Scholarships for nursing students
Where nursing scholarships come from, how to search for them and which federal program pays tuition and a stipend.
There is no single list of nursing scholarships, because most awards are small, local or tied to one school. The money comes from six places. Search all of them, since small awards add up and many receive few applicants.
1. The school you plan to attend
Start with the nursing department and the financial aid office. Schools award scholarships to admitted students and to those already enrolled, and nursing departments often have endowed awards that never appear in national searches. Ask when the deadlines are, because some close before the admission deadline. For a school’s cost, see its page in our BSN program pages.
2. The federal government
- NURSE Corps Scholarship Program from HRSA pays tuition and fees, plus a monthly stipend, for students in eligible programs. In return, graduates work at least two years at a health facility with a critical shortage of nurses. Details at HRSA (opens in a new tab).
- Federal Pell Grant, awarded on financial need through the FAFSA.
- Federal Work-Study, part-time jobs for students with need, offered by some schools.
3. Your state
State boards of nursing, health departments and higher education agencies run scholarships and loan-repayment programs, often for service in rural or underserved areas. Search your state’s name with “nursing scholarship” or “nurse loan repayment”, then confirm the program on a state government site.
4. Your employer or a future employer
Hospitals and health systems pay for tuition for employees, and some offer scholarships with a work commitment after graduation. Read the commitment terms before you accept: leaving early can mean repaying the money.
5. Professional associations and foundations
Nursing organizations fund scholarships for members and students. The Foundation of the National Student Nurses’ Association awards scholarships to students in nursing programs. Specialty groups, such as those for oncology, pediatric or emergency nurses, fund awards for members who are studying. Many groups also reward students from groups that are underrepresented in nursing.
6. Community and local sources
Rotary clubs, community foundations, churches and local businesses offer awards for students in their area. Your high school or community college counselor often keeps a list.
Tips for applying
- Apply early and often. Many scholarships have deadlines months before the school year.
- Match each application to the award. Read the selection criteria and use details that fit.
- Keep a record of deadlines, essays and recommenders. Reuse the parts that fit across applications.
- Never pay to apply for a scholarship or for a “search service”. Real scholarships do not charge a fee.
- File the FAFSA every year. See how to pay for nursing school.
We do not publish a ranked list of scholarships, because amounts and deadlines change each year and we cannot verify them all. Use the sources above and confirm each award with the organization that offers it.