Financial Aid For Students Of Color

Several racial and ethnic groups are underrepresented in nursing relative to the population they serve. Hispanic and Latino/a people make up roughly 19% of the U.S. population but about 7% of registered nurses, according to the 2024 National Nursing Workforce Survey, and a larger share of licensed practical nurses. Closing that gap matters: a more diverse nursing workforce expands access for patients who might otherwise feel unwelcome in the healthcare system.

Scholarships, grants, and loan forgiveness can cover much of the cost of nursing school. If you belong to an underrepresented racial or ethnic group, the awards below are a good place to start. Apply to general nursing scholarships as well, and read each program's current requirements and deadlines closely, since both change year to year.

Key Takeaways

• Several racial and ethnic groups are underrepresented in nursing relative to the patients they serve.
• National associations fund Black, Hispanic, Indigenous, AANHPI, and undocumented students.
• Apply to general nursing scholarships too, not only identity-based awards.
• Requirements and deadlines change yearly, so confirm current details before applying.

Scholarships for Black and African American Students

National Black Nurses Association (NBNA) scholarships. The NBNA offers several awards, generally $1,000 to $1,500, to members enrolled in a BSN or advanced nursing program who are in good academic standing. Selection weighs scholarship, financial need, leadership, and community service. Deadlines fall around mid-March.

Black Nurses Rock Scholarship. Open to members enrolled in a nursing program who can show financial need. Applications require transcripts, recommendation letters, a resume, and evidence of community service. Amounts vary; deadline mid-January.

Mae and Mary Legacy Foundation Scholarship. For graduating African American high school seniors headed to a two- or four-year university or technical school. Funds cover tuition, books, and fees. Applications include a cover letter, resume, essay, recommendations, and transcripts. Amounts vary; deadline March 31.

Association of Black Nursing Faculty (ABNF) Undergraduate Scholarship. For ABNF members enrolled in an undergraduate nursing program who are committed to serving the Black community. Amounts vary; deadline May 1.

Scholarships for Hispanic and Latino/a Students

HACER National Scholarship (McDonald's). Awards 30 students each year on a tiered basis, $5,000 to $100,000. Applicants need at least one parent of Hispanic or Latino/a heritage and are judged on community involvement, a personal statement, academics, and financial need. Deadline February 13.

Hispanic Scholarship Fund. Awards $500 to $5,000 to about 10,000 students of Hispanic heritage each year. High school applicants need a 3.0 GPA, college and graduate students a 2.5. Open to U.S. citizens, permanent residents, and DACA recipients. Deadline February 15.

National Association of Hispanic Nurses (NAHN) research grant. A $1,000 grant for an NAHN member pursuing a Ph.D. and conducting research to improve health outcomes for Latino/a populations. Applicants must be licensed RNs in a doctoral program and complete the project within a year of funding. Deadline in spring.

National Hispanic Health Foundation Scholarship. Provides $5,000 a year for up to four years to medical, nursing, dental, pharmacy, and public health students committed to serving Hispanic communities. Requires a 3.0 GPA, a strong leadership record, a personal statement, recommendations, and academic transcripts. Deadline September 13.

Latino/a undergraduate scholarship funds. Several national funds award $500 to $2,000 to Hispanic or Latino/a U.S. citizens enrolled full time in a four-year program, typically requiring a minimum GPA around 2.8, community involvement, and a recommendation from a community leader or faculty member. Some reserve awards for students in specific states.

Scholarships for Indigenous American Students

Indian Health Service Scholarship. For American Indian and Alaska Native students in undergraduate or graduate health professions programs. Recipients must be members of federally recognized tribes and commit to full-time clinical service after training. Amounts vary; deadlines typically in spring.

American Indian College Fund. Offers three scholarships, $2,000 to $3,000, for American Indian high school students, tribal college students, and students at non-tribal schools. Requires a 2.0 GPA and documentation of tribal affiliation. Deadline May 31.

Cobell Scholarship. Open to Indigenous American students pursuing higher education who have a legal connection to a tribal community and demonstrate active contribution to it. Amounts vary; deadline March 31.

Native Forward Scholars Fund. Runs more than 30 scholarships and fellowships, $100 to $30,000, for American Indians and Alaska Natives enrolled in federally or state-recognized tribes. Applications require a tribal eligibility certificate, financial needs form, transcript, essay, and references. Deadlines vary.

Some long-running endowed funds also award semester scholarships, around $1,500, to American Indian students entering healthcare or health education fields, renewable as long as the student stays in good academic standing.

Scholarships for Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Students

APIA Scholars. Awards $2,500 to $20,000 over multiple years to AANHPI undergraduates with at least a 2.7 GPA who are citizens, nationals, or permanent residents and have filed the FAFSA. Deadline January 11.

Asian American/Pacific Islander Nurses Association (AAPINA) Scholarship. A $500 award for AANHPI students in an accredited graduate, undergraduate, or pre-licensure nursing program with at least a 3.5 GPA. Requires a personal essay and two recommendations. Deadline July 26.

Against the Grain Groundbreaker Leadership Scholarship. A $1,500 award for Asian American high school and college students of any major who show leadership in their communities. Applicants must be at least 25% Asian or Pacific Islander, a citizen or permanent resident, enrolled full time, with a 3.5 GPA, and submit a video presentation. Deadline May 31.

Asian Pacific Community Fund (APCF) scholarships. Several awards each year for AANHPI students, based on academics, community involvement, and leadership, with many aimed at low-income or in-state students. Opportunities change often, so check current listings.

Other long-standing funds, some running since the late 1980s, award $3,000 to $5,000 to high school seniors of East, South, or Southeast Asian or Pacific Island heritage. Applications usually require essays, transcripts, recommendations, and a recent household tax return. Deadline around March 1.

Scholarships for Undocumented Students

Jack Kent Cooke Foundation College Scholarship. Up to $55,000 for high-achieving students with financial need at top four-year colleges. Students do not need to be U.S. citizens but must live in the U.S. Deadline May 9.

TheDream.US National Scholarship. Up to $33,000 for undocumented students, with or without DACA or TPS, who arrived in the U.S. before age 16 and before November 1, 2018. Selection emphasizes service and commitment alongside GPA. Renewable yearly. Deadline February 28.

TheDream.US Opportunity Scholarship. Up to $80,000 for undocumented students in states that bar them from enrolling or receiving aid. Covers tuition, fees, on-campus housing, and meals toward a bachelor's degree. Renewable. Deadline mid-March.

Esperanza Education Fund Scholarship. $3,000 to $16,000 for students born outside the U.S., or with two foreign-born parents, who are graduating from high school or earning a GED in DC, Maryland, or Virginia and enrolling full time in a public two- or four-year school. Household income under $100,000; no citizenship requirement. Deadline April 1.

Golden Door Scholars. For students who are undocumented, have DACA or TPS, hold a U-1 visa, or have a pending asylum or refugee application. Includes monthly coaching plus career support after graduation. Requires high financial need, recent high school completion, and at least four years living in the U.S. Awards are usable only at partner schools. Deadline October 1.

Eligibility differs for every award, so verify the details on each program's site before you apply.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are there nursing scholarships specifically for students of color? Yes. Groups like the National Black Nurses Association, the National Association of Hispanic Nurses, the Indian Health Service, and APIA Scholars fund students from underrepresented racial and ethnic backgrounds, on top of general nursing scholarships you should also apply for.

Why do diversity scholarships in nursing exist? Several groups are underrepresented in nursing relative to the patients they serve. Hispanic and Latino/a people are about 19% of the U.S. population but roughly 7% of registered nurses, per the 2024 NCSBN National Nursing Workforce Survey. A more representative workforce widens access for patients.

Can undocumented or DACA students get nursing scholarships? Yes. Programs like TheDream.US, Golden Door Scholars, and the Esperanza Education Fund support undocumented students, including those with DACA or TPS. Eligibility rules differ, so read each program closely.

Do I need a high GPA to qualify? It varies. Some funds set a minimum around 2.5 to 3.0; others weigh financial need, leadership, and community service more heavily. Apply broadly rather than ruling yourself out on GPA alone.

When are most of these scholarships due? Deadlines spread across the year, many between January and May. Track each one separately and submit early, since requirements and dates change yearly.