Nursing Scholarships 2026
Nursing school is a significant investment, but you don’t have to pay full price. Federal programs, state initiatives, employer sponsorships, and private scholarships can dramatically reduce—or even eliminate—your out-of-pocket costs. Here’s how to fund your nursing education.
Federal Nursing Scholarships
HRSA Nurse Corps Scholarship Program
The most generous federal scholarship for nursing students:
| Benefit | Value |
|---|---|
| Tuition and fees | 100% covered |
| Books and supplies | 100% covered |
| Monthly stipend | ~$1,500/month |
| Total value | $50,000-$150,000+ |
Service commitment:
- 2-year minimum service at Critical Shortage Facility
- Work in underserved area (urban or rural)
- Full-time employment required
Eligibility:
- U.S. citizen or permanent resident
- Enrolled in accredited nursing program (ADN, BSN, MSN, DNP)
- Free of federal service obligations
- Willing to work in shortage area
Application timeline:
- Opens: February-March annually
- Deadline: Usually April
- Awards announced: Summer
HRSA Nurse Corps Loan Repayment Program
For nurses already in practice with student loans:
| Benefit | Details |
|---|---|
| Initial award | 60% of qualifying loans |
| Extension available | Additional 25% for third year |
| Maximum | $50,000+ |
Commitment: 2-3 years at Critical Shortage Facility
HRSA Nurse Faculty Loan Program
For students pursuing nursing education careers:
| Benefit | Details |
|---|---|
| Loan amount | Up to $35,500/year |
| Loan forgiveness | 85% forgiven over 4 years teaching |
| Interest rate | 3% |
Commitment: Work as full-time nursing faculty after graduation
National Health Service Corps
Primarily for NPs working in primary care:
| Program | Benefit | Commitment |
|---|---|---|
| Scholarship | Full tuition + stipend | 2-4 years |
| Loan Repayment | Up to $75,000 | 2 years |
Eligible sites: Community health centers, rural clinics, correctional facilities, Indian Health Service
Military Nursing Programs
Army Nurse Corps
ROTC Nursing Scholarship:
- Full tuition at participating schools
- Monthly stipend
- Book allowance
- Commission as Army officer upon graduation
Army Education Programs:
- Enlisted to BSN programs
- Tuition assistance while serving
- Loan repayment options
Navy Nurse Corps
Nurse Candidate Program:
- Up to $10,000 sign-on bonus
- Monthly stipend while in school
- Guaranteed commission as Navy officer
Air Force Nurse Corps
ROTC and AECP programs:
- Full tuition scholarships available
- Living stipend
- Active duty commitment after graduation
GI Bill Benefits
For veterans and dependents:
| Benefit | Coverage |
|---|---|
| Post-9/11 GI Bill | Full tuition at public schools, housing allowance |
| Yellow Ribbon | Additional funds for private schools |
| Transfer option | Can transfer to spouse/children |
State Nursing Scholarships
State Workforce Programs
Many states offer scholarships to address nursing shortages:
| State | Program | Benefit |
|---|---|---|
| California | BRN Loan Repayment | Up to $25,000 |
| Texas | Professional Nursing Shortage Reduction | Tuition + fees |
| New York | NYS Nursing Faculty Scholarship | $20,000/year |
| Florida | Nursing Student Loan Forgiveness | Up to $4,000/year |
| Pennsylvania | Nursing Loan Repayment | Up to $60,000 |
How to Find State Programs
- Check your state board of nursing website
- Contact your state higher education authority
- Search “[State] nursing scholarship” on official .gov sites
- Ask your nursing school’s financial aid office
Hospital and Employer Programs
Tuition Reimbursement
Many healthcare employers pay for nursing education:
| Employer Type | Typical Benefit | Service Commitment |
|---|---|---|
| Major hospital systems | $5,000-15,000/year | 1-2 years |
| VA hospitals | Full tuition possible | Varies |
| Academic medical centers | Up to $10,000/year | 1-2 years |
| Nursing homes | CNA→LPN→RN programs | 1-2 years |
Hospital Scholarship Programs
Some hospitals offer full scholarships:
Examples:
- HCA Healthcare Scholarship
- Ascension Nursing Scholarship
- Kaiser Permanente Nursing Scholarship
- Cleveland Clinic Nursing Scholars
Typical structure:
- Full or partial tuition
- Guaranteed job after graduation
- 2-3 year work commitment
Free CNA Training Programs
Many nursing homes and hospitals offer:
- Free CNA certification training
- Paid work while in RN school
- Tuition assistance for nursing students
- Career ladder programs
Professional Organization Scholarships
National Organizations
| Organization | Scholarship | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| American Nurses Foundation | Multiple awards | $2,500-20,000 |
| National Student Nurses’ Association | Promise of Nursing | $1,000-10,000 |
| American Association of Critical-Care Nurses | AACN Scholarships | Up to $10,000 |
| Oncology Nursing Society | ONF Scholarships | Up to $5,000 |
| Emergency Nurses Association | ENA Foundation | Up to $5,000 |
Minority-Focused Scholarships
| Organization | Focus | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| NBNA | Black nurses | Up to $6,000 |
| NAHN | Hispanic nurses | Up to $2,500 |
| NAPNAP | Native American nurses | Varies |
| AANA | Asian American nurses | Up to $5,000 |
| Philippine Nurses Association | Filipino nurses | Varies |
Specialty-Specific Scholarships
| Specialty | Organization | Scholarships |
|---|---|---|
| Pediatrics | SPN | Multiple awards |
| Geriatrics | Hartford Foundation | PhD scholarships |
| Oncology | ONS Foundation | Multiple awards |
| Psychiatric | APNA | Graduate scholarships |
| Midwifery | ACNM | Multiple awards |
Private Scholarships
Major Private Scholarships
| Scholarship | Amount | Eligibility |
|---|---|---|
| Johnson & Johnson Nursing | Up to $5,000 | Nursing students |
| Tylenol Future Care | $5,000-10,000 | Healthcare students |
| National Merit | Full tuition | High PSAT scores |
| Coca-Cola Scholars | $20,000 | High achievers |
Where to Find Private Scholarships
Scholarship databases:
- Scholarships.com
- Fastweb
- Cappex
- Niche
- Bold.org
Tips for searching:
- Use “nursing” and “healthcare” as keywords
- Filter by your demographics
- Check deadlines monthly
- Apply to many (quantity matters)
Grants and Need-Based Aid
Federal Pell Grant
For undergraduate nursing students with financial need:
| Award | Amount |
|---|---|
| Maximum | $7,395 (2025-26) |
| Based on | Expected Family Contribution (EFC) |
| Renewable | Yes, each year |
No repayment required
Federal SEOG Grant
Additional federal grant for exceptional need:
- Up to $4,000/year
- Depends on school funding
- Priority to Pell-eligible students
State Grants
Most states offer need-based grants:
- California Cal Grant
- Texas TEXAS Grant
- New York TAP
- Pennsylvania PHEAA Grant
Check your state’s higher education authority for eligibility.
Loan Repayment Programs
Beyond Federal Programs
State loan repayment:
- Most states have nursing loan repayment programs
- Typically require work in underserved areas
- Awards range from $10,000-$100,000
Hospital loan repayment:
- Sign-on bonuses applied to loans
- Annual loan repayment benefits
- Usually require 1-3 year commitment
Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF):
- Work for nonprofit hospital or government
- Make 120 qualifying payments (10 years)
- Remaining federal loan balance forgiven
Maximizing Your Funding
Application Strategy
- Apply early — Many scholarships are first-come-first-served
- Apply broadly — Submit 20+ applications
- Tailor essays — Customize for each scholarship
- Get strong recommendations — Ask early, provide context
- Track deadlines — Use a spreadsheet
Stacking Multiple Awards
Many funding sources can be combined:
Example package for BSN student:
| Source | Annual Amount |
|---|---|
| Pell Grant | $7,000 |
| State grant | $3,000 |
| Hospital scholarship | $5,000 |
| Private scholarship | $2,000 |
| Work-study | $3,000 |
| Total | $20,000 |
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Missing deadlines (set calendar reminders)
- Ignoring small scholarships (they add up)
- Generic essays (personalize each one)
- Incomplete applications (follow all instructions)
- Not reporting awards (could affect other aid)
Special Circumstances
Second-Career Students
Options for career changers:
- Accelerated BSN programs with scholarship aid
- Employer tuition reimbursement
- Federal loans (available regardless of previous degrees)
- Private scholarships open to all ages
Graduate Students (MSN, DNP)
Additional options:
- Graduate assistantships
- HRSA Nurse Faculty Loan Program
- Research assistantships
- Employer tuition benefits
- APRN-specific scholarships
International Students
Limited federal aid, but:
- Some private scholarships available
- Hospital sponsorship programs
- Home country scholarships
- Graduate assistantships
Timeline for Funding
High School Seniors
| Month | Action |
|---|---|
| September | Create scholarship tracking system |
| October | Submit FAFSA (opens Oct 1) |
| November-April | Apply to scholarships continuously |
| May | Compare financial aid packages |
| June | Accept best package, notify others |
Current Nursing Students
| When | Action |
|---|---|
| Annually | Renew FAFSA |
| Each semester | Search new scholarships |
| Ongoing | Apply to hospital programs |
| Before graduation | Apply to loan repayment programs |
Key Takeaways
- HRSA Nurse Corps is the most valuable federal scholarship (full tuition + stipend)
- Military programs offer full tuition in exchange for service
- Hospital programs often provide free education with work commitment
- State programs vary widely—check your state board website
- Apply broadly — submit 20+ scholarship applications
- Stack awards — combine grants, scholarships, and employer benefits
Start your scholarship search today. Every dollar you don’t borrow is money you’ll have in your nursing career.
Ready to begin your nursing education? Check our guides on becoming an RN, CNA certification, or explore state requirements.
About the Author
License Guide Team
Clinical Editorial Team
Our editorial team includes licensed nurses and healthcare professionals dedicated to providing accurate, up-to-date nursing licensure information sourced directly from state boards of nursing.