Nursing College Scholarships

The need for nurses has increased considerably over the last several years. The nation's persistent nursing shortage is driven by nursing school enrollment not growing fast enough to meet demand, a shortage of nursing faculty, and the fact that a large number of nurses are nearing retirement age, according to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing. Another potential barrier is the need for financial backing for potential nursing students. To combat this problem, many states have established plans to provide scholarship and grant money to enable prospective nurses to attend nursing school.

Nursing scholarship money takes two different forms -- undergraduate nursing scholarships and graduate nursing scholarships. Prospective nurses interested in careers as licensed practical nurses (LPNs), licensed vocational nurses (LVNs), or as registered nurses (RNs) can now more easily attain nursing scholarship money from federal, state, and local arenas, or from private organizations. Programs even exist to help students transferring their career between nursing levels, like an LPN to RN or an RN to BSN degree.

To help meet the critical demand for nurses, the federal government provides scholarship funds through the Nursing Scholarship Program for those pursuing a degree or diploma in nursing (see eligibility requirements here). State funds are also an option, as are nursing scholarship funds from private organizations. Private funds generally come from professional specialty groups in the nursing field. Nursing scholarships are often available without preference toward race, religion, or gender of the student, although funds from some private organizations may only be obtainable by certain types of candidates.

List of Nursing Scholarships

• AACN Student Scholarship Programs — Scholarships awarded in various amounts to undergraduate and graduate students enrolled in an accredited nursing program. Each scholarship has different eligibility requirements.


• Abbott/Pamela Balzer Career Mobility Scholarship — $2,500 awarded each year to one undergraduate or graduate student member of American Nephrology Nurses Association (ANNA) who meets all other criteria. See other scholarships available from the ANNA here.


• Chances Scholarship Program — Children's Healthcare of Atlanta awards $5,000 per semester for up to two years ($20,000 maximum) to selected college students enrolled in a bachelor's degree program in nursing who wish to pursue a career in pediatric nursing.


• Common Knowledge Scholarship Foundation National Nursing Scholarship — Awards ranging from $200 to $600 awarded each year for four college students enrolled in nursing programs. Learn more information here.


• Emergency Nurses Association Foundation Scholarship — Scholarships awarded each year to licensed RNs and a limited number of non-RN applicants for pursuing studies in emergency nursing. Applicants must be ENA members for a minimum of one year.


• Foundation of the National Student Nurses Association General Scholarships — $1,000 to $2,500 awarded each year to multiple undergraduate college students enrolled in a state-approved nursing or pre-nursing program. Promise of Nursing Scholarships are also available to students in certain states and regions.

Top Online Nursing Degree Programs

Click Here	Kaplan University - R.N. to B.S.N. 20 Nursing Degrees. Kaplan University is dedicated to helping students acquire the knowledge, skills, and confidence required to become respected nurses in the fast-growing health care field. Their flexible online nursing programs allow students to learn about the profession and practice at their own convenience.
Click Here	Indiana State University - L.P.N. to B.S.N. With rigorous nursing programs taught by practicing professionals and experts, Indiana State University strives to provide students with the quality education needed to become future leaders of tomorrow. They have contracts nationwide with over 200 health related agencies to provide the hands-on, clinical experience students need to prepare themselves for this rewarding industry.
Click Here	The College Network - 10 universities offering Nursing Degrees. For over 15 years, the College Network has helped thousands of students advance their career in the growing nursing field. They offer various nursing programs at an affordable price, helping students save 50% over traditional universities and colleges.

Top Online Colleges

More Info	Grand Canyon University - Bachelor’s, Master’s, & Doctorate’s Degrees. At Grand Canyon University, students are offered the same quality education online as they are at traditional college campuses. They are an accredited college, which is highly valued by employers all around the world.
More Info	Liberty University - Associate’s, Bachelor’s, & Master’s Degrees. Liberty offers campus, online, or blended degree programs for students all around the world. Liberty provides a flexible and welcoming experience for students who want to continue their education in a Christian environment.
More Info	Brandman University - Bachelor’s & Master’s Degrees. Brandman University offers complete support throughout a student's educational career. Faculty members have real-world experience and are trained educators in their fields of expertise. Program concentrations include those in Education, Business, Criminal Justice, and Social Science.
More Info	Saint Leo University - Associate’s, Bachelor’s, & Master’s Degrees. Saint Leo University offers students a variety of different degree choices to truly help them reach their career goals. As an accredited college, Saint Leo University offers a reputable degree that can be obtained at the convenience of their students.
More Info	Post University - Associate’s, Bachelor’s, & Master’s Degrees. Since 1890 Post University has been a student-focused, carreer-driven institution helping students to pursue their professional goals. Licenced by the state of connecticut throguh the department of higher education post truly is a great school and comes with high accredidation.
More Info	Kaplan University - Associate’s, Bachelor’s, & Master’s Degrees. Kaplan University is a premiere destination for students in obtaining their college degree online. Kaplan University Online offers a dynamic curriculum to every student and are taught by the very best professors in their field of study.

Paying for school is not easy, but we are here to help. OEDb's student finance section will help you find the money you need to pay your tuition and other college expenses. We cover scholarships, college grants, and student loans. Scholarships and grants are both forms of "free money", meaning they don't need to be paid back. Scholarships are typically awarded by businesses or individuals, with the money being earmarked specifically for tuition. They can be awarded based on a student's location or by religious affiliation, such as Catholicism or Islam. Grants are typically awarded by governments or non-profit organizations and the money often can be applied to several different expenses a student may incur, not solely tuition. They can be awarded based on location or ethnicity, for instance African American or Hispanic. Loans are not considered "free money", because unlike scholarships and grants, they do need to be paid back after graduation. Common federal loans include Perkins and Stafford. Loans are also available by location.