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Edited By: Nursing Scholarships
Key takeaways:
- Many nursing scholarships are offered by hospitals, healthcare providers, local organizations, national nursing associations, and schools of nursing.
- Some nursing scholarships are reserved for students planning to enter specific specialties such as pediatric, oncology, or cardiac care.
- Applications for nursing scholarships may require proof of clinical hours, letters of recommendation, or essays about your career goals in nursing.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of registered nurses is projected to grow by 6% by 2033. Although there are nearly 200,000 openings for nurses each year, the cost of earning a nursing degree can still be a barrier to students interested in pursuing a career in healthcare.
Nursing scholarships can cover some or all of the cost of tuition, clinical fees, exam preparation, and more, allowing students to focus on earning their degrees. By making nursing school more affordable, these scholarships play an important role in preparing prospective nurses and ensuring careers in healthcare are accessible to all.
The 25 Best Nursing Scholarships with Approaching Deadlines in 2025
What are nursing scholarships?
Nursing scholarships help students pay for costs associated with earning a nursing degree, such as tuition, room and board, clinical fees, and exam expenses. Most nursing scholarships are designed for students currently enrolled in nursing school. However, some awards are available to undergraduates majoring in nursing who want to attend nursing school in the future, and a few may even provide assistance to practicing nurses pursuing advanced degrees.
Some nursing scholarships are open to all nursing students, while others may focus on certain populations such as students with financial need, those from underrepresented communities, or those of a certain race or ethnicity.
Because each scholarship has its own eligibility requirements, it’s a good idea to review each award’s information carefully. If you’re not sure if you meet the criteria for a specific scholarship, reach out to the scholarship provider directly to clarify.
How to apply for nursing scholarships?
To apply for nursing scholarships, start by creating a free profile on Scholarships.com and completing your demographic and academic information. This will help us match you with nursing scholarships you’re eligible for based on your background, location, education level, and more. You can also browse our scholarship directory to find all of our available nursing and nurse practitioner scholarships.
It’s also important to check whether or not the scholarship you’re applying for requires you to submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Many nursing scholarships —especially those with need-based components— will require this information to determine your eligibility. Remember: submitting the FAFSA doesn't mean you have to take out federal loans; it just makes your financial information available to schools and scholarship providers.
Make sure you read each scholarship’s application instructions carefully. Some nursing scholarships may ask for additional materials like recommendation letters, proof of clinical hours, or essays about your career goals. If you’re ever unsure what you need to include in your application, reach out to the scholarship provider directly.
What are the best nursing scholarships?
The best nursing scholarship depends on your background, interests, career goals, and where you plan to study. Generally, scholarships designed for smaller, more specific groups of students have fewer applicants, which makes them easier to win.
For example, the Johnson & Johnson Access-Ability Lime Scholarship supports nursing students with visible or invisible disabilities. Applicants must be members of Lime Connect, have a disability, be engaged in driving disability inclusion, and be pursuing a degree in healthcare to qualify.
Since not every nursing student will qualify for these niche scholarships, it’s also a good idea to apply for more general awards. The BuzzRx Bee Healthy Scholarship, for instance, is open to both undergraduate and graduate students pursuing healthcare-related degrees, including nursing.
Be sure to look into scholarships offered directly by your college or nursing school as well. For example, the Felbry College of Nursing Scholarship is available specifically to students enrolled at the Felbry College School of Nursing who are Central Ohio High School graduates and demonstrate financial need.
Applying to a mix of general, niche, school-specific, and local scholarships can help improve your chances of winning awards. The more you apply for, the more opportunities you have to fund your nursing education and career.
Frequently asked questions about nursing scholarships
Can high school students apply for nursing scholarships?
Although the majority of nursing scholarships are for students who have already completed their bachelor’s degree and are enrolled in a nursing program, there are some scholarships available for high school students planning to pursue a career in nursing.
For example, the Adolph Rzotkewicz Nursing Scholarship is open to high school seniors from Alle-Kiski Valley, Pennsylvania who demonstrate financial need and have been accepted into a Bachelor of Science Degree Nursing (BSN) program.
Other awards, like the Jean Andrews Nursing Scholarship, have broader eligibility. This scholarship is open to students seeking an undergraduate, graduate, or professional degree in nursing and who live or work in Addison County, Vermont.
Are there nursing scholarships available for minority students?
Many scholarships are designed to support minority students pursuing careers in nursing. For instance, the UNACUHCP Alexis G. Philius Scholarship is available to students of Black or African descent pursuing healthcare degrees. Another example is the Cuidado Casero Foundation Nursing Scholarship, which supports Latino and Hispanic students pursuing nursing.
These scholarships help make nursing school more affordable and accessible for underrepresented students which creates more diversity in the field. By supporting these students, these scholarships contribute to creating a healthcare workforce that better reflects the communities it serves.
Am I eligible for nursing scholarships if I’m already a practicing nurse?
While the majority of nursing scholarships are awarded to students currently enrolled in nursing school, there are some awards available to practicing nurses who want to continue their education or gain specialized training.
For example, the Heartfelt Dreams Foundation Nursing Scholarship is open to hospital-based cardiac care nurses looking to further their education in cardiac care. This award helps nurses build their expertise and provide specialized care to patients with congenital heart defects.
Can nursing scholarships be used to pay for uniforms, clinical supplies, and exams?
Some nursing scholarships only cover tuition, which means you can’t use them to pay for other expenses, even if they are related to your education. However, other scholarships provide more flexible financial support.
For example, the NURSE Corps Scholarship Program helps cover other expenses like uniforms, clinical fees, and licensing exam costs such as the NCLEX. Review each scholarship carefully or contact the scholarship provider to confirm how you can use your award.
What GPA do I need to qualify for nursing scholarships?
The GPA required for nursing scholarships can vary widely depending on the award. Some scholarships require students to have a high GPA to apply. For example, The Mikkelson Foundation Scholarship requires a minimum unweighted GPA of 3.7. If you have a competitive GPA, you may find that you have a better chance of winning these awards as fewer students qualify.
However, other awards don’t have any GPA requirements at all. The TYLENOL Future Care Scholarship, while competitive, has no minimum GPA, making it a good fit for nursing students who may not have perfect grades but are passionate about healthcare. In particular, this scholarship asks for an essay about your community involvement and goals in the medical field. For this award and many others, a strong essay can help your application stand out regardless of your GPA.