Scholarships for Nursing Students
Last Updated: January 29, 2023, by EveryNurse
At EveryNurse, we are dedicated to helping nursing students better understand their financial aid options and providing nursing scholarships for students seeking higher education.
In the United States, funding your college education is an expensive endeavor. Without some assistance, most people cannot afford the cost of going to college. The National Center for Education Statistics, the average cost of tuition at a four-year public institution between the academic years of 2017 and 2018 was estimated to be $17,797 for a single year. Attending a four-year private institution means the total expense will be even higher, with undergraduate tuition, fees, room, and board costing an estimated $42,681 per year.
Scholarships are a type of financial assistance that helps approximately two-thirds of all students pay for college. A career in nursing can take several years of costly education to meet nursing professionals’ eligibility requirements. Whether you are a rising high school student planning for college or an established professional seeking a new direction in your career, nursing scholarships can make a huge difference as you figure out how to pay for school.
What Is a Scholarship?
Scholarships are a gift of financial aid that does not need to be repaid. Most scholarships are merit-based, which means students can earn them by meeting the guidelines of the scholarship-provider. Exceptional academic achievement, special talent (for instance, athletic scholarships and scholarships for performing arts), underrepresented groups, or unique traits are common reasons for scholarship awards.
Many scholarships are designed to benefit particular groups of people or address the needs of people from a specific background. EveryNurse, for example, awards nursing scholarships to degree-seeking men and minority students to promote diversification within the field.
A scholarship might be a one-time award that covers a small part of your tuition or may cover the entire cost of your education, including tuition, housing, and living expenses.
How to Find Scholarships
There are many ways to learn about scholarships, including contacting the financial aid office at the college you plan on attending, searching for local scholarships, researching scholarships online, and searching national scholarship databases.
Students can access many scholarships by finding and joining professional associations or organizations related to their field of study. For example, Student memberships in professional organizations can unlock industry-specific resources, financial aid, and employment assistance after graduation.
Other sources of free information about scholarships include:
- Guidance counselors
- State and federal agencies
- Religious or community organizations
- Civic groups and private foundations
- Employers and local businesses
Featured Nursing Scholarships
The nursing scholarships featured below are available at the undergraduate and graduate levels. With these scholarships or others like them, you could seriously reduce the cost of your degree.
| NAME | AMOUNT | DEADLINE | DESCRIPTION* |
|---|---|---|---|
| EveryNurse Scholarship for RN Students | $2,000 | Closed | The EveryNurse Scholarship for RN Students provides financial assistance to students pursuing their RN credentials. Open to applicants pursuing an associate’s or bachelor’s degree in nursing or practicing nurses entering a nursing bridge program. |
| EveryNurse Scholarship for Men in Nursing | $2,000 | Closed | The EveryNurse Scholarship for Men in Nursing provides financial aid to undergraduate male students pursuing their LPN or RN credentials in preparation for careers in nursing. It is available to qualified male applicants seeking their LPN certificate, associate’s degree, or bachelor’s degree in nursing. |
| EveryNurse Scholarship for Minority Nurses | $2,000 | March 31, 2022 | The Minority Nurse Scholarship was created to support underrepresented student groups in nursing and promote the profession’s continued diversification. Open to applicants who are at least one of the following ethnicities: African American, Native American, Hispanic, Latino, or Asian & Pacific Islander. |
| *Applicants must be eligible and comply with all official rules. | |||
List of Nursing Scholarships
Below is a list of scholarship opportunities from universities, nonprofit groups, state and federal agencies, and private companies:
| NAME | AMOUNT | DEADLINE |
|---|---|---|
| A Nurse I Am | $2,500 | April 15, 2022 |
| American Association for Men in Nursing | $1,000 – $5,000 | August 16, 2021 |
| American Association of Post-Acute Care Nursing | Multiple | Opening Fall 2021 |
| A.T. Anderson Memorial Scholarship Program | $1,000 – $2,000 | May 31, 2021 |
| ENA Foundation | TBD | Closed |
| Cascade Healthcare Solutions | $1,000 | August 01, 2021 |
| Geraldine “Polly” Bednash Scholarship | $5,000 | October 31, 2021 |
Nursing Scholarships FAQ
There are several types of financial assistance available to help you on your path to a nursing career. Each one differs slightly. Scholarships are a form of gift aid based on merit. Grants are a form of gift aid based on need. Each has its own eligibility requirements and guidelines.
Registered nurses with a BSN degree generally have better job prospects and greater scope of practice than RNs with an associate’s degree or diploma. Starting salaries for RNs with a BSN are typically better than RNs with an ADN degree.
Each scholarship will take into account a variety of factors. Generally, you can set yourself apart from other applicants by getting good grades, participating in extracurricular activities, seeking volunteer opportunities, and building strong relationships with peers, professors, and others who can speak on your behalf.
The minimum qualifications to become a nurse vary depending on the type of nurse you want to be. However, there are a few essential requirements for any person pursuing a nursing career – formal education and nursing licensure. Without the proper credentials, you will not be able to practice nursing.
