Nursing College Grants
Nursing School Grants
Grants for nursing education defray some of the cost of attending nursing school. Grants are available for qualified students, with many grants specifically geared to people in certain geographic areas or for students of a particular racial or ethnic group or to students studying specialty fields of nursing. These are some of the many available grant programs for nursing students or registered nurses looking to further their education.
General Grant Opportunities
Many nursing grants are open to application from any interested nursing student, regardless of geographic location, sex, race or ethnicity.
Foundation of the National Student Nurses’ Association FNSNA Annual Scholarship Program
The Foundation of the National Student Nurses’ Association FNSNA Annual Scholarship Program awards grants each year to nursing and pre-nursing students with emphasis to nurses from under-represented minority and ethnic populations. For more information or to apply, visit the Foundation of the National Student Nurses’ Association FNSNA Annual Scholarship Program website at www.nsna.org/foundation.
Global Scholarship Alliance Nurse Leaders for America Scholarship Program
The Global Scholarship Alliance Nurse Leaders for America Scholarship Program awards grants to American, Canadian and international nursing students who complete a bachelor of science in nursing or a master of science in nursing and agree to perform a specified length of service at an American hospital so that others can benefit from their education and experience.
The qualified applicant must already hold a registered nurses license and have at least one year of recent acute nursing care experience. For more information and to apply, visit the Global Scholarship Alliance Nurse Leaders for America Scholarship Program website at www.globalscholarship.net.
Health Resources and Services Administration, Bureau of Health Professions
Nursing students willing to serve in areas in critical need of nurses can apply for the Health Resources and Services Administration, Bureau of Health Professions grant available from the federal government.
The Health Resources and Services Administration, Bureau of Health Professions grants pay for tuition, fees and living expenses for up to two years for residents of the United States who are enrolled or accepted by an accredited diploma, associate degree, baccalaureate or graduate program in nursing. After graduation, the grant recipient must complete two years of service in an area in critical need of nurses.
For more information or to apply, visit the grant application website at bhpr.hrsa.gov.
Male Nurses
Men are in the minority when it comes to nursing students and working registered nurses. Several scholarships are geared to increase the number of men in this field and are organized by the American Assembly for Men in Nursing Foundation.
American Assembly of Men in Nursing Foundation Johnson & Johnson Nursing Scholarship Fund
The American Assembly of Men in Nursing Foundation Johnson & Johnson Nursing Scholarship Fund awards grants of $1,000 to men pursuing a degree as a registered nurse. Men applying for this grant must already be enrolled in a nursing program.
Twenty of these scholarships are awarded each year and four of the grants are dedicated to minority applicants or those with Hispanic or Latino ethnicity. Applications are accepted on paper through the United States Postal Service only.
For more information, visit the scholarship fund website at www.aamn.org.
Jadeh Moore Student Nurse Essay Contest
The Jadeh Moore Student Nurse Essay Contest offers a $500 grant for nursing students already enrolled in a nursing degree program. Students can submit an essay of up to 500 words in a MS Word document on how they arrived at the decision to pursue a nursing degree.
For more information on this grant, visit the American Assembly of Men in Nursing Foundation Jadeh Moore Student Nurse Essay Contest page at www.aamn.org.
Female Nurses
Women who want to pursue a degree in nursing can consider one or more of the many available scholarships and grants for studying and completing a nursing degree in an accredited nursing program.
Women in Healthcare Scholarship
The Women in Healthcare Scholarship offers a $1,000 grant to a woman entering a nursing program. The applicant must write a 500-to-750-word essay and have a cummulative high school grade point average of at least 2.75 on a 4.0 grading scale.
American College of Nurse-Midwives Foundation
The American College of Nurse-Midwives Foundation awards annual grants to student nurse-midwives who are enrolled in an accredited basic midwifery education program and have successfully completed at least one semester of study.
The American College of Nurse-Midwives Foundation also awards a graduate-level grant for certified nurse-midwives to complete a masters or doctoral degree in nursing. For more information, visit the American College of Nurse-Midwives Foundation website at www.midwife.org.
Caroline E. Holt Nursing Scholarship
The Caroline E. Holt Nursing Scholarship is awarded by the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution and awards grants in the amount of $500 to ten recipients annually. Grants are awarded to undergraduate students who are currently enrolled in an accredited school of nursing.
For more information or to apply, visit the scholarship website at www.dar.org.
Nurses with Disabilities
Nursing students with disabilities can apply for a scholarship grant through ExceptionalNurse.com. This $500 grant is for undergraduate and graduate nursing students who have disabilities and who commit to work with patients who have disabilities. For more information or to apply, visit the Exceptionalnurse.com website at www.exceptionalnurse.com.
Minority Nursing Grants
Nursing students belonging to a minority racial or ethnic group, or who plan to work serving minorities, can apply for a variety of minority nursing grants.
Indian Health Service Scholarship Program
The Indian Health Service Scholarship Program includes several different grants for students of recognized American Indian and Alaska Native tribes. The Preparatory Scholarship covers tuition and fees for students who enroll in accredited colleges and universities and take prerequisite courses for medical fields such as nursing and medicine.
The Pre-Graduate Scholarship awards grants to students who are majoring in fields including pre-nursing, pre-medicine and pre-dentistry. The Health Professions Scholarship awards grants that cover tuition, fees and living expenses who are accepted by or already enrolled in health service programs such as nursing.
Students must agree to work as a health professional for the Indian Health Service for a specified amount of time after receiving their degree and license to practice nursing. For more information or to apply for any one of the Indian Health Service grants, visit the Indian Health Service Scholarship Program website.
Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, William K. Schubert Minority Nursing School
The Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, William K. Schubert Minority Nursing School awards a $2,750 annual scholarship to a minority nursing student to increase the diversity of nurses at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital and in the general community. For more information or to apply, visit their website.
NBNA Scholarship Program
The National Black Nurses Association (NBNA) Scholarship Program awards grants in the amount of $500 to $2,000 to African American nursing students already enrolled in a bachelor’s level or higher nursing program or in LPN and diploma nursing programs. For more information or to apply, visit the National Black Nurses Association website.
American Nurses Association Minority Fellowship Program
The American Nurses Association Minority Fellowship Program awards grants to graduate nursing students who are members of racial or ethnic minority groups and are furthering their education to the doctoral level of nursing. For more information and to apply, visit the American Nurses Association Minority Fellowship Program website.
Chi Eta Phi Sorority Aliene Carrington Ewell Scholarship
The Chi Eta Phi Sorority Aliene Carrington Ewell Scholarship is awarded to African American nursing students pursuing a bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral nursing degree. The applicant must be a member of the Chi Eta Phi sorority and the American Nursing Association and have demonstrated experience in the advancement of nursing recruitment and retention of minority nurses.
For more information or to apply, visit the Chi Eta Phi Sorority Aliene Carrington Ewell Scholarship website at www.chietaphi.com.
Colonial Dames Indian Nurse Scholarship National Society of Colonial Dames of America
The Colonial Dames Indian Nurse Scholarship National Society of Colonial Dames of America is awarded to a student of American Indian or Eskimo descent who is studying nursing. The grant amount ranges from $500 to $1,000. To apply or for more information, call (803) 527-3140.
National Association of Hispanic Nurses, Houston Chapter
The National Association of Hispanic Nurses, Houston Chapter, awards grants to nursing students of Hispanic ethnicity. For more information, write to: Scholarship Chair, P.O. Box 12132, Spring, Texas 77391-2132.
Japanese American Citizens League (JACL) Scholarship Program
The Japanese American Citizens League (JACL) Scholarship Program offers a variety of scholarships to students who are members of this national organization. For more information or to apply, visit their website at www.jacl.org.
National American Arab Nurses Association
The National American Arab Nurses Association awards grants to nursing students and nurses looking to further their education. For more information or to apply, visit the National American Arab Nurses Association website at www.n-aana.org.
Speciality Nursing Grants
Students studying a sub-specialty of nursing such as neuroscience nursing, oncology nursing and other nursing specialties can seek grants within foundations and organizations of practicing nurses of those fields. These foundations offer numerous grant opportunities to students enrolled in nursing programs.
Neuroscience Nursing Grant
Nursing students wanting to specialize in neuroscience nursing can apply for a grant through the Neuroscience Nursing Foundation. These grants are meant to help nursing students who are conducting neuroscience research to further their research and contribute to the expansion of science and knowledge in the field.
Grant amounts range from $2,500 to $10,000. In addition, grants for nursing examination fees and materials are available. Grant applications must be completed online through the Neuroscience Nursing Foundation website.
Oncology Nursing Grant
Students in oncology nursing can seek a grant from the Oncology Nursing Society Foundation. This scholarship is awarded to students pursuing a bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral degree in oncological nursing.
The bachelor’s scholarship awards $2,000, the master’s program awards a $3,000 grant and the doctoral scholarship program awards a $3,000 to $5,000 grant. To apply, visit the Oncology Nursing Foundation website and complete the online application here.
Association of Perioperative Registered Nurses Scholarship
Students of perioperative nursing programs can apply for this scholarship to help pay for their bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral-level nursing studies. This grant is for students or existing registered nurses who are furthering their nursing education. To apply, visit the Association of Perioperative Registered Nurses Scholarship website.
State Nursing Grants
States with dire needs for registered nurses offer incentives and grants for students pursing a nursing degree.
Delaware Nursing Incentive Program
The Delaware Nursing Incentive Program awards up to $3,000 annually for residents of Delaware pursuing a nursing degree in an accredited nursing program. The incentive is repaid through nursing service in a public hospital within the state of Delaware.
For more information and to apply for the Delaware Nursing Incentive Program, visit the website at doe.state.de.us.
Health Professions Education Foundation
The Health Professions Education Foundation is for residents of California who are enrolled in a full- or part-time in a pre-nursing, associate degree or bachelor of science in nursing program at an accredited school in California.
Pre-nursing grants are for up to $4,000 annually, associate degree grants are for up to $8,000 annually and bachelor of science in nursing grants are for up to $10,000 annually. For more information or to apply, visit the Health Professions Education Foundation website at www.healthprofessions.ca.gov.
Idaho State Board of Education Minority and At-Risk Scholarship
The state of Idaho offers the Idaho State Board of Education Minority and At-Risk Scholarship to students attending an eligible college in the state of Idaho who meet at least three of five eligibility criteria for at-risk or minority students.
Applicants must have graduated from an Idaho high school and be residents of the state of Idaho. Grants of up to $3,000 per year are awarded for up to four years of study. For more information and to apply, visit the Idaho State Board of Education website.
Kaiser Permanente Deloras Jones RN Scholarships
Students enrolled in accredited participating nursing programs in the state of California can apply for the Kaiser Permanente Deloras Jones RN Scholarships awarded to students from lower-income and minority groups and male nursing students in California. For more information or to apply, visit the scholarship program website.
Kansas Board of Regents
The Kansas Board of Regents offers grants in the amount of $2,500 per year for licensed practical nurse programs and $3,500 per year for registered nurse programs to Kansas residents accepted by or already enrolled in a Kansas nursing program as a full-time nursing student.
The recipient must practice as a registered nurse or licensed practical nurse in Kansas after graduation, for a minimum of one year of service per year of scholarship support. The applicant must also find a health care facility to provide partial grant funding and full-time employment after the applicant receives a nursing license.
For more information or to apply, visit the Kansas Board of Regents website at www.kansasregents.org.
Mississippi Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning
The Mississippi Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning offers the Nursing Education Loan Scholarship Program (NELS) which awards grants up to the amount of $4,000 annually to Mississippi residents who attend a college or university in the state of Mississippi and who agree to work as a nurse in the state upon graduation and licensure as a registered nurse.
The grant is available to bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral nursing students. To apply for the NELS grant, visit the website at www.ihl.state.ms.us.
Mary Mahoney Professional Nurse Organization Scholarship
The Mary Mahoney Professional Nurses Endowment offers grants to African American nursing students who reside in the Puget Sound area of the state of Washington. For more information or to apply, write to the Mary Mahoney Professional Nurse Organization, P.O. Box 22003, Seattle, WA 98122-0003.
Maryland Higher Education Commission
The Maryland Higher Education Commission State Nursing Scholarship and Living Expenses Grant offers grant funds to full- and part-time students studying in an undergraduate or graduate nursing program in the state of Maryland.
The applicant must be a Maryland resident and commit to working as a full-time nurse in Maryland after graduation and licensure. The recipient must work for one year for each year of grant support. The grant provides up to $3,000 per year for tuition and fees and up to $3,000 per year of living expenses.
For more information and to apply, visit the Maryland Higher Education Commission
State Nursing Scholarship and Living Expenses Grant website at www.mhec.state.md.us.
State Student Assistance Commission of Indiana
The State Student Assistance Commission of Indiana grants need-based scholarships to residents of the state of Indiana studying nursing at a college or university within the state. Applicants must be a citizen of the United States and agree to a specified length of work at a hospital within the state of Indiana upon graduation and licensure as a registered nurse.
For more information or to apply, visit the State Student Assistance Commission of Indiana website at www.in.gov.
Texas Center for Rural Health Initiatives
Nursing students willing to work in an underserved rural area can apply for the Texas Center for Rural Health Initiatives grant. The applicant must be a Texas resident and agree to return to the sponsoring community to perform work upon graduation and licensure as a registered nurse. For more information or to apply for the Texas Center for Rural Health Initiatives grant, visit their website at www.crhi.state.tx.us.
Military Nursing Grants
Past, present and future members of the United States Armed Forces can apply for grants to study nursing or further their nursing education.
ROTC
The Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC) offers grants to prospective nursing students who are open to joining the armed services upon completion of their education. All branches of the United States Military offer ROTC opportunities, including the Air Force, Navy, Army, Marines and the National Health Service Corps.
The eligibility requirements vary slightly between branches of the ROTC, but generally include:
- Must be a citizen of the United States of America.
- Must be 17 years old before September 1st of the freshman year of college, but not older than 23 years before June 30th of the freshman year of college studies.
- Be physically capable and qualified for service.
- Be ranked in the top ten percent of their high school graduating class or achieve scores of 21 in Math and 22 in English on the ACT college entrance exam or 530 in Critical Reading, and 520 in Math on the SAT college entrance exam.
- Must not have any moral or personal beliefs that would prevent bearing of arms, and must be willing to support and defend the United States Constitution.
- Enroll in an accredited education program at a college or university that has an ROTC program; the program must result in a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree and the graduate must complete the degree within four years of beginning the program.
Benefits of the scholarship vary slightly by military branch of the ROTC but generally include:
- Paid tuition for nursing school, usually for the completion of a four-year bachelor of science in nursing degree program.
- Paid room and board for the duration of the bachelor of science in nursing degree program.
- Monthly stipend for the duration of the bachelor of science in nursing degree program and while performing the required number of years of military service.
- Health insurance while a student in the bachelor of science nursing degree program and while performing the required number of years of military service.
Upon acceptance of the grant, the recipient agrees to provide a specified number of years of service in that particular branch of the armed services. After completion of the required amount of service time, the grantee can then enter into a contract with the military to continue service as an officer or leave the armed forces to work as a nurse outside of the military service.
To apply for the Air Force ROTC nursing grant, complete your online application at afrotc.com.
To apply for the Navy ROTC nursing grant, complete your online application at www.nrotc.navy.mil.
To apply for the Marines ROTC nursing grant, apply online at www.marines.com.
Students who want to apply to the Army ROTC nursing grant program should visit www.goarmy.com for more information.
To apply for the National Health service Corps nursing grant, visit the application website at nhsc.bhpr.hrsa.gov.
Enlisted Military Members
Individuals currently serving in a branch of the United States Armed Forces who are interested in becoming a registered nurse may apply for the Army Medical Department Enlisted Commissioning Program. This grant offers up to $9,000 per academic year for two years for the enlisted member to complete a bachelor’s degree in nursing in an accredited nursing program.
In addition, the grant awards a stipend for purchasing books and the student will continue to receive the full military pay and benefits while enrolled in their nursing studies. Upon completion of the nursing degree, the student will then be a commissioned officer in the Army.
Eligibility requirements include:
- Must be a citizen of the United States.
- Minimum of three years already served in the military but not more than ten years already served.
- Must complete the degree within 24 months of starting the nursing program.
- Must meet all the requirements and standards of commissioned officers in the United States Army.
To apply for the nursing program grant for enlisted military members, visit www.goarmy.com.
Veterans
Veterans of the United States Armed Forces are eligible for grants to study nursing through the Montgomery GI Bill and the Post 9/11 Bill. In some cases, this benefit is transferable to the veteran’s spouse or child.
This bill provides tuition plus a stipend for completion of a nursing degree. Books and living expenses may also be granted to the veteran. Upon completion of the degree, the recipient must agree to perform two years of service in a veteran’s hospital.
To determine your eligibility for the veteran’s grant program or to apply, visit www.gibill.va.gov.
2 Responses to “Nursing College Grants”
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College Grant Information By State
Hello,
I am currently a CNA/LPN looking to advance to RN. I have found that the cost of achieving this goal will be far greater than I am able to afford. As a single mother my house and child have to be considered first. Where should I begin my search for grants and scholarships? Thank you for any imput you may provide.
Heather McGuire
513-508-8939
Mcgrhthr@gmail.com
I am looking for a grant to help me go through nursing school.