Arkansas Nursing Scholarships

State-supported loan-to-scholarship program for bona fide Arkansas residents enrolled in accredited Arkansas graduate nursing programs leading to a master's or doctoral degree, including UAMS. Full-time students may receive up to $16,000 per academic year ($8,000 per fall and spring semester) or up to $50,000 over a doctoral program; part-time students may receive up to $8,000 per year. Loans convert to scholarship grants when service requirements are met. A separate AGNSLS application is required; postings appear twice yearly on the College of Nursing financial assistance site.

Stipend scholarship for licensed RNs enrolled full time in eligible UAMS College of Nursing DNP nurse practitioner tracks: Adult-Gerontology Primary Care, Family, Psychiatric-Mental Health, or Primary Care Pediatric NP. U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents eligible to work in the U.S. may apply during the open window from June 15 through August 24, 2026. First-year students receive $12,000 annually; second- and final-year students receive up to $15,000 annually. The application includes demographic data, HRSA disadvantaged-student information, Arkansas county of residence, GPA, and a 500-word essay on graduation plans.

Full tuition and fees scholarship for Arkansas residents entering UAMS College of Nursing Traditional or Accelerated BSN programs in Fall 2026. Five scholarships are allocated to each BSN track in the inaugural Chancellor's Scholars class. Awards continue for the program length while the student progresses on schedule as a full-time student. Recipients commit to living and working in Arkansas after graduation for a period matching the scholarship duration. Application processes and deadlines are managed separately by the College of Nursing from general CON scholarship applications.

Endowed scholarship created by Michael and Sarah Carter covering tuition and fees for one Ph.D. in Nursing Science student at UAMS each cycle. The award encourages Arkansas residents from underrepresented groups in nursing to begin research careers early and demonstrates high interest and potential as a nurse scientist. At the FY 2026–27 graduate resident rate of $525 per credit hour, full-time study of nine credits per semester yields approximately $9,450 per year in tuition support. Recipients are selected by the College of Nursing from eligible doctoral applicants and continuing students.

Scholarship for top BSN students in the UAMS College of Nursing Honors Program who commit to eventually earning a doctoral degree and teaching in an Arkansas school of nursing. The award provides full tuition support for the recipient's final baccalaureate semester; at the FY 2026–27 resident undergraduate rate of $334 per credit hour, a 15-credit semester equals $5,010. Recipients must maintain at least a 3.5 GPA and remain accepted in the Honors Program. Apply through the College of Nursing annual scholarship application after admission to the BSN program.

Endowed scholarship fund supporting graduate-level nursing students in UAMS College of Nursing programs who are practicing in Northwest Arkansas. The Harvey and Bernice Jones Charitable Trust established the fund to expand nursing excellence in the region; students typically receive $5,000 each year toward graduate nursing degree costs. Recipients are selected through College of Nursing scholarship processes for students enrolled in eligible graduate programs. The fund distributes support over multiple years to advance advanced-practice nursing education in Northwest Arkansas communities.

Arkansas residents with an Arkansas nursing license (LPN, RN, or APN) in good standing who are registered nurses seeking an advanced practice nursing degree focused on community health nursing, with demonstrated financial need, may apply for the Arkansas Nurses Foundation Dorothea Funk Scholarship. ARNF board trustees are ineligible. The award amount is set by the board each year. Applications are due June 30 or October 31.

The Madelyne M. and Edward C. McCarty Nursing Endowed Scholarship supports University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences College of Nursing students from Union or Marion County, Arkansas, with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher. It is intended for second-year BSN students or students in the Master's, PhD, or DNP nursing programs. Awards are made through the college's annual endowed scholarship application reviewed by the Awards and Scholarship Committee. The scholarship page describes criteria but does not publish a fixed dollar amount. The 2026-2027 application opens April 1.

The Carolyn Purtle Nursing Endowed Scholarship at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences was established by lifelong Southwest Arkansas residents Ned and Ray Purtle. It supports baccalaureate and graduate nursing students who demonstrate financial need and a commitment to excellence in nursing practice, with preference for students from Hempstead or Nevada counties as determined by the scholarship committee. Applicants apply through the college's annual endowed scholarship application. The scholarship page describes criteria but does not list a fixed award amount.

The Dustin Bailey Memorial Nursing Scholarship at the University of Central Arkansas assists full-time undergraduate nursing majors who are Arkansas residents with a cumulative GPA of 2.75 or above. Preference is given to students with financial need. Nursing students apply through the centralized UCA Foundation scholarship application, which opens October 1 and closes January 26 each cycle. Applicants who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents must have a FAFSA on file with the UCA Financial Aid Office. Award amounts vary by donor fund earnings and committee selection. Recipients are notified via UCA email and must complete an online acceptance form and thank-you note to the donor.