Nursing Scholarships For Students Living With Disabilities

Paying for nursing school is hard, and a disability can make it harder. Private foundations and public agencies fund undergraduate and graduate study for students with disabilities, often tied to a specific program or condition. Start by filing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), then work the list below and ask your school what else is available to you.

Undergraduate Nursing Scholarships

This list is not exhaustive, but it covers a range of options for high school and undergraduate students.

AbbVie Cystic Fibrosis Scholarship. 40 students with cystic fibrosis. Requires proof of U.S. citizenship or permanent residency, academic achievement, extracurriculars, and creativity. Amount: $3,000.

Christopher Mark Pitkin Memorial Scholarship. Individuals with a bleeding disorder, or an immediate family member who has one, living in select Southern California counties (Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Luis Obispo, Ventura, Kern, Inyo, and Santa Barbara). Amount: $250 to $1,000.

Cochlear Americas Academic Scholarship. Recipients of Cochlear Nucleus Implants who are U.S. or Canadian citizens, high school graduates, with a 3.0 minimum GPA. Amount: $2,000.

CSU Dale M. Schoettler Scholarship for Visually Impaired Students. Visually impaired students at any California State University campus with a 2.8 GPA enrolled in at least 6.1 units. Amount: $10,000.

ExceptionalNurse.com College Scholarship Awards. Nursing students with a documented disability who have applied to or been admitted to a full-time program. Amount: $250 to $500.

Faith Hope and Love Jesus College Scholarship. Two undergraduates with documented blood disorders or cancer diagnoses. Requires a college acceptance letter or transcript and an essay on any topic. Amount: $500.

Flora Marie Jenkins Memorial Disability Scholarship. Students with documented disabilities pursuing a college degree. Requires U.S. citizenship or legal residency, enrollment in a two- or four-year undergraduate program, and an essay. Amount: $5,000.

GLHF Education Scholarship. Tuition assistance from the Great Lakes Hemophilia Foundation for students with bleeding disorders or their family members who live in Wisconsin or receive care at the Wisconsin Hemophilia Treatment Centers. Amount: up to $500 per class.

International Essential Tremor Foundation Scholarship. Students with an essential tremor, a 3.0 GPA, and a record of community service and leadership at accredited institutions. Amount: $7,500.

JCS Community Services Scholarship. The Jewish Federation of Baltimore offers this to Jewish high school seniors with learning disabilities who attend accredited U.S. schools. Amount: varies, averaging $4,000.

Jennifer Leigh Soper Cystic Fibrosis Scholarship. Sponsored by the Blue Grass Community Foundation for graduating high school students with cystic fibrosis heading to college. Past recipients may reapply annually. Amount: $1,000.

Kevin Child Scholarship. Students with hemophilia A or B attending college or vocational school. Requires a personal essay, official transcripts, and a recommendation letter. Amount: $1,000.

Mays Mission Scholarship. Students with a physical or mental disability scoring at least 20 on the ACT or 970 on the SAT, enrolled in a four-year program with a 3.0 GPA, who provide proof of enrollment each semester. Amount: varies.

Michael A. Hunter Memorial Scholarship. Students with leukemia or lymphoma, or who lost a parent to either, who are full-time, have financial need, and hold at least a 3.0 GPA. Amount: $2,000 to $5,000.

Sertoma Scholarship. Students who are deaf or hard of hearing with at least 40 dB bilateral hearing loss, who are U.S. citizens with a 3.2 cumulative GPA pursuing a bachelor's degree full-time. Amount: $1,000.

Graduate Nursing Scholarships

Several nursing roles require training beyond a bachelor's. These awards support graduate-level study.

Baer Reintegration Scholarship. Students diagnosed with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or schizoaffective disorder who are U.S. citizens or legal residents, 18 or older, in treatment, with three recommendations. Amount: varies.

Frederick J. Krause Scholarship. The American Association on Health and Disability awards this to graduate students with a disability who are U.S. citizens or legal residents and submit a personal statement, recommendation letter, and transcripts. Amount: $1,000.

INCIGHT Scholarship. Residents of Washington, Oregon, or California with any documented disability who provide enrollment verification, including for graduate school. Amount: varies, starting at $500.

LD Resources Assistive Technology Award. Graduate or undergraduate students with a learning disability and recent documentation can apply for a laptop or tablet. Applicants cannot be in their final year and must show financial need. Amount: assistive equipment.

NCCF Survivor Scholarship Program. The National Collegiate Cancer Foundation assists cancer survivors or current patients aged 18 to 35 enrolled in an accredited undergraduate, master's, or doctoral program. Amount: $1,000.

NCCS Beyond the Cure Ambassador Scholarship. The National Children's Cancer Society offers this to graduate or undergraduate students under 25 who were diagnosed with cancer before their 18th birthday, are U.S. citizens accepted to a postsecondary school, with a 2.5 minimum GPA. Amount: $3,500.

Soozie Courter Hemophilia Scholarship Program. U.S. residents with hemophilia A or B who show strong academics, submit a persuasive essay, and provide recommendation letters. Amount: $5,000.

UCB Family Epilepsy Scholarship Program. Awarded by UCB to individuals with epilepsy, their family members, and caregivers pursuing higher education, including graduate study. Amount: $5,000 to $10,000.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are there scholarships for nursing students with disabilities?

Yes, and plenty of them. They can cover tuition along with materials like textbooks or a laptop. Eligibility varies by type of disability, financial need, and program.

Can FAFSA help pay for nursing school?

Yes. Students who receive aid through FAFSA can apply it to tuition. It may not cover everything, but it cuts the cost. The maximum Federal Pell Grant for the 2025-26 award year is $7,395.

Are there full scholarships for nursing?

Yes, though they are competitive, and some require a service commitment, like the Nurse Corps Scholarship. Students with disabilities may also qualify for awards like the CSU Dale M. Schoettler Scholarship, which gives up to $10,000 to visually impaired students.

What counts as a disability?

The Americans with Disabilities Act defines disability as a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities. Colleges, universities, and scholarship providers may use their own definitions.