This snapshot pulls from CollegeWhale’s scholarship database and planning tools to show how many scholarships are available for Nursing majors, the total dollars listed, and how early-career pay compares to typical college costs.
We currently list 87 active scholarships tied to Nursing programs, sourced from professional groups, nonprofits, and private sponsors. New awards are added regularly.
The scholarships currently listed total approximately $363,250 in advertised award value. Many programs offer renewable or variable awards, so available funding may be higher over time.
Early-career median pay for Nursing graduates is about $94,000 per year. We estimate a typical 4-year net college cost around $108,584.
That means first-year earnings are roughly 87% of total college cost, with an estimated payback period of 1.2 years (before taxes and living expenses).
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
The CollegeWhale Scholarship FastFind™ makes it easy to discover the best Nursing 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.
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)The Michigan Nurses Foundation (MNF) Scholarship provides financial assistance to nursing students currently enrolled in accredited nursing programs within the state of Michigan. Administered by the Michigan Nurses Foundation, this scholarship is designed to support students who are actively progressing
Award: Varies Deadline: June Est. Application Time: Low (13 min)The Kentucky Nursing Incentive Scholarship Fund (NISF) is administered annually by the Kentucky Board of Nursing to support Kentucky residents enrolled in approved nursing programs. The scholarship was created to address critical nursing workforce needs across the Commonwealth while providing
Award: Varies Deadline: May Est. Application Time: Low (23 min)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)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)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)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)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)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)The Indian Health Service (IHS) Scholarship Program is a federally administered program created to support American Indian and Alaska Native students pursuing careers in healthcare. The program’s primary mission is to educate, train, and retain qualified health professionals who are
Award: Varies Deadline: Rolling Est. Application Time: Low (10 min)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)The NursingColleges.com Scholarship, presented by Sechel Ventures, is designed to support nursing students who are preparing for careers in a rapidly growing and increasingly vital healthcare profession. As demand continues to rise for registered nurses and advanced practice nurses, this
Award: $2,500 Deadline: Rolling Est. Application Time: Low (13 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 pay for education across ADN, BSN, MSN, DNP, and Nurse Practitioner tracks. With demand for qualified nurses rising nationwide, many organizations invest in the nursing workforce through tuition awards, clinical support funding, and service-based scholarship programs. These opportunities come from federal and state agencies, hospitals, nonprofit foundations, and professional nursing associations.
Nursing scholarships may be awarded based on academic achievement, financial need, leadership potential, career goals, or a commitment to serve high-need communities. Grants are typically need-based and do not require repayment. Many programs also support specific student groups, such as veterans, underrepresented students, single parents, and career changers.
CollegeWhale Tip: Nursing scholarships are easier to win when your application is specific. Name your target setting (rural clinic, critical care, school health, public health) and show proof of commitment (volunteering, CNA/tech work, community service, clinical interests).
Use this table as a shortcut. Then scroll for full-ride options, undergrad vs graduate scholarships, and targeted awards.
| Your Situation / Goal | Best-Fit Scholarship Types | What They Usually Emphasize |
|---|---|---|
| Full tuition + stipend | NURSE Corps (HRSA), Armed Forces nursing scholarships, select institutional full-tuition awards | Service commitment, high-need placement readiness, strong academics |
| Undergraduate ADN/BSN funding | FNSNA, state nursing workforce awards, hospital pipeline scholarships, university nursing scholarships | Academic progress, program enrollment, career clarity |
| Graduate MSN/DNP/NP funding | AANP scholarships, American Nurses Foundation awards, state advanced practice incentives | Leadership, specialty direction, community impact, professional potential |
| Underrepresented students | NBNA, Hispanic/Latino health scholarships, Indian Health Service, AAPI scholarships, diversity-focused foundations | Community involvement, representation goals, service orientation |
| Working adults / career changers | Hospital employer scholarships, adult learner foundations, community-based nursing grants | Persistence, practical experience, clear transition plan |
| Service-driven careers | Critical shortage facility scholarships, public health nursing awards, rural health scholarships | Commitment to underserved communities, continuity of service |
Yes, full-ride scholarships exist for nursing students and may cover tuition, fees, books, clinical supplies, and monthly living support. Many are designed to strengthen healthcare access in high-need communities or build workforce pipelines.
Undergraduate nursing students have access to a large range of scholarships through schools, states, associations, and healthcare employers.
Graduate nursing students can qualify for scholarships supporting advanced practice roles, clinical leadership, education, and research. These awards are often more specialized and may target specific populations or practice settings.
Many nursing scholarships are designed for students with specific backgrounds, responsibilities, or workforce goals. If you qualify for any of these categories, your odds often improve because applicant pools are smaller and criteria are clearer.
Service-based scholarships are among the most impactful options because they are designed to address workforce shortages. They typically require recipients to work in specific settings after graduation, such as rural hospitals, community clinics, or public health organizations.
CollegeWhale Tip: Keep a reusable “nursing scholarship kit” with a short bio, a one-page resume, 2–3 adaptable essays (service, leadership, and career goals), and a document listing clinical interests and community involvement. Most applications overlap more than you think.
Data & content oversight by Lauren Nichols
Co-Founder of CollegeWhale, specializing in scholarship data systems and financial aid research.