How to Find Nursing School Scholarships
SINCE THE EARLY PART OF 2000, the demand for nurses and nursing professionals have increased tremendously. Thousands of hospitals and healthcare facilities are reaching out to compassionate, loving individuals with a heart of caring. However, the shortage of nursing is only one problem facing potential nursing candidates. The cost of education, especially medical programs, is forever increasing, and the continual demand for nurses is on the rise, due to the rapid increase of nurses who are nearing retirement age. According to one source www.bestcolleges.com, about 1/3 of the nurses today are over the age of 50.
Scholarships provide a meaningful and affordable solution for those seeking to enter into the medical or nursing field. As of now, dozens of websites provide accurate information regardless scholarship assistance, making it easy for individuals to afford a nursing career. Students who are serious about their nursing career can take advantage of one or more scholarships while pursuing an entry level or an advanced level degree. The best way to find dozens of nursing school scholarships is to do a complete and thorough search on the web using the keywords “How to find Nursing Scholarships.”
Below are 17 websites that offer scholarships and their criteria for obtaining them.
Federal Student Loan Program
This program helps students pay for their tuition, by providing them with access to low-interest loans, work-study assistance, and grants. To apply for this assistance students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid form, also known as the FAFSA. Students should be aware of the cut-off dates for submitting their application. Note that the FAFSA must be completed on time each year, as long as financial assistance is needed.
AORN Nursing Student Degree Scholarship
The Association of Perioperative Registered Nurses provides academic scholarships to individuals who are considering returning to school and pursuing a nursing career. This applies to students who are also continuing their career. The AORN partners with several professional organizations so that students can join the membership association and obtain access to more scholarships and information. Student membership allows the opportunity to take advantage of how-to instructions, case studies, and videos. The application deadline for this scholarship was June 15, 2017.
ANNA- American Nephrology Nurses Association Career Mobility Scholarships
This is one of many scholarships that provide financial assistance to nursing students with a major in nephrology or the treatment of people with kidney disease. ANNA, a non-profit organization established in 1969 with approximately 10,000 registered nurses across the U.S., recommends that students join the ANNA network to maintain access to a variety of grants, awards, and scholarships. The association offers funding to support higher education, and members can apply directly for their own scholarships and grants. The deadline to apply for current scholarships and grants was October 15, 2017, with specific research grants (#310, 313 and 317) in November 2017.
TYLENOL Future Care Scholarship
This scholarship provides financial assistance to students who have completed at most one year of undergraduate study in any health-related program, including nursing. Applicants must have at most one year of college or training remaining to qualify. The makers of TYLENOL have provided over $8 million over 23 years to dedicated students committed to caring for others. Award amounts vary, and the deadline to apply for this scholarship is June 30.
The NADONA/LTC Stephanie Carrol Memorial Scholarship
This scholarship, also known as the National Association of Directors of Nursing Administration in Long Term Care- Stephanie Carroll Memorial Scholarship, is available to nursing students enrolled in an accredited program who commit to two years of long-term or geriatrics care upon graduation. Established in memory of long-time employee Stephanie Carroll, it is awarded to nursing students who meet the eligibility requirements. Students must agree to the publication of their personal information, including a photograph. Scholarship awards are paid directly to the educational institution, and the application deadline is no later than June 30, 2017.
U.S. Army Specialized Training Assistance Program
This scholarship allows military nursing students to pursue a bachelor’s degree and advanced training with less student debt. Students can receive financial assistance if they commit to serving a year in the Army Reserve for each 6 months of service. Active duty students are also eligible to apply and may receive up to $9,000 per academic year, plus up to $1,000 per year for books. Falling under the Active Nurse Corps Program, the monthly stipend averages more than $2,000, and there is currently no deadline for applications.
Kaiser Permanente Health Care Career Scholarship
Kaiser scholarships are based on equal opportunity and are primarily for students living in Southwest Washington and Oregon. In these states, college scholarships range from $2,000 up to $10,000. One scholarship is given to one senior student in each of the 133 public high schools in the Northwest region of Kaiser Permanente. This scholarship is intended to assist disadvantaged and economically or socially distressed students entering the healthcare industry. Applicants must meet the eligibility requirements, and the application deadline is in mid-January. Applications can be submitted online.
Delaware Nursing Incentive Program
Students enrolled full-time in an accredited nursing program and seeking RN or LPN certification are eligible for this scholarship. Applicants must have a grade point average of 2.5; high school students or undergraduates meeting the academic criteria can also apply. Part-time students not residing in Delaware may be accepted but will receive prorated financial assistance. Registered nurses with five or more years of service in Delaware are eligible if enrolled in a BSN program full- or part-time. The application deadline is June 1, 2017.
Dr. Lauranne Sams Scholarship National Black Nurses Association, INC| National
African American students wishing to continue their education in nursing, with good academic standing at the time of application, are eligible for the NBNA scholarship. Applicants must have at least one full year of schooling remaining, be a member of the NBNA and its local chapter, and be in the process of pursuing a diploma, AD, LVN, LPN, or BSN. Criteria include community service, scholastic achievement, and financial need. The scholarship award is $2,000, and the application deadline is April 15.
Minority Fellowship Program (MFP) at the American Nurses Association (ANA)
This scholarship is a response to the high demand for substance abuse and mental health nurses. Issued through the MFP, it is intended to increase nurse diversity in areas such as psychology, psychiatry, marriage and family therapy, and research advocacy. It provides financial support to nurses with PhDs from ethnic minority groups that are widely underrepresented. The traditional deadline for the Minority Fellowship Program is extended to April 30, 2017.
A.T. Anderson Memorial Scholarship
The A.T. Anderson Memorial Scholarship Program is funded by AISES fundraisers, government grants, private donations, corporations, and other memorials. Scholarship amounts vary for undergraduate and graduate students—undergraduates receive $1,000 per academic year while graduates receive $2,000. Students with an interest in nursing, medical sciences, or related fields are eligible. The application deadline is May 2.
Johnson & Johnson/AACN Minority Nursing Faculty Scholarship
This scholarship provides financial assistance to nursing graduates from diverse backgrounds who agree to teach in a nursing school upon graduation. Preference is given to full-time students enrolled in doctoral programs. Winners, selected by a review committee, attend the AACN Faculty Development Conference in November 2017 and receive mentoring along with an $18,000 scholarship disbursed in the fall. The application deadline is May 1, 2017, with funding decisions by or before August 18, 2017.
Judith C. Kelleher Memorial Scholarship
This scholarship is open to all nurses pursuing a nurse practitioner career. Applicants must maintain a 3.0 GPA and hold a 12-month membership with the ENA (Emergency Nurses Association). Students must be enrolled in a CCNE, NLN, or CCNE-accredited school. The award is $5,000 per scholarship, with a submission deadline of April 28, 2017. Note that applications are accepted online only through an electronic portal system.
Karen O’ Neil Memorial Scholarship
This academic scholarship is available to nursing students with a 3.0 GPA who are working toward a master’s degree. Applicants must be members of an Emergency Nursing Association and enrolled in an accredited school. The foundation receives funding from donations, individuals, chapters, organizations, and industries, and accepts applications online through an electronic portal. The application deadline is April 28, 2017.
Certified Background- GNSA Scholarship
The Graduate Nursing Student Academy recognizes nursing students for their academic and leadership abilities. To be considered, applicants must have a 3.5 GPA, write a 500-word essay on leadership, peer monitoring, or innovation, provide at least one professional or academic reference, be enrolled in an AACN graduate school of nursing, and be a permanent resident or citizen of the United States. The GNSA Scholarship is divided into four parts, allowing students to receive two $2,500 scholarships per semester. Application deadlines are September 30 and December 30.
Nursing Economics$ Foundation Scholarships
The Nursing Economics$ Foundation, part of the Anthony J. Jannetti Foundation, awards up to four $5,000 scholarships to registered nurses pursuing a master’s or doctoral nursing degree. Emphasis is placed on management, administration, leadership, or education, and applicants must be U.S. citizens. This scholarship is available to first-time applicants only; previous recipients are not eligible. The application deadline is May 1, 2017.
Alan Edgar Wurdeman Scholarship Fund
This scholarship is intended for nursing students attending the Northern University School of Nursing or the Rhode Island School of Nursing. Applicants must maintain a 2.5 GPA and be either graduate students or pursuing a nursing degree. Preference is given to students who commit to staying in Rhode Island upon graduation. The scholarship is set at $2,000, renewable annually, with an application deadline of April 22.
Want to find more scholarship opportunities, checkout the complete nursing school scholarship guide here!