Scholarship Guide for Nurse Practitioner Schools (2022-2023)

NP School Scholarships: Common Application Requirements

Each NP school scholarship will have slightly different application procedures, but common requirements include any of the following:

• Current RN license
• Competitive GPA (3.0 or greater)
• Essay responses and/or personal statements
• Letter(s) of recommendation
• Demonstration of financial need
• Community service and volunteer experience
• Current acceptance or enrollment in a graduate nursing program

Outside of the common application requirements, many NP school scholarships focus on catering to a specific demographic, specialization, school, or region. In some cases, applicants can win multiple scholarships across different categories, lowering their school tuition rate significantly.

Demographic NP Scholarships

F. Edward Hébert Armed Forces Health Professions Scholarship Program

• Amount: Full tuition compensation, $2,000+ monthly stipend, and $20,000 sign-on bonus
• Deadline: Rolling
• Who Should Apply: Applicants must qualify as active-duty commissioned officers in the US Army. They must also be US citizens, hold a bachelor’s degree, be enrolled in an accredited graduate nursing program, and maintain full-time student status during the length of the program. 
• About the Donor: Offered through the US Army, this scholarship is one of the most comprehensive available for healthcare-related professions. As part of the Army’s healthcare team, awardees will be connected with one of the world’s largest, most funded, and most high-tech healthcare networks.

Indian Health Service’s Health Professions Scholarship

• Amount: Covers tuition, fees, and educational and living expenses
• Deadline: February 28, 2023
• Who Should Apply: Applicants should be members of federally designated Tribes and villages. They must also be enrolled in an eligible health profession degree program. Scholarship recipients are required to fulfill a minimum two-year service commitment at an Indian health facility upon graduation.
• About the Donor: The Indian Health Service (IHS) offers scholarships to American Indian and Native Alaskan students to train health professionals to staff American Indian and Native Alaskan health programs. These scholarships seek to develop the next generation of leaders and make pursuing a meaningful career in Indian health attainable for American Indian and Native Alaskan students.

Dr. Lauranne Sams Scholarship

• Amount: Four scholarships, $1,000 each
• Deadline: April 2023 (estimated)
• Who Should Apply: Applicants should be National Black Nurses Association (NBNA) members and pursue an advanced nursing degree. Primary selection criteria include scholastic achievement, financial need, and community service. 
• About the Donor: The scholarship is offered through NBNA, which is committed to excellence in education, and conducts continuing education programs for nurses and allied health professionals throughout the year. The Dr. Lauranne Sams Scholarship is named after NBNA’s founder and first president, and its recipient should embody her leadership and commitment to service.

George McGuire Memorial Scholarship

• Amount: $5,000
• Deadline: April 2023 (estimated)
• Who Should Apply: Applicants should be members of the National Black Nurses Association (NBNA) enrolled in an advanced nursing program, and their primary focus should be social justice. Candidates must have been NBNA members for at least two years, completed at least one full semester/quarter in a graduate program, and had at least one full semester/quarter remaining in their graduate program.
• About the Donor: The scholarship is offered through NBNA, which is committed to excellence in education, and conducts continuing education programs for nurses and allied health professionals throughout the year. All NBNA scholarships are presented to awardees at NBNA’s Annual Institute & Conference.

Dr. Martha A. Dawson Genesis Scholarship

• Amount: $1,000
• Deadline: April 2023 (estimated)
• Who Should Apply: Applicants should be members of the National Black Nurses Association (NBNA), and pursuing formal education at the master’s or doctoral level in nursing or nursing education.
• About the Donor: The scholarship is provided by Dr. Martha A. Dawson, a Birmingham Black Nurses Association member, and administered by NPNA. Believing that true success is measured by its succession, Dr. Dawson has offered the scholarship award to support nurse leaders to continue their growth and development.

NAHN Scholarships

• Amount: Varies
• Deadline: May 2023 (estimated)
• Who Should Apply: NAHN Scholarships are annually awarded to active members of the NAHN enrolled in accredited LVN/LPN, associate, diploma, baccalaureate, and graduate nursing programs for the next academic year. Recipients of this scholarship are a select group of nursing students who demonstrate the promise of professional contributions to the nursing profession and who have the potential to act as role models for other aspiring nursing students.
• About the Donor: The National Association of Hispanic Nurses (NAHN) has been the nation’s leading professional society for Latino nurses since 1975. With growing members and over 40 local chapters, NAHN represents the voices of Latino nurses throughout the United States. The number of scholarships awarded each year depends on the amount of money generated in the scholarship fund. Recipients are selected based on several factors such as need, course of study, current academic standing, supporting documentation, and other factors.

American Indian Nurse Scholarship Award Program

• Amount: $1,500 per semester
• Deadline: June 1, December 1 (2023)
• Who Should Apply: Applicants should be able to prove tribal ancestry, and be enrolled in a health professional program, having achieved good scholastic standing. Applicants should also be able to demonstrate financial need and be able to provide letters of recommendation. This scholarship targets those focused on a career goal directly related to the healthcare needs of the American Indian, Alaskan Native, or Hawaiian Native communities.
• About the Donor: Started by the Pennsylvania Society in 1928 and made a national project by the National Society of the Colonial Dames of America (NSCDA) in the 1930s, this award was created to allow students of American Indian descent to pursue careers in nursing. Originally intended to benefit females only, it’s since expanded to include all genders and multiple healthcare careers.

Exceptional Nurse Scholarships

• Amount: $250 to $500
• Deadline: June 1, 2023
• Who Should Apply: Applicants must be nursing students with documented disabilities. Applicants must submit a medical verification of disability, an essay, and three letters of recommendation.
• About the Donor: Started in 2001 as a grassroots effort to address the needs of nursing students and nurses with disabilities, “Exceptional Nurse” awarded its first scholarship in 2003. Today it offers eight different scholarships, with varying amounts and foci, for truly exceptional nurses. Examples include the Peter Gili Scholarship Award, Caroline Simpson Maheady Scholarship Award, Jill Laura Creedon Scholarship Award, and Anna May Rolando Scholarship Award, among others.

NP Scholarships for Specific Schools or Regions

Colorado Nurses Foundation Scholarships

• Amount: $1,500 to $5,000
• Deadline: November 1, 2022
• Who Should Apply: Applicants must be Colorado residents committed to practicing nursing in Colorado. Scholarships are available for both master’s and doctoral programs, with a minimum graduate GPA of 3.5.
• About the Donor: The Colorado Nurses Foundation is dedicated to improving healthcare and nursing practice in Colorado. Since 1999, they’ve raised more than $329,000 for nursing scholarships and offer more than 10 different scholarships for Colorado’s nursing students.

Manatee County Medical Education Foundation Scholarship Fund

• Amount: Varies; Funds are directly distributed to the recipient’s college or university
• Deadline: TBA in early 2023
• Who Should Apply: Applicants must be legal residents of Manatee County for the past two years pursuing careers in nursing or specific health-related fields that provide direct medical care to individuals (excluding pre-med, chiropractic, optometry, pharmacy, dental, or general sciences). They must be accepted into a two or four-year accredited educational institution health-related program with all prerequisites completed and must have a minimum 2.5 grade point average. Applicants must demonstrate a clear financial need. Renewability is based on fund availability.
• About the Donor: Incorporated in 1998, the Manatee Community Foundation is a public charity organization that is committed to building a better community and a better foundation with its strategic focus on diversity, inclusion, and access. The foundation’s mission is to partner with citizens to strengthen and enhancing its community through philanthropy, education, and service.

District of Columbia Nursing Scholarship

• Amount: Two scholarships, $2,500 each
• Deadline: January 31, 2023
• Who Should Apply: Applicants to this scholarship must be residents in the District of Columbia who have been accepted or are currently enrolled in a nursing program at the University of the District of Columbia, demonstrating financial need. Students must have a minimum GPA of 3.25 or the equivalent. This scholarship is strictly administered by the University of the District of Columbia.
• About the Donor: Founded in 1890, the Daughters of the American Revolution is a non-political, non-profit volunteer women’s service organization dedicated to promoting patriotism, preserving American history, and securing America’s future through better education for children. Membership in the DAR is not required for this scholarship.

Geraldine “Polly” Bednash Scholarship

• Amount: Two scholarships, $5,000 each
• Deadline: January 31, April 30, July 31, October 31 (2023)
• Who Should Apply: Applicants must be admitted or enrolled in an NP program at an institution accredited by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) and associated with CastleBranch. Applicants must have maintained at least a 3.2 GPA in their current program or at the last school attended.
• About the Donor: CastleBranch helps employers and school programs screen candidates with background checks, drug screenings, and other core requirements. They’ve partnered with AACN, the national voice for academic nursing since 1969, to provide a scholarship that covers a wide range of different nursing programs.

Bertha P. Singer Nurses Scholarship

• Amount: Varies
• Deadline: March 2023 (estimated)
• Who Should Apply: Applicants must be Oregon residents and enrolled members of a federally recognized Native American tribe of Oregon or a Native American tribe with traditional and customary tribal boundaries that included parts of Oregon. They must be enrolled for the fall term in a nursing program as at least second-year students. Additionally, they must have a minimum GPA of 3.0.
• About the Donor: The Office of Student Access and Completion is an office of the Higher Education Coordinating Commission committed to assisting Oregonians in pursuing higher education and a brighter future. Established in 1959 by the Oregon Legislature, OSAC provides innovative funding and programs to Oregon students and families. OSAC awards over $10 million in scholarships through more than 600 scholarships.

Ida W. Casey Memorial Scholarship

• Amount: $2,000
• Deadline: March 2023 (estimated)
• Who Should Apply: Applicants must be RNs enrolled in an accredited graduate nursing program, and live within or attend a school within a 65-mile radius of downtown Cincinnati. A competitive GPA and faculty recommendations are required. It is important to note that this scholarship was not awarded in 2022, and applicants are requested to check in January 2023 for more details.
• About the Donor: Offered by InterAct for Change, a community health initiative in Cincinnati, this scholarship is named for the founding chair of the Department of Nursing at Edgecliff College, now Xavier University.

Kathleen McVey Memorial Scholarship

• Amount: Varies
• Deadline: March 12, 2023
• Who Should Apply: Applicants continuing college students in the LVN or RN program at College of the Redwoods. They must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 and demonstrate financial need. Applicants must be Humboldt County or Del Norte County high school graduates, but preference will be given to Fortuna High School graduates. Notably, an applicant for this scholarship must be a single parent, and preference will be given to a parent with younger children seeking a long-term career in nursing.
• About the Donor: The College of the Redwoods Foundation supports the Redwoods Community College District by establishing collaborations and partnerships that benefit local businesses, the community, and CR’s students. The Foundation focuses on generating resources for promoting student enrollment, economic development, student success, equitable opportunity, and community health.

Michigan Nurses Foundation Scholarships

• Amount: Four scholarships, $1,000 each
• Deadline: May 1, 2023
• Who Should Apply: Applicants should be currently enrolled in a nursing program in the state of Michigan, and be able to demonstrate good academic standing. Letters of recommendation, a personal essay, and current transcripts are required. Financial needs and community service are also considered.
• About the Donor: Funded through private contributions and fundraising activities, the Michigan Nurses Foundation was formed in 2000 to advance nursing and nursing education by awarding scholarships and research grants.

Conway Scholarship (University of Maryland School of Nursing DNP Program)

• Amount: In-State Tuition and Fees
• Deadline: June 1, 2023
• Who Should Apply: Applicants must be current students of the University of Maryland School of Nursing’s DNP program, be U.S. citizens or permanent residents, and submit an essay of 300 words or less. Conway Scholars must maintain a course load of at least 6 credit hours per semester, attend required Conway Scholars activities and events, and remain in good academic standing.
• About the Donor: William and Joanne Conway are investors turned philanthropists who have generously donated to multiple nursing schools, including the University of Maryland School of Nursing. The Conways remain personally involved in their philanthropy, and, each semester, typically host a luncheon for Conway Scholars.

Nursing Incentive Scholarship Fund

• Amount: $1,500 per semester, maximum of $3,000 per year
• Deadline: June 8, 2023
• Who Should Apply: Applicants must be Kentucky residents attending approved LPN, ADN, BSN, or graduate nursing programs. Scholarship recipients must complete one-year full-time work as a nurse in Kentucky for each year of study funded.
• About the Donor: The Kentucky Board of Nursing protects the public by developing and enforcing state laws governing the safe practice of dialysis technicians, licensed certified professional midwives, and nurses. The funds received from this scholarship are directly awarded to the recipients and not to their nursing programs. Recipients can use the funds for the cost of living expenses and not just for tuition or the cost of books.

Nurse Practitioner Council of Palm Beach County Scholarship

• Amount: Three scholarships, $1,000 each
• Deadline: July 2023 (estimated)
• Who Should Apply: To be eligible for this scholarship, the APRN (advanced practice registered nurse) student must be an active member of the NPCPBC organization. They must have proof of registered nurse license in Florida as well as proof of enrollment in an APRN master’s degree or doctorate program in good standing.
• About the Donor: Established in 1994 by Andi Devine, the NPCPBC (nurse practitioner council of palm beach county) is a local association of retired and current APRNs and APRN students. It offers grants to NP start-up companies, incentives for preceptors, and scholarships to students.

Alabama Board of Nursing Graduate Scholarships

• Amount: Varies
• Deadline: August 31, 2023
• Who Should Apply: Applicants must be RNs who have been residents of Alabama for at least one year before application. They must also be accepted to a graduate nursing program within the state of Alabama, and be a person of good character. Primary selection criteria include scholastic achievement, work experience, and essay responses. Recipients must work for a minimum of two years in the state of Alabama upon graduation.
• About the Donor: The Alabama Nursing Resource Center (ANRC), as an entity of the Alabama Board of Nursing (ABN), strives to promote and safeguard the public’s health through the provision of education and information.

Maryland Graduate and Professional Scholarship Program

• Amount: $1,000 to $5,000 per year
• Deadline: Same as admissions deadline
• Who Should Apply: Applicants must be Maryland residents enrolled as degree-seeking students, either part-time or full-time, attending one of the following nursing schools: the University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) Schools of Medicine, Dentistry, Law, Pharmacy, or Social Work; University of Baltimore School of Law; The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine; The Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine, or certain Maryland institutions offering a master’s degree in nursing or social work or a first professional degree in pharmacy. Applicants must demonstrate financial need.
• About the Donor: The Maryland Higher Education Commission is the State of Maryland’s higher education coordinating board responsible for establishing state policies for Maryland public and private colleges, universities, and for-profit career schools. MHEC also administers state financial aid programs that affect students statewide.