Nursing school is expensive. A BSN from a private university can exceed $200,000 in total cost, and even community college ADN programs run $10,000–$40,000 once you include fees, supplies, and living costs. Scholarships can close a significant portion of that gap – but most students either don’t know which programs exist or don’t apply because the process feels opaque.
The table below gives you the quick-scan overview. Every scholarship listed here is real, national (unless noted), and currently active. Scroll down for the full details on each program, including eligibility requirements and where to apply.
| Scholarship | Award amount | Eligibility snapshot | Scope |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nurse Corps Scholarship Program (HRSA) | Full tuition + fees + $1,642/mo stipend | Any accredited nursing program; 2-yr service commitment | National |
| NHSC Scholarship Program | Full tuition + fees + stipend | Primary care NP or CNM students; 2-yr service commitment | National |
| Jonas Scholars Program | $12,000 over 2 years (university-matched) | PhD or DNP students at AACN member schools | National |
| AACN–Certiphi Scholarship | $5,000 (3 awards/year) | Pre-licensure students at AACN member schools; GPA ≥ 3.2 | National |
| FNSNA Scholarship | Up to $10,000 | ADN, BSN, diploma, or RN-BSN students; need + merit | National |
| NBNA Scholarship Program | $1,000–$5,000+ | NBNA members enrolled LPN through doctoral level | National |
| Tylenol Future Care Scholarship | $5,000 or $10,000 | Graduate nursing students or college seniors entering grad school | National |
| California Nurses Foundation | Varies | ADN students graduating Sep 2026–Aug 2027; CA-based programs | State (CA) |
| Hospital scholarship-for-service programs | $3,500–$15,000+/yr | Varies by health system; employment commitment required | Regional |
Why nursing scholarships matter
The average nursing student who borrows to fund their degree graduates with roughly $40,600 in loan debt, according to a 2024 survey. That number climbs sharply for BSN and graduate students at private institutions. Loan repayment at that level takes years and constrains early career choices – including whether you can afford to work in underserved communities where nurses are most needed.
Scholarships matter beyond the obvious reason of reducing what you owe. Several major nursing scholarship programs are explicitly designed to direct nurses toward high-need settings: rural hospitals, federally qualified health centers, and underserved urban clinics. If your career goals align with those settings, the service-commitment programs aren’t a trade-off – they’re a match.
For context on what nursing school costs before you factor in aid, see our full nursing school cost breakdown.
National nursing scholarships
Nurse Corps Scholarship Program
The Nurse Corps Scholarship is the most substantial federal funding available to undergraduate and graduate nursing students. Run by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), it covers tuition and required fees paid directly to your school, an annual payment toward books, clinical supplies, and uniforms, and a monthly living stipend of $1,642 for the 2026–27 academic year.
Eligibility: You must be a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident, enrolled full-time in an accredited nursing degree program (diploma, ADN, BSN, RN-to-BSN, graduate RN, APRN, or direct-entry NP tracks all qualify), and have classes beginning by September 30 of the award year.
Service commitment: Each year of funding is repaid with one year of service at an eligible Critical Shortage Facility – a hospital, clinic, or health center with a documented nursing shortage. The minimum commitment is two years, whether the scholarship covers one or two academic years.
Application window: The 2026–27 cycle opened March 10 and closed April 9, 2026. The next cycle typically opens in early March. Award notifications go out by September 30. This is a competitive program; apply early and ensure your application is complete before the deadline.
Where to apply: bhw.hrsa.gov/programs/nurse-corps/scholarship
NHSC Scholarship Program
The National Health Service Corps (NHSC) Scholarship is structurally similar to the Nurse Corps Scholarship but specifically targets primary care advanced practice providers. Eligible nursing tracks include nurse practitioners with primary care specialties (family, adult-gerontology primary care, pediatric, psychiatric-mental health) and certified nurse-midwives.
Award: Full tuition and required fees, plus a monthly stipend for living expenses.
Eligibility: U.S. citizen or national; full-time enrollment in an eligible primary care health professions program; classes beginning on or before September 30 of the award year.
Service commitment: One year of service for each year of funding received, with a minimum of two years at an NHSC-approved site in a Health Professional Shortage Area (HPSA). Sites span rural, frontier, and urban underserved communities.
Application window: The 2026–27 cycle closed April 16, 2026. The program typically reopens in early spring each year.
Where to apply: nhsc.hrsa.gov/scholarships
If your career goal is primary care NP or midwifery practice in an underserved setting, this and the Nurse Corps Scholarship represent the most significant funding available – potentially covering your entire program cost plus living expenses.
Jonas Scholars Program
The Jonas Scholars Program targets graduate students specifically – PhD and DNP candidates – at schools that are members of the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN). The program focuses on growing the nursing faculty pipeline and expanding the number of advanced practice nurses trained to serve veterans.
Award: $12,000 over two years, structured as university-matched support ($6,000 from Jonas Philanthropies, $6,000 matched by the member institution). Scholars who go on to serve in a faculty role for at least one year post-graduation receive an additional $6,000.
Eligibility: PhD or DNP students enrolled at AACN member institutions. Applications for the 2026–2028 cohort were due June 26, 2026.
Beyond the money: Jonas Scholars receive leadership training, access to a national peer network, and mentorship from nursing faculty and APRN leaders. For students heading toward advanced practice or academic careers, the network value is arguably as significant as the award itself.
Where to apply: aacnnursing.org/jonas-nursing
AACN scholarship programs
The American Association of Colleges of Nursing administers several scholarship programs for students at AACN member schools, offered in partnership with industry sponsors.
AACN–Certiphi Scholarship: $5,000 per recipient; three awards given annually. Open to pre-licensure students at AACN member schools with a GPA of 3.2 or higher. Application window opens September 1 and closes November 1 each year.
Hurst Review/AACN Scholarship: $2,500; available to BSN, MSN, or DNP students at AACN member institutions maintaining at least a 3.2 GPA.
Several additional awards run throughout the year in partnership with QGenda, Uniform Advantage, NurseThink, and others. Deadlines cluster around February 1, July 1, and October 1.
Where to apply: aacnnursing.org/students/scholarships-financial-aid
Foundation of the National Student Nurses Association (FNSNA)
The FNSNA runs one of the most accessible national scholarship programs for nursing students at all levels. Awards reach up to $10,000 per recipient and are evaluated on a combination of academic achievement, financial need, and involvement in nursing student organizations and community health activities.
Eligible programs: ADN, BSN, diploma (hospital-based), direct-entry master’s, RN-to-BSN, RN-to-MSN, and accelerated BSN (12–18 month programs). Applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents with at least one semester remaining at the time of application.
Application deadline: The 2026 cycle closed January 9, 2026, with award decisions in March. The program reopens in late fall for the following cycle. Students who are considering this scholarship should plan well ahead of the calendar year in which they need funding.
Where to apply: fnsna.org/scholarships
NBNA Scholarship Program
The National Black Nurses Association (NBNA) scholarship program awarded over $257,000 across 57 scholarships in 2023. Individual awards start at $1,000 and can reach $5,000 or more depending on the specific scholarship. The NBNA also administers Band Aid Grants at $10,000 for qualifying applicants.
Eligibility: Applicants must be current NBNA members (and members of a local chapter, or direct members if no chapter exists within 50 miles). Enrollment must be in an accredited nursing program at any level – LPN/LVN through doctoral. Applicants need at least one full year of school remaining and must be in good academic standing.
Application materials: Official transcripts, a two-page personal statement, two letters of recommendation (one from a faculty member, one from chapter leadership), a resume/CV, and a registrar verification letter.
2026 deadline: March 15, 2026 at 5 PM EST.
Where to apply: nbna.org/programs-committees/programs/scholarships
Tylenol Future Care Scholarship
The Tylenol Future Care Scholarship targets graduate-level healthcare students. TYLENOL awards 10 scholarships at $10,000 and 25 scholarships at $5,000 each cycle.
Eligibility: Graduate nursing students (MSN, DNP, CRNA programs), or college seniors who will be entering a graduate nursing program during the upcoming academic year. Applicants must have at least one year of school remaining and be residents of the 50 US states, Puerto Rico, or the District of Columbia. Previous recipients cannot reapply.
Deadline: The application typically opens in spring and closes in August each year.
Where to apply: tylenol.com/tylenol-future-care-scholarship
State nursing scholarships and service commitments
Federal programs cover a lot of ground, but state-level funding and hospital-sponsored programs can be equally valuable – and often less competitive.
State board nursing scholarships
Most states administer nursing scholarship and loan repayment programs through their state office of rural health, state nursing associations, or department of health workforce. These programs vary considerably in structure: some are scholarships, some are loan forgiveness, and some combine both. Most prioritize applicants willing to commit to practice in underserved areas of the state.
California: The California Nurses Foundation offers scholarships to ADN students at California-based programs with planned graduation between September 2026 and August 2027. The application cycle closes July 15, 2026. Additional California-specific programs include loan repayment through the Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development.
Texas: The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board administers nursing scholarship and workforce programs; check the Texas Nursing website and individual health systems for current cycles.
New York: The New York State Education Department and various regional nursing associations offer scholarships targeting workforce shortages in upstate and rural regions.
The most efficient way to find current state programs: contact your State Office of Rural Health and your state nursing association (most states have one affiliated with the American Nurses Association).
Hospital scholarship-for-service programs
Several major health systems offer pre-employment scholarships – they fund your nursing education in exchange for a work commitment after graduation. This is different from tuition reimbursement (which reimburses existing employees). Scholarship-for-service programs recruit students before they graduate.
Representative examples:
- HCA Healthcare: Up to $5,250/year in educational assistance; typically requires a two-year post-graduation commitment at an HCA facility.
- Johns Hopkins Health System: Up to $15,000/year in tuition support for employees in approved degree programs (BSN through graduate level).
- Mayo Clinic: Up to $3,500/year through its Career Investment Program for eligible employees pursuing nursing degrees.
- Piedmont Healthcare (Georgia): Scholarship funds covering tuition, books, and program supplies through their Nursing Scholars Program.
How to find these programs: Search “[major health system in your target market] nursing scholars program” or “scholarship-for-service nursing.” Hospital career pages – not HR portals – typically list these programs. If you have a target employer, calling their nursing recruitment line is faster than searching their website.
The trade-off with scholarship-for-service programs is real: you’re making an employment commitment before you know what specialty you want or whether that employer’s culture suits you. That said, for students who are geographically fixed and already know which systems dominate their local market, these programs can cover costs that federal scholarships don’t reach.
Need-based vs merit-based scholarships
Most nursing scholarships blend both criteria, but understanding the primary emphasis helps you prioritize where to put your energy.
Need-based scholarships assess your Expected Family Contribution (EFC) from the FAFSA and your cost of attendance. The FNSNA scholarship weights financial need heavily alongside academic achievement. Federal programs like the Nurse Corps and NHSC don’t use GPA as a selection criterion – they care about your service commitment and program completion. If your financial need is high and your GPA is average, need-based programs are your best starting point.
Merit-based scholarships lead with GPA and achievement. The AACN–Certiphi and Hurst Review scholarships require a minimum 3.2 GPA and evaluate academic record. Private foundation scholarships and many hospital-sponsored awards fall here. If you’re carrying a strong GPA, these are worth pursuing because the pool is self-selecting – only students who believe their record is competitive apply.
Service-commitment programs function differently from both. They’re not selecting on financial need or GPA so much as fit: do your career goals align with underserved practice settings? For students who want that path anyway, these programs effectively convert a career preference into full tuition coverage.
Most scholarship applicants should apply across all three categories simultaneously. There’s no penalty for winning multiple awards, though some programs will reduce their award if you report other funding – read the terms carefully.
One practical note: a 2.5 GPA doesn’t disqualify you from most nursing scholarships. GPA thresholds below 3.0 are rare for merit awards but don’t exist at all for need-based and service programs. If you’re concerned about GPA, see our guide to nursing schools with lower GPA requirements.
How to find more scholarships
The programs above are a starting point, not an exhaustive list. Hundreds of smaller awards exist at the state, regional, and institutional level. Here’s where to look systematically:
Your school’s financial aid office. This is the most underused source. Schools maintain lists of scholarships specific to their students – many with low application volume because they’re not widely advertised. Make an appointment; don’t rely on the website alone.
Your state nursing association. The American Nurses Association’s state affiliates typically maintain scholarship listings for their state. Search “[your state] Nurses Association scholarship.” Most publish annual lists.
Professional nursing specialty organizations. If you know your specialty interest – oncology, neonatal, critical care, nephrology – the relevant specialty organization almost certainly has a scholarship program. Examples: the Oncology Nursing Society Foundation, the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses, the American Nephrology Nurses Association.
HRSA’s Bureau of Health Workforce. Beyond the Nurse Corps Scholarship, HRSA administers multiple workforce development programs. bhw.hrsa.gov is worth bookmarking.
Scholarships.com and Bold.org. Both aggregate scholarships across fields and allow major-specific filtering. The listings aren’t always current, but they surface smaller awards that don’t appear in general searches. Verify deadlines on the awarding organization’s site before investing time in an application.
Your employer (if you’re working while in school). Many hospitals, home health agencies, and long-term care facilities offer tuition assistance to employees. If you’re working in any healthcare-adjacent setting, check with HR before you assume the benefit doesn’t exist.
For a complete picture of financial aid options beyond scholarships – including grants, federal loans, and work-study programs – see the financial aid section of our nursing school cost guide.
How to write a competitive nursing scholarship essay
Most nursing scholarship applications require an essay or personal statement in the 250–500 word range. The common prompt is a variation of: “Why do you want to become a nurse, and how will this scholarship help you achieve that?”
Committees reading dozens of essays develop quick pattern recognition. These openings generate immediate skepticism: “Nursing is a noble profession,” “I’ve always wanted to help people,” and “From a young age, I knew I wanted to work in healthcare.” They’re not wrong – they’re generic. Every other applicant wrote something similar.
What separates competitive essays:
A specific inciting moment. Instead of stating that you’re drawn to nursing, open with a moment – a conversation, a clinical observation, a personal experience – that explains why nursing specifically, rather than medicine or social work. Committees want to see that you understand what nurses do.
Goals that match the scholarship’s mission. This requires reading the scholarship’s stated purpose before you write. A service-commitment scholarship wants to see that your career goals align with underserved settings. A merit scholarship wants evidence of academic dedication. Tailor the closing paragraph for each application – the opening story can stay; the framing should shift.
Demonstrate over declare. “I am compassionate and hardworking” tells the committee nothing. “During my CNA rotation, I spent 20 minutes after my shift explaining a patient’s discharge instructions until she could repeat them back” shows it. Use the STAR structure (Situation, Task, Action, Result) when describing experiences.
Financial need, handled directly. If you’re applying to a need-based scholarship, address your financial situation plainly and factually. Committees aren’t looking for a hardship narrative – they’re assessing genuine need. One clear paragraph is enough.
Keep your essay within the word limit. If the prompt asks for 500 words, a 700-word submission signals poor editing judgment. Proofread for grammar and spelling with the same care you’d give a clinical documentation entry.
For students pursuing second-degree nursing programs or accelerated BSN programs, scholarships are often worth more in those compressed timelines since you can’t work full-time while completing an accelerated curriculum.
Frequently asked questions
What scholarships are available for nursing school?
Major national programs include the Nurse Corps Scholarship (full tuition plus stipend), the NHSC Scholarship (full coverage for primary care NP and CNM students), the FNSNA award (up to $10,000), the NBNA Scholarship ($1,000–$5,000+), the Tylenol Future Care Scholarship ($5,000 or $10,000 for graduate students), and AACN partner scholarships ($2,500–$5,000). State programs and hospital scholarship-for-service arrangements add further options depending on where you plan to practice.
How do I get a scholarship for nursing school?
Complete the FAFSA first to establish need eligibility. Then identify programs that match your enrollment level, GPA, and career goals. Start with your school’s financial aid office – institutional scholarships are often less competitive. For national programs, submit before the deadline; the Nurse Corps typically closes in early April. Apply to multiple programs simultaneously.
What GPA do you need for nursing scholarships?
Merit-based awards like the AACN–Certiphi Scholarship require a 3.2 GPA minimum. Many merit programs set 3.0. Need-based programs like FNSNA typically accept 2.5. Service-commitment programs like the Nurse Corps and NHSC don’t specify a GPA minimum – they assess your commitment to underserved practice settings.
Can nursing students get full-ride scholarships?
Yes. The Nurse Corps and NHSC scholarships cover full tuition, fees, books, supplies, and a monthly living stipend. Both require a binding service commitment of at least two years after graduation in an underserved healthcare setting.
Are there scholarships for RN-to-BSN students?
Yes. The Nurse Corps Scholarship explicitly covers RN-to-BSN bridge programs. The FNSNA includes RN-to-BSN and RN-to-MSN students. AACN partner programs cover students pursuing BSN through DNP at member institutions – which includes most RN-to-BSN tracks. Many health systems also offer tuition reimbursement for employed RNs completing their BSN; check with your employer’s HR department.
What is the HRSA nursing scholarship?
HRSA administers two main programs: the Nurse Corps Scholarship (any accredited nursing program, full coverage plus stipend, two-year service commitment at a Critical Shortage Facility) and the NHSC Scholarship (primary care NP or CNM programs, full coverage, service commitment in a Health Professional Shortage Area). Both open in early spring each year. See the full details in the national scholarships section above.
How competitive are nursing scholarships?
Large national programs like the Nurse Corps receive thousands of applications and are highly selective. Smaller programs – your school’s institutional awards, state association scholarships, and regional hospital programs – receive far fewer applicants. Your odds improve when you apply to 8–12 programs rather than 2–3 and tailor each application to the scholarship’s specific mission.
When should I apply for nursing school scholarships?
Earlier than you think. The Nurse Corps application opens in early March for the following fall. The FNSNA deadline is January. Complete the FAFSA on December 1 (the first day it opens). Hospital scholarship-for-service programs sometimes sign agreements up to two years before your expected graduation date. Build a calendar of deadlines at the start of each academic year.
Lindsay Smith, AGPCNP, is a contributing author and clinical reviewer for NursingSchoolsNearMe.com. Content is reviewed for accuracy against primary sources including HRSA, NHSC, and professional nursing association guidelines.