50+ Nursing Scholarships To Help Pay For School

Most nurses borrow to pay for school. About 70% of nursing students take on debt, and BSN graduates leave school owing about $29,000 on average, while master of science in nursing graduates owe roughly $49,000 (AACN). Every dollar you win in scholarships and grants is a dollar you don't repay with interest, so treat the search as part of your tuition plan, not an afterthought.

Start by submitting the FAFSA as early as you can. It determines your eligibility for federal aid, and most schools and many scholarship sponsors use it to gauge financial need. Then work the list below. Professional associations, nursing schools, and private organizations all fund nursing students, and eligibility and application requirements vary by award.

Nursing Scholarships and Grants

A Nurse I Am. Sponsored by Cherokee Uniforms, this award goes to 10 students and includes Careismatic Brands nursing gear and Student Nurse Advisory Council membership. Open to any nursing student in an accredited program; requires an essay. Amount: $3,000.

AISES A.T. Anderson Scholarship. For students with tribal citizenship pursuing STEM or nursing degrees. Requires a resume, transcripts, proof of tribal citizenship, recommendation letters, and three essays of up to 500 words each. Amount: up to $2,000.

Alice Newell Joslyn Medical Scholarship. Supports students living in or attending college in San Diego County, judged on financial need, academics, and community awareness. Requires two recommendation letters, transcripts, a personal statement, and an estimated family contribution. Amount: $500 to $2,000.

American Association of Post-Acute Care Nursing Scholarships. AAPACN funds students interested in post-acute care at the bachelor's, master's, or doctoral level. Applicants must hold an RN, LVN/LPN, or CNA credential, and a supervisor must submit a recommendation. Amount: $3,000 to $5,000.

American Indian Medical Scholarship Program. For Indigenous American, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian nursing students who plan to serve their communities after graduation. Requires proof of tribal heritage, a recommendation from a school official, transcripts, a photo, and a biographical statement. Amount: $1,500 per semester for recipients in good academic standing.

American Legion Auxiliary Non-Traditional Nurses Scholarship. For Idaho residents who are members in good standing of the American Legion, Auxiliary, or Sons of the American Legion and whose education was interrupted or started later in life. Requires a personal statement, recommendation letters, transcripts with ACT or SAT scores, a resume, and proof of honorable discharge. Amount: $1,000.

American Nephrology Nurses Association Scholarships. ANNA funds BSN and master's students active in nephrology nursing, including clinical research grants. Most require an application, transcripts, recommendation letters, an essay, and proof of eligibility; applicants must be ANNA members. Amount: $1,000 to $4,375.

Arizona Foundation for the Future of Nursing Scholarships. AzFFN, part of the Arizona Nurses Association, funds undergraduate and graduate students attending nursing school in Arizona. Applicants must live in Arizona; guidelines vary by award. Amount: varies.

Army Nurse Corps Association Scholarship Program. For undergraduate or graduate nursing and nurse anesthesia students serving at any rank in the U.S. Army, including those honorably discharged. Current or former military spouses, children, and parents may also apply. Requires an application, recommendation letters, transcripts, a personal statement, school financial information, proof of service, and a photo. Amount: varies.

Association of Rehabilitation Nurses Scholarship. For ARN members in a BSN or graduate program with at least two years of rehabilitation nursing experience. Requires transcripts, a resume, a one to three page summary of goals and achievements, and a headshot. Amount: $1,500.

Barbara Rhomberg Excellence in Nursing Scholarship. Sponsored by B4 Brands for full-time associate or bachelor's students with at least a three-year gap between high school and college. Requires two recommendation letters, enrollment verification, and an essay. Amount: $1,000.

California BSN Scholarship. Funded by the state's RN licensing fee through the Department of Health Care Access and Information, this award targets high-need areas. Open to BSN students with a 2.0 minimum GPA who agree to work in a medically underserved California area for 12 months. The state also offers an ADN scholarship. Amount: up to $10,000.

California Advanced Practice Healthcare Scholarship. Also from the Department of Health Care Access and Information, for prospective nurse practitioners, clinical nurse specialists, and nurse midwives in approved California programs. Requires a 2.0 minimum GPA, no other service obligations, and 12 months of full-time practice in a medically underserved area. Amount: up to $25,000.

Caroline E. Holt Nursing Scholarship. A need-based award from the Daughters of the American Revolution for three students accepted into or enrolled in accredited nursing schools. Requires proof of financial need and transcripts or a letter of acceptance. Amount: $2,500.

Charlotte McGuire Scholarship. The American Holistic Nurses Association funds undergraduate and graduate members committed to holistic nursing practice; graduate applicants need a current RN license. Amount: $1,000.

Coursey Enterprises. Two awards each spring and fall for first-year students in RN or LPN programs. Requires a 200-word essay and a photo. Amount: $250.

District of Columbia Lena Ferguson Nursing Scholarship. Sponsored by the Daughters of the American Revolution and administered by the University of the District of Columbia. Two one-time awards go to graduates of D.C. public or public charter schools attending UDC or UDC-Community College with a 3.0 minimum GPA. Amount: $5,000.

Emergency Nurses Association Foundation Scholarships. ENA funds undergraduate, master's, and doctoral student members at accredited schools with a 3.0 minimum GPA. Requires two recommendation letters, one from an ENA member; prior recipients can't reapply in the same category. Amount: varies.

Exceptional Nurse Scholarships. This nonprofit supports nursing students with a documented disability who attend or plan to attend full time. Requires three recommendation letters, a one to two page essay, and transcripts. Amount: $250 to $500.

Foundation of the National Student Nurses' Association Undergraduate Scholarship. The NSNA foundation awards more than $500,000 a year to enrolled undergraduates focused on specialty areas. Requires financial aid certification and transcripts. Amount: up to $10,000 per year.

Foundation for Seacoast Health Scholarship. Includes the Steven Cutter Award for undergraduates and the Edwina Foye Award for graduate students. Open to health-field students from specific New Hampshire and Maine towns. Requires statements of support, an essay, and proof of financial need. Amount: varies.

George B. Boland Nurses Training Scholarship. Administered through a Forty and Eight Voiture Locale for U.S. citizens pursuing undergraduate or graduate nursing degrees who live in a Voiture Locale with an official nurse training program. Applications are available only at the Voiture Locale and must be mailed. Amount: up to $1,500.

GoodRx Students for Healthcare Equity Scholarship. Aims to increase healthcare diversity; usable for two- or four-year programs. Open to current or recent nursing students from under-represented populations with a 3.0 minimum GPA. Requires GoodRx registration. Amount: $5,000.

HRSA Nurse Corps Scholarship Program. Covers tuition, fees, and educational costs for nurses who agree to work in a critical shortage facility after graduation. Open to students in accredited nursing, nurse-midwifery, or nurse practitioner programs without federal judgment liens, existing service commitments, or overdue federal loans; financial need is preferred. Amount: full tuition, fees, and expenses.

Hurst Review Services/AACN Nursing Scholarship. Co-sponsored by Hurst Review and the American Association of Colleges of Nursing for undergraduates at AACN schools with a 3.2 minimum GPA. Requires registration with Hurst Review. Amount: $2,500.

Jane Delano Nursing Student Scholarship. From the American Red Cross, for undergraduate and graduate students who volunteer or work for a Red Cross unit. Amount: varies.

Johnson & Johnson Andrea E. Higham Memorial Nursing Scholarship. Offered with the NSNA foundation for undergraduates in a state-approved program who demonstrate financial need and strong academics. Graduate students qualify only in their first year of nursing study. Amount: up to $10,000 per year.

Kansas Nursing Service Scholarship. A service-based Board of Regents award for full-time LPN or RN students who commit to work at a Kansas sponsor facility such as a psychiatric hospital, home health agency, or adult care home. Requires a FAFSA, a committed sponsor, and the State of Kansas Student Aid application; a separate award supports nurse educator students. Amount: varies.

Lambda Pi Alpha Undergraduate Nursing Scholarship. For Lambda Pi Alpha members in the Chicago chapter who are Illinois residents in BSN or ADN programs. Requires a 3.0 minimum GPA, a personal statement, three recommendation letters, 20 hours of recent community service, one completed semester of nursing coursework, and proof of financial need. Amount: $1,000.

Marcella Niehoff School of Nursing Scholarships. Several awards for Loyola University Chicago nursing students at the undergraduate and graduate levels, applied for through the school portal. Amount: varies.

Marion A. and Eva S. Peeples Foundation Trust Scholarship. Administered by the Johnson County Community Foundation for graduates of Indiana high schools attending an accredited Indiana college full time. Amount: varies.

Mildred Nutting Nursing Scholarship. A need-based Daughters of the American Revolution award for students admitted to or attending an accredited program, with preference for the Lowell, Massachusetts area. Requires proof of financial need and a transcript or acceptance letter. Amount: $2,000.

Mitzi Harris Martin Healthcare Scholarship. Managed by the Johnson County Community Foundation for geriatric and long-term care nursing students in Johnson County, Indiana, who are 25 or older and commit to work in the field. Requires two recommendation letters, a professional reference, and a personal statement. Amount: varies.

National Association of Hispanic Nurses Scholarships. NAHN funds eight undergraduate and graduate students who are members enrolled full time in accredited programs. Requires two references, a 500-word essay, a transcript, and a resume. Amount: up to $10,000.

National Black Nurses Association Scholarships. More than 20 awards for NBNA members at the national and local levels who are currently enrolled with at least one full year of study left. Requires transcripts, a 500-word essay, two recommendation letters, a resume, and a headshot. Amount: $1,000 to $15,000.

National CPR Association. Open to undergraduate and graduate students in the medical sciences, including nursing. Requires a 500 to 1,500 word essay and school information; the top prize is $3,000, with free CPR certification access for second and third place. Amount: $3,000.

National Health Service Corps Scholarship. For full-time graduate students in accredited primary-care programs, such as nurse practitioner tracks, with no existing service obligations. Recipients serve two years full time in an underserved location for each year funded. Requires academic excellence, two recommendation letters, and three essays. Amount: tuition, fees, and a monthly living stipend.

Nightingale Awards of Pennsylvania. Funds three Pennsylvania residents with a 3.0 minimum GPA in a state board-approved program; high school students aren't eligible. Requires two recommendation letters, transcripts, and an acceptance letter. Amount: $1,000 minimum, varies.

Nurse Practitioner Healthcare Foundation Scholarships. For nurse practitioner students in a master's, DNP, or PhD program, funded through partners such as Procter & Gamble. Requires transcripts and a recommendation letter. Amount: varies.

Nurses Educational Funds Scholarships. Graduate-level support for licensed RNs who belong to a professional nursing association, have at least two semesters left, and hold a 3.6 minimum GPA. Requires three references, a personal essay and goals statement, and transcripts. Amount: varies.

NurseThink Scholarship. Awarded by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing for master's or doctoral students at AACN member schools who plan to become nurse faculty and belong to the Graduate Nursing Student Academy. Requires a career-plans essay. Amount: $5,000.

Nursing Foundation of Pennsylvania. Four awards for nursing students who reside in Pennsylvania, each with its own guidelines. Amount: $1,000 to $2,000.

Oncology Nursing Foundation Scholarships. Bachelor's, master's, and doctoral awards for RNs committed to oncology nursing who are enrolled in or accepted to an accredited program. Requires a recommendation from a supervisor or advisor. Amount: $3,000 to $7,500.

Scarlett Family Foundation. More than 750 awards a year for STEM or business students at four-year nonprofit institutions who graduated high school in one of Middle Tennessee's 40 counties. Requires a 2.5 minimum GPA, a 21 ACT, proof of financial need via tax returns, and an essay. Amount: varies.

Sigma Nursing Research Grants. Several grants for graduate students conducting nursing research; processes and criteria vary by grant. Amount: varies.

Sinclair School of Nursing Scholarships. Need-based awards for undergraduate and graduate students at the University of Missouri Health's Sinclair School of Nursing, matched to qualifications through an online portal. Amount: varies.

Tylenol Future Care Scholarship. Ten $10,000 awards and twenty-five $5,000 awards a year for graduate nursing students or college seniors headed to nursing programs with at least one year left. Requires transcripts, proof of community involvement, and two 500-word essays. Amount: $5,000 to $10,000.

Velma Flies Anderson Scholarship. For undergraduate seniors in accredited RN programs who live in the Mosaic Life Care Foundation service area and demonstrate strong clinical skills. Requires two recommendation letters, a 3.0 minimum GPA, and proof of financial need. Amount: varies.

Western Governors University Scholarships. Several health and nursing awards for WGU undergraduate and graduate students. Requires proof of financial need and the general scholarship application. Amount: varies.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you get a full scholarship for nursing school? Yes. Some awards, like the Nurse Corps Scholarship Program, cover full tuition in exchange for working in a high-need facility after graduation. Combine federal aid, school and association scholarships, and loan repayment programs to close the gap.

How do you pay for nursing school? Most students mix scholarships, grants, and government programs. Service-based programs such as Nurse Corps cover tuition for nurses who commit to high-need roles, while schools, state programs, and private organizations add scholarships and grants on top.

Does the FAFSA help with a BSN? Yes. Your FAFSA can qualify you for Pell Grants, work-study, and other need-based aid, and many schools and sponsors use it to set financial need.

Do hospitals help pay for nursing school? Many offer tuition discounts or remission to employees, often with a commitment to stay on after graduation. Nurses can also stack association, foundation, and school scholarships, plus loan forgiveness for working in eligible facilities.