Scholarships and Grants for Nursing Students

Do you know where to look for all the possible scholarships and grants that could help you pay for nursing school? Sources of free money are quite diverse and many specifically target student nurses.

Government Sources of Nursing School Money

The nursing shortage is a national issue and a major healthcare problem that could impact the U.S. in ways we’ve not imagined. Recruitment and training of nurse candidates has it challenges, not the least of which is a perpetual shortage of nurse educators and nurses willing to work in areas underserved medically.

To address both these issues and more both the U.S. government and various state governments provide scholarships and grants that target specific populations of nursing student. For example:

  • The Department of Health and Human Services offers the Nursing Scholarship Program open annually to eligible nursing students. Near 200 candidates win scholarship money each year in exchange for a work commitment in an underserved medical facility after graduation. To be eligible you must prove financial hardship and enrollment in an accredited school of nursing program at the undergrad, grad, or post-grad level.

Find out if your home state offers any nursing scholarships, grants or loan repayment programs by searching the list of state nursing schools located at the bottom of this page.

Scholarships from Colleges and University Nursing Programs

You should know that generic scholarships and grants are a mainstay of most college and university programs. Check with the school’s financial aid or scholarship department for information on academic, merit or need-based scholarships and grants. But in the meantime, don’t overlook the possibility for nursing scholarships or grants that could be available through the School of Nursing.

  • Undergraduate and Graduate nursing scholarships are not uncommon.
  • Graduate level scholarships may be reserved for various specializations, such as Nurse Educator tracks.
  • Post Grad RNs may have paid fellowship opportunities to check out.

Nursing Association Scholarship Programs

The nursing profession has a national organization representing nearly every type of nurse, student nurse and nursing specialty. Examples include:

  • National Student Nurses Association
  • Emergency Nurses Association
  • American Nursing Association
  • Association of Critical Care Nurses
  • American Association of Legal Nurse Consultants

Besides these nationally recognized groups nearly every state has its own nursing association:

  • Texas Nurses Association
  • California Nurses Association
  • Minnesota Nurses Association
  • etc.

AND don’t forget any scholarships from the various minority nursing associations:

  • National Black Nurses Association
  • National American Arab Nurses Association
  • American Assembly for Men in Nursing
  • Philippine Nurses Association of America
  • National Association of Hispanic Nurses

Each of these professional nursing associations may offer valuable scholarships for members. Other free aid they could offer includes travel scholarships and grants for national and regional conferences. Don’t miss out.

Commercial Sources for Nursing Scholarship and Grant Money

Big business and industry makes is part of their corporate mission to provide scholarships and grants to various students and student groups. Explore all these scholarship avenues available to student nurses.

Explore Your Nursing Degree Options Today!