Scholarships for First-Generation Nursing Students

Scholarships for First-Generation Nursing Students

Nursing scholarships can help students who are the first in their families to go to college. Some scholarships are specifically for first-generation students. This guide lists scholarships for undergraduates and graduates who want to study nursing. Graduate scholarships might not mention first-generation students, but many focus on helping underrepresented groups and those with financial needs.

Here are details about some scholarships for first-generation students:

Undergraduate First-Generation Nursing Scholarships

American Indian Nurse Scholarship Award

Who Can Apply: This scholarship is for nursing students from underrepresented tribal communities who are also first-generation students. Recipients need to show they need financial help and plan to work for their tribes after graduation.

Amount: $1,500 per semester
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Gates Millennium Scholars

Who Can Apply: Students of color planning to go to college in any major can apply, including those who are the first in their family to go to college. Applicants need a 3.3 GPA and financial need. Some students get full funding.

Amount: Varies, depending on college costs not covered by financial aid.
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Jeannette Rankin Women’s Scholarship Fund

Who Can Apply: This fund supports women ages 35 and older with low incomes, including first-generation students. Applicants need to be U.S. citizens or permanent residents and go to accredited vocational schools, colleges, or universities.

Amount: $2,500
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Red Thread Foundation for Women

Who Can Apply: Women from other countries, including first-generation Americans, going to U.S. colleges or universities can apply. Applicants need to write two essays and get two recommendation letters. Selected candidates have a phone interview.

Amount: $1,000
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Sallie Mae Fund’s Bridging the Dream Scholarship Program for High School Seniors

Who Can Apply: Diverse candidates, including those from underserved communities who are also first-generation college students, can apply. Applicants need to go to accredited vocational, technical, or undergraduate schools.

Amount: Up to $10,000
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Sallie Mae Fund’s Completing the Dream Scholarship Program

Who Can Apply: Minority and underserved students, including first-generation students in their last year of school, can apply. Sallie Mae gives awards based on financial struggles that might stop students from finishing their degrees.

Amount: Up to $2,500
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Scholarship America Dream Award

Who Can Apply: Full-time students who finished one year of their associate or bachelor’s degree programs with 3.0 GPAs and financial need can apply. Almost 70% of recipients are first-generation students.

Amount: Average award is $24,000
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The Donald White/Mandla A. Ndwanya Memorial Fund

Who Can Apply: Students accepted to accredited U.S. colleges and universities with GPAs of 3.5 can apply. Applicants need to show their transcripts, FAFSA applications, and resumes. The fund gives priority to first-generation students in certain majors, including healthcare.

Amount: $1,000
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The Kim and Harold Louie Family Foundation Scholarship Program

Who Can Apply: This scholarship is for first-generation students with GPAs of 3.7-4.0 and SAT scores of 1300 or ACT scores of 27. People in all areas of study, including nursing, can apply.

Amount: Total of $100,000 given every year; individual amounts vary
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The Thurgood Marshall College Fund/Coca-Cola Foundation First-Generation Scholarship

Who Can Apply: High school seniors who are the first in their family to go to college at select TMCF member schools can apply. Requirements include a 3.0 GPA, leadership skills, and financial need.

Amount: $5,000
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Graduate First-Generation Nursing Scholarships

A.T. Anderson Memorial Scholarship Program

Who Can Apply: Tribal members with 3.0 GPAs can apply, including graduate nursing students who are the first in their family to go to college. Applicants need to join the American Indian Science and Engineering Society, which is free.

Amount: $2,000
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Association on American Indian Affairs Scholarship

Who Can Apply: Enrolled tribal members with 2.5 GPAs, including first-generation students, can apply for funds to support students who want to serve their tribes after graduation.

Amount: Varies; scholarships given twice a year until students graduate
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Indian Health Service Health Professions Scholarship

Who Can Apply: Tribal members, including first-generation graduate nursing students, with 2.0 GPAs and financial need can apply. Recipients need to commit to at least two years of postgraduate service in Indian healthcare.

Amount: Varies
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Native Hawaiian Health Scholarship

Who Can Apply: Graduate-level nursing students, including first-generation students, can apply for funds covering tuition and costs, and monthly stipends. Requirements include native Hawaiian ancestry and a two-year commitment to work in underserved Hawaiian areas.

Amount: Varies
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National Black Nurses Association Scholarship Program

Who Can Apply: NBNA gives many scholarships to its graduate student members, including those who are the first in their family to go to college. Each applicant needs at least one more year of school and has to write an essay.

Amount: $1,000-$5,000
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National Health Service Corps Scholarship Program

Who Can Apply: Selected graduate nursing students, including first-generation students, get a full year of funding. Qualifications include pursuing a primary care degree at an accredited program and a commitment to working in underserved communities.

Amount: Varies, depending on school tuition and costs
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Nurse Corps Scholarship Program

Who Can Apply: First-generation students in graduate nursing programs can apply if they commit to working in a facility with a critical shortage after graduation. This program gives priority to applicants with financial need.

Amount: Varies; includes tuition, fees, and costs
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Nurses Educational Funds

Who Can Apply: NEF offers scholarships to advanced nursing students who show financial need, including first-generation students. Master’s and doctoral nursing students with registered nurse (RN) licenses and 3.6 GPAs can apply for funding to support their training at accredited schools.

Amount: Varies
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AfterCollege/American Association of Colleges of Nursing Scholarship Fund

Who Can Apply: Attendees of AACN member schools, including first-generation students in graduate nursing programs, can apply for funds. The fund gives special consideration to students studying to be nurse educators or in certain programs.

Amount: $2,500 per quarter
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Sallie Mae Fund’s Bridging the Dream Scholarship Program for Graduate Students

Who Can Apply: Minority graduates and professional students from historically underserved communities can apply for funding, including first-generation nursing students studying for master’s or doctoral degrees. Applicants need to show financial need.

Amount: $10,000
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