Top 10 scholarships for nursing students in 2025

Advanced education and training open the door to greater opportunities—and higher salaries—in the nursing profession. For example, nurses with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) can expect to make around $20,000 more annually than nurses with a Registered Nurse (RN) licensure.^1,2 Those with a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) can receive about $10,000 more per year than their counterparts with a BSN.³

While high-paying nursing roles often require more specialized education, they also offer valuable benefits: greater autonomy, expanded scope of practice, and increased job satisfaction. However, the cost of earning these advanced degrees can be significant.

Nursing scholarships can reduce the financial burden of a BSN or MSN program without adding to student loan debt. Fortunately, a wide range of scholarships are available specifically for nursing students, and applying for multiple scholarships can help significantly lower your out-of-pocket costs.

Read on to learn about the best scholarships for nursing students.

List of nursing scholarships

Use this list as a starting point for when you begin your scholarship search. As you look over each scholarship, pay careful attention to its requirements and whether you and your program qualify.

Nurse Corps Scholarship Program

The Health Resources and Services Administration offers the Nurse Corps Scholarship Program. The program provides scholarships to nursing students in exchange for a minimum two-year, full-time service commitment at an eligible healthcare facility with a critical shortage of nurses.

This nursing scholarship covers tuition, fees, and other educational costs, along with a monthly stipend. Eligible applicants are U.S. citizens or legal residents enrolled in a nursing program.

American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN) Scholarships

AACN offers Continuing Professional Development Scholarships to AACN members seeking continued professional development.

These scholarships are geared toward individuals who have a specific educational opportunity in mind. Applicants must submit a detailed learning plan, a list of professional goals, and an explanation of how the learning opportunity will apply to their area of nursing practice. Applicants should also list organizational memberships, community activities, presentations, and other relevant professional activities. Funding amounts are based on this detailed explanation and the program fees and expenses.

Tylenol Future Care Scholarship

The Tylenol Future Care Scholarship awards ten $10,000 scholarships and twenty-five $5,000 scholarships to students pursuing healthcare careers. The program is open to current graduate students and college seniors who will be enrolling in graduate school during the upcoming academic year.

Scholarships are awarded based on the following:

• College GPA and academic records from medical, nursing, and/or pharmacy school
• Community involvement and volunteer service
• Essay content

National Black Nurses Association (NBNA) Scholarships

The National Black Nurses Association is a professional society with the mission "to serve as the voice for Black nurses and diverse populations, ensuring equal access to professional development, promoting educational opportunities, and improving health."

Members are eligible to apply for scholarships. Eligible nurses can also join their local chapter of NBNA and take advantage of professional networking and volunteer opportunities to provide health services to their communities.

Funding is available for all levels of training, from LPN to doctoral studies. Scholarship amounts start at $1,000 and are awarded at the Annual Institute & Conference.

Foundation of the National Student Nurses Association (FNSNA)

FNSNA works with a broad array of sponsors to provide $500,000 in scholarships for undergraduate and graduate nursing students. Award amounts vary depending on the particular scholarship, up to $10,000 per year. Details are available during the application period, which typically begins in September.

FNSNA scholarships are awarded based on academic achievement, financial need, and involvement in community and academic activities related to health care. Some sponsors focus their scholarships on specific specializations, such as oncology, critical care, or emergency nursing.

March of Dimes Graduate Nursing Scholarship

March of Dimes Nursing Scholarships are awarded to nurses who demonstrate excellence in nursing and promote quality care and health equity for mothers and babies. Each recipient receives $10,000 in funding.

March of Dimes offers undergraduate nursing scholarships, graduate nursing scholarships, and certified nurse midwife scholarships. Applicants must be enrolled in an accredited program and show a commitment to maternal or infant health.

Application deadlines are typically at the end of March.

Oncology Nursing Society (ONS) Foundation Scholarships

The Oncology Nursing Society Foundation offers scholarships for graduate nursing students along with undergraduate scholarships. All scholarships are intended for individuals who are committed to a career in oncology nursing.

Bachelor's scholarships are awarded at $3,000 each, and Master's scholarships are awarded at $5,000 each. Doctoral scholarships are awarded to RNs who are pursuing a research doctoral degree (PhD) or clinical doctoral degree (DNP). Doctoral degree scholarships are awarded at $7,500.

In addition, the ONS Foundation offers opportunities to apply for oncology research funding. Research topics are announced for each funding cycle, and they align with the foundation’s stated research priorities. Research awards can be as much as $100,000. Applicants are typically mid-career investigators with a demonstrated record of successful research.

TravelNursing.org Nursing Education Scholarship

TravelNursing.org provides $1,000 scholarship opportunities for individuals who are applying to a medical-related field or who are currently educated in the fields of nursing and medicine. You must have a 3.0 GPA in your most recent year of school.

Applicants must submit an essay of 500–1,000 words explaining the following:

• What they hope to accomplish in the medical field 
• How they will impact the lives of others through the education and knowledge they acquire during medical training
• Why they feel they should be selected to receive the scholarship

Applications are reviewed by staff at TravelNursing.org, and scholarships are awarded based on essay strength.

Cherokee Uniforms A Nurse I Am Scholarship

The A Nurse I Am scholarship program offers ten $3,000 grants to undergraduate and graduate-level students in an accredited nursing education program. Recipients also receive a Careismatic Brands gift package containing scrubs from Cherokee, Dickies, and Healing Hands.

Plan for the long term

Many employers have educational scholarships or academic funds set aside for employees or family members of employees. Large companies in the healthcare industry may have scholarship programs for students entering a healthcare profession. Veterans and the military may have access to funding for education through their branch of service. Foundations, religious organizations, and community organizations will also occasionally have scholarships available.

While scholarships aren’t guaranteed, every award—no matter the size—can help reduce your education costs. With time and effort, you’ll likely be able to ease the financial burden of your academic costs.

Invest in your future with Oklahoma City University

Scholarships are a great way to cover some of the costs of your education. In addition to the opportunities listed here, you can find scholarships for pre-nursing students or nursing students through businesses, professional associations, and civic groups.

At Oklahoma City University (OCU), we understand that you're making a significant investment in your future when you choose to enroll. We have a dedicated Financial Aid team who will help you figure out your options, guide you through filling out the FAFSA forms, and personalize your financial aid package. Plus, OCU and the Kramer School of Nursing offer nursing school scholarships and endowments that are available only to our students.

OCU's online nursing degrees are designed to be flexible and fit into your life. Presented 100% online, you can access course materials anytime and from any location, so you can learn on your own schedule. Plus, OCU online students don't have to complete traditional clinicals.

With an 11:1 student-faculty ratio, experienced professors with networks that span the country, and robust student support available from the application process through graduation, OCU's online nursing programs are a worthy investment. For more information, contact us to talk to an admissions specialist today.