January 19th, 2012
By Jennifer Olin, BSN, RN
Money for Nothing was a great song by Dire Straits back in the mid-'80s and it should be the theme song for paying for nursing school. There are literally thousands of scholarships available to nursing students of all levels, all across the country. They come from private foundations, colleges and universities, businesses and even your city, state, and federal governments. All it takes to collect is some research and some time filling out applications.
I can't begin to list every nursing school scholarship out there. What I can do is give you a starting place and point out this one thing: the time is now to start the application process for next year. A few scholarships actually have early January deadlines for the next school year (like the National Student Nurses' Association) but if you find you missed one check back often to catch the next application date.
What you will find below is a list of some state's nursing scholarships, their amounts and their application deadlines. Look closely, some applications are due in just a few weeks, by February 1, and others come up quickly in March and April. Don't let opportunities for free funding pass you by. It's just that much sooner you can finish that nursing degree and join the ranks.
ARIZONA
ARIZONA NURSES FOUNDATION ACADEMIC SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM
Provides scholarship to college students enrolled in or accepted to nursing programs in Arizona.
Amount of Award: $500-1,000
Number of Awards: 18 each year
Deadline: March/October each year
Duration of Award: up to four years
CALIFORNIA
PAST PRESIDENTS' PARLEY NURSING SCHOLARSHIPS
Provides scholarship to California residents who are veterans or members of their families entering into or are continuing students in a nursing program.
Amount of Award: $500-$1,500
Application Deadline: April of each year.
Duration of Award: one year
Number of Awards: Varies
http://www.calegionaux.org/scholarships.htm
CHOOSENURSING.COM SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM
Provides scholarships to nursing students attending an accredited Associate or Baccalaureate nursing degree program in California.
Amount of Award: $2,000 – $5,000
Application Deadline: April/September of each year
Duration of Award: one year
Number of Awards: Varies
http://www.choosenursing.com/paying/scholarships.html
CALIFORNIA EMERGENCY NURSES ASSOCIATION SCHOLARSHIP
Provide scholarships in the discipline of emergency nursing at the undergraduate, graduate, post graduate and doctoral levels of study. Provides research grants in the field that will help to expand and advance the knowledge base of emergency nursing, improving patient outcomes and creating new standards for practice.
http://www.ena.org/foundation/scholarships/
COLORADO
COLORADO LEGION AUXILIARY PAST PRESIDENTS' PARLEY NURSES' SCHOLARSHIP
Provides scholarships to wartime veterans and their descendants in Colorado who are interested preparing for a career in nursing.
Amount of Award: Varies
Application Deadline: April of each year
Duration of Award: one year
Number of Awards: Varies
Email: ala@coloradolegion.org
CONNECTICUT
CONNECTICUT CHAPTER HFMA UNDERGRADUATE SCHOLARSHIP
Provides scholarships to undergraduate/graduate students in fields related to healthcare at colleges in Connecticut based upon the quality of the written response to question about a current issue in health care.
Amount of Award: $2,000 to undergraduate student; $2,000 graduate student
Application Deadline: April of each year
Duration of Award: one year
Number of Awards: two each year
http://www.cthfma.org/site/epage/18079_473.htm
CONNECTICUT LEAGUE FOR NURSING SCHOLARSHIP
Provides scholarship to nursing students enrolled in Connecticut accredited nursing program (NLN or AACN).
Amount of Award: Varies
Application Deadline: October of each year
Duration of Award: one year
Number of Awards: one or more
DELAWARE
DELAWARE NURSING INCENTIVE PROGRAM
Provide loan repayment provisions (merit-based recruitment program) to Delaware residents enrolled in an accredited program leading to certification as an RN or LPN.
Amount of Award: Varies
Number of Awards: Varies
Application Deadline: March each year
http://www.doe.k12.de.us/programs/dhec/how_to_apply/financial_aid/FA_webpages/nursing.shtml
MARGARET A. STAFFORD NURSING SCHOLARSHIP
Provides scholarship to resident of Delaware who has been accepted into an accredited college or university's nursing program within or outside Delaware.
Amount of Award: $1,000
Number of Awards: one a year
Application Deadline: March each year
Duration of Award: one time
FLORIDA
JENNET COLLIFLOWER KEYS NURSING SCHOLARSHIP
Provide nursing scholarship to Florida residents and enrolled full-time in a Florida public or private university.
Amount of Award: $1,000
Number of Awards: two each year
Duration of Award: one year
Application Deadline: May each year
http://www.dadecommunityfoundation.org/Site/programs/guideline1.jsp
FLORIDA NURSES FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIPS
Provide scholarships to students who are enrolled in a nationally accredited nursing program in Florida. Students must be a resident of Florida for at least one year.
Amount of Award: Varies
Application Deadline: June of each year
Duration of Award: one semester or year
Number of Awards: Varies
http://www.floridanurse.org/foundationGrants/index.asp
GEORGIA
GEORGIA LEGION AUXILIARY PAST PRESIDENT PARLEY NURSING SCHOLARSHIP
Provide scholarships to wartime veterans and their descendants in Georgia who are interested preparing for a career in nursing.
Amount of Award: Varies
Application Deadline: May of each year
Number of Awards: Varies
Email: amlegaux@bellsouth.net
HAWAII
HAWAII STUDENT NURSES' ASSOCIATION SCHOLARSHIP
Provides scholarships to Hawaii residents who are preparing for a career in nursing.
Amount of Award: Varies
Duration of Award: one year
Number of Awards: Varies
http://www.hawaiicommunityfoundation.org/index.php?id=23
ILLINOIS
ILLINOIS HOSPITAL RESEARCH AND EDUCATION FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIPS
Provides scholarships to Illinois residents accepted into or enrolled in a hospital-related health care professional curriculum.
Amount of Award: $1,000
Number of Awards: Varies
Application Deadline: April of each year
Duration of Award: one year
INDIANA
IHC FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIP
Provides scholarship to students in Indiana who are working on a nursing degree. Indiana Health Care Foundation, Inc.
Amount of Award: $700-$1,500 each year
Application Deadline: April each year
Duration of Award: one year
IOWA
JUSTINE E. GRANNER MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP
Provide scholarship to American Indian or other ethnic minority students preparing for a career in nursing or other health-related fields at a college or school of nursing within the State of Iowa.
Amount of Award: $1,000
Number of Awards: one each year
Application Deadline: February of each year
Duration of Award: one year
IOWA LEGION AUXILIARY PAST PRESIDENTS SCHOLARSHIP
Provide nursing scholarship to dependents of Iowa veterans and veterans who are members of the American Legion.
Amount of Award: Varies
Duration of Award: one year
Application Deadline: May each year
Email: alasectreas@ialegion.org
KANSAS
WESLEY SCHOOL OF NURSING ALUMNI ASSOCIATION ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIP
Provides scholarship to Kansas residents who are preparing for a career in nursing.
Amount of Award: $500
Application Deadline: June of each year
Duration of Award: one year
Number of Awards: three
KENTUCKY
NURSING SCHOLARSHIP KENTUCKY NURSES FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIPS
Kentucky Nurses Association (KNF) Provide scholarship to residents of Kentucky who are interested in working on a pre-licensure or advanced degree in nursing.
Amount of Award: Varies
Number of Awards: Varies
Duration of Award: one year
MARYLAND
MARYLAND LEGION AUXILIARY PAST PRESIDENTS' PARLEY NURSING SCHOLARSHIP
Provide scholarship for nursing education to the female descendants of Maryland veterans.
Amount of Award: $2,000
Number of Awards: one each year
Duration of Award: one year
Application Deadline: April of each year
Email: anna@alamd.org
MISSOURI
ERBY YOUNG SCHOLARSHIP, MLN SCHOLARSHIP, MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIPS
Provide scholarships to LPN and RN students who are working on associate and baccalaureate programs at an accredited school of nursing in Missouri. All applications must be submitted directly from the Missouri school of nursing.
Amount of Award: Varies
Application Deadline: October of each year
Duration of Award: one year
Number of Awards: one each scholarship
NEW HAMPSHIRE
ALICE M. YARNOLD AND SAMUEL YARNOLD SCHOLARSHIP
Provides scholarships to New Hampshire college students who are majoring in nursing, medicine and social work.
Amount of Award: $2,000-$5,000/year
Application Deadline: April of each year.
Duration of Award: one to three years
NEW JERSEY
NURSING SCHOLARSHIP NEW JERSEY LEGION AUXILIARY PAST PRESIDENTS' PARLEY NURSES SCHOLARSHIP
Provides scholarship for nursing education to New Jersey residents who are the children or grandchildren of veterans.
Amount of Award: Varies
Number of Awards: Varies
Application Deadline: March of each year
Duration of Award: one year
NORTH CAROLINA
THE GREAT 100 SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM
Provides scholarship to nursing students in North Carolina.
Amount of Award: $1,000
Duration of Award: one year
Number of Awards: Varies
OHIO
SERVICE LEAGUE NURSING SCHOLARSHIP
Provide scholarship to nursing students from Ohio who are working on a baccalaureate degree.
Amount of Award: Varies Number of Awards: one or more
Duration of Award: one year
Application Deadline: February of each year
http://www.akrongeneral.org/portal/page?_pageid=153,162567&_dad=portal&_schema=PORTAL
BIG 33 SCHOLARSHIPS
Provides scholarship to high school seniors in Ohio and Pennsylvania who plan to study nursing in college.
Amount of Award: $1,000-$1,600
Application Deadline: February of each year.
Duration of Award: one year
Number of Awards: Varies
OREGON
LAWRENCE R. FOSTER MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP
Provides scholarships for college or graduate school to residents of Oregon interested in preparing for a public health career.
Amount of Award: Varies
Application Deadline: February of each year.
Duration of Award: one year
Number of Awards: Varies
OREGON LEGION AUXILIARY DEPARTMENT NURSES SCHOLARSHIP
Provide scholarship for nursing education to the family members of Oregon veterans.
Amount of Award: $1,500
Application Deadline: May of each year.
Duration of Award: one year
Number of Awards: one each year
Email: pcalhoun@pcez.com
THE OREGON NURSING SERVICES PROGRAM
Provides student loan repayment on behalf of registered nurses (RNs) who enter into agreements to practice in "nursing critical shortage areas" in Oregon. Open to students enrolled in the last year of an RN program, recent RN graduates, and RNs currently practicing may apply. Oregon residency is not required when applying.
Amount of Award: Varies each year.
Application Deadline: contact the commission
http://www.osac.state.or.us/grants.html
PENNSYLVANIA
PAULINE THOMPSON NURSING EDUCTION SCHOLARSHIP
Provide scholarship to undergraduate nursing students in Pennsylvania. Nursing Foundation of Pennsylvania
Amount of Award: $1,000
Number of Awards: five each year
Application Deadline: May of each year
Duration of Award: one year
MCLEAN SCHOLARSHIP FOR NURSING AND PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT MAJORS
Provides scholarships to students at member institutions of the Association of Independent colleges and Universities of Pennsylvania (AICUP) who are enrolled in a nursing or physician assistant program.
Amount of Award: $2,500
Number of Awards: Varies
Duration of Award: one year
Application Deadline: April each year
JACK E. BARGER, SR., SCHOLARSHIPS
Provide nursing scholarship to veterans, active duty military personnel and their dependents. Must be a resident of Pennsylvania and attend the VFW Convention to accept the scholarship award.
Amount of Award: $1,000
Number of Awards: six each year
Application Deadline: April of each year
Duration of Award: one year
RHODE ISLAND
ALBERT E. AND FLORENCE W. NEWTON NURSE SCHOLARSHIP
Provide scholarships to nursing students. Preference will be given to Rhode Island residents committed to practicing in Rhode Island.
Amount of Award: $2,500-5,000
Number of Awards: Varies
Duration of Award: one year
Application Deadline: March/October
TEXAS
TEXAS PROFESSIONAL NURSING SCHOLARSHIPS (PNRS)
Provide scholarship to Texas students who are interested in preparing for a career as a professional nurse.
Amount of Award: $3,000
Number of Awards: Varies
Duration of Award: one year
TEXAS VOCATIONAL NURSING SCHOLARSHIPS
Provides scholarships to Texas students who are interested in preparing for a career as a vocational nurse.
Amount of Award: $1,500
Number of Awards: Varies
Duration of Award: one year
UTAH
UTAH NURSES FOUNDATION GRANT-IN-AID SCHOLARSHIPS
Provide scholarships to Utah residents who are interested in working on a nursing degree. Recipient must agree to join the Utah Nurses Association within six months of graduation at the reduced rates.
Amount of Award: Varies
Number of Awards: Varies
Application Deadline: March each year
Duration of Award:one year
http://www.utahnurses.org/groups/UNF/
VERMONT
FREEMAN NURSE SCHOLARSHIPS
Provides scholarships to under/graduate nursing students at nursing schools in Vermont who are willing to pursue a career in nursing and practice in Vermont.
Amount of Award: $7,500-$34,000
Application Deadline: April of each year
Duration of Award: one year
Number of Awards: Varies
http://www.choosenursingvermont.org/enter/freeman.html
WASHINGTON
WASHINGTON STATE NURSES FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIPS
Provides scholarships to Washington residents who are preparing for a career in nursing in the state.
Amount of Award: $1,000
Application Deadline: February of each year
Duration of Award: one year
Number of Awards: four
http://www.wsna.org/wsnf/scholarship.application.pdf
WISCONSIN
BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD OF WISCONSIN NURSING SCHOLARSHIPS
Provides scholarship to Wisconsin students who have completed at least one half of the credits necessary for graduation from MSN, BSN, ADN or LPN programs in Wisconsin. The school must be either a National League for Nursing (NLN) member or accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC).
Amount of Award: $500-$1,000
Application Deadline: July of each year.
Duration of Award: one year
Number of Awards: Varies
Email: modtech@att.net
WISCONSIN MEDICAL SOCIETY GENERAL MEDICAL EDUCATION SCHOLARSHIP
Provide scholarship to Wisconsin students working on a degree in medical or nursing related fields.
Amount of Award: $1,000
Application Deadline: April of each year.
Duration of Award: one year
Number of Awards: Varies
http://www.wisconsinmedicalsociety.org/foundation/support_for_students/scholarships