17 Nursing Scholarships for Students in 2025 | Funding Your Nursing Education

Nursing school is one of the most rewarding paths you can take, but it’s also a financial challenge for many students. Between tuition, textbooks, clinical fees, and licensing exams, costs can quickly add up. Thankfully, there are plenty of scholarships that can help lighten the load.

In this guide, we’ll walk through 17 of the best nursing scholarships available this year. Covering options for high school students, undergraduates, graduate students, minority applicants, and those pursuing specialty nursing tracks.

At Go Elective, we support future nurses not only through immersive global internships in Kenya and Tanzania but also by helping students identify opportunities that make nursing education more accessible.

Top Nursing Scholarships This Year

Here’s a curated list of scholarships nursing students should consider. Each award has different eligibility requirements, so be sure to review the details before applying.

1. Foundation of National Student Nurses’ Association (FNSNA)

Amount: Up to $50,000
Who qualifies: Undergraduate and graduate nursing students
Deadline: January 26

Since 1969, the FNSNA has distributed over $300,000 annually, often in partnership with organizations like Johnson & Johnson.

2. A Nurse I Am Scholarship

Amount: $2,000
Who qualifies: Full- or part-time nursing students
Deadline: February 1 – April 15

Applicants must watch the inspirational A Nurse I Am film and submit an essay reflecting on it.

3. Barbara Rhomberg Nursing Scholarship

Amount: $1,000 per semester
Who qualifies: Non-traditional students with a 3-year gap between high school and college
Deadline: April 30

Created to honor Barbara Rhomberg, who pursued nursing later in life.

4. AfterCollege and AACN Scholarship Fund

Amount: $10,000 annually (distributed in $2,500 installments)
Who qualifies: Nursing students enrolled at an AACN member school
Deadline: December 31

Particularly supports students pursuing accelerated or advanced programs.

5. NURSE Corps Scholarship (HRSA)

Amount: Full tuition, fees, plus stipend
Who qualifies: U.S. citizens committed to working two years in a Critical Shortage Facility

One of the most competitive but impactful scholarships, offering full coverage in exchange for service.

6. American Holistic Nursing Association Research Grant

Amount: Up to $5,000
Who qualifies: Doctoral students and AHNA members researching holistic practice
Deadline: February 15

7. American Indian Nurse Scholarship Award Program

Amount: $1,500 per semester
Who qualifies: Nursing students of Native American descent
Deadline: January 28

8. Agnes Naughton RN-BSN Fund

Amount: Around $500
Who qualifies: Florida residents pursuing nursing education
Deadline: June 1

9. Asian American Pacific Islander Nurses Association (AAPINA) Scholarship

Amount: $500
Who qualifies: AAPINA members with GPA 3.5+
Deadline: January 29

10. NBNA – Dr. Lauranne Sams Scholarship

Amount: $5,000 (other NBNA awards up to $15,000)
Who qualifies: Black nursing students who are NBNA members
Deadline: Varies

11. March of Dimes Graduate Nursing Scholarships

Amount: $5,000
Who qualifies: RNs in maternal-child nursing graduate programs
Deadline: April 15

12. ENA Emergency Nurses Scholarship

Amount: $2,500–$10,000
Who qualifies: ENA members interested in emergency nursing
Deadline: April 26

13. National Association of Hispanic Nurses (NAHN) Scholarships

Amount: Up to $10,000
Who qualifies: Latino nursing students, NAHN members
Deadline: Varies

14. NADONA Long-Term Care Scholarship

Amount: Varies
Who qualifies: Nursing students pursuing geriatric/long-term care
Deadline: April 15

15. Nurses Make a Difference Scholarship

Amount: $1,000
Who qualifies: High school seniors and nursing students with GPA 3.0+
Deadline: August 1

16. Nursing Economic$ Foundation Scholarship

Amount: $5,000
Who qualifies: RNs in master’s or doctoral programs focused on administration or leadership
Deadline: May 15

17. Oncology Nursing Society (ONS) Foundation Scholarships

Amount: Varies
Who qualifies: Undergraduate to doctoral students in oncology nursing
Deadline: Varies

Disclaimer: The scholarship details provided here are for informational purposes only. Dates, eligibility requirements, and award amounts may change at any time. Please confirm all information directly on the official scholarship website before applying. We do not hold liability for any inaccuracies, changes, or missed deadlines.

Tips for Winning Nursing Scholarships

Start early.

Build your application materials (resume, recommendation letters, transcripts) at least three months before your first deadline.

Stay organized.

Track deadlines on a calendar. Missing even one means lost funding.

Proofread carefully.

Typos or errors can cost you opportunities in competitive pools.

Apply broadly.

Don’t skip small scholarships. Winning multiple awards adds up and strengthens your CV.

FAQs: Nursing Scholarships

#1. Can I get a scholarship to study nursing in the U.S.?

Yes. Programs like the FNSNA, Nurse Corps, and AACN scholarships offer significant funding for both undergraduate and graduate students.

#2. How competitive is the Nurse Corps Scholarship?

Very competitive but worth applying if you’re committed to serving in underserved communities, as it covers full tuition and provides a living stipend.

#3. What’s the best way to boost my chances?

Strong essays, meaningful clinical or volunteer experiences, and recommendation letters tailored to nursing make a huge difference.

Final Thoughts

Nursing scholarships are out there. You just need to know where to look and start early. By combining scholarship funding with real-world experience, you can reduce financial stress and enter your program with confidence.

At Go Elective, our nursing internships abroad help you stand out for these opportunities by giving you unique global health experiences to showcase in your applications. Whether you’re in pre-nursing, BSN, or graduate studies, scholarships plus structured clinical exposure or guided hands-on experience can make your nursing journey more affordable and impactful.

Explore our pre-nursing internships and nursing electives abroad.