Enrollment in nursing programs increased 5.6 percent in 2020, but it can be expensive to get a nursing degree. Nearly 70 percent of nursing students take out federal student loans to pay for their education, with a median student loan debt of $4,0000 to $55,000, according to data from the National Student Nurses’ Association. 

So, if you intend to pursue a nursing degree, try to get as much money in scholarships as possible.

Here is a list of nursing scholarships, and we have many more in our database.

Keep in mind that while many scholarships are meant for nursing students, there are many other scholarships that are not nursing-specific but can be used to pay for your nursing degree. So, you can search our database by gender identity, racial or ethnic background, family, state of residency, and more.

Other Programs That Help Pay for Nursing Degree

In addition to the scholarships listed above, there are other programs that can help you pay for your nursing degree.

• Army Nurse Corps Benefits provides the Health Professions Loan Repayment Program in Exchange for active duty service in the U.S. Army.

• Disadvantaged Faculty Loan Repayment Program (FLRP) provides for repayment of education loans for individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds who agree to serve for at least two years as faculty members at eligible health professions and nursing schools.

• Indian Health Service (IHS) administers a program to help repay undergraduate and graduate loans of health professionals in return for full-time clinical service in the Federal Health Program for American Indians and Alaska Natives.

• International Education Financial Aid (IEFA) offers a list of international student loans. 

• National Health Service Corps, a division of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, offers the NHSC Loan Repayment Program for health care professionals (including Nurse Practitioners) who must work in an underserved, NHSC-approved site. 

• NURSE Corps Loan Repayment Program helps alleviate the shortage of nurses across the country by offering loan repayment assistance to registered nurses and advanced practice nurses, such as nurse practitioners working at Critical Shortage facilities and nurse faculty employed at accredited schools of nursing. Program participants receive up to 60 percent of their qualifying student loans in exchange for a two-year service commitment, as well as an additional 25 percent of their original loan balance for an optional third year.

The scholarships listed above are just some of the best scholarships we’ve found for you. There are many other scholarships out there for nursing students.

Use TUN’s Scholarship Search Engine to find more scholarships for you, or have TUN AI help you with your search. 

When to apply for scholarships 

Each scholarship has a specific deadline. These deadlines occur throughout the year, so you can find one for any time of the year. Keep in mind, however, that some scholarship deadlines may fall months, even a year, before the start of the academic year for which you’re seeking a scholarship.  

And when you apply, be sure to meet the deadline for each specific scholarship. 

How to apply for scholarships

Each scholarship has its own unique requirements and qualifications. The first step to successfully applying for any scholarship is reading the details carefully. Make sure that you fit the eligibility criteria and fill out the application completely. 

Pay attention to what’s required of you. For example, if you need a recommendation letter, you should request one way ahead of time so you have one by the time you apply. If an essay is required, start writing weeks before the deadline so you have an essay you can be proud of before the due date.

Aim to send in your application at least a few days before the deadline. This way, you avoid the risk of getting sidelined by technical glitches, tests, heavy homework load, or illness. 

And don’t forget to submit everything required of you as part of your application. 

For more tips on how to apply for scholarships, check here.

How to find scholarships

Colleges may offer either merit-based or need-based scholarships or both. You can usually find most of the information by clicking on their “financial aid” page. If you have questions, don’t hesitate to email or call their financial aid office.

There are also outside scholarships — like the ones listed above — that are sponsored by companies, organizations, foundations, and individuals as a way to give back to their communities. The awards can cover your entire tuition or a portion of it. Some scholarships have a GPA requirement or are based on financial need, while others embrace a cause or emphasize community involvement, athletic achievement, diversity, passion, and much more. 

So, how do you find outside scholarships like these?

Start your search with TUN’s Scholarship Search Engine to find scholarships that are ideal for you. You can search by grade level, GPA, major, state of residency, scholarship name, or deadline month. You can also browse through our featured scholarships, some available only through TUN, and a collated list of scholarships for specific groups of students. 

You should also check with your college to see if they have a list of scholarships.

Your family is yet another good source of scholarships. Your parents or guardians may work for a company that offers scholarships for dependents of employees. 

If you work, you may also qualify for an employee scholarship. 

For more tips on how to find scholarships, check here.

How to get scholarships

Scholarships, especially ones with high awards, can be very competitive. In some cases, you may be competing against thousands of students. 

So, how do you increase your chances of winning a scholarship?

First, make sure you meet the eligibility criteria and submit all the information required of you, including recommendation letters, transcripts, and resume.

Second, be sure to distinguish yourself from the other applicants. Your essay, if that’s required, is what makes you unique so let your personality and creativity shine through. How do you do that? 

You can achieve that “by showing instead of telling,” according to Sarah Chomette, an eAdviser with the College Advising Corps. 

“When answering a creative prompt or inputting your personal statement, it’s important to provide the reader with a story instead of just telling them about your goals and accomplishments,” she said. “That can be kind of boring and it makes you get lost in the crowd.”

A successful essay must include four major components, Chomette explained. First, make sure that you convey your personal values. Second, be open and honest to help the reader feel a connection with you. Third, let the reader know why your story is important. Fourth, your writing must show that you put time and effort into it. 

If a scholarship asks for a video or infographic instead of an essay, the same principle applies.

To summarize, always put thought and effort into your whole application and submit your best work. There should be no obvious errors or typos. And if you need to submit a recommendation letter, reflect on who knows you best and whose recommendation would help your application the most. 

Are scholarships taxable?

Typically, scholarships are not taxable. However, it can depend on how the scholarship money is being used, according to federal tax laws. 

Scholarship dollars are tax-exempt if they are going to a degree-seeking candidate and are being used to pay for tuition and fees required for enrollment, books, supplies, and other educational expenses. 

Scholarships are not tax-exempt, and you must report them as “gross income,” if they are used to pay for room and board, travel, or optional equipment. 

If you have additional questions, you should reach out to the nursing school’s financial aid office. 

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