The Ultimate Guide to Nursing Scholarships and Financial Aid

How to Find, Apply for, and Get Scholarships for Nursing School

With demand for healthcare services projected to rise steadily in the coming years, the job market for qualified nurses should remain strong. However, becoming a nurse requires years of intensive—and expensive—training. For lots of people who have the talent, drive, and compassion to succeed as a nurse, the cost of nursing school may create financial barriers.

Fortunately, there are many nursing scholarships and other forms of financial aid that aspiring nurses can use to help pay for their education. In this article, we’ll cover everything nursing students may need to know about how to find, apply for, and secure scholarships.

Still, trying to decide whether a career in nursing is the right choice for you? Explore our in-depth guide on how to become a registered nurse, or our list of the highest-paying nursing jobs.

Overview of Nursing Scholarships

Nursing scholarships help future nurses offset the costs of accomplishing their educational goals. Unlike student loans, which need to be repaid, scholarships are monetary awards that do not usually need to be paid back (as long as the recipient remains in school). Nursing scholarships may be used to pay for tuition, textbooks, housing, and other expenses that come with attending nursing school.

Scholarships for nurses come in multiple forms. Some of the most common types include:

Merit-based scholarships: These nursing scholarships are often awarded based on academic achievements, leadership qualities, and other noteworthy accomplishments. They recognize and support nursing students who show great potential for future success. In many cases, merit-based scholarships are highly competitive.

Need-based scholarships: These scholarships are based on the recipient’s financial circumstances and can help nursing students from lower-income backgrounds live out their dreams by ensuring they have access to the education they need.

Diversity-focused scholarships: As we learn more about the importance of inclusiveness in healthcare, diversity-focused scholarships help empower people from traditionally under-represented groups to get into nursing. These may include scholarships for students of certain ethnic backgrounds, students with disabilities, or LGBTQ+ students.

Specialty-specific scholarships: These focused scholarships support students pursuing specific areas of nursing—like pediatric care, emergency care, or other in-demand specialties. Their eligibility requirements are usually a combination of other scholarship types.

Benefits of Nursing Scholarships

Nursing scholarships are more than just free money to put toward your education. They can significantly improve your nursing school experience and future employment prospects in multiple ways.

Financial relief: While it’s possible for some people to work long hours and put themselves through nursing school, scholarships can reduce the financial burden of becoming a nurse. Nursing scholarships can help reduce financial stress and minimize student loan debt while allowing nurses more time to focus on their studies.

Access to education: Nursing scholarships can help remove barriers for people with the talent to become nurses but who may otherwise not have the opportunity. Whether recipients are first-generation college students, people seeking a career change, or current nurses looking to expand their skills, improving access to education benefits people from many walks of life.

Professional development: Depending on the scholarship, nurses may have access to additional benefits like experienced mentors or networking opportunities through professional or community organizations. In some cases, nursing scholarship recipients may receive help with finding jobs, building leadership skills, and attending conferences or workshops.

How to Find a Nursing Scholarship

There are several different avenues nursing students can take when searching for scholarships. Keep in mind that you can receive more than one scholarship. Combining multiple scholarships is much more common than getting one big scholarship that covers everything on its own.

Online scholarship resources are a great place to start and include reliable resources like FastWeb, Peterson’s, Nurse.org, and NursingScholarships.org.

Professional nursing organizations frequently have financial aid resources for members. Check with popular organizations like the American Association of Colleges of Nursing and the National Student Nurses’ Association. Specialty-specific nursing organizations may also offer their own scholarships and grants.

Community organizations can be another excellent source for nurses trying to find scholarships locally. Check with healthcare providers, religious and cultural organizations, and other community groups to explore the options available to you.

How to Apply for Nursing Scholarships

No matter the type of scholarship, you want to put your best foot forward when submitting your application. In addition to asking for information like school transcripts or background information, most scholarship applications will have you submit an essay. This is your chance to share a powerful personal story about what inspired you to get into nursing and the impact you hope to make in your career. Follow the prompt carefully, include specific stories and examples, and be sure to proofread thoroughly.

Many nursing scholarships also ask for letters of recommendation from people who know you well. Choose somebody who can speak to your passion for healthcare, your academic achievements, your personal character, and your potential to achieve great things.

Don’t just call up your bestie and ask them to brag about you—the best recommendations usually come from people in positions of authority. Think about your favorite teachers, community leaders, managers or coworkers, or anyone else who can speak to your dedication and professionalism. Make sure to provide plenty of advance notice before any application deadlines!

More Financial Aid Options for Nursing Students

Scholarships aren’t the only way nursing students can get help paying for school. These additional options can make the nursing school even more accessible by further offsetting the cost of your education (or spreading it out over time).

Grants are very similar to scholarships in that they don’t need to be repaid. This may not apply if you drop your classes, so be sure you understand your obligations before you accept grant money.

Typically, grants are awarded primarily based on financial need. They often come from state governments or the federal government and sometimes from private companies or community organizations. They usually have a simpler application process compared to scholarships but may have stricter eligibility criteria.

Popular government-sponsored programs for nursing students include Pell Grants, which can provide thousands per year to students with financial needs. The Nurse Corps Scholarship Program is another go-to option that can cover the cost of your education in exchange for working in a facility with a critical shortage of nurses after you graduate.

Student loans are another common way for nurses to pay for some or all of their training. While these loans must be paid back later, they can make education much more accessible by spreading out the upfront cost of your education. Look for government-sponsored loans with low interest rates as your first option—private lenders tend to offer less favorable terms.

Work-study programs provide part-time employment opportunities for nursing students, usually in an environment related to their studies. Work-study programs provide a normal paycheck that nursing students can use to offset the cost of their education.

Tuition reimbursement programs are offered by many healthcare facilities to encourage their employees to continue their education. The catch is usually that you’ll need to remain with the same employer for a certain period of time after you complete your education since they’re investing in your growth.

How to Apply for Financial Aid

Each nursing scholarship or form of financial aid has its own application process, so staying organized is essential. Make a list or a spreadsheet that includes all eligibility requirements, deadlines, and required documents for each funding source you’re seeking.

Filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) should be one of the first steps you take, as it helps determine your eligibility for certain scholarships, grants, and loans. Any school’s financial aid office should be willing to help you explore your options without pressuring you for a commitment. Be wary of any nursing scholarships or grants that require an application fee—you should never have to pay anything out of your own pocket to be considered.

Remember that it’s normal to combine multiple forms of financial aid. While it may take some time upfront to submit applications and follow up on everything, the initial investment is more than worth it for many people, considering the amount you could save on tuition or loan payments.

Financial Aid Tips for Nurses

Applying for financial aid can seem overwhelming at first. Keep these tips in mind to maximize your chances of success throughout the process.

Maintain good academic standing. Your GPA in high school or any previous college courses may influence your likelihood of receiving scholarships. Stay on top of your studies and ask for help from teachers or counselors when you need it.

Volunteer in the community. Any form of public service can help set you apart on a scholarship application. Get involved in a cause that’s meaningful to you, and highlight the impact you’ve made in your essay or other application materials.

Build your professional network. Whether you’re already working in healthcare or just starting your journey, forming connections with colleagues and mentors can help you discover new financial aid opportunities.

Pay attention to details. Small things like formatting, essay word counts, and including all requested documents can make all the difference when applying for nursing scholarships.

Stay persistent, and don’t give up. You’re unlikely to receive every scholarship you apply for. Don’t be disheartened if your application isn’t accepted. There are many financial aid options for nurses—and the more you put yourself out there, the better your chances of getting help paying for nursing school.

Provo College Scholarships and Grants

Most colleges offer their own financial aid opportunities for students, and the nursing programs at Provo College are no exception! In addition to several of the options outlined above, some of the unique scholarships and grants available at Provo College also include:

College Merit Scholarship: Available to nursing students who have successfully completed their first two terms, this scholarship offers $500 to students based on demonstrated merit and financial need. Recipients may qualify for this scholarship for a total of two academic years.

Practical Nursing Alumni Scholarship: Designed to help graduates of Provo College’s Practical Nursing (PN) program level up their skills with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), this scholarship pays up to a total of $5,000 based on financial need.

Yellow Ribbon Institutional Grant: Available on a first-come, first-served basis to students approved for federal assistance through the Department of Veteran Affairs, this $1,500 grant is matched by the VA to help veterans pay for nursing school.

Military Grant: This grant is reserved for qualifying service members and their immediate families. Payments are received in even amounts throughout the length of the program and will be applied to tuition, fees, and any other expenses like textbooks.

Each of these financial aid options has its own application process and deadlines. Get in touch with the financial aid office at Provo College for more details or to get started.

Start Your Nursing Career with Provo College

If you’ve always wanted to attend nursing school but you’re worried about how you’ll pay for it, there are many options available to help you achieve your goals. No matter who you are or what your background is, scholarships and other forms of financial aid can make it possible.

Stay proactive in looking for opportunities, take advantage of school or community resources, and try not to take any rejections too personally. Even though applying for financial aid can be demanding at times, there are many organizations out there that want to see you succeed!

When considering different nursing programs, take the time to meet with financial aid offices, ask lots of questions, and get a feel for your options. A great nursing school can help steer you in the right direction and find ways to pay for school with as little financial burden as possible.

At Provo College, our student-first approach defines everything we do—from our friendly financial aid team to our dedicated instructors. Whether you’re planning on a Practical Nursing program for a fast start to your career or a Bachelor of Science in Nursing program for more options in the future, you’ll have support from your first day on campus.

Still figuring out which nursing program is the best fit for your needs? Check out our guide on how to choose the best nursing school.