How Do I Get A Full Ride To Nursing School?

A full-ride nursing scholarship is one that pays for living expenses, supplies, and school fees, as well as tuition. These scholarships often have very specific requirements, but there are many available and they are a great way to get your nursing degree.

Where to Find Nursing Scholarships

Nursing scholarships are available through the government, military, and private organizations. Some of your first considerations should include:

The Department of Health and Human Services

Students in need of financial assistance could qualify for a scholarship through the Department of Health and Human Services. It's full tuition and it can be used for an associate degree, bachelor's degree, or master's degree, providing you meet the requirements.

National Health Service Corps

If you're willing to work in underserved communities, you could get a scholarship through the National Health Service Corps.

Nursing students will be given full tuition, along with a stipend that covers their living costs and expenses. However, you will need to relocate to underserved areas and must pursue a master's or post-master's degree.

The Global Scholarship Alliance

The Global Scholarship Alliance covers tuition costs for a bachelor's degree or master's degree. Students need a registered nursing license and must have worked for at least a year within a clinical setting.

Military Nursing Scholarships

If you're looking to combine a military career with a healthcare one, you could get a scholarship and a paycheck.

The Army Nurse Corps scholarship program will give you full tuition, and you'll also be paid for your service. There are similar options available through the Air Force and the Navy Nurse Corps. With the latter, you can even choose from several specialist programs, including midwifery, critical care, and more.

Other Nursing Scholarships

Nursing students should check with public agencies and medical schools in their state to see if they can get a full scholarship.

Students who need financial assistance can typically find a full-ride scholarship, providing they are willing to remain and work in the state after they graduate.

The Best Private Scholarships for Nursing Students

In addition to the above, there are a number of scholarships available to undergraduate students and graduate students, including:

A Nurse I Am

A Nurse I Am is a scholarship program sponsored by Cherokee Uniforms. It has dished out over $200,000 in scholarship funds since 2007 and offers at least one scholarship per academic year.

In 2021, it offered 5 scholarships worth $2,500, and there are more opportunities to come.

Click here to find information on the latest scholarships offered by A Nurse I Am, including application dates and requirements.

ENA Foundation Scholarships

The Emergency Nurses Association (ENA) Foundation offers scholarships worth up to $10,000, including:

• The Charles Kunz Memorial Scholarship for registered nurses studying for a bachelor's degree
• The Pamela Stinson Kidd Memorial Doctoral Scholarship for emergency nurses studying for a doctoral degree
• The Anita Dorr Graduate Scholarship for emergency nurses studying for a master's degree

The Jane Delano Student Nurse Scholarship

The Jane Delano scholarship is offered by the American Red Cross and is available for both undergraduate and graduate students.

Applicants must have at least 1 year of college credits and be in good academic standing. They are also required to have served as a volunteer for the Red Cross within the last 5 years.

Applicants must complete a 2-part essay, the first of which describes their experience with the Red Cross while the second highlights their goals within the nursing profession.

Visit this page to learn more.

Nurses Make a Difference Scholarship

The Nurses Make a Difference Scholarship is awarded by Cascade Healthcare Solutions. It is an annual scholarship amount of $1,000 paid to undergraduate students based on submitted essays.

Visit the enrollment page to learn more.

The DAR Caroline E. Holt Nursing Scholarship

Nursing students in financial need can apply for this $2,500 scholarship. It is awarded to three students per year.

Visit this page to learn more. It also contains information on other scholarships currently available.

Future Care Scholarship

The Future Care Scholarship from TYLENOL pays for tuition for up to 40 health care students every year. It has awarded millions of dollars to nursing students and pays for tuition, expenses, living costs, and more.

FNSNA Scholarships

The Foundation of the National Student Nurses Association (FNSNA) offers scholarships worth up to $7,500, and these are available for both undergraduate students and graduate students.

The scholarships are awarded to nursing students who have excelled academically and have involved themselves in community health programs. There is also a financial need requirement.

Check the latest enrolment period and requirements here.

Gallagher Student Health Careers Scholarship Program

The Gallagher Student Health Careers Scholarship Program is open to undergraduate students pursuing a 4-year course from an accredited nursing program. It is tailored toward international nursing students and there are multiple scholarships offered every year.

Check the latest requirements to learn more.

Nursing.Org Breaking Barriers Scholarship for Men

As the name suggests, this scholarship is open to male students enrolled in an accredited nursing program. It is a small one-time award and it requires a minimum GPA of 3.0. Applicants must also show that they have outstanding character and are worthy of the scholarship.

APU S. Evelyn Lewis Memorial Scholarship in Medical Health Sciences

Undergraduate and graduate students can receive an award of between $500 and $1,000 with this scholarship. It requires a short essay of 150 words and applicants must also have a history of community service.

Applications are accepted between September 1st and February 1st every year. Learn more here.

TravelNurseSource Future Scholarship

The TravelNurseSource scholarship awards $1,000 to undergraduate nursing students. To qualify, applicants must be US residents with a GPA of at least 2.5.

Summary: Scholarships for Nursing Students

Most nursing students graduate with substantial student loans. If you don't have any savings, trust funds, or wealthy family members to fall back on, you could find yourself with over $40,000 worth of student debt before you collect your first paycheck.

With nursing scholarships, you don't need to worry about escalating debts and heavy financial burdens. You can get your associate's, bachelor's, master's, or doctoral degree without creating a financial footprint that remains throughout your adult life.

So, before you apply to nursing school, look into the above scholarships, and see if you meet any of the requirements.