External Scholarships

Students should pursue all avenues to obtain financial support to fund their nursing education.

There are many opportunities in which money can be secured externally. The following are a small sample of additional funding resources to consider. The School of Nursing does not facilitate these opportunities. If you have any questions regarding those listed below, you will need to contact the organization directly.

The American Association of Colleges of Nursing provide an extensive list of external scholarship opportunities. It is of great value for nursing students to utilize this resources when searching for external funding.

American Association of Colleges of Nursing Financial Aid & Scholarships

Available External Scholarships

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University of Minnesota Scholarship & Funding Resources

The University of Minnesota provides a wealth of resources when searching for external funding sources. Additionally, the University may be able to provide additional financial support through scholarships and grants, depending on eligibility and program. 

Professional Organization Scholarship Resources

Involvement with nursing professional organizations is not only a great way to network with nursing professionals and broaden your nursing education, but they also provide scholarship and grant opportunities for nursing students. The links below go directly to the organization's scholarship or grants page. If there is an issue with the link, please contact the Office of Student and Career Advancements Services at sonscholarships@umn.edu.

Minnesota Professional Organizations

Loan Repayment Programs

Minnesota Loan Forgiveness Programs: The Office of Rural Health and Primary Care offers several loan forgiveness (repayment) programs to health care students or residents. Check out site for a table of programs available.

HRSA Loans Repayment Programs: HRSA continues to strengthen its commitment to address health care workforce issues by supporting the repayment of costs incurred while pursuing a career in the health professions and dedication to preparing the next generation of health professionals in turn. **The School of Nursing applies for funding each year. If funding is received, an email announcement is sent out to students to apply for the funding. Awards are typically given in mid-late summer.**

NIH Loan Repayment Programs: The LRPs repay the outstanding student loans of researchers who are or will be conducting nonprofit biomedical or behavioral research. Opportunities are available in five research areas - clinical, pediatric, health disparities, contraception and infertility and clinical research for individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds. Participants in the NIH Loan Repayment Programs receive up to $35,000 annually to help repay student loans.

Undergraduate Scholarships

The Barbara Rhomberg Nursing Scholarship, sponsored by B4 Brands, is awarded each year to a non-traditional, fulltime student pursuing undergraduate degrees in nursing.  Scholarship winners receive a non-renewable scholarship of $1,000 payable directly to the institution in which they are enrolled. 

Marcella Arnold Nursing Scholarship: This scholarship is designed to provide financial aid to eligible nursing students in their final year of Nursing School.

Dorothy Willits Hallowell Nursing Scholarship: The Anne T. Jeanes Foundation furthers its mission by supporting the social ministry of Friends in the community through preparation of health care professionals who embrace Quaker values. Toward that end, the Foundation is making scholarship money available to high school seniors who wish to pursue the profession of nursing and have been accepted into an institution of higher education that offers an approved program of study in professional nursing. The scholarship is named after Dorothy Willets Hallowell, a long time resident of the Jeanes Hospital community and supporter of Jeanes Hospital

U.S. Air Force Nurse Transition Program: The purpose of the Air Force Nurse Transition and Residency Program is to provide newly graduated nurse access to a collection of deliberate training experiences and opportunities selected to establish a culture of ongoing professional nurse officer development. For more information on the program, contact your nearest recruiter at 402-292-1815 or david.swann.3@us.af.mil

Graduate and Doctoral Scholarships

Back to School Scholarship for Nursing Students: Are you ready to chase your dream of becoming a nurse, but aren’t sure how you’ll pay for your education? BestNursingDegree.com wants to help! That’s why we’re offering a $2500 nursing scholarship to one lucky winner. Our scholarship is awarded four times per year, each time to one lucky individual.

Mark Cavanaugh Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Scholarship: This Fairview Foundation scholarship is established in loving memory of Mark Cavanaugh by his parents to provide financial support to an outstanding nursing student(s) enrolled in the University of Minnesota School of Nursing, Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program and specializing to become a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner or Pediatric Clinical Nurse Specialist. The scholarship will be awarded annually to a candidate(s) who has worked as a full-time nurse in pediatrics for at least one year and has completed at least one semester of DNP coursework. Each year, at least $20,000 in scholarship money will be awarded. It is anticipated that the scholarship will be available on an annual basis for ten years (until 2024).

Nurses Educational Funds, Inc (NEF): NEF is a not-for-profit organization which seeks and distributes funds to baccalaureate prepared registered nurses who are in need of nursing scholarship assistance for graduate study. NEF is administered by a Board of Directors comprised of prominent leaders in nursing, business, and other professions.

Public Health Traineeships (93.964): Traineeship is to support students pursing a graduate degree in fields with a severe shortage of health professionals, such as epidemiology, environmental health, toxicology, nutrition, biostatistics, and maternal and child health through the provision of tuition, fees, stipends and allowances.

Perinatal Nursing Graduate Scholarships: To recognize and promote excellence in nursing care of mothers and babies, the March of Dimes offers several $5,000 scholarships annually to registered nurses enrolled in graduate programs of maternal-child nursing. Scholarships are supported in part by educational grants from Pampers and Evenflo. Eligibility Requirements - Applicants must be a registered nurse. - Applicant must currently by enrolled in a graduate program in maternal-child nursing at the master's or doctoral level. - Applicant must have at least one academic term to complete after May of the year in which the scholarship is awarded.

The U.S. Air Force: Each year the Air Force awards scholarships through the Armed Forces Health Professions Scholarship Program (HPSP). It pays for tuition, books and most fees. The HPSP also gives students a monthly stipend for living expenses while they attend the school of their choice. (Because the stipend amount increases from year to year, check with your local Health Professions Recruiter for the most current amount. For more information, review HPSP brochure or contact the nearest Air Force Nurse Recruiter at 402-292-1815 or david.swann.3@us.af.mil.

General Nursing Scholarships

Affordable Colleges Online compiled a list of scholarships specifically for nursing students, as well as other financial aid resources to help make nursing school more affordable for students. The guide also offers expert advice on how to stand out from other applicants and land a scholarship.

Daughters of the American Revolution provides the opportunity for nursing students to obtain the Caroline E. Holt Nursing Scholarship, the Mildred Nutting Nursing Scholarship, and the Madeline Pickett (Halbert) Cogswell Nursing Scholarship. 

F. A. Davis Nursing Scholarships offers two $1,500 nursing scholarships one undergraduate nursing student and to one graduate nursing student who is studying in the US or Canada. These scholarships reflect their continuing commitment to the education of nurses and their commitment to quality health care for all of us. It recognizes the challenging, yet rewarding path nursing students have embarked on and the very special nature of those who have chosen it. 

The Healthcare Leaders Scholarship is offered to students entering or currently pursuing an educational program related to nursing or medicine. Applicant must be a US citizen, at least 17 years of age, and have a GPA of 3.0 or higher.

HRSA Nursing Scholarship Program is a competitive Federal program, which awards scholarships to individuals for attendance at schools of nursing. The scholarship consists of payment for tuition, fees, other reasonable educational costs, and a monthly support stipend. In return, the students agree to provide a minimum of 2 years of full-time clinical service (or an equivalent part-time commitment, as approved by the NSP) at a health care facility with a critical shortage of nurses. Applications accepted once a year beginning in March or April and ending in April or May. Notification of acceptance will be provided by the end of July. Nursing students must be enrolled or accepted in a professional RN program (undergraduate, graduate, associate, or diploma).

Indian Health Services: The Federal Health Program for American Indians and Alaska Natives.

Jane Delano Student Nurse Scholarship (Red Cross): The Red Cross honors Jane Delano's memory through the Jane Delano Student Nurse Scholarship which promotes nursing as a career and encourages new nurses to get involved with the Red Cross. A limited number of scholarships are awarded each year.

McKesson Nursing Scholarships: The McKesson Foundation and National Student Nurses' Association support education through a variety of educational grants, scholarships for employees' children, and our educational matching gift program. In order to address the urgent need for more nurses, $1,000 McKesson Nursing Scholarships are awarded annually to low-income nursing students. The scholarships are awarded to students with financial need. If the student is eligible, the scholarship is also renewable for a second year. Selection of scholarship recipients is based on academic achievement, financial need, and involvement in student nursing organizations and community health activities. Twenty-five $1,000 scholarships awarded annually. Any questions, call 718-210-0705.

MinuteClinic and Johnson & Johnson Family of Consumer Companies Nurse Practitioner Scholarship Program.

United States Department of Veterans Affairs: Residency and Fellowship Opportunities

National Health Service Corps Scholarship is a competitive program that pays tuition, fees and provides a living stipend to students enrolled in accredited medical (MD or DO), dental, nurse practitioner, certified nurse midwife, and physician assistant training. Upon graduation, scholarship recipients serve as primary care providers between 2 and 4 years in a community-based site in a high-need Health Professional Shortage Area (HPSA) that has applied to and been approved by the NHSC as a service site. Awards are made to applicants most committed to serving underserved people and most likely to build successful careers in HPSAs and meet future needs for care throughout the Nation.

A Nurse I Am Scholarship is supported by Cherokee Uniforms, the leading provider of uniforms for healthcare professionals, and is available to undergraduate or graduate nursing students.

HRSA Funding

1. HRSA Scholarships and link to https://bhw.hrsa.gov/funding/apply-scholarship

2. HRSA Loan Repayment Programs and link to https://bhw.hrsa.gov/funding/apply-loan-repayment

3. HRSA Grant Opportunities and link to https://bhw.hrsa.gov/funding/apply-health-workforce-grant

4. Health Workforce Programs and link to https://bhw.hrsa.gov/programs