Good News: Scholarships for RNs in Grad School

If the gold standard in entry-level nursing education is the BSN, or Bachelor of Science in Nursing, then the big push for experienced RNs is toward a graduate degree or MSN, Masters of Science in Nursing.

Scholarships for graduate nursing school candidates have never been more plentiful or loaded with incentives. Why? A few industry trends have healthcare movers and shakers portending the worst if skilled RNs aren’t urged to return to school and press higher up the nursing career ladder.

Career opportunities in grad nursing include:

  • Anesthesia
  • Nurse Educator
  • Nurse Midwife
  • Nurse Practitioner
  • Clinical Nurse Specialist
  • Nursing Case Management
  • Nurse Administration/Leadership
  • and many more.

Scholarship Sources for Grad RNs

What are the best places to hunt for scholarships that can help you offset the high cost of a graduate in nursing degree?

  • Federal and state governments
  • Nursing associations
  • Nursing schools
  • Private Sources

Government Scholarships for Graduate Level Nurses

The government—federal and state governments – are prime real estate for nursing scholarships. Both have incentive to increase the numbers of educated and practicing nurses and free gift aid is a perennial best-practice.

  • The federally-funded Nursing Scholarship Program is offered through the Department of Health and Human Services. Eligible nursing candidates may be enrolled or enrolling in undergraduate or graduate nursing school, but must demonstrate marked financial need and be willing to trade 2 years of practice in a medically underserved facility after graduation.
  • The National Health Service Corps is one of the most well-known assistance programs. Eligible RN candidates must be Nurse Practitioners or Certified Nurse Midwives. The scholarship part of the program offers free cash aid to qualified RNs: academic skills, motivation for nursing, demonstrated financial need and disadvantage, and the willingness to commit to practicing nursing at least 2 years in a federally designated underserved facility upon graduation. Scholarships pay for tuition, books AND provide winners with cash stipends.

Many states fund nursing scholarships, but here is an example:

  • In Maryland, nursing students enrolled at an in-state graduate nursing program, may apply for scholarship consideration under the Workforce Shortage Student Assistance program. Formerly students could apply directly through the State Nursing Scholarship, but these programs have been combined. Eligible RNs must show academic talent and demonstrate financial need. Awards are $2,000 or $4,000 for part-time or full-time grad level studies, respectively.

Nursing Associations

All types of nursing associations are active across the U.S. Most make it a core part of their organization’s mission to offer financial and professional support to student members. You’ll find associations for nearly every nursing specialty, as well as representation for all minority groups, including males. Examples of types of grad nursing scholarships from a cross-section of nursing associations:

  • The Foundation of the National Student Nurses’ Association offers the annual Promise of Nursing Regional Faculty Fellowship program. This scholarship award is open to RN candidates committed to complete a graduate degree in Nurse Education, demonstrating both academic mettle and financial need. Awards are $1,000 to $7,500.
  • The American Association of Colleges of Nursing offers grad RNs a chance to win money through the After College/AACN Nursing Scholarship program. Awards are $2,500 and preference is given to students pursuing graduate or doctoral degrees in Nursing Education. Accelerated degree applicants are welcome.

Nursing School Scholarships

Your nursing school should be one of your first scholarship sources. Most schools offer undergraduate and graduate scholarships, plus awards for minorities. Programs may be weighted on academic merit, financial need, or both.

Private Sources

One of the Nursing industry’s biggest advocates, Johnson and Johnson, offers popular and competitive nursing scholarships. J&J also partners with key organizations to make financial opportunities for undergraduate AND graduate nurses a reality.

The Nurses Educational Fund, Inc. makes it their mission to provide financial scholarship support to financially needy RNs pursuing Masters or Doctoral degrees.