This snapshot is built from CollegeWhale’s own scholarship database and planning tools. It shows how many awards are available for Nursing majors, how much money is on the table, and what early-career pay and typical college costs can look like.
We currently have 146 Nursing scholarships available in our database. These awards may come from professional associations, nonprofit organizations, and private sponsors. We’re actively adding scholarships tied to Nursing. Check back often or use our main scholarship search to uncover more awards that fit your profile.
Across these listings, the total advertised award value comes to roughly $430,450. Many scholarships for this major list flexible or renewable award amounts. As we continue to add additional Nursing scholarships, this section will show an estimate of the total dollars currently available in our database.
Graduates with a Nursing degree commonly see early-career median pay around $94,000 per year, depending on location, employer type, and experience.
Nursing ROI Snapshot:
We estimate a typical 4-year net cost of college at about
$108,584.
First-year median earnings are roughly 87% of that total cost. At that pace, it would take about 1.2 years of early-career earnings to “earn back” your degree investment (before taxes and living costs).
The average cost of in-of-state college in the United States is $27,146 per student per year, including books, supplies, and daily living expenses. Out-of-state students pay $45,708 per year. Private, nonprofit university students pay $58,628. According to data provided by educationdata.org as of 8/2025. Our ROI calculation is based on in-state average tuition. Median pay statistics are provided by bls.gov
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The Healthcare Leaders Scholarship, hosted by Nurse.org, is designed to support students pursuing careers in healthcare, including nursing. The scholarship aims to recognize students who demonstrate leadership, passion for patient care, and commitment to making a positive impact in the
Award: $1,000 Deadline: October Est. Time: Med (~51 min)
The Coursey Enterprises Nursing Student Scholarships were established to help first-year nursing students with the costs of their education, such as books, fees, and other supplies. The scholarship is designed to offer encouragement and financial support during the initial year
Award: $250 Deadline: August Est. Time: Med (~58 min)
The Caroline E. Holt Nursing Scholarship is awarded by the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) to provide financial assistance to nursing students who are currently enrolled in or have been accepted into an accredited nursing program in the United
Award: $2,500 Deadline: January Est. Time: Med (~58 min)
The FNSNA General Scholarship provides tuition support to nursing students enrolled in state-approved nursing programs at the associate, bachelor’s, diploma, or generic pre-licensure graduate level. Funds are applied toward tuition, fees, and other necessary academic expenses. Eligibility criteria include: Program:
Award: $1,000 Deadline: January Est. Time: Low (~10 min)
The Brave of Heart Nursing Scholarship supports students pursuing pre-licensure nursing degrees at accredited institutions. Funds are paid directly to schools and may be used for tuition and required educational expenses. Part-time awards may be prorated based on enrollment status.
Award: $10,000 Deadline: May Est. Time: Low (~28 min)
The National Hispanic Health Foundation (NHHF) Health Professional Student Scholarship Program supports medical, nursing (including BSN), dental, pharmacy, physician associate, and public health students who have outstanding academic records, demonstrate leadership, and are committed to serving underserved communities. Since its
Award: $5,000 Deadline: Rolling Est. Time: Med (~78 min)
The Uniform Advantage - AACN Scholarship provides financial support to nursing students enrolled in master’s and doctoral programs who are committed to making a positive impact on the nation’s health and health care. This scholarship is available exclusively to members
Award: $5,000 Deadline: January Est. Time: Low (~13 min)
The Scrubin Uniforms - AACN Scholarship supports nursing students enrolled in baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs at AACN member schools with a formal affiliation agreement with Scrubin Uniforms. Applicants must attend an eligible school as listed on the scholarship webpage.
Award: $2,500 Deadline: December Est. Time: Med (~43 min)
QGenda, a leader in healthcare workforce management solutions, has partnered with AACN to offer a $5,000 scholarship to students in undergraduate and graduate nursing programs at AACN member schools. The scholarship cycle and eligibility vary depending on the level of
Award: $5,000 Deadline: February Est. Time: Med (~43 min)
The NurseThink® - AACN Scholarship supports students enrolled in master’s and doctoral nursing programs at AACN member institutions who aspire to become future nurse faculty. Sponsored by NurseThink® | a NurseTim Brand, this scholarship aims to advance nursing education by
Award: $5,000 Deadline: January Est. Time: Med (~43 min)
Funded by Liaison International, the Deborah E. Trautman Future Nurse Leader Scholarship was created to honor AACN’s President and CEO Dr. Deborah Trautman. This scholarship aims to recognize graduate nursing students who aspire to leadership positions in academic nursing. It
Award: $3,500 Deadline: September Est. Time: High (~98 min)
The Hurst Review and the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) have partnered to offer this scholarship to recognize and reward entry-level nursing students for outstanding academic performance. This scholarship is available to students currently enrolled in a nursing
Award: $2,500 Deadline: September Est. Time: Low (~28 min)This comprehensive collection of Nursing scholarships and grants for the 2026 - 2027 school years, curated from our regularly updated databases. To explore all available scholarship matches, visit our Scholarship Database and Grant Database, which both offer easy-to-use filters, current deadlines, and detailed eligibility information to help you discover the best Nursing scholarship opportunities.
Nursing scholarships and grants help aspiring and current nurses fund their education without taking on significant student loan debt. With demand for qualified nurses rising across the country, countless organizations are committed to helping students enter — or advance within — the nursing profession through financial support. From federal and state programs to private foundations, hospitals, and nursing associations, these awards offer crucial assistance to students pursuing everything from entry-level certificates to doctoral degrees.
Nursing scholarships can be awarded based on academic achievement, financial need, leadership potential, professional goals, or a commitment to serving communities in need. Grants, on the other hand, are primarily need-based and do not require repayment. Together, these resources make nursing education more affordable for students at every level.
Whether you’re pursuing an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN), a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), or an advanced practice degree such as a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) or a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), scholarships and grants can reduce your costs significantly. Many programs also support specific groups — such as military veterans, minority students, single parents, and nurses who agree to practice in underserved areas.
This guide highlights the most popular and impactful scholarships and grants for nursing students, helping you identify the right opportunities for your personal, academic, and career goals.
Yes, full-ride scholarships are available for nursing students — and they are more common than many people realize. Full-ride programs typically cover tuition, fees, textbooks, clinical supplies, and sometimes housing and living expenses. In many cases, they are funded by government agencies or institutions that need to strengthen nursing workforce pipelines.
Examples include:
Full-ride scholarships are ideal for students who want to avoid student loan debt while committing to service, research, leadership, or clinical excellence.
Government grants provide powerful financial support for nursing students, especially those with financial need. These grants do not require repayment, making them some of the most valuable funding sources.
Key programs include:
Students should complete the FAFSA early to maximize their eligibility for these federal and state grants.
Yes. “Free money” for nursing school refers to funds that do not require repayment — including scholarships, grants, workforce development awards, and employer tuition assistance.
Common sources include:
Combining multiple sources of free funding can significantly reduce — or eliminate — the need for student loans.
Yes. Nursing scholarships for older students support individuals returning to school, changing careers, or advancing professionally later in life. These awards recognize the experience, maturity, and dedication that non-traditional students bring to the nursing profession.
Examples include:
Older students often qualify for additional aid because they may have dependents, reduced income due to school enrollment, or unique financial need profiles reflected on the FAFSA.
Minority nursing scholarships support underrepresented students entering the healthcare workforce. These programs help close equity gaps, build a culturally competent nursing workforce, and strengthen healthcare access in diverse communities.
Examples include:
Many minority-focused scholarships also include mentorship, networking, and leadership development opportunities.
The HRSA Nursing Scholarship Program, also known as the NURSE Corps Scholarship Program, is one of the most impactful financial aid programs for nursing students with financial need.
The program covers:
In exchange, recipients commit to working in a Critical Shortage Facility — such as a community clinic, public hospital, or rural health center — after graduation. This service-first model helps strengthen nursing workforce capacity where it is needed most.
Yes. Undergraduate nursing students — whether ADN or BSN candidates — have access to dozens of scholarships.
Popular awards include:
Undergraduates should also apply for federal grants via the FAFSA, which can significantly reduce costs.
Graduate-level nursing students often qualify for specialized scholarships supporting advanced practice roles, research, and clinical leadership.
Examples include:
These scholarships help reduce the high cost of advanced nursing degrees.
Male nurses remain underrepresented in the profession, and several organizations offer scholarships to support their entry and advancement in nursing.
Examples include:
These programs encourage greater gender diversity and balance in nursing.
Single parents pursuing nursing degrees face unique challenges balancing school, work, and caregiving. Several tailored scholarships help reduce their financial burden.
Examples include:
These awards make nursing education more accessible for parents seeking career stability.
Students who wish to work in underserved communities can apply for specialized scholarships focused on public health and healthcare equity.
Key programs include:
These programs align with service-focused nursing careers.
Applying for nursing scholarships is easier when you stay organized and strategic.
Follow these steps:
A well-crafted scholarship application can significantly reduce or eliminate nursing school costs.
Reviewed by CollegeWhale Editorial Team on November, 2025. Content is updated regularly to reflect current scholarship deadlines and verified data from official sources.
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