Scholarships for Adults Returning to Nursing School

Scholarships for Adults Returning to Nursing School

For those who aren’t traditional students, paying for college can be tough. Here are some scholarships for people working and going back to nursing school. Many adults who want to return to school worry about the costs. Figuring out how to pay for tuition, housing, food, and childcare while studying can feel like too much. Thankfully, there are lots of ways for nontraditional students to get financial help, including scholarships. Below, we’ve listed some scholarships for people who aren’t traditional students and want to study nursing.

Undergraduate Nursing Scholarships

These scholarships are for people getting an associate or bachelor’s degree. The rules and how much money you can get depend on each scholarship.

Jeannette Rankin Scholarship

Who Can Apply: This scholarship is for women aged 35 or older with low income who want to get their first associate or bachelor’s degree or technical/vocational education. They need to show how their education will help their community.

Amount: $2,000
Apply Here

Washington-Nixon Nursing Scholarship for Single Mothers

Who Can Apply: Single mothers in Houston, Texas, who are in a bachelor of science in nursing program can apply. They need to show financial need, keep a 3.0 GPA, and write an essay.

Amount: Varies
Apply Here

Barbara Rhomberg Nursing Scholarship

Who Can Apply: People who took a break of three years or more between high school and college can apply. They need to be full-time nursing students getting an associate or bachelor’s degree.

Amount: $1,000
Apply Here

College JumpStart Scholarship

Who Can Apply: This scholarship helps nontraditional students who are or will be in a two- or four-year college or vocational/trade school. Applicants need to show how education will help their goals and improve their lives and community.

Amount: $1,000
Apply Here

Nurse Corps Scholarship

Who Can Apply: This scholarship pays for school for people who promise to work in an area with not enough nurses after they graduate. They need to be in a nursing program and not have any unpaid federal debts or judgments.

Amount: Varies; covers tuition, fees, and other expenses*
Apply Here

Save a Life Scholarship

Who Can Apply: The American Academy of CPR and First Aid offers this scholarship for people studying healthcare. They need to write an essay about their goals, how they want to improve healthcare, and why they want to study in the field.

Amount: $1,500
Apply Here

Adult Skills Education Program Scholarship

Who Can Apply: This scholarship is for nontraditional students getting career-focused higher education. They need to be at least 19 years old, study full-time at a participating school, be part of Imagine America Foundation, and take an educational success potential assessment.

Amount: $1,000
Apply Here

Ford ReStart Scholars Program

Who Can Apply: This scholarship is for California and Oregon residents studying in those states. They need to be full-time students over 25. Applicants show financial need with a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

Amount: Varies
Apply Here

Working Parent College Scholarship Award

Who Can Apply: This award helps working parents in college who worked at least 12 hours a week for four weeks before applying. They need to be 18 or older, keep a 3.0 GPA, and write an essay.

Amount: $1,000
Apply Here

Adult Students in Scholastic Transition Scholarship

Who Can Apply: Women starting college for the first time, nontraditional students already in college, and those training for a new career can apply. Applicants need to be at least 18, live in certain cities with participating Executive Women International chapters, show financial need, and explain their career goals.

Amount: $2,000-$10,000
Apply Here

Graduate Nursing Scholarships

Some scholarships are for people in graduate programs. If you’re getting a master’s or doctorate, consider these awards.

The Mahoney Family Foundation Scholarship

Who Can Apply: Full-time nurses with at least three years’ experience can apply. The money can go to more education, advanced training, or graduate tuition. Applicants show enrollment, send a professional development plan and supervisor recommendation.

Amount: Up to $5,000
Apply Here

Healthcare Heroes Scholarship

Who Can Apply: Nurses going for an advanced degree can get this scholarship. The application needs a statement about why the candidate wants to study nursing.

Amount: $5,000
Apply Here

Nurses Educational Funds, Inc.

Who Can Apply: This group has lots of scholarships for nurses going for a master’s or doctorate at an accredited school. Complete applications need an essay, proof of nursing license, transcripts, and references.

Amount: $2,500-$10,000
Apply Here

Return2College Scholarship Program

Who Can Apply: This scholarship is for anyone over 17 starting undergrad or grad school. They need to write a three-sentence statement about why they want a degree.

Amount: $1,000
Apply Here

BHW Women in STEM Scholarship

Who Can Apply: Women studying science, technology, engineering, math, or nursing can apply. They need to write an essay on a topic about apps.

Amount: $3,000
Apply Here

Patsy Takemoto Mink Educational Support Awards

Who Can Apply: Low-income women with kids at home can get this scholarship. The money can go to their first postsecondary degree that’s a step up (like from a bachelor’s to a master’s).

Amount: Up to $5,000
Apply Here

Women’s Independence Scholarships

Who Can Apply: These scholarships help low-income women who survived domestic partner abuse. Applicants need to be in an accredited school and show how education will help their careers.

Amount: $1,000
Apply Here

Dr. Angela E. Grant Memorial Scholarship

Who Can Apply: This scholarship is for cancer survivors or people with family members who got a cancer diagnosis. Recipients are chosen based on an essay, recommendations, achievements, community involvement, and leadership potential.

Amount: Up to $5,000
Apply Here

PEO Program for Continuing Education Scholarship

Who Can Apply: This award is for women out of school for at least 24 months and within 18 months of finishing a career-focused degree. Candidates need to talk to a local PEO chapter and get a written recommendation.

Amount: Up to $3,000
Apply Here

Geraldine “Polly” Bednash Scholarship

Who Can Apply: This scholarship is for people who applied to a graduate nursing program through NursingCAS or current nursing students with a 3.2 GPA. Applicants need to be at an American Association of Colleges of Nursing accredited school.

Amount: $5,000
Apply Here

Frequently Asked Questions: Scholarships for Nontraditional Students

How do nontraditional students get scholarships?

People working and going back to school can find nursing scholarships by looking at their options and applying for lots of awards. Your school, professional groups, and philanthropic organizations can help you find scholarships.

Can nontraditional students get FAFSA?

Anyone in college at any age can apply for financial aid with the FAFSA. What you send in could lead to grants, scholarships, and other aid from your school or the government. Many private scholarships also ask for FAFSA info when you apply.

Is there an age limit to become a nurse?

There’s really no “too old” to be a nurse. Nontraditional students might face different challenges than younger ones, but your experience can be a big benefit. Think about your family and work commitments before applying to nursing schools and see how school fits in.

Going to Nursing School as a Single Parent or Guardian

Can single parents go to nursing school?

Yes, single parents can go to nursing school. Being great at time management and getting support from your school, friends, and family can help a lot. Some nursing programs even have resources for single parents, like childcare, and you might qualify for special scholarships.