Nursing Scholarships: What's Actually Available Right Now

Nursing scholarships available right now skew small to mid-sized, with most verified awards in the $2,000 to $2,500 range and one reaching up to $8,000. Current options also split evenly between essay-required and no-essay applications, which matters if you need money fast or want to focus on higher-value awards.

What nursing scholarships look like right now

Six currently available nursing scholarships stand out for verified amounts and active deadlines. Three require essays. Three do not. That 50-50 split gives you a practical way to plan your time.

Most of the confirmed awards sit between $2,000 and $2,500. That makes them useful for fees, books, commuting, or a chunk of tuition rather than a full ride. One award offers $5,000. One offers up to $8,000. Those larger awards also come with narrower eligibility.

The main pattern is fit over volume. Some awards are broad and open to U.S. nursing students with a minimum GPA. Others target nurse educators, chapter members, or students in specific states. If you apply only by amount, you can waste time on requirements you do not meet.

Essay versus no-essay, where time pays off

Three of the strongest current nursing scholarships require essays or substantial written materials. Three do not. The no-essay group is faster to submit, but not necessarily easier to win, because GPA, membership, institution type, and degree level still filter applicants.

Essay-required awards usually ask for more proof that your goals match the sponsor. That tradeoff can be worth it when the amount increases.

Current no-essay options include:

• PNAA Nursing Scholarship Award, $2,000, deadline April 25
• Mildred Nutting Nursing Scholarship, $2,000, deadline January 31, 2027
• Hurst Review-AACN Nursing Scholarship, $2,500, deadlines September 1 and February 1

Current essay-required options include:

• Baby360 Nursing Scholarship, $2,500, deadline varies
• Bonnie Fang Nursing Scholarship, $5,000, deadline November 30, 2026
• NLN Nursing Education Scholarship Award, up to $8,000, deadline May 19

The strongest current nursing scholarships

Bonnie Fang Nursing Scholarship

The Bonnie Fang Nursing Scholarship gives $5,000 and has a deadline of November 30, 2026. It is one of the strongest current options for students who already have strong grades and a clear location match.

You must be a full-time undergraduate or graduate nursing student in a state-accredited program in California or Nevada. You need at least one year of school remaining, a 3.5 GPA, and U.S. citizenship or permanent residency. Two one-time $5,000 scholarships are awarded each year, one for a California student and one for a Nevada student. Funds go directly to your school for tuition and related educational costs.

This award fits students with a strong transcript who can also handle an essay-based application.

NLN Nursing Education Scholarship Award

The NLN Nursing Education Scholarship Award offers up to $8,000 and closes annually on May 19. It is the biggest verified award in this group, but it is also the most specialized.

You must be a master's or doctoral nursing student in an accredited program, have completed at least one full year of study, and plan a full-time career as a nurse educator. NLN membership is required, either individually or through your employer school. Funds support tuition, books, and research or project expenses.

This award makes sense if your career goal is teaching nursing, not only practicing clinically. If that educator track fits, the higher amount can justify the extra application work.

Baby360 Nursing Scholarship

The Baby360 Nursing Scholarship awards $2,500, with a deadline that varies. Two $2,500 one-time awards are offered each year.

You must be a U.S. resident accepted to or enrolled full time in an accredited U.S. nursing program and hold at least a 3.0 GPA. The application asks for proof of enrollment, a transcript, at least one recommendation, and written materials tied to academic performance, leadership, work experience, career goals, financial need, and community involvement.

This scholarship is a good match if your grades are solid and your activities, work history, or service make your application stronger than your GPA alone.

Hurst Review-AACN Nursing Scholarship

The Hurst Review-AACN Nursing Scholarship gives $2,500 and has two annual deadlines, September 1 and February 1. That double cycle is useful if you miss one round.

You must be an entry-level nursing student at an AACN member institution with at least a 3.2 GPA. Two $2,500 awards are distributed each year for students in pre-licensure programs.

This is one of the cleanest no-essay options for students early in nursing training. The key filter is your school. If your institution is not an AACN member institution, this award will not fit.

PNAA Nursing Scholarship Award

The PNAA Nursing Scholarship Award is a $2,000 annual award with an April 25 deadline. It does not require an essay, but it does require prior involvement.

You must be a paid PNAA and local-chapter member for at least one year, be admitted to an accredited nursing program, and have a 3.0 or higher GPA. The award targets master's or doctoral nursing degrees, though non-nursing degrees may be considered under extra criteria.

This scholarship is strongest for current members already advancing toward graduate nursing study. If you are not already in that membership pipeline, it is less practical for immediate funding.

Mildred Nutting Nursing Scholarship

The Mildred Nutting Nursing Scholarship gives $2,000 and closes on January 31, 2027. Two one-time $2,000 awards are available.

You must be a U.S. citizen in financial need who has been accepted into or is currently enrolled in an accredited U.S. nursing program. Preference goes to candidates from the Lowell, Massachusetts area. Applicants use the DAR online portal between November 1 and January 31 and submit a nursing program acceptance letter or transcript confirming enrollment.

This award is especially useful if you have financial need and a Lowell-area connection, because geographic preference can improve your odds.

How to choose which nursing scholarships to apply for first

Start with deadlines, then move to fit, then to effort.

Apply first to scholarships with fixed near-term deadlines:

• PNAA Nursing Scholarship Award, April 25
• NLN Nursing Education Scholarship Award, May 19
• Hurst Review-AACN Nursing Scholarship, September 1 and February 1
• Bonnie Fang Nursing Scholarship, November 30, 2026
• Mildred Nutting Nursing Scholarship, January 31, 2027

Then rank by how closely you match the eligibility:

• California or Nevada students with a 3.5 GPA and at least one year left should prioritize Bonnie Fang Nursing Scholarship.
• Future nurse educators in master's or doctoral programs should prioritize NLN Nursing Education Scholarship Award.
• Entry-level students at AACN member schools should prioritize Hurst Review-AACN Nursing Scholarship.
• Students with financial need and possible Lowell-area ties should prioritize Mildred Nutting Nursing Scholarship.

A practical application plan

A strong nursing scholarship plan mixes speed and upside. Submit the no-essay applications first if you qualify, because they usually require less writing. Then spend more time on the larger awards with essays, especially Bonnie Fang Nursing Scholarship and NLN Nursing Education Scholarship Award.

Keep core documents ready:

• Transcript
• Proof of enrollment or acceptance
• Membership verification when required
• Recommendation materials when required
• A resume with leadership, work experience, and service

If you want to find more scholarships you already qualify for, Award Scholar can help surface fits and draft applications with AI, free to start. You can also browse broader options in the scholarship directory.

Right now, the available nursing scholarships reward specific fit more than broad eligibility. The students most likely to win are the ones who match the requirements exactly, file before the deadline, and prioritize awards where their GPA, location, degree level, or career path gives them a clear edge.