The Best Nursing Scholarships For Men

Men still make up only about 1 in 8 registered nurses, roughly 13% by the Bureau of Labor Statistics' 2024 count. The scholarships below were built to close that gap. Many target minority or underrepresented students, awards can run past $10,000, and most ask for an essay, recommendation letters, and proof of community service.

Nursing was not always a woman's field. Men staffed military and religious nursing orders for centuries before the profession became predominantly female in the late 1800s. Stigma and gender stereotypes still push some men away, but stable pay, job security, and demanding clinical work keep drawing them back. If that is you, start here.

Key Takeaways

• Men are about 10% of registered nurses, so several awards exist to recruit and retain them.
• Many awards target minority or underrepresented students; some are open to all men in nursing.
• Amounts range from $250 to more than $10,000, and most ask for an essay and references.
• Membership in a group like AAMN unlocks awards you cannot get otherwise.

Scholarships for Male Nurses

Abbott Scholarship Fund. Minority nursing students planning to work in clinical research, including RN, nurse practitioner, and PhD students. Amount: $10,000.

American Association for Men in Nursing (AAMN) Scholarship. Current AAMN members in undergraduate nursing programs. Selection weighs financial need, community service, professional involvement, academic status, and certifications. Amount: $1,000.

American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) Scholarship. Prelicensure undergraduates at AACN-accredited schools, offered with NCLEX prep company Hurst Review Services. Amount: $2,500.

American Indian College Fund Scholarships. Students at accredited nonprofit colleges or tribal colleges and universities. Applications open each February. Amount: $2,000 to $3,000.

Army Nurse Corps Association Scholarship. Nursing students working toward a bachelor's or graduate degree who have current or past military service, plus immediate family members of service members. Amount: $3,000.

Asian American/Pacific Islander Nurses Association (AAPINA) Scholarship. Active two-year members in undergraduate or graduate nursing programs with a 3.5 GPA, an essay, and recommendation letters. Amount: $500.

Breaking Barriers: Scholarship for Men in Nursing. Men enrolled in an accredited nursing program with a 3.5 GPA. Requires an essay, personal statement, and resume. Amount: $500.

Coursey Enterprises Student Scholarships. First-year RN or LPN students. Apply with a 200-word essay on why you want to nurse. Amount: $250.

Emergency Nurses Association (ENA) Foundation Academic Scholarships. Members can apply at all levels; nonmembers are limited to undergraduate funding. Selection weighs goals, professional involvement, leadership, and references. Amount: varies.

Foundation of the National Student Nurses Association (FNSNA) Scholarships. Enrolled undergraduate nursing students nationwide. Criteria depend on the funding organization and often favor underrepresented specialties. Amount: up to $10,000 per academic year.

HRSA Nurse Corps Scholarship Program. Students who commit to working at a critical-shortage facility after graduation. Requires U.S. citizenship, no federal judgment liens or overdue debt, and no existing service commitment. Amount: based on financial need.

National Black Nurses Association (NBNA) Scholarships. NBNA members in a degree or diploma program, in good standing, with at least one full year of school left. Amount: $1,000 to $5,000.

National Hispanic Health Foundation (NHHF) Health Professional Student Scholarship. Full-time nursing students. Requires a personal statement, recommendation letter, proof of enrollment, and proof of U.S. citizenship, residency, or DACA status. Amount: $1,000 to $5,000.

Tylenol Future Care Scholarship. U.S. citizens accepted to or enrolled in a graduate nursing program with at least one year remaining. Requires an essay. Amount: $5,000 to $10,000.

United Health Foundation Diverse Scholars Initiative. Offered with the National Association of Hispanic Nurses. Open to rising sophomores and above with NAHN membership, conference attendance, full-time status, and a 3.0 GPA. Amount: $5,000 per year for up to three consecutive years.

Frequently Asked Questions

What percentage of nurses are men? About 10%. The 2024 National Nursing Workforce Survey put male RNs at 10.4%, down slightly from 11.2% in 2022.

Are there scholarships only for male nursing students? Yes. The American Association for Men in Nursing (AAMN) Scholarship and the Breaking Barriers Scholarship for Men in Nursing are reserved for men. Many other awards here accept all genders but prioritize underrepresented students.

Do I need to join an association to apply? For some, yes. AAMN, AAPINA, NBNA, and NAHN-linked awards require active membership, often for a year or more. Others, like the AACN and Tylenol awards, do not.

How large are these scholarships? They range from $250 (Coursey Enterprises) to $10,000 or more (Abbott, Tylenol Future Care). Several renew for multiple years.

What do applications usually ask for? Most want an essay or personal statement, recommendation letters, proof of enrollment, and sometimes evidence of community service or a minimum GPA.