Ways to Find Amazing Scholarships for Nursing Students

Due to Baby Boomers retiring, the demand for nurses is stronger than ever before. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the job outlook for nurses is expected to grow by 9 percent through 2030. 

However, certain nursing specialties are seeing an even bigger spike in demand. For example, employment for nursing anesthetists, nurse midwives, and nurse practitioners is expected to grow by 45 percent through 2030, a rate that's about five times faster than the national average. 

With the demand for nurses growing, more and more colleges and universities are trying to attract students to their nursing programs. However, nursing school can be expensive, which is why it's a good idea to look into scholarships for nurses before you start applying. 

What scholarship opportunities are there for budding nursing students? Read our guide to find out. 

American Red Cross Jane Delano Student Nurse Scholarship

The American Red Cross Scholarship is available to both undergraduate and graduate-level nursing students. Students need to be employees of the Red Cross, or they need to have contributed to the Red Cross in a volunteer capacity. 

To apply, one needs to be in good academic standing in a US nursing program, and you need to have one year of college credits completed. The deadline for this scholarship is typically in May, but you should visit their website for further details. 

The Red Cross awards a limited number of $3000 scholarships to its applicants, and the scholarship money may be put toward tuition, books, or academic fees. The application requires a two-part essay. In part one of the essay, you need to explain your relevant Red Cross experience. In part two, you'll explain your plans in the nursing field. 

DAR Caroline E. Holt Nursing Scholarship

This scholarship is available to students who have been accepted or are currently enrolled in an accredited nursing school. Applicants will need to prove financial need with their application, and they'll need to send in official copies of their nursing school transcripts or a copy of a letter of acceptance to a nursing school. 

The DAR Caroline E. Holt Nursing Scholarship awards three applicants $2,500 each year. 

Coursey Enterprises Student Scholarships

This scholarship is available to first-year nursing students enrolled in an RN or LPN program. The program awards two scholarships each year worth $250.00. 

To apply, you'll need to send in a recent photo of yourself and a 200-word essay explaining why you want to become a nurse. If you plan to apply for the spring scholarship, you'll need to send in your application between September 1 and December 1. If you plan to apply for the fall scholarship, you'll need to send in your application between February 1 and June 1. 

American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) Scholarship Program

As the name suggests, this scholarship is available to nurse practitioners who are pursuing either a master's or doctoral degree. To apply, you already need to be licensed as a registered nurse. 

Awardees will receive scholarship funding in the amount of $2,500 to $5,000. To apply, you need to be a US citizen or permanent resident, and you can't be a member of the AANP board of directors or an AANP staff member. Additionally, you need to have at least one semester of your current nursing program completed. 

Applicants will need to send in a copy of their current program of study, a copy of their most recent transcript, two professional references, and a resume or CV. 

Geraldine “Polly” Bednash Scholarship

This scholarship is awarded four times per year to outstanding nursing students earning their bachelor's, master's, or doctoral degrees. 

The award amount is $5,000, and applicants need to have a 3.2 GPA to apply. They also need to be enrolled or admitted in a program at an American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) member institution. The scholarship application requires a 250-word essay in which you must detail your goals and aspirations as they relate to your nursing education. 

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

This scholarship is available to all nursing students who are enrolled in a state-approved graduate or undergraduate nursing program. The award ranges from $1,000 to $7,500 per academic year, and students can use the funds to offset costs associated with tuition, books, and academic fees. 

The application deadline is mid-January of each year. 

HRSA NURSE Corps Scholarship Program

The NRSA NURSE Corps Scholarship Program is open to all nursing students who are accepted or enrolled in an accredited nursing program at any level. 

All applicants need to be US citizens, and they need to be willing to work at an eligible organization with a critical shortage of nurses when they graduate. Award amounts and application deadlines vary each year, so you should check their website to find the most up-to-date information. 

TravelNurseSource Future U.S. Nurse Scholarship

This scholarship is available to first-time undergraduate students who have completed at least one semester of nursing school. Applicants need to be US citizens, at least 18 years of age and have a GPA of at least 2.5. 

A one-time award of $2,000 will be paid directly to the applicant's educational institution. As a part of the scholarship application, applicants need to send in a one-minute video explaining why they want to become a nurse and what impact the scholarship will have on their educational goals. 

TYLENOL Future Care Scholarship

The Tylenol Future Care Scholarship is available to all undergraduate and graduate students who are attending an accredited 2-year or 4-year program and seeking a degree that will allow them to actively treat patients. 

All applicants need to be residents of either the US or Puerto Rico, and they need to have at least one year of school remaining. Recipients are evaluated based on their academic achievements, GPA, volunteer service, community involvement, and required essay. 

Tylenol gives out ten one-time awards of $10,000 and 30 one-time awards of $5,000. Funds may be put toward books, supplies, or tuition fees. 

B4 Brands Barbara Rhomberg Nursing Scholarship

If you're a non-traditional student looking for scholarship money, the B4 Brands Barbara Rhomber Nursing Scholarship may be for you. The scholarship program defines a "non-traditional" student as someone who has at least a three-year gap between high school and their enrollment in college or university. 

One-time awards of $1,000 are available to full-time nursing students pursuing an undergraduate, associate, or bachelor’s degree. In addition to the application form, applicants are also required to submit two letters of recommendation and an essay. 

The Kim and Harold Louie Family Foundation Scholarship Program

First-generation college students comprise a third of all college students, and Harvard University 2021 freshman class was composed of 22.8% first-generation students. 

If you're a first-generation college student, there are scholarship programs specifically designed to help you ease financial burdens so you can set up a new norm for future family members attending college. One such scholarship program is the Kim and Harold Louie Family Foundation Scholarship Program. 

This scholarship is available to high school students and current college students. Applicants need to have a minimum GPA of 3.4, a minimum SAT score of 1200 out of 1600 (or 1800 out of 2400) or a minimum ACT score of 25. Approximately $100,000 is distributed among the winners. 

Along with the application, you'll need to submit a 300 to 500-word essay based on a current writing prompt. 

APU S. Evelyn Lewis Memorial Scholarship in Medical Health Sciences

This scholarship is available to undergraduate or graduate women who are enrolled in a program that will lead to a degree in health sciences or medicine. 

Scholarship awards vary from $500 to $1,000, and the award amount is deposited directly to the recipient’s college or university. To apply, you'll need to fill out an application on the website and submit a 150-word essay detailing your educational goals, community activities, and career aspirations. 

Nursing.org Breaking Barriers Scholarship for Men in Nursing

Men only make up 12% of all registered nurses, so it's no surprise that there are scholarship programs set up to add more gender diversity to the field. 

One of the top scholarships for men is available through nursing.org. Applicants need to be male students who are actively enrolled in a nursing program, and they need to have a minimum of a 3.0 GPA. One-time awards of $500 are given to recipients who demonstrate outstanding character, ability, and confidence in nursing.

Recipients need to participate in two brief interviews with a representative from Nursing.org. The first interview takes place at the time of the award and the second occurs six months later. Applicants need to complete an application on the website and submit an essay based on a writing prompt. 

Army Nurse Corps Association (ANCA) Scholarship

This scholarship is available to students enrolled in a bachelor's or advanced nursing program. Applicants need to have served or be currently serving in any branch of the US Army. The scholarship is also available to spouses, parents, and children of US Army members. 

The deadline for the scholarship varies each year, and one-time payments of $3,000 are given to award recipients. To apply, you need to send in a personal statement, academic and personal letters of recommendation, and documentation of military service. 

Minority Nurse Scholarship Program

The Minority Nursing Scholarship is available to third and fourth-year nursing students who are enrolled in an accredited BSN program in the United States. 

Applicants need to be of racial or ethnic minority, and they need to have a GPA of at least 3.0. One scholarship of $3,000 is awarded each year, as well as two scholarships of $1,000. To apply, you'll need to fill out an application form and submit a 250-word personal statement and letter of recommendation. 

NSCDA American Indian Nurse Scholarship Program

This scholarship is available to undergraduate and graduate nursing students who are enrolled in a 2-year or 4-year nursing program. Applicants need to be at least one-quarter American Indian and enrolled in a tribe. 

Winners will receive $1,500 per semester, and once accepted, applicants can reapply funds for each semester as long as they remain in good academic standing. To apply, you'll need to complete an application on the program's website. 

National Black Nurses Association (NBNA) Nursing Scholarships

This scholarship is available to undergraduate and graduate nursing students who are members of the National Black Nurses Association. Applicants need to be in good academic standing, and they need to have one year of nursing school remaining. 

Seventeen scholarships are awarded each year, and the award amount varies from $1,000 to $6,000. You'll need to fill out an application on the program's website and send in a two-page essay and letters of recommendation. 

ExceptionalNurse.com Scholarships

This scholarship is available to full-time nursing students with documented disabilities. Applicants will need to demonstrate academic excellence and a commitment to nursing. 

The application deadline is June 1 of each year, and one-time awards are given ranging from $250 to $500. To apply, you'll need to submit a one to two-page essay detailing how you plan to contribute to the nursing profession and how your disability influences your practice as a nurse. 

R&D Systems Scholarship

This scholarship is available to those pursuing a nursing degree who aren't citizens of the US. $1500 is awarded to one student in the fall semester and one student in the spring semester. 

You'll need to complete an application on the program's website as well as a 500-word essay on a given writing prompt. 

Scholarships for Nursing Students: Time to Apply 

Now that you know about the best scholarships for nursing students, it's time to start applying. While nursing school can be expensive, these scholarships can help you cut down on some of your costs and put you one step closer to achieving your dream of becoming a nurse. 

If you're interested in more scholarship opportunities, check out our scholarship directory.