Nurse Practitioner Scholarships for College

Nurse Practitioner Scholarships, Costs & ROI Snapshot

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

Scholarships in Our Database

We currently list 23 active scholarships tied to Nurse Practitioner programs, sourced from professional groups, nonprofits, and private sponsors. New awards are added regularly.

Total Scholarship Dollars Listed

The scholarships currently listed total approximately $65,000 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 Nurse Practitioner graduates is about $105,000 per year. We estimate a typical 4-year net college cost around $108,584.

That means first-year earnings are roughly 97% of total college cost, with an estimated payback period of 1 years (before taxes and living expenses).

Nurse Practitioner Scholarships to Apply for Now (Scholarship FastFind™)

The CollegeWhale Scholarship FastFind™ makes it easy to discover the best Nurse Practitioner 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

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)
2

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)
3

AAPACN Education Foundation Academic Nursing Scholarships

The AAPACN Education Foundation Academic Nursing Scholarships are designed to support nurses and nursing professionals who are committed to improving the quality of life and care for residents in post-acute and long-term care settings. Through education scholarships and research grants,

Award: $5,000 Deadline: Rolling Est. Application Time: Low (10 min)
4

Heartfelt Dreams Foundation Academic Nursing Scholarship

The Heartfelt Dreams Foundation Academic Nursing Scholarship was established to support nurses and nursing students who are dedicated to advancing cardiac care for individuals living with congenital heart defects. The scholarship reflects the Foundation’s deep appreciation for the essential role

Award: $5,000 Deadline: September Est. Application Time: Low (23 min)
5

NADONA/LTC Nurse Scholarship Sponsored by PharMerica

The NADONA/LTC Nurse Scholarship, sponsored by PharMerica, is designed to support nursing students who are committed to careers in long-term care and geriatric nursing. Formerly known as the Stephanie Carroll Scholarship, this award honors the legacy of nurse leaders within

Award: $5,000 Deadline: Rolling Est. Application Time: Low (13 min)
6

The Melanie Foundation Mental Health Scholarship

The Melanie Foundation Mental Health Scholarship was established to honor the life and legacy of Melanie Merola O’Donnell, whose career and personal mission were devoted to alleviating suffering caused by mental illness. Created by her family and friends, the foundation

Award: $2,500 Deadline: March Est. Application Time: Med (58 min)
7

Oncology Nursing Foundation Doctoral Scholarship

The Oncology Nursing Foundation Doctoral Scholarship is designed to support registered nurses who are deeply committed to advancing oncology nursing through doctoral-level education. Supported by the Oncology Nursing Foundation, the Oncology Nursing Certification Corporation, and the Ann Olson Scholarship Fund,

Award: $7,500 Deadline: Rolling Est. Application Time: Med (33 min)
8

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)
9

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)
10

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)
11

DiversityNursing.com Education Award

The DiversityNursing.com Education Award is designed to support nurses and nursing students who are actively contributing to the healthcare workforce or preparing to do so through formal nursing education. Offered annually, this award reflects DiversityNursing.com’s ongoing commitment to advancing diversity,

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

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)
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Expert Answers to the Most Asked Nurse Practitioner Scholarship Questions

Nurse Practitioners (NPs) are advanced practice registered nurses who diagnose conditions, prescribe medications, and manage patient care in primary care clinics, hospitals, specialty practices, and rural or underserved settings. NP programs require graduate-level coursework, extensive supervised clinical hours, and a significant time commitment, which can make the cost of education substantial—especially for nurses balancing tuition with reduced work schedules. To help manage these expenses, a wide range of scholarships, grants, and service-based funding programs are available for nurses pursuing Nurse Practitioner education.

NP scholarships are offered by professional nursing organizations, healthcare systems, universities, government agencies, and workforce development programs. Competitive awards focus on academic performance, relevant clinical experience, leadership potential, and a demonstrated commitment to patient-centered care across a wide range of NP specialties.

Are There Scholarships for Nurse Practitioner Students?

Yes. Nurse Practitioner students have access to a broad range of scholarship opportunities at the graduate level. Many programs are designed for nurses already admitted to accredited NP programs, including Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP), Psychiatric-Mental Health NP (PMHNP), Acute Care NP (AGACNP), Pediatric NP, and other specialty tracks.

Many nurses search for NP scholarships because graduate tuition, clinical hour requirements, and limited earning capacity during training can make financing NP school challenging. Some funding pathways include service commitments, employment agreements, or practice location requirements following graduation.

Professional Association Scholarships

Professional nursing organizations play a major role in supporting NP education through scholarships and grants. These awards are competitive and often designed to support the development of future leaders in advanced practice nursing.

  • Available to students enrolled in accredited NP programs
  • May include merit-based, need-based, or specialty-focused awards
  • Often emphasize leadership, advocacy, and professional engagement

CollegeWhale Tip: Strong NP scholarship applications clearly connect academic goals with long-term plans to serve specific patient populations, communities, or clinical specialties.

Federal, Military, and Service-Based NP Funding

Service-based funding programs represent some of the most comprehensive financial support options for Nurse Practitioner students. These programs may provide tuition assistance, living stipends, or loan repayment in exchange for a post-graduation service commitment. For nurses open to working in high-need settings, these programs can significantly reduce overall student loan debt.

  • Federal and state healthcare workforce initiatives
  • Military and public service scholarship pathways
  • Service obligations often focus on high-need or underserved areas

Hospital and Employer-Sponsored Scholarships

Many healthcare employers offer tuition assistance or sponsorship programs for nurses pursuing Nurse Practitioner education. These programs are commonly structured around continued employment or post-graduation service agreements and may appeal to nurses planning to remain with a specific healthcare system.

  • Tuition reimbursement or direct tuition support
  • Employment or service commitment after program completion
  • May include retention incentives or career advancement opportunities

Diversity and Healthcare Workforce Scholarships

Diversity-focused scholarships aim to support underrepresented populations in advanced practice nursing and strengthen the NP workforce in communities with limited access to healthcare services.

  • Diversity, equity, and inclusion scholarship initiatives
  • State-based workforce development grants
  • Programs supporting rural or medically underserved communities

University and Program-Level NP Scholarships

Many universities and nursing schools administer internal scholarships specifically for Nurse Practitioner students. These awards are often funded by alumni, donors, or affiliated healthcare partners and may be less competitive than national scholarship programs.

  • School- and department-based scholarships
  • Merit- and need-based institutional funding
  • Support for clinical placements or program-related expenses

How to Strengthen a Nurse Practitioner Scholarship Application

  • Demonstrate readiness for graduate-level clinical training
  • Highlight nursing experience relevant to your intended NP specialty
  • Secure recommendations from clinical supervisors or faculty
  • Clearly articulate career goals and the patient populations you plan to serve

Common Myth About Nurse Practitioner Scholarships

Myth: Nurse Practitioner students must rely entirely on student loans to fund their education.

Reality: While loans are common, many NPs reduce total education costs through scholarships, employer support, service-based programs, and workforce development funding.

CollegeWhale Tip: Early professional involvement—such as joining NP organizations, pursuing leadership roles, and building relationships with faculty—can directly improve access to scholarship opportunities.