GNSA) members seeking a master's or doctoral degree.

Requirements: Currently enrolled in a graduate nursing program, a GNSA member, U.S. citizen, with a GPA of 3.5 or greater.

Deadline: January 31 and September 30.

Amount: Two $2,500 scholarships, one in spring and one in fall.

How to apply: Apply online with one academic or professional reference and a 500-word essay.

Other Financial Resources

Scholarships are only part of the picture. You can supplement them with federal financial aid, private or school-based grants, student loans, and work-study to bridge the gap between your resources and your bills. The Federal Student Aid website offers tools to estimate your eligibility, and most colleges require a FAFSA for any aid. If you take on debt, look into nursing student loan forgiveness, which regional and state health organizations and individual employers sometimes offer as an incentive to work in a given area or facility.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I find nursing scholarships I qualify for? Start broad and apply widely. Look at nursing-specific awards, then add scholarships tied to your specialty, background, military service, GPA, or state. Your school's financial aid office, national and state nursing associations, and the FAFSA are the best starting points. Do not screen yourself out; apply even when you are unsure you qualify.

Are nursing scholarships only for new students? No. Many awards are open to students already enrolled, including undergraduates, graduate students, and licensed nurses returning for an advanced degree. Some target specific levels, like the graduate and doctoral scholarships listed above.

Do I need a high GPA to win a nursing scholarship? Not always. Many awards set a minimum GPA, often around 2.5 to 3.0, but some require no GPA at all and weigh your essay, references, or financial need instead. The Niche Nursing Scholarship, for example, asks for no essay or minimum GPA.

Can international students or non-citizens get nursing scholarships? Yes. Some awards, like the R&D Systems and Gallagher Student Health Careers scholarships, are open to non-citizens and international students at U.S. institutions. Federal aid through the FAFSA generally requires eligible-noncitizen status, but private scholarships set their own rules.

Is the demand for nurses still strong enough to fund students? Yes. Registered nurse employment is projected to grow 5% from 2024 to 2034 with about 189,100 openings each year, and licensed practical and vocational nurse jobs are projected to grow 3%, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. That ongoing demand is why many public and private organizations fund nursing students.

What is the difference between a scholarship and a loan? A scholarship is money you do not repay, awarded for merit, need, or background. A loan must be repaid, usually with interest. Maximize scholarships and grants first, then use federal aid and loans to cover what is left.