CRNA Scholarships for College

CRNA Scholarships, Costs & ROI Snapshot

This snapshot pulls from CollegeWhale’s scholarship database and planning tools to show how many scholarships are available for CRNA majors, the total dollars listed, and how early-career pay compares to typical college costs.

Scholarships in Our Database

We currently list 31 active scholarships tied to CRNA programs, sourced from professional groups, nonprofits, and private sponsors. New awards are added regularly.

Total Scholarship Dollars Listed

The scholarships currently listed total approximately $127,000 in advertised award value. Many programs offer renewable or variable awards, so available funding may be higher over time.

Early-Career Pay & ROI

Early-career median pay for CRNA graduates is about $190,000 per year. We estimate a typical 4-year net college cost around $108,584.

That means first-year earnings are roughly 175% of total college cost, with an estimated payback period of 0.6 years (before taxes and living expenses).

CRNA Scholarships to Apply for Now (Scholarship FastFind™)

The CollegeWhale Scholarship FastFind™ makes it easy to discover the best CRNA scholarships — fast. Filter by award amount, deadline month, and estimated time to apply, then instantly download your personalized list. No sign-ups, no personal info, no spam — just real, verified scholarships.

1

Dean M. Cox Memorial Scholarship

The Dean M. Cox Memorial Scholarship was established by David Javaheri in memory of Dean M. Cox, CRNA, to honor his lasting commitment to education within the nurse anesthesia profession. This scholarship recognizes nurse anesthesia residents who actively promote education,

Award: $3,000 Deadline: Rolling Est. Application Time: Med (43 min)
2

Cynthia McNerney Scholarship

The Cynthia McNerney Scholarship is funded through Ms. McNerney’s estate and was established to support nurse anesthesia residents as they progress through the rigorous demands of anesthesia education. This scholarship reflects a lasting commitment to the nurse anesthesia profession and

Award: $3,000 Deadline: Rolling Est. Application Time: Low (10 min)
3

CRNA Financial Success Scholarship

The CRNA Financial Success Scholarship is sponsored by CRNA Financial Planning® and is designed to support nurse anesthesia residents who demonstrate a thoughtful and proactive approach to long-term financial success within the profession. This scholarship recognizes that financial literacy, strategic

Award: $3,000 Deadline: Rolling Est. Application Time: Med (40 min)
4

Birgitta Johansson Scholarship Fund

The Birgitta Johansson Scholarship Fund was established to support doctoral nurse anesthesia residents enrolled at the CAMC School of Nurse Anesthesia in Charleston, West Virginia. This scholarship honors the legacy of Mary “Betty” Ramey and reflects a commitment to advancing

Award: $3,000 Deadline: Rolling Est. Application Time: Low (10 min)
5

Colorado Nurses Foundation Scholarships

The Colorado Nurses Foundation (CNF) Scholarships are designed to advance the nursing profession within the state of Colorado by providing financial support to nursing students and registered nurses pursuing further education. As the philanthropic arm dedicated to supporting Colorado nurses,

Award: Varies Deadline: Rolling Est. Application Time: Low (13 min)
6

ABN Graduate Nursing Scholarships

The ABN Graduate Nursing Scholarships are administered by the Alabama Board of Nursing (ABN) to support registered nurses pursuing graduate-level nursing education. Funded through allocations from the Alabama Education Trust Fund, these scholarships are designed to strengthen Alabama’s nursing workforce

Award: Varies Deadline: Rolling Est. Application Time: Low (13 min)
7

American Indian Medical Scholarship

The American Indian Medical Scholarship (AIMS) is a long-standing national scholarship program created to support students of American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian descent who are pursuing careers in healthcare, nursing, or health education. Officially adopted as a national

Award: $1,500 Deadline: Rolling Est. Application Time: Med (33 min)
8

Exceptional Nurse Scholarships

The Exceptional Nurse Scholarships are designed to support nursing students with documented disabilities who are pursuing higher education in nursing. Offered through ExceptionalNurse.com, these scholarships recognize academic ability, perseverance, and dedication to the nursing profession while helping reduce financial barriers

Award: $250 Deadline: June Est. Application Time: Med (78 min)
9

National Association of Hispanic Nurses Scholarship Programs

The National Association of Hispanic Nurses (NAHN) Scholarship Programs provide financial assistance to nursing students and graduate-level nurses who demonstrate academic promise, leadership potential, and a commitment to improving health outcomes within Hispanic and Latino communities. These scholarships are awarded

Award: Varies Deadline: Rolling Est. Application Time: Med (48 min)
10

ACNL Leadership and Advanced Degree Scholarships

The ACNL Leadership and Advanced Degree Scholarships are offered by the Academy of Clinical Nurse Leaders (ACNL) to support registered nurses who are advancing their education and leadership capacity through higher academic study. These scholarships are designed for nurses who

Award: Varies Deadline: Rolling Est. Application Time: Low (10 min)
11

Advancing Nurse Leadership in Post-Acute Care Scholarship

The Advancing Nurse Leadership in Post-Acute Care Scholarship supports registered nurses who are actively working in post-acute care settings and pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) or higher degree. Offered by the AAPACN Education Foundation, this scholarship is

Award: $5,000 Deadline: Rolling Est. Application Time: Med (33 min)
12

CEUfast Graduate Nursing Scholarship

The CEUfast Graduate Nursing Scholarship supports graduate-level nursing students who demonstrate advanced knowledge, educational leadership, and subject-matter expertise. Also offered by CEUfast, this scholarship takes a unique, academically rigorous approach by requiring applicants to author a full nursing-focused continuing education

Award: $5,000 Deadline: August Est. Application Time: Low (13 min)
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Expert Answers to the Most Asked CRNA Scholarship Questions

Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) are advanced practice nurses who administer anesthesia, manage airways, and provide anesthesia care across surgical, obstetric, trauma, and procedural settings. CRNA programs require full-time enrollment, intensive didactic coursework, and extensive clinical anesthesia training, often limiting a student’s ability to work during school. As a result, the cost of nurse anesthesia education can be substantial, making scholarships and service-based funding especially important for reducing long-term debt.

CRNA scholarships are offered by professional associations, healthcare organizations, universities, military programs, and workforce development initiatives. Competitive awards focus on academic readiness, ICU and critical care experience, leadership, and a demonstrated commitment to the nurse anesthesia profession.

Are There Scholarships for CRNA Students?

Yes. While CRNA-specific scholarships are more limited than undergraduate nursing awards, meaningful funding opportunities do exist. Most scholarships are targeted toward students already admitted to accredited nurse anesthesia programs, many of whom bring extensive ICU and high-acuity clinical experience into training.

Because CRNA programs are academically demanding and time-intensive, many funding pathways emphasize professional involvement, workforce placement, or service commitments following graduation.

Professional Association Scholarships

American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology (AANA) Foundation

The AANA Foundation offers scholarships and grants specifically for student registered nurse anesthetists (SRNAs). These awards are among the most recognized funding sources within the nurse anesthesia profession.

  • Available to enrolled SRNAs in accredited programs
  • May include merit-based and need-based awards
  • Often emphasize academic achievement and professional involvement

CollegeWhale Tip: AANA Foundation applications are strongest when they highlight leadership, advocacy, and long-term commitment to nurse anesthesia practice.

Military and Service-Based CRNA Funding

Military and service-based programs represent some of the most comprehensive funding options available to CRNA students. These pathways often cover full tuition and provide a living stipend in exchange for a post-graduation service commitment. Military CRNA programs have historically played a significant role in developing the nurse anesthesia workforce and remain among the most generous funding options in advanced practice nursing.

  • Active-duty and reserve military CRNA programs
  • Federal and state healthcare workforce initiatives
  • Service obligations typically begin after graduation

Hospital and Employer-Sponsored Scholarships

Some hospitals and healthcare systems offer tuition assistance or scholarship funding to nurses pursuing CRNA education. These programs are often structured as sponsorships tied to employment agreements and may appeal to students planning to return to a specific facility after graduation.

  • Tuition reimbursement or direct tuition coverage
  • Employment commitment following program completion
  • May include sign-on incentives or retention bonuses

Diversity and Workforce Development Scholarships

Diversity-focused scholarships aim to support underrepresented groups in nurse anesthesia and advanced practice nursing. Workforce development initiatives may also target geographic shortages or expand access to anesthesia services in rural or underserved communities.

  • Diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives
  • State-based healthcare workforce grants
  • Programs supporting rural or underserved practice settings

University and Program-Level CRNA Scholarships

Many nurse anesthesia programs administer internal scholarships funded by alumni, donors, or affiliated healthcare systems. These awards may help offset tuition, clinical travel expenses, or research-related costs.

  • Departmental and program-specific awards
  • Merit- and need-based internal funding
  • Clinical travel and educational support stipends

What CRNA Scholarship Committees Look For

  • Academic readiness for rigorous anesthesia training
  • Strong ICU or critical care experience with complex patient populations
  • Leadership roles, professional involvement, and clinical maturity
  • Clear articulation of long-term goals within nurse anesthesia practice

Common Myth About CRNA Scholarships

Myth: CRNA students must rely entirely on student loans to pay for school.

Reality: While loans are common, many CRNAs reduce total education debt through scholarships, employer sponsorships, military programs, and service-based funding pathways.

CollegeWhale Tip: CRNA funding opportunities often reward professional involvement. Joining associations, attending meetings, and networking early can directly improve scholarship access.