40 Nursing School Scholarships

Scholarships fund your education without repayment, and they are one of the best ways to cut nursing school costs that can run from roughly $12,000 to $100,000 per year depending on the degree level. Below are 40 nursing scholarships, plus a few ways to make your application competitive. Deadlines listed are by month; most of these awards reopen each year, so confirm the current cycle with the sponsor.

Key Takeaways

• Nursing school tuition runs roughly $12,000 to $100,000 per year depending on the degree level.
• If you are already enrolled, undergraduate or postgraduate, you still qualify for many scholarships.
• A strong impression and the right references make your application stand out.
• Maximize free money first: file the FAFSA, then stack scholarships before taking on loans.

How to win a nursing scholarship

Scholarships are competitive, and the edge goes to applicants who clearly meet the qualifications. Three things move the needle:

• A focused, attention-grabbing essay introduction. Stay on the requested topic.
• References who actually know you. A reference who barely knows you writes a generic letter.
• Real alignment with the sponsor. Research the organization's mission and show how your goals fit it.

The scholarships

Listed by deadline.

QGenda – AACN Scholarship

For students in BSN and graduate programs. Minimum 3.5 GPA, one reference. Co-sponsored by QGenda. Amount: $5,000 one time. Deadline: February (accelerated BSN or MSN); July (undergraduate); October (graduate). Link

National Black Nurses Association (NBNA) Scholarship

For NBNA members in a nursing program at any level (including LPN/LVN), with at least one full year remaining and a 3.5 GPA. Amount: $1,000-$15,000. Deadline: March 15. Link

Past Presidents Parley Nursing Scholarship

For nursing students who are a veteran, child of a veteran, or veteran spouse/widow. Awarded by the Department of North Dakota American Legion Auxiliary. Amount: $500. Deadline: April 1. Link

Stephanie Carroll Scholarship

For nursing students who commit to long-term or post-acute care for two years after graduation. Awarded by the National Association of Directors of Nursing Administration in Long Term Care. Amount: $1,000-$5,000. Deadline: April 15.

Nurse I Am Scholarship

For current students at any nursing degree level. Sponsored by Cherokee Uniform. Includes a gift package and, for pre-licensure winners, a one-year AONL student membership. Amount: $3,000. Deadline: April 15. Link

March of Dimes Scholarships

For RNs in undergraduate or graduate programs with a maternal-child focus. Award type varies by year. Amount: Varies. Deadline: April 15. Link

Emergency Nurses Association (ENA) Foundation Scholarships

For emergency nurses and emergency-care workers (CNAs, unit clerks) pursuing a nursing degree at any level. Minimum 3.0 GPA, ENA membership required. Amount: Varies. Deadline: April 26. Link

AISES A.T. Anderson Scholarship Program

For undergraduate and graduate STEM students, including nursing, who are enrolled citizens or descendants of a tribal indigenous group. Amount: $1,000 (undergraduate); $2,000 (graduate). Deadline: April 30. Link

NLN Nursing Education Scholarship Award

For postgraduate NLN members pursuing nurse education, with at least one year of study completed and two letters of recommendation. Amount: Up to $8,000. Deadline: May. Link

NLN Edmund J. Y. Pajarillo Health Informatics and Innovation Scholarship

For postgraduate NLN members aiming to become full-time nurse educators, with at least one year of study completed. Special consideration for nurses of color and members of other marginalized communities. Amount: Up to $5,000. Deadline: May. Link

NLN Cecelia Lou Vriheas Scholarship Award

For postgraduate NLN members aiming to become full-time nurse educators who are first-generation college students from a marginalized group, with at least one year of study completed. Amount: $8,000. Deadline: May. Link

NLN-Health Carousel Foundation Nurse Educator Scholarship Award

For postgraduate NLN members aiming to become full-time nurse educators who earned an initial nursing degree outside the United States, with at least one year of study completed. Amount: $8,000. Deadline: May. Link

North Carolina Nurses Association (NCNA) Regional Scholarships

For NCNA members enrolled or accepted in a BSN or graduate program, awarded by region of residence or work. Amount: Up to $2,000 per year. Deadline: May 31.

Eunice Smith Scholarship

For RNs pursuing a BSN or graduate degree part-time. Awarded by the North Carolina Nurses Association. Amount: Varies. Deadline: May 31.

Texas Nurse Practitioners (TNP) Foundation Scholarship

For Texas RNs who have completed at least 25% of an NP program. TNP membership and Texas residency required. Amount: $1,500 one time. Deadline: May 31.

Katie Russell Memorial Scholarship

For Texas RNs at least 25% through a pediatric NP program. Awarded by Texas Nurse Practitioners; TNP membership and Texas residency required. Amount: Varies. Deadline: May 31.

Katherine Pope Scholarship

For pre-licensure BSN students who are members of a Georgia nursing organization and plan to work in the state. Awarded by the Georgia Nurses Association. Amount: Varies. Deadline: May 31. Link

Coursey Enterprises Student Scholarships

For first-year nursing students. Amount: Up to $250. Deadline: June 1. Link

Florida Nurses Association Scholarships

For nursing students at any level with at least one semester completed and a 3.0 GPA. Florida residency of at least a year required. Amount: Varies. Deadline: June 1. Link

Massachusetts Nurses Association (MNA) Scholarship

For RNs and healthcare professionals enrolled or accepted in a nursing/healthcare program. MNA membership and one year of field experience required. Amount: Varies. Deadline: June 1.

Nursing Incentive Scholarship Fund

For students enrolled or accepted in an LPN, undergraduate, or graduate program who commit to one year of full-time Kentucky nursing for each year funded. Awarded by the Commonwealth of Kentucky. Amount: Varies. Deadline: June 8.

Cherokee Nation Higher Education Scholarship

For Cherokee Nation citizens pursuing an initial undergraduate or graduate nursing degree. Applicants outside the reservation or contiguous area must qualify for the federal Pell grant. Amount: Varies. Deadline: June 15. Link

Continental Society Daughters of Indian Wars Scholarship

For enrolled tribe members in a nursing program who plan to work with their tribe or nation in education or social services. Amount: $2,500-$5,000. Deadline: June 15.

Darcy Lynn Dengel Foundation Nursing Scholarship

For BSN or graduate students who graduated from a Montana high school. Amount: $2,000 per year (up to $7,000 undergraduate, $4,000 graduate). Deadline: June 15. Link

Katie Brush Critical Care CNS Scholarship

For students in a critical care clinical nurse specialist program who are members of the National Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists, with a critical care background or goal. Amount: Up to $2,000. Deadline: June 26. Link

Golden State Nursing Foundation Scholarship

For California residents in a BSN or graduate program. Two awards per degree level. Amount: $500. Deadline: June 30.

DaVita Giving Foundation Nursing Scholarships

For prospective and current Western Governors University nursing students. Several awards; some state residency requirements apply. Co-created with DaVita Kidney Care. Amount: Varies. Deadline: June 30. Link

ImVein Healthcare Scholarship

For students in a graduate or doctoral healthcare program. Amount: $1,000. Deadline: July 1.

NurseThink – AACN Scholarship

For graduate and doctoral students at AACN institutions who want to become nursing faculty. Amount: $5,000. Deadline: July 15. Link

Antibodies-Online Annual University Scholarship

For high school seniors, undergraduates, and graduate students in a life science or related program. Amount: $1,000. Deadline: July 20. Link

Nurses Make a Difference Scholarship

For undergraduate nursing students or high schoolers pursuing nursing. Awarded by Cascade Healthcare Solutions. Amount: Up to $1,000. Deadline: August 1. Link

ARIN Dorothy Budnek Memorial Scholarship

For Association for Radiologic and Imaging Nursing members in an accredited program with a 3.0 GPA who work in imaging or radiology. Preference for members of at least a year. Amount: $600. Deadline: August 31. Link

Alabama Board of Nursing Graduate Nursing Scholarship

For Alabama-licensed RNs pursuing a graduate degree who have lived in Alabama for at least a year. Amount: Varies. Deadline: August 31. Link

Promise of Nursing Faculty Fellowship

For BSN-prepared RNs in a California postgraduate program with at least six credits completed who commit to a nurse educator role. Amount: $1,000-$7,500 per year. Deadline: Rolling. Link

HPNA Individual Education Scholarships

For nursing students at any level who work in hospice or palliative care. Five awards; HPNA membership required. Amount: $2,000. Deadline: TBA. Link

TYLENOL Future Care Scholarship

For undergraduate and graduate nursing, pharmacy, or medicine students who plan to treat patients directly. Awarded to 35 students. Amount: $5,000 or $10,000 one time. Deadline: TBA. Link

Uniform Advantage GNSA Scholarship

For graduate nursing students at accredited institutions who are GNSA members. Awarded by the AACN. Amount: $2,500 one time. Deadline: TBA. Link

Georgia Nurses Association (GNA) Academic Scholarships

For RNs in undergraduate and graduate programs who belong to a Georgia nursing organization and plan to work in the state. Amount: Varies. Deadline: TBA. Link

American Nephrology Nurses Association (ANNA) Career Mobility Scholarships

For ANNA members pursuing a BSN or graduate degree who are active in nephrology nursing. Six awards; three letters of recommendation required. Amount: Up to $4,000. Deadline: TBA.

Amerigroup Rural Georgia Nursing Scholarship

For LPN students in an RN program who commit to two years of full-time rural Georgia nursing. Awarded by the Georgia Nurses Association. Amount: Varies. Deadline: TBA. Link

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does nursing school cost? Tuition runs roughly $12,000 to $100,000 per year depending on the degree level, the school type, and whether you attend in state or out of state. That wide range is why scholarships, grants, and aid matter so much.

Can I get a scholarship if I am already enrolled? Yes. Many of the awards above are open to current undergraduate and graduate students, not just incoming applicants. Some specifically target students partway through a program or moving into an advanced degree.

How do I win a nursing scholarship? Meet the qualifications closely and put care into the application. A focused essay that stays on topic, references who genuinely know you, and clear alignment with the sponsor's mission are what move a committee.

Where should I look for more scholarships? Check your school's financial aid office, national and state nursing associations, and specialty organizations tied to your goals. The AACN and the Federal Student Aid site are good starting points.

Should I apply for aid before scholarships? Do both. File the FAFSA to unlock federal grants, work-study, and loans, then layer scholarships on top. Scholarships and grants are money you do not repay, so chase those before borrowing.

Is nursing still a strong career to invest in? Yes. Registered nurse employment is projected to grow 5% from 2024 to 2034, with about 189,100 openings each year, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Steady demand is part of why so many organizations fund nursing students.