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Top 15 Nursing Scholarships in 2022
It is not surprising that nursing is a population profession for students to consider. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average nurse will earn over $73,000 per year. Additionally, the nursing occupation is estimated to grow “much faster than average” professions at a 12% clip. If you are considering nursing school, cost is probably one of your top considerations. Lucky for you, there are some great nursing scholarships so you don’t have to break the bank when paying for your education!
Jump ahead to
- Top Nursing Scholarships
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Upcoming Scholarships
- Related scholarship categories
Keep on reading to learn more about these scholarships for nursing students, as well as some frequently asked questions about paying for nursing school.
Top nursing scholarships in 2022
$2,000 Nursing School Scholarship
- Eligibility: Open to all current and prospective nursing students
- Amount: $2,000
- Deadline: December 31, 2022
Nurse Corps Scholarship Program
- Eligibility: US citizens accepted or enrolled in accredited nursing school programs in the USA
- Amount: Full tuition, all eligible fees, and reasonable costs (includes books, clinical supplies/instruments, and uniforms), plus a monthly stipend
- Deadline: May 20, 2022
$500 Deborah Stevens Pediatric Nursing Scholarship
- Eligibility: Undergraduate nursing students interested in becoming a pediatric nurses
- Amount: $500 (3 scholarships are awarded!)
- Deadline: May 20, 2022
National Healthcare Heroes Grant for Nurses
- Eligibility: Aspiring or current nurses to aid with the cost of their tuition or student loans.
- Amount: $1,000
- Deadline: May 16, 2022
ExceptionalNurse.com Scholarships
- Eligibility: Students with a documented disability who have applied to or have been admitted to a full time nursing program.
- Amount: Up to $500
- Deadline: June 1, 2022
Probo Medical Scholarship
- Eligibility: High school, college, and graduate students with a 3.0 or above GPA who submit an essay about medical technology and the future
- Amount: $500
- Deadline: June 15th and January 15th
Geraldine “Polly” Bednash Scholarships
- Eligibility: Nursing students who have submitted their nursing school application through NursingCAS or are a current or admitted at an AACN member institution affiliated with CastleBranch.
- Amount: $5,000
- Deadline: January 31, April 30, July 31, and October 31
Nurses Make a Difference Scholarship
- Eligibility: College and high school students with a minimum 3.0 GPA currently enrolled/accepted into college who plan to study nursing
- Amount: $1,000
- Deadline: August 1, 2022
Michael Moody Fitness Scholarship
- Eligibility: High school senior, college or grad student with an interest in pursuing a career in the health and fitness fields
- Amount: $1,500
- Deadline: August 1, 2022
$1,000 Vicki Sartin’s Purpose in Nursing Scholarship
- Eligibility: Single moms working towards a degree in nursing
- Amount: $1,000 (two scholarships are awarded!)
- Deadline: August 1, 2022
$500 Hannah’s Community Foster Care Forward Scholarship
- Eligibility: Students ages 7-25 who have, or will, age out of the foster care system who plan to pursue a certification in the health careers (e.g CNA, EMT, RBT, EKG or Phlebotomy Technicians, etc)
- Amount: $500
- Deadline: September 1, 2022
Hispanic Health Professional Student Scholarship
- Eligibility: Scholarships are open to full-time medical, nursing, dental, public health, and pharmacy and health policy students with outstanding academic records, leadership, and who are committed to serving Hispanics
- Amount: Varies
- Deadline: September 23, 2022
CastleBranch-GNSA Scholarship
- Eligibility: Students enrolled in a masters or doctoral nursing program at an AACN member school
- Amount: $2,500
- Deadline: September 30th or December 30th
Promise of Nursing Faculty Fellowships
- Eligibility: Registered nurses who are enrolled and attending a graduate program that is in one of the “Promise of Nursing” regions (check out the scholarship webpage for more details about this).
- Amount: $1,000 to $7,500 per year
- Deadline: Rolling deadline
Nurse Corps Scholarship Program
- Eligibility: Students who are enrolled or accepted at a professional nursing program. Students must have demonstrated financial need to be eligible.
- Amount: Varies depending on financial need
- Deadline: Varies
Frequently Asked Questions about nursing scholarships
Below are some of the most frequently asked questions about how to pay for nursing school.
How do I pay for my nursing degree?
The above scholarships are a great start for prospective and current nursing students! However, there are other ways that you can pay for your nursing degree including:
- Need-based financial aid from your program, state government, or the federal government. All students should submit the FAFSA to be considered for need-based aid.
- College or institution-specific scholarships. Chances are your college offers scholarships that are specifically for nursing students (or more generally for high-achieving students). Check in with the admissions and financial aid office to see what opportunities you might be eligible for. You might also find some great local opportunities.
Related: How many years is nursing school?
Can I get a full ride to pay for nursing school?
Yes, you can win a full ride scholarship to pay for nursing school. There are a few ways that you can do this:
- Apply for merit scholarships from colleges that offer full rides.
- Create your “full ride” by combining scholarships and need-based financial aid.
- If you have significant financial need, attend a college that meets 100% of demonstrated financial aid.
How can I increase my chances of winning a nursing scholarship?
Generally, nursing scholarships are going to be assessing your academic profile and your “fit” for the nursing profession.
As far as academics, grades, challenging classes, and test scores will help make your academic case for nursing scholarships. Bonus points if you have strong grades in your science classes, as nursing degrees will require an extensive science curriculum.
You will be able to show your “fit” for nursing through your interviews and essays. The scholarship committee will be interested in why you want to become a nurse and how you are suited to succeed in nursing school, as well as the profession.
Remember, nursing is a profession that requires strong interpersonal skills as you work extensively in patients. You can try to show your high social intelligence, empathy, and caring nature through specific examples from school, sports, clubs, or volunteering. Strong candidates for nursing scholarships may also have specific volunteering experience in a hospital, doctor’s office, or other medical setting.
When to apply for nursing scholarships?
It’s never too early or too late to apply for nursing scholarships! There are many opportunities available, and each has its own deadline. As a result, it’s a good idea to keep your finger on the pulse of what scholarships are available. To maximize your additional money, you can apply throughout the year.
A great way to go about this is via our free scholarship search tool. This tool custom-matches you to vetted scholarships based on your demographic information and interests. It automatically updates with new opportunities and eliminates ones whose deadlines have passed. On top of that, you can earmark opportunities that interest you to help plan your application schedule.
Also see: Nursing major overview
Do nursing students qualify for Pell Grants?
All undergraduate students with demonstrated need who fill out the FAFSA are eligible for Pell Grants. So, if you are completing your undergraduate degree on a nursing track, you are eligible for Pell Grants. However, if you are in a nursing program after getting your bachelor’s, you are not eligible for Pell Grants.
That being said, you should reach out to your schools of interest to see if other grants may be available. There could be state-level grants to incentivize nurse education in your state of residence or in the state you want to attend school.
Does FAFSA pay for nursing school?
Although you should fill out the FAFSA for nursing school, you won’t be eligible for grants such as the Pell Grant. However, you can use the FAFSA to take out federal loans and to qualify for institutional and possibly state aid. The FAFSA is free and relatively easy, so even if you don’t think you’ll take advantage of these programs, it’s a good idea to fill it out just in case.
What colleges offer scholarships for nursing students?
Many colleges offer scholarships for nursing students! Most colleges with nursing programs will have a page of scholarships and financial aid on their website. This example from Rush University in Chicago is a great example. Some colleges consider students for their scholarships immediately upon applying. Other times, you’ll have to apply separately.
Remember, there are other sources of scholarships besides a college. Try investigating local scholarships and using our free scholarship search tool to maximize your opportunities.
Related: Guide to student loan forgiveness for nurses
Upcoming nursing scholarships
A Nurse I Am Scholarship
- Eligibility: College and high school students enrolled or accepted to an accredited nursing program
- Amount: $2,000 (multiple scholarships are awarded!)
- Opens: February 1, 2023
Daughters of the American Revolution Scholarships
- Eligibility: DAR offer a variety of nursing scholarships for students who have been accepted or are attending nursing school. Several of the scholarships are aimed at supporting students with demonstrated financial need.
- Amount: $2,000 to $5,000
- Opens: November 1, 2022
Faith, Hope, & Nursing Scholarship
- Eligibility: First generation college students and underrepresented minorities in New York State
- Amount: $1,000
Pearl Mae Scholarship
- Eligibility: Students seeking careers in healthcare or first responder fields (including firefighting). Graduate students may also apply
- Amount: Varies
Study.com Scholarship for Future Nurses
- Eligibility: Students pursuing a bachelor’s degree program in nursing
- Amount: $500
