How To Pay for Nursing School With Nursing Scholarships

Learn how to pay for your nursing education with nursing scholarships, and get started in your academic journey with MCPHS.

If you want to be a nurse, you’ll need to get your education. Rather than put the cart before the horse and worry about the types of classes you’ll want to take or what specializations you might pursue—although these are important topics—you’ll want to consider how you’ll fund your learning. It’s not necessarily the most exciting thing to mull over, but it is vital to have a plan so the first year of school isn’t completely stressful.

While you might feel nervous about paying for nursing school, just remember that thousands of students have done this before—and so can you! To take some of the burden off your shoulders, you can get financial help through scholarships. With countless nursing scholarship options available, all you need to know is where to start looking, and we’re here to help.

How To Get Scholarships for Nursing School

An important place to begin, right? How do you actually start the process? And what makes donors, organizations, and nursing schools more likely to award them to you?

To increase your chances of earning a scholarship, start by researching opportunities from various sources, including nursing organizations, community foundations, hospitals, and government programs. Many scholarships are available specifically to you as a nursing major pursuing certain specialties, practicing in underserved areas, or demonstrating academic excellence.

This is your chance to tap into your unique experiences and connections to find solutions that line up with your needs. Let’s say your high school is offering medical students a few different nursing scholarship program options. You already have a better chance because you attended that school, giving you a leg up on competing students who went to different academic institutions. Or, maybe you’re involved in a religious or nonprofit organization. These connections can be extremely useful when looking for economic help.

Be sure to check the eligibility requirements for each scholarship and tailor your application materials, including personal statements and recommendation letters, to highlight your commitment to nursing and any relevant experience. Additionally, some schools offer merit-based or need-based scholarships directly to their nursing students, so applying for financial aid at your institution can also open doors to school-specific funding.

A Few Additional Tips

On top of using your personal experiences and paying close attention to requirements and deadlines, here are some other tips for securing nursing scholarships:

• Volunteer where possible during high school so you can stand out on scholarship applications. Even better if the volunteer work is associated with the medical field.
• Maintain a good GPA as it can affect your chances of receiving financial aid. Most universities require a minimum of 3.0 to be accepted into a nursing program.
• Pay attention to the little details within your scholarship applications, like including all the requested documents and following the formatting and word count guidelines.

Find other helpful best practices on our blog.

What Types of Nursing Scholarships Are Available?

When it comes to the types of scholarships you can apply for, your options are almost limitless. It’s important to pay attention to your local community and possible options there, then work your way to national and federal ones. Below are just a few of the styles of financial aid you can pursue:

Academic or Merit-Based Scholarships

Academic or merit-based scholarships are awarded to students who demonstrate outstanding academic achievements. These scholarships often consider high GPAs, standardized test scores, or exceptional performance in previous nursing coursework. You may need to submit essays, recommendation letters, or proof of academic excellence as part of the scholarship application process. 

Many universities, colleges, and private organizations offer these scholarships to attract top talent into nursing programs. You should also explore professional nursing organizations that provide scholarships based on scholastic aptitude. Pursuing these opportunities can significantly reduce the financial burden of nursing education for academically driven students.

Need-Based Scholarships

Need-based scholarships are designed to support students with financial challenges who wish to pursue a nursing degree. Eligibility is typically determined by family income, personal financial circumstances, or a combination of the two. To receive this type of scholarship, you’ll need to complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) or a similar financial disclosure. These general nursing scholarships can cover tuition, books, and living expenses, making education more accessible to deserving students who might otherwise be unable to afford it. 

Several foundations, state governments, and nonprofit organizations prioritize funding for students with demonstrated need. By easing financial pressures, need-based scholarships enable aspiring nurses to focus on their studies and clinical training.

Scholarships for Specific Nursing Specialties

Some scholarships target students pursuing careers in specialized fields, such as pediatrics, geriatrics, oncology, or critical care. These programs aim to fill workforce gaps by encouraging students to enter high-demand areas of nursing. Scholarship requirements may include a commitment to work in the specialty after graduation or completion of a pre-identified training program. 

You may need to demonstrate an interest in the field through coursework, volunteer experience, or personal statements. These scholarships can be offered by professional organizations, hospitals, or specialty-focused associations. By focusing on a niche area, you can enhance your career prospects and open doors to future leadership opportunities.

Minority or Underrepresented Group Scholarships

Scholarships for minority or underrepresented groups help promote diversity in the nursing workforce. These programs support students from racial, ethnic, or cultural groups that are historically underrepresented in healthcare professions. In addition to financial assistance, these scholarships may offer mentorship, networking opportunities, or professional development resources. 

To qualify, you may be required to demonstrate a drive to address health disparities or improve access to care in underserved communities. Organizations like the National Black Nurses Association or Hispanic Health Professional Association frequently provide such scholarships, fostering inclusivity and helping create a more equitable healthcare system.

Military and Veteran Scholarships

Military and veteran scholarships are tailored for individuals with a background in military service or their dependents. These scholarships often align with educational benefits provided by programs like the GI Bill or military-specific financial aid. Some scholarships target veterans transitioning into civilian careers in nursing, while others support active-duty personnel furthering their education. 

Additionally, if you’ve committed to military service after graduation, you can access scholarships provided by branches of the armed forces. These programs may cover tuition, books, and living expenses, along with offering leadership training. If you’re passionate about serving both your country and your patients, these scholarships present an invaluable opportunity.

Work-Commitment Scholarships

Work-commitment scholarships provide financial assistance in exchange for a commitment to work in a specific healthcare setting after graduation. Commonly offered by hospitals, clinics, or state health departments, these scholarships aim to address workforce shortages in underserved areas. You may be required to sign a contract agreeing to work for a set number of years post-graduation. 

These programs are particularly appealing if you’re seeking job security after finishing your degree. In many cases, the scholarship also offers mentoring or professional development to ensure a smooth transition into the workforce. While the obligation may seem restrictive, it provides you with a guaranteed pathway to employment and experience in the field.

Graduate-Level and Advanced-Practice Nursing Scholarships 

If you think your undergraduate education is the only opportunity to secure scholarships, think again. You can get financial aid for graduate-level or advanced nursing practice designed to support your pursuit of a master’s or doctoral degree in nursing. Eligibility criteria may include academic achievement, professional experience, or commitment to advancing the nursing profession. Some graduate scholarship options focus on specific areas of study, such as public health or healthcare policy, so hone in on those that align with your career goals. 

By reducing financial barriers, these programs enable current nurses to achieve advanced credentials and drive innovation in patient care. Organizations like the American Association of Colleges of Nursing frequently offer these scholarships to promote graduate student leadership in the profession.

Employer-Sponsored Scholarships 

If you’re already in the workforce but want to go back to school, employer-sponsored scholarships can help. They’re financial aid programs provided by healthcare organizations to support employees’ nursing education. These scholarships are often available to employees seeking to advance their skills or transition into new or different nursing roles. Employers may also offer these scholarships as part of their benefits package to attract new talent and fill critical workforce needs. 

In some cases, the scholarship comes with a commitment to work for that organization for a specified period after you graduate. Benefits can often include tuition reimbursement, flexible scheduling, and access to on-the-job training. Ultimately, this type of scholarship fosters loyalty while creating growth opportunities for employees within the organization.

Because nursing is such a widely selected profession, there are several scholarships available specifically for learners starting their education in this sector. Some popular options include:

• Scrubin Uniforms AACN Scholarship: Provides nursing students in baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs with $2,500 three times a year.
• The Foundation of the National Student Nurses Association Inc. Scholarship: Delivers financial aid to undergraduate students pursuing an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN), Bachelor's Degree in Nursing (BSN), Diploma in Nursing (hospital-based nursing program), Direct-Entry Master’s Degree, LPN/LVN-RN Degree, RN-BSN/MSN Degree, or Accelerated BSN (12-18 Month Program).
• The Nurse Corps Scholarship Program: Pays for students’ tuition, fees, and other educational costs. The Nurse Corps Scholarship Program also gives out a monthly stipend. In return, the nursing student will work at an eligible healthcare facility with a shortage of nurses.
• TYLENOL Future Care Scholarship: Awards financial aid to students who are seeking a degree to actively treat patients.

Where To Find Nursing Scholarships

So, you’re ready to start your research and scholarship application process. Great! Here are some places to start looking for eligible scholarships: 

Professional Nursing Organizations

Organizations in the medical industry like the National Student Nurses Association or the National Black Nurses Association provide students with mentorship and financial aid to help inspire the next generation of healthcare professionals. 

Healthcare Facilities and Hospitals

If you’re interested in working for a particular healthcare facility after graduation, you should check in with potential scholarship opportunities to get connected with the organization early on. This is especially helpful if it’s local and you already have some connections with upper management. 

Federal and State Programs

Government-sponsored scholarships are another great resource for aspiring nurses. Federal programs like the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) offer scholarships for students committed to working in underserved areas after graduation. Similarly, many state governments provide financial aid packages for nursing students who agree to serve their local communities. Check your state’s education or health department websites for specific programs and student resources you may qualify for.

Community Foundations

Local community foundations often offer scholarships to students pursuing degrees in healthcare fields, including nursing. These scholarships are usually tailored to residents of a specific region or county, making them more accessible than national scholarships. Visit the websites of your local community foundation or consult your high school or college's financial aid office for guidance on available opportunities.

Online Scholarship Databases

Countless databases contain thousands of scholarship options. Some popular ones, including Fastweb, Scholarships.com, and Nursing.org allow you to filter scholarships based on your field of study, location, and qualifications. Many databases are specifically tailored to nursing students, offering a curated list of financial aid opportunities. Browse these websites to see which ones you might qualify for, keeping in mind your specific needs. 

Workplace or Employer Programs

If you’re already employed in the healthcare industry, ask your employer about tuition reimbursement or scholarship programs. Many hospitals, clinics, and healthcare organizations offer financial assistance to employees pursuing nursing degrees, particularly for positions in high demand, such as a registered nurse (RN) or nurse practitioner (NP).

Ready to start your academic journey into a nursing profession? Apply for MCPHS nursing scholarships today to see what types of financial aid you could earn.