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Top Scholarships for Nursing Students
Scholarships are available for diploma, undergraduate and graduate degree nursing programs.
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Ryan Lane Assigning Editor | Small business, student loans
Ryan Lane is an editor on NerdWallet’s small-business team. He joined NerdWallet in 2019 as a student loans writer, serving as an authority on that topic after spending more than a decade at student loan guarantor American Student Assistance. In that role, Ryan co-authored the Student Loan Ranger blog in partnership with U.S. News & World Report, as well as wrote and edited content about education financing and financial literacy for multiple online properties, e-courses and more. Ryan also previously oversaw the production of life science journals as a managing editor for publisher Cell Press. Ryan is located in Rochester, New York.
Des Toups Lead Assigning Editor | Student loans, repaying college debt, paying for college
Des Toups was a lead assigning editor who supported the student loans and auto loans teams. He had decades of experience in personal finance journalism, exploring everything from car insurance to bankruptcy to couponing to side hustles.
A nursing degree is highly valued in the job market, but getting that degree isn't cheap: The average nursing student debt is more than $23,000 for a bachelor's degree and $47,000 for a graduate degree. Scholarships can help keep those debt levels lower.
Scholarships are the best way to pay for nursing school because you don't have to repay them. While you may be able to receive this free aid from your school, numerous other scholarships for nursing students are available. Here are a few worth considering.
NerdWallet ratingNerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula for student loan products takes into account more than 50 data points across multiple categories, including repayment options, customer service, lender transparency, loan eligibility and underwriting criteria.
Fixed APR
3.59-17.99%
College Ave Student Loans products are made available through Firstrust Bank, member FDIC, First Citizens Community Bank, member FDIC, or M.Y. Safra Bank, FSB, member FDIC. All loans are subject to individual approval and adherence to underwriting guidelines. Program restrictions, other terms, and conditions apply. (1)All rates include the auto-pay discount. The 0.25% auto-pay interest rate reduction applies as long as a valid bank account is designated for required monthly payments. If a payment is returned, you will lose this benefit. Variable rates may increase after consummation. (2)As certified by your school and less any other financial aid you might receive. Minimum $1,000. (3)This informational repayment example uses typical loan terms for a freshman borrower who selects the Flat Repayment Option with an 8-year repayment term, has a $10,000 loan that is disbursed in one disbursement and a 7.78% fixed Annual Percentage Rate (“APR”): 54 monthly payments of $25 while in school, followed by 96 monthly payments of $176.21 while in the repayment period, for a total amount of payments of $18,266.38. Loans will never have a full principal and interest monthly payment of less than $50. Your actual rates and repayment terms may vary. Information advertised valid as of 11/1/2024. Variable interest rates may increase after consummation. Approved interest rate will depend on creditworthiness of the applicant(s), lowest advertised rates only available to the most creditworthy applicants and require selection of the Flat Repayment Option with the shortest available loan term.
Variable APR
5.34-17.99%
College Ave Student Loans products are made available through Firstrust Bank, member FDIC, First Citizens Community Bank, member FDIC, or M.Y. Safra Bank, FSB, member FDIC. All loans are subject to individual approval and adherence to underwriting guidelines. Program restrictions, other terms, and conditions apply. (1)All rates include the auto-pay discount. The 0.25% auto-pay interest rate reduction applies as long as a valid bank account is designated for required monthly payments. If a payment is returned, you will lose this benefit. Variable rates may increase after consummation. (2)As certified by your school and less any other financial aid you might receive. Minimum $1,000. (3)This informational repayment example uses typical loan terms for a freshman borrower who selects the Flat Repayment Option with an 8-year repayment term, has a $10,000 loan that is disbursed in one disbursement and a 7.78% fixed Annual Percentage Rate (“APR”): 54 monthly payments of $25 while in school, followed by 96 monthly payments of $176.21 while in the repayment period, for a total amount of payments of $18,266.38. Loans will never have a full principal and interest monthly payment of less than $50. Your actual rates and repayment terms may vary. Information advertised valid as of 11/1/2024. Variable interest rates may increase after consummation. Approved interest rate will depend on creditworthiness of the applicant(s), lowest advertised rates only available to the most creditworthy applicants and require selection of the Flat Repayment Option with the shortest available loan term.
NerdWallet ratingNerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula for student loan products takes into account more than 50 data points across multiple categories, including repayment options, customer service, lender transparency, loan eligibility and underwriting criteria.
Fixed APR
3.49-15.49%
Lowest rates shown include the auto debit. Advertised APRs for undergraduate students assume a $10,000 loan to a student who attends school for 4 years and has no prior Sallie Mae-serviced loans. Interest rates for variable rate loans may increase or decrease over the life of the loan based on changes to the 30-day Average Secured Overnight Financing Rate (SOFR) rounded up to the nearest one-eighth of one percent. Advertised variable rates are the starting range of rates and may vary outside of that range over the life of the loan. Interest is charged starting when funds are sent to the school. With the Fixed and Deferred Repayment Options, the interest rate is higher than with the Interest Repayment Option and Unpaid Interest is added to the loan’s Current Principal at the end of the grace/separation period. To receive a 0.25 percentage point interest rate discount, the borrower or cosigner must enroll in auto debit through Sallie Mae. The discount applies only during active repayment for as long as the Current Amount Due or Designated Amount is successfully withdrawn from the authorized bank account each month. It may be suspended during forbearance or deferment. Advertised APRs are valid as of 10/25/2024. Loan amounts: For applications submitted directly to Sallie Mae, loan amount cannot exceed the cost of attendance less financial aid received, as certified by the school. Applications submitted to Sallie Mae through a partner website will be subject to a lower maximum loan request amount. Miscellaneous personal expenses (such as a laptop) may be included in the cost of attendance for students enrolled at least half-time. Examples of typical costs for a $10,000 Smart Option Student Loan with the most common fixed rate, fixed repayment option, 6-month separation period, and two disbursements: For a borrower with no prior loans and a 4-year in-school period, it works out to a 10.28% fixed APR, 51 payments of $25.00, 119 payments of $182.67 and one payment of $121.71, for a Total Loan Cost of $23,134.44. For a borrower with $20,000 in prior loans and a 2-year in-school period, it works out to a 10.78% fixed APR, 27 payments of $25.00, 179 payments of $132.53 and one payment of $40.35 for a total loan cost of $24,438.22. Loans that are subject to a $50 minimum principal and interest payment amount may receive a loan term that is less than 10 years. A variable APR may increase over the life of the loan. A fixed APR will not.
Variable APR
5.04-15.21%
Lowest rates shown include the auto debit. Advertised APRs for undergraduate students assume a $10,000 loan to a student who attends school for 4 years and has no prior Sallie Mae-serviced loans. Interest rates for variable rate loans may increase or decrease over the life of the loan based on changes to the 30-day Average Secured Overnight Financing Rate (SOFR) rounded up to the nearest one-eighth of one percent. Advertised variable rates are the starting range of rates and may vary outside of that range over the life of the loan. Interest is charged starting when funds are sent to the school. With the Fixed and Deferred Repayment Options, the interest rate is higher than with the Interest Repayment Option and Unpaid Interest is added to the loan’s Current Principal at the end of the grace/separation period. To receive a 0.25 percentage point interest rate discount, the borrower or cosigner must enroll in auto debit through Sallie Mae. The discount applies only during active repayment for as long as the Current Amount Due or Designated Amount is successfully withdrawn from the authorized bank account each month. It may be suspended during forbearance or deferment. Advertised APRs are valid as of 10/25/2024. Loan amounts: For applications submitted directly to Sallie Mae, loan amount cannot exceed the cost of attendance less financial aid received, as certified by the school. Applications submitted to Sallie Mae through a partner website will be subject to a lower maximum loan request amount. Miscellaneous personal expenses (such as a laptop) may be included in the cost of attendance for students enrolled at least half-time. Examples of typical costs for a $10,000 Smart Option Student Loan with the most common fixed rate, fixed repayment option, 6-month separation period, and two disbursements: For a borrower with no prior loans and a 4-year in-school period, it works out to a 10.28% fixed APR, 51 payments of $25.00, 119 payments of $182.67 and one payment of $121.71, for a Total Loan Cost of $23,134.44. For a borrower with $20,000 in prior loans and a 2-year in-school period, it works out to a 10.78% fixed APR, 27 payments of $25.00, 179 payments of $132.53 and one payment of $40.35 for a total loan cost of $24,438.22. Loans that are subject to a $50 minimum principal and interest payment amount may receive a loan term that is less than 10 years. A variable APR may increase over the life of the loan. A fixed APR will not.
Credible lets you check with multiple student loan lenders to get rates with no impact to your credit score. Visit their website to take the next steps.
American Indian Nurse Scholarship
The National Society of the Colonial Dames of America awards $1,500 per semester to nursing students who are at least one-quarter American Indian and are either enrolled in a tribe or can prove direct tribal ancestry.
How to qualify. You must be pursuing a career in nursing, either via an associate or bachelor's degree program, and must have a recommendation from a teacher, counselor or other school official. You're ineligible if you received an Indian Health Service Scholarship. Winners can reapply each semester so long as they are in good academic standing.
When to apply. June (fall term); December (spring term). Learn more.
Oncology Nursing Foundation Scholarships
The Oncology Nursing Foundation offers multiple scholarships for nursing students interested in and committed to oncology. All awards have an application deadline of Feb. 1. Check the Oncology Nursing Foundation website for complete details on each scholarship.
Bachelor's in Nursing Degree Scholarship. To qualify, you must be enrolled in your senior year of a bachelor of nursing degree program at a school accredited by the National League for Nursing or the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education. Scholarships are worth $3,000 to $5,000 and are awarded annually.
Master's Scholarship. You must be enrolled in or applying to a master’s nursing degree program at an NLN- or CCNE-accredited school for the upcoming academic year to qualify. You can be a registered nurse or have a bachelor’s degree in another field. Awards are worth $5,000.
Doctoral Scholarship. This award is available to registered nurses pursuing a research doctoral degree or a clinical doctoral degree. Annual awards are worth $5,000 and $7,500.
Barbara Rhomberg Excellence in Nursing Scholarship
This $1,000 scholarship is awarded each year to nontraditional, full-time students pursuing an undergraduate degree in nursing. Awards are nonrenewable.
How to qualify. You must be a nontraditional student; this is defined as someone who had at least a three-year gap between high school and enrollment at a postsecondary school. To apply, you must submit an essay, two letters of recommendation and verification of your enrollment.
Daughters of the American Revolution Nursing Scholarships
The Daughters of the American Revolution offer multiple scholarships for students enrolled in an accredited school of nursing. Award amounts are $2,000 and $2,500.
How to qualify. You must be accepted or currently enrolled in a nursing program to be eligible. Some awards require you to demonstrate financial need, be from specific areas or be a member, descendant of a member or eligible for membership in the Daughters of the American Revolution.
The Foundation of the National Student Nurses Association offers multiple awards to undergraduate students, including those in diploma programs, as well as a fellowship for registered nurses in graduate-level programs.
Undergraduate nursing scholarships are due in January, while fellowship applications have a rolling deadline. Visit the FNSNA website for more details.
General Scholarship Program. The scholarship's sponsor sets the criteria for this award and a specialization is typically required to qualify, such as emergency nursing. This award is open to nursing students nationwide, and you can receive up to $7,500 per academic year.
The Promise of Nursing Scholarship Program. This award is sponsored by Johnson & Johnson and offers up to $7,500 per academic year to qualifying students. You must attend a school of nursing in specific states to be eligible.
Promise of Nursing Faculty Fellowships. Similar to the Promise of Nursing Scholarship Program, this program offers funding to registered nurses pursuing graduate degrees in specific states.
March of Dimes Dr. Margaret C. Freda Graduate Nursing Scholarship Award
This annual $5,000 award from the March of Dimes is available to registered nurses enrolled in a graduate program that focuses on maternal-child nursing.
How to qualify. You must be an RN and have at least one academic term remaining after August of the year in which the scholarship is awarded. You must also be a member of at least one of the following professional organizations: the Association of Women's Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses; the American College of Nurse-Midwives; or the National Association of Neonatal Nurses.
The Nurse Corps Scholarship Program is funded by the government to alleviate the shortage of nurses in certain parts of the country. Upon graduating, recipients must work at a Nurse Corps facility for at least two years.
How to qualify. To apply, you must be enrolled in an accredited institution and may not have any federal judgment liens or existing service commitments or be delinquent on a federal debt. Preference is given to qualified students with the greatest financial need. Recipients have tuition, fees and other educational expenses fully funded and receive a monthly stipend.
Scholarships for nurses can help cover education costs, but you'll likely need additional financial aid to pay for multiple years of nursing school. For almost 70% of nursing students, that means taking on loans.
Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA, to determine your eligibility. Your school may also use the FAFSA to qualify you for a federal Nursing School Loan, if it participates in the health professions student loan program.
