Scholarship Guide for Nurse Practitioner Schools (2024)

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

Health Professions Scholarship Program

• Amount: Full tuition compensation, $2,608+ 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, 2024
• 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: March 2024 (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: March 2024 (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 must have 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: March 2024 (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: March 2024 (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 Medical Scholarship Award Program

• Amount: $1,500 per semester
• Deadline: June 1, December 1 (2024)
• 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, 2024
• Who Should Apply: Applicants must be nursing students with documented disabilities. Applicants must submit a medical verification of disability form, 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

DAR Lena Ferguson Scholarship

• Amount: Two scholarships, $5,000 each
• Deadline: January 31, 2024
• Who Should Apply: Applicants to this scholarship must have graduated from a District of Columbia public school or public charter school and have been accepted or are currently enrolled in the associate of applied science in nursing program at the University of the District of Columbia-Community College or the registered nurse (RN) to bachelor of science in nursing program at the University of the District of Columbia. The University of the District of Columbia strictly administers this scholarship. A minimum GPA of 3.0 is required.
• 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. This scholarship is named in honor of the late Lena Santos Ferguson, a DAR member who established this scholarship in the 1980s as an outreach to people of color in the Washington, D.C., community. Membership in the DAR is not required for this scholarship.

NurseThink – AACN Scholarship

• Amount: $5,000
• Deadline: January 31, July 15 (2024)
• Who Should Apply: Students enrolled in master’s and doctoral nursing programs at AACN member institutions who have a desire to become future nurse faculty. The scholarship is open to all students who are members of the Graduate Nursing Student Academy (membership is free). Applicants must complete an online application, provide demographic information and details on their academic achievements, and submit a short essay outlining their plans to teach after graduation.
• About the Donor: The AACN’s Foundation for Academic Nursing offers this scholarship to students twice a year through 2026. Launched in 2020, this foundation was started to support AACN’s mission to serve as the catalyst for excellence and innovation in nursing education, research, and practice.

Conway Scholarship

• Amount: In-state tuition and fees
• Deadline: BSN: entering students (February 1, 2024); RN-to-BSN: entering students (July 15, 2024); MSN entry-into-nursing: entering students (February 1, 2024); MSN, excluding MSN entry-into-nursing (June 1, 2024); teaching in nursing and health professions certificate: entering and current students (July 15, 2024); DNP: continuing students (June 1, 2024)
• Who Should Apply: This scholarship is available to University of Maryland, Baltimore nursing students at all levels (undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral); however, eligibility requirements differ from program to program. All applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents.
• 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.

Manatee County Medical Education Foundation Scholarship Fund

• Amount: Varies; Funds are directly distributed to the recipient’s college or university
• Deadline: March 1, 2024
• 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 enhance its community through philanthropy, education, and service.

Kathleen McVey Memorial Scholarship

• Amount: Varies
• Deadline: May 13, 2024
• Who Should Apply: Applicants who are 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, 2024
• 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.

Nursing Incentive Scholarship Fund

• Amount: $1,500 per semester, maximum of $3,000 per year
• Deadline: June 8, 2024
• Who Should Apply: Applicants must be Kentucky residents attending approved LPN, ADN, BSN, or graduate nursing programs. Scholarship recipients must complete one year of 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 2024 (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.

Deborah E. Trautman Future Nurse Leader Scholarship

• Amount: $3,500 ($2,000 for educational expenses and $1,500 to cover travel expenses for the conference)
• Deadline: August 30, 2024
• Who Should Apply: This scholarship is for students in master’s or doctoral nursing programs offered at AACN member schools affiliated with NursingCAS, the nation’s only centralized application service for nursing programs. Students must list past experiences showing commitment to academic nursing and illustrate high academic achievement. Candidates must be currently enrolled and in good standing at their school of nursing and must also be members of AACN’s Graduate Nursing Student Academy (membership is free).
• About the Donor: Funded by Liaison International, the American Association of Colleges of Nursing’s (AACN’s) partner in NursingCAS, this scholarship and leadership development program by AACN’s Foundation for Academic Nursing was created in honor of AACN’s President and CEO Dr. Deborah Trautman.

Alabama Board of Nursing Graduate Scholarships

• Amount: Varies
• Deadline: August 31, 2024
• 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.

Scrubin Uniforms – AACN Scholarship

• Amount: $2,500
• Deadline: September 1, December 1, March 1 (2024)
• Who Should Apply: Nursing students in baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs who are enrolled at AACN member schools with a formal affiliation agreement with Scrubin Uniforms. Applicants to the scholarship must complete an online application, provide demographic information and details on their academic achievements, and submit a short essay.
• About the Donor: Provided three times each year, this scholarship is offered by AACN’s Foundation for Academic Nursing. Through partnerships with donors, this Foundation’s goal is to strengthen the nursing workforce by supporting nurse educators and their students to reach their full potential.

Colorado Nurses Foundation Scholarships

• Amount: $2,000 to $5,000
• Deadline: October 2024 (estimated)
• 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 over $329,000 for nursing scholarships and offer more than 10 different scholarships for Colorado’s nursing students. Some of them include the H. M. Muffly Memorial Scholarship, Helen Frost Shaw fund scholarship, Jennifer Allen-Thomas Scholarship, Colorado Rockies healthcare appreciation scholarship, Chris and Joy Dinsdale foundation scholarship, and Josephine Ballard Fund Scholarship, among others.

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.