As a nursing student, there are many options for how to pay for nursing school. With so many organizations working to help the nursing shortage, there are many scholarships being offered to help. Learn about some of the best nursing scholarships and get answers to some frequently asked questions.
Nursing school is not cheap, but you have many excellent options to help with expenses. One of these options is applying for scholarships. You may be offered scholarships through your school of choice, but you are not limited to just those.
With the nursing shortage and increased need for dedicated healthcare workers, many companies and organizations are offering amazing scholarship programs to prospective and current nursing students. We have collected 5 of the best nursing scholarships to help you focus on learning without worrying about how to pay for nursing school.
How to Apply for Scholarships
Each scholarship is different, but there are some things you should know before you begin applying. Each scholarship will have its own qualifications and requirements. Make sure you are eligible beforehand so that you don’t waste time applying when you are certain not to receive the scholarship.
Be sure to check for requirements such as work location. Under some scholarships, you will be obligated to work as a nurse in specific areas or underserved communities for a set amount of time. Ensure that you understand these stipulations before applying.
Once you begin your application, you will be asked to follow a series of steps. These may include a questionnaire, an essay portion, and a section to fill out your personal information. Remember, never fill out sensitive information such as your social security number. This can be an indication that the scholarship is fake.
Now that you know what the application process will be like, it’s time to look at 5 options for nursing school scholarships that you should consider.
1. The Nurse Corps
The Nurse Corps was founded in response to a continued need for nurses in the workplace. Many underserved communities lack essential healthcare, such as annual checkups and vaccines. If you are ready to commit to two years as a nurse fighting for those who can’t get the help they need, apply to the Nurse Corps and receive financial assistance for your endeavors. This scholarship may cover tuition, fees, and other related expenses.
2. Wieland Nurse Appreciation
If you have a knack for essay writing and a passion for nursing, check out the Wieland Nurse Appreciation Scholarship. Anyone from high school seniors to nursing graduate students is eligible to apply. Wieland is a furniture company with a history of working with and catering to patients in the process of healing. They are passionate about boosting the next generation of nurses with financial help. The 2023 scholarship amount is $2,500.
3. Madeline Pickett (Halbert) Cogswell Nursing Scholarship
The Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) is an organization that encourages women to pursue careers such as nursing by offering scholarship opportunities. The Madeline Pickett (Halbert) Cogswell scholarship is one such opportunity that provides a $2,500 one-time scholarship to those descended from a member or willing to become one. The DAR also offers several other excellent nursing scholarships for those with a passion for nursing who show financial need.
4. AANP Education Advancement
If you are pursuing a graduate degree in nursing to become a nurse practitioner (NP), you may be eligible for the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) scholarship program. Your application profile will be reviewed if you meet eligibility requirements and apply by the provided deadline. AANP scholarship recipients receive between $2,500 and $5,000 toward tuition expenses. If you need help paying for your NP program, applying to this scholarship is an excellent use of your time.
5. AACN Scrubin Scholarship
The American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) distributes many excellent scholarships yearly, including the Scrubin Scholarship. The AACN and Scrubin Uniforms partner to provide $2,500 to a nursing student of excellence three times per year. To qualify for this scholarship, you must attend an AACN-affiliated school, demonstrate academic achievement, and submit an essay.
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FAQs About Nursing School Financial Aid
Nursing school scholarships may differ from those you have applied to in the past, or maybe you have never applied for a scholarship before. It is natural to have questions, so here are a few frequently asked questions and answers to help you.
Are there stipulations that come with scholarships?
There are usually strict guidelines about how scholarship money can be used and if any additional action is required of you after being awarded the money. For example, many programs will only put the money directly toward tuition. Other scholarships are broader and allow the funds to cover other school-related expenses. Some programs, like the Nurse Corps, also require you to work in an underprivileged area or other specified locale for a set amount of time. Make sure you check these requirements before applying.
Can I apply for independent scholarships if I already have a different scholarship?
Having two or more scholarships at one time is called stacking scholarships. This is a great technique to cover as much of the cost of your education as possible. However, this is not always an option. Whether or not a scholarship is stackable depends on the financial policies of your nursing school and the independent scholarship. You should research this before applying additional scholarships to your program costs. You don’t want to discover too late that your scholarships won’t all be valid since they aren’t stackable.
Are scholarships different from loans?
Scholarships differ from loans because you will not be required to repay them. Loans may collect interest on a principal value, and you can spend years paying off your student debt, but scholarships do not require repayment. Certain requirements may still be associated with your scholarship, but you can rest assured knowing you will not have to pay anything back to your scholarship provider.
When are scholarship deadlines?
You can find nursing scholarship applications open year-round, but be aware that many applications close each year at the end of the summer. So, if you have been accepted into a nursing program, the best time to start applying for scholarships is immediately. If you have a fall start date, you will want to ensure that your scholarship has been applied to your student financial account before the beginning of the term. Regardless, continue applying all year to take advantage of the incredible opportunities.
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Get Started on Your Journey to Becoming a Nurse
These five best nursing scholarships are only the tip of the iceberg to paying for nursing school. Many financial aid options are available to you as a nursing student, and you can get started by finding which schools meet your criteria. Fill out our online form, and you will be contacted by nursing schools that fit your needs.
