Scholarships
Top 15 U.S. Nursing Schools That Offer Scholarships (2025 Guide).
Nursing is one of the most in-demand and rewarding careers in the United States, but the cost of education can be a significant hurdle. Fortunately, many top nursing schools offer scholarships, grants, and financial aid packages to help students achieve their goals. Below, we highlight 15 of the best nursing schools in the U.S. that are known for both academic excellence and robust scholarship opportunities.
1. Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing – Baltimore, MD
One of the top-ranked nursing schools globally, Johns Hopkins offers several merit-based and need-based scholarships, including the Baltimore Talent Scholarship and the Conway Scholarship for master’s students.
Scholarships Offered:
- Conway Scholarships (full tuition)
- Returned Peace Corps Volunteer Fellowship
2. University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing – Philadelphia, PA
Penn Nursing is renowned for its research focus and financial support. It offers several scholarships, including full tuition for select nurse practitioner students.
Scholarships Offered:
- Leonard A. Lauder Community Care Nurse Practitioner Program (full tuition + stipend)
- Merit and need-based scholarships
3. Duke University School of Nursing – Durham, NC
Duke provides multiple internal scholarships and partners with federal programs like the Nurse Corps Scholarship for service-based aid.
Scholarships Offered:
- Duke Health Scholars
- Nurse Faculty Loan Program
4. University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) – San Francisco, CA
UCSF focuses heavily on graduate-level nursing education with various financial aid packages and state-funded scholarships.
Scholarships Offered:
- UCSF Graduate Division Fellowships
- HRSA Nursing Scholarships
5. Columbia University School of Nursing – New York, NY
Columbia offers need-based aid and unique fellowships for nurse anesthesia and midwifery students.
Scholarships Offered:
- Helene Fuld Health Trust Scholarship
- Program-specific merit awards
6. University of Washington School of Nursing – Seattle, WA
UW Nursing provides multiple endowed scholarships and is a strong supporter of diversity in healthcare education.
Scholarships Offered:
- Bonnie R. Strickland Endowed Fund
- UW Nurse Educator Scholarships
7. University of Michigan School of Nursing – Ann Arbor, MI
Michigan Nursing supports students through internal scholarships and fellowships, especially for those pursuing PhDs or advanced practice degrees.
Scholarships Offered:
- Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Scholarships
- Rackham Graduate School Fellowships
8. New York University (NYU) Rory Meyers College of Nursing – New York, NY
As one of the largest nursing schools in the country, NYU offers various scholarships for academic excellence and financial need.
Scholarships Offered:
- Dean’s Merit Scholarships
- Florence S. Downs Scholarships
9. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Nursing – Chapel Hill, NC
UNC is known for offering scholarships to in-state and out-of-state students, including support for rural health initiatives.
Scholarships Offered:
- NC Nurse Scholars Program
- Graduate Education Advancement Scholarship
10. Vanderbilt University School of Nursing – Nashville, TN
Vanderbilt offers a broad range of scholarships to DNP, MSN, and Pre-Specialty Entry students.
Scholarships Offered:
- Vanderbilt Merit Scholarships
- Nurse Faculty Loan Program
11. Emory University Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing – Atlanta, GA
Emory provides generous aid packages including need-based aid and mission-driven scholarships for community-focused nursing.
Scholarships Offered:
- Woodruff Nursing Scholarships
- Emory Advantage Grants
12. University of Texas at Austin School of Nursing – Austin, TX
UT Austin offers numerous scholarships for both undergraduate and graduate nursing students, funded by state and private donors.
Scholarships Offered:
- Good Samaritan Foundation Scholarships
- UT School of Nursing Endowed Scholarships
13. University of Florida College of Nursing – Gainesville, FL
UF Nursing provides both internal and state-based scholarships for students, particularly those committed to working in underserved areas.
Scholarships Offered:
- Florida Nurse Corps Scholarships
- Alumni Association Nursing Awards
14. University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) School of Nursing – Los Angeles, CA
UCLA provides several need- and merit-based scholarships with a strong emphasis on increasing diversity in nursing.
Scholarships Offered:
- Regents Scholarships
- Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Awards
15. Boston College Connell School of Nursing – Chestnut Hill, MA
BC offers scholarships for undergraduate and graduate nursing students, including awards for leadership and academic achievement.
Scholarships Offered:
- Nurse Corps and HRSA aid
- Boston College Merit-Based Scholarships
💡 Tips for Applying to Nursing Scholarships
- Apply Early – Many scholarships are awarded on a rolling basis.
- Highlight Leadership & Service – Nursing schools value community involvement.
- Maintain a Strong GPA – Academic excellence often opens more scholarship doors.
- Don’t Ignore Small Scholarships – They can add up quickly to cover costs.
Final Thoughts
Choosing the right nursing school is about more than just rankings—financial support plays a major role in reducing student debt and opening future opportunities. These 15 schools offer outstanding academic programs alongside strong financial aid to support the next generation of nurses.
