The 2025 Power List: Top Nursing Scholarships and Grants

Becoming a nurse can be a valuable but costly journey. Thankfully, there are scholarships and grants out there that ease the financial burden so you can focus on what matters most – preparing to save patient lives. 

This guide lists the best undergraduate and RN to BSN nursing scholarships and grants. It also covers expert tips on how to choose the best scholarships to apply for and optimizing your chances of crafting a winning scholarship. Don’t miss out on valuable funding opportunities that will help you get ahead more affordably! So here’s our 2025 power list of the top nursing scholarships and grants: 

Undergraduate Nursing Scholarships and Grants

A Nurse I Am ($3000, April 15)

American Academy of First Aid & CPR ($1500, May 1)

American Association of Colleges of Nursing Geraldine "Polly" Bednash Scholarship ($5000, every three months)

American Association of Colleges of Nursing Hurst Review/AACN Nursing Scholarship ($2500, January 15/July 15)

American Indian Nurse Scholarship ($1500/semester, June1/December 1)

American Nephrology Nurses Association Scholarship ($1000-$4000, varies)

Ark Behavioral Health Scholarship ($1000, July 15)

Barbara Rhomberg Nursing Scholarship ($1000, varies)

Bold.org Nursing Scholarships (up to $25000, varies)

Creative Biolabs Scholarship Program ($1000, September 30)

ENA Foundation Scholarships ($1000-$10000, varies)

ExceptionalNurse.com College Scholarships ($250-$500, June 1)

Genesis Healthcare Foundation Scholarship (at least $2500, June 14)

Irene and Daisy MacGregor Memorial Scholarship ($5000, January 31)

James M. & Erma T. Freemont Scholarship Program ($1875, July 1)

Law Offices of Joseph J. Bogdan, LLC Healthcare Professional Scholarship ($1000, June 2)

Lee Essie and Charlie McMillan, Jr. Medical Scholarship (varies, February 7)

Madeline Pickett Cogswell Nursing Scholarship ($2500, January 31)

Marsha's Angels Scholarship Fund ($2000, June 30)

NBNA Scholarship Program ($1000-$6000, July1)

NursingExams.org Nursing Scholarship ($1000, June 1)

NursingExams.org Underrepresented Student Nursing School Scholarship ($1000, June 1)

RN to BSN Scholarships and Grants

Army Nurse Corps Association Scholarships ($3000, March 31) 

Association of Rehabilitation Nurses Scholarship ($1500, June 1)

Bold.org Dashanna K. McNeil Memorial Scholarship ($1300, July 31) 

Caroline E. Holt Nursing Scholarship ($2500, January 31)

Doctor Thomas P. and Edwina H. Devlin Medical Scholarship Fund ($100-$4000, June 1)

Foundation of the National Student Nurses' Association Career Mobility Scholarship (up to $10000, January 15) 

HOSA Scholarships ($1000-$5500, April 15)

Promise of Nursing Regional Faculty Fellowship Application ($1000-$7500, varies)

The Florence (Madden) Grady-Fasick Scholarship Fund ($1000, March 31) 

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services: NURSE Corps Scholarship Program ($1599 monthly stipend for the academic year, varies)

How Do I Choose Which Scholarship To Apply For?

With hundreds of nursing scholarships and grants out there, it can be challenging to decide which ones might be best for you. Narrowing them down by eligibility, award amounts and deadlines, and prioritizing niche ones can help you identify the ones with the biggest upside when applying. Here’s a closer look:

Consider Eligibility Criteria

The first step is to consider the scholarship’s basic requirements before applying – here are a few criteria:

• GPA Requirements: Many scholarships or grants have minimum GPA requirements, typically around 2.5 to 3.5. Not that higher value support oftentimes require higher GPAs.
• Enrollment Status: Ensure your course load satisfies the application criteria – some scholarships require full-time enrollment while others permit a part-time status.
• Specific Nursing Focus: Apply for the nursing specializations that align with your career interests – some require specific focus on specializations like nephrology, rehabilitation or geriatric care.

Look at Award Amounts and Deadlines

Taking a strategic approach to your scholarship applications requires that you look into the following factors:

• Prioritize High-Value Scholarships: Remember to give extra attention to high-value scholarships that give your bigger returns. But don’t forget the smaller ones because they definitely add up.
• Plan Applications Around Deadlines: Ensure you give yourself good time to consider the application deadlines so you have enough time to give each application its due with the requisite gathered materials.

Identify Niche Scholarships for Better Chances

Applying for scholarships or grants that align best with your background, location and career interests boost your chances of success. Prioritizing these niche emphases for each scholarship you consider ensures that you improve the likelihood that you’ll be awarded the scholarship:

• Scholarships for Underrepresented Students: Scholarships focusing on minority groups, first-generation college students or those with demonstrable financial need could be your ticket to success. Choose ones that resonate with your background to maximize consideration. 
• Regional or Specialty-Focused Opportunities: Because local scholarships have fewer applicants, don’t overlook applying for those. This is also the case for scholarships that emphasize a specialty focus that resonates with your career interests.

Bonus: Proven Strategies for Winning Nursing Scholarships

You can stand out as a scholarship applicant with a strong, well-prepared submission. Here’s how to maximize your application impact:

• Start Early and Apply to Multiple Scholarships: Begin your application process early so you can be empowered to go the distance with each one. Because more applications mean greater opportunities, do your research and select the ones that you feel you have the best chance of success with. 
• Follow Application Instructions Carefully: Missing one requirement in the application process can disqualify your chances so double-check each scholarship guideline before making your submissions.
• Tailor Essays to the Mission of Each Scholarship: Remember to customize each essay to the scholarship’s mission and stated values. Emphasize how passionate you are about nursing, your career goals and how the scholarship will serve your journey and pursuits.
• Seek Recommendations From Relevant Professionals: Get the strongest references from your professors, healthcare professionals and employers who really know and value you and can vouch for your skills and dedication. 
• Keep Proof of Enrollment and Transcripts Ready: Keep your college documents updated and ready for when you need to submit them for your scholarship applications.

Keeping these strategies in mind will help you ensure you get the competitive edge to winning a scholarship. Preparation and a good eye for detail makes all the difference in a standout submission. 

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