Minority nursing scholarships are one of the primary means for increasing diversity in many different fields, including nursing. There are quite a few scholarships in all fields that are specifically targeted toward people of color. Just a quick look at a list of minority scholarships shows how many there are. These scholarships allow access to education for people who may not otherwise be able to afford to go to college. This, in turn, increases the diversity in the workforce when scholarship students graduate and begin their careers. Quite a few of these graduates become successful and end up contributing to the list of minority scholarships themselves.
Nursing has become recognized as an ideal area for people of color to have successful careers. This is why many successful people of color will create a diversity nursing scholarship to help students of color. A diversity nursing scholarship can help minority students afford an education that may otherwise be out of reach for them. While most of the diverse nursing scholarships available these days are targeted toward RN and BSN education, some scholarships are targeted toward more advanced nursing education.
Finding Scholarships for Minority Nurses
Featured Programs
Nursing School Hub is committed to providing valuable information to nursing students of all backgrounds. With that mission, NSH editors have compiled a list of significant nursing scholarships for minority nurses. By no means are they all the minority nursing scholarships available, but they can provide a place for African-American, Hispanic, and other minority nurses to find funding for their career opportunities.
1. CVS Health Foundation Advance Practice Nurse Scholarship
The CVS Health Foundation Advance Practice Nurse Scholarship promotes both ethnic and racial diversity in the healthcare industry. The nursing scholarship was created in response to nursing studies that revealed that minority nurses are more likely to work in lower-income neighborhoods. The program seeks to reshape the healthcare industry toward including underserved populations.
The CVS Foundation operates with a mission statement that seeks to find ways to promote healthy living and quality healthcare for all. The foundation is dedicated to partnering with local organizations as well as international healthcare leaders in the pursuit of improving lives through the provision of accessible and affordable healthcare initiatives. The company’s dedication to improving the health care of everyone uses a four-cornered approach — Inspiration, Innovation, Inclusion, and Impact. Corporate responsibility is far-reaching as it offers communities a chance to build healthy communities.
Deadline: Varies
Find out more
2. Asian American and Pacific Islander Nurses Association (AAPINA) Scholarship
The Asian American/Pacific Islander Nurses Association (AAPINA) Scholarship for minority nurses is awarded to a baccalaureate or master’s nursing degree candidate with an Asian American or Pacific Islander heritage. AAPINA members have the opportunity to apply for this $1,000 scholarship if they are enrolled in an accredited school, have shown academic excellence, and have submitted two reference letters regarding the applicant’s leadership abilities and their pledge to promote nursing diversity. AAPINA’s scholarship decision is typically announced at the AAPINA fall conference.
The Asian American and Pacific Islander Nurses Association (AAPINA) is affiliated with the National Coalition of Ethnic Minority Nurse Associations (NCEMNA). AAPINA acts as the voice of AA and PI nurses and advocates to positively influence health care policies that impact the Asian American and Pacific Islander communities. It accomplishes its objectives by establishing training and education development programs for its members, and the communities in which they work.
Deadline: June
3. Barbara Rhomberg Nursing Scholarship
B4brands.com offers the Barbara Rhomberg Nursing Scholarship annually to a nursing student who has shown excellence in nursing. To be eligible for this $1,000 scholarship, a candidate must be studying full-time towards their undergraduate nursing degree, and be considered a non-traditional student nurse. A non-traditional nursing student is defined as someone who chose to wait (at least three years) to continue his or her post-secondary education. Instead, the minority nursing scholarship candidate will have chosen to pursue a family obligation, enter the workforce, or the military.
B4Brands.com sponsors the Barbara Rhomberg Nursing Scholarship award. B4 Brands is dedicated to providing innovative services and hygiene products that are earth-friendly. They produce health-related products that help to prevent the spread of infectious diseases across the globe. Additionally, the company aligns with the business principles of responsibility and believes its primary mission is to create a too-good-to-pass customer value proposition.
Deadline: March
4. HRSA Native Hawaiian Health Scholarship
The Health Resources & Services Administration’s (HRSA) National Health Service Corp offers a scholarship for Native Hawaiians in the field of healthcare. This minority nursing scholarship is designed to support native Hawaiian healthcare workers and to serve the needs of underserved Native Hawaiian populations, especially in Hawaii. Scholarship candidates will receive full tuition, other school-related expenses, and a monthly stipend. In return, nursing scholarship awardees agree to service Native Hawaiian populations for one year, for each year a scholarship was received.
The Health Resources & Services Administration is an agency of the US Dept. of Health and Human Resources. One of its primary objectives is to improve healthcare inequities by training healthcare professionals. The National Health Service Corps promotes healthy-living initiatives by encouraging quality health care workers to those areas with little access to health care. In fact, the HRSA administers health donation programs related to bone marrow, organs, and placenta collection.
Deadline: March
5. Indian Health Service (IHS) Scholarship Program
The Indian Health Service (IHS) offers scholarships for minority nurses. To be eligible, scholarship candidates must qualify as a member/descendant of a recognized tribe – American Indian or Alaska Native. The scholarship seeks to provide educational opportunities to qualified candidates as they prepare for their careers. The Indian Health Services offers a Preparatory Scholarship, a Pre-Graduate Scholarship, and a Health Professionals Scholarship. Scholarship award winners are required to work in an Indian Healthcare facility for a minimum of two years.
The Indian Health Service (IHS) is an agency of the Federal Department of Health & Human Services. Its mission is to improve the overall health of Alaska Natives and American Indians communities and citizens. The Indian Health Service meets its objectives by partnering with local communities. The Indian Health Service participates in a large coordinated effort that includes the educational community, the health care system, and programs dedicated to economic development.
Deadline: December
6. Johnson & Johnson/AACN Minority Nurse Faculty Scholarship
The American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN), in partnership with the Johnson & Johnson (J&J) Company, offers a Minority Nurse Faculty Scholarship annually. J&J and AACN’s scholarship program is eligible to minority students currently studying for their nursing graduate degree full-time. It is noted that the scholarship program gives preference to doctoral students over graduate nursing students. Scholarship award winners must commit to teaching in a nursing school after they have earned their degree.
The American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) is a nursing education oversight organization. Nursing schools reach for accreditation from the AACN to elevate the status of their degree programs. J&J is a worldwide conglomerate that holds the #37 spot on Forbes companies with the highest revenue. Johnson & Johnson’s 2018 revenue exceed 81.5 billion US dollars. J&J was founded by Robert Wood Johnson I, James Wood Johnson, and Edward Mead Johnson.
Deadline: N/A
7. National Association of Hispanic Nurses (NAHN) Scholarships
The National Association of Hispanic Nurses (NAHN) offers several academic scholarships for Hispanic nurses that are rewarded yearly. To be eligible for a NAHN scholarship, a candidate must be enrolled in a degree program offered by an accredited institution of higher learning. Additionally, scholarship candidates must be active NAHN members for a minimum of ½ of a year. The available scholarships include the UnitedHealth Foundation ($5,000 per year for 3 years), the NurseTm Scholarship ($1,000), and the Hector Gonzalez Past Presidents Scholarship ($4,000).
The National Association of Hispanic Nurses (NAHN), which was established in 1975, holds the distinction of being the leading professional organization dedicated to serving the Latino nurse population. NAHN’s mission is to advocate and promote educational opportunities for healthcare workers. Better trained nurses and the removal of identified barriers allow for the improvement of healthcare initiatives in underserved Hispanic communities. The National Association of Hispanic Nurses’ membership exceeds 275,000.
Deadline: April
8. National Black Nurses Association (NBNA) Scholarships
The National Black Nurses Association (NBNA) Scholarships include sixteen different awards that range from $1,000 to $15,000. Each scholarship to be awarded is given to scholarship candidates for a variety of purposes. A partial list includes scholarships for minority nurses who have a financial need but great academic achievement, those pursuing a doctoral nursing degree, a pediatric nursing specialty, a nursing leadership degree, or nursing students interested in social justice. The NBNA scholarships are offered to any nursing degree candidate who is studying for an undergraduate or graduate degree from an accredited nursing school.
The National Black Nurses Association (NBNA) was established in 1971 in the state of Ohio, and currently maintains 115 chapters representing about 200,000 black nurses throughout the nation. Through its various scholarships, the NBNA encourages intellectual pursuits and continuing education for African American nursing professionals nationwide.
Deadline: Varies
9. NHHF Hispanic Health Professional Student Scholarship
The National Hispanic Health Foundation (NHHF) offers the Hispanic Health Professional Student Scholarship on an annual basis. This minority nursing scholarship was established in 2004 and is given to a health professional that remains committed to serving the many Hispanic communities across the country. To be eligible, students must be enrolled as full-time graduate students in one of the following disciplines — Dentistry, Pharmacy, Nursing, Public Health, Medicine, or Pharmacy, be committed to serving the underserved Hispanic population, and have a minimum Grade Point Average of 3.0. Students are encouraged to apply online.
The National Hispanic Health Foundation (NHHF) is a nonprofit organization that was established in the mid-1990s. The foundation’s objective is to offer resources to healthcare professionals who are committed to serving the United States’ Hispanic population. During the past 19 years, the NHHF has provided nearly 100 scholarships in excess of $299,000! The NHHF partners with other research and development organizations dedicated to improving future policymaking with regard to the Hispanic Population.
Deadline: September
10. NSCDA American Indian Nurse Scholarship Program
The National Society of the Colonial Dames of America (NSCDA) is available to the American Indian Nurse Scholarship Program that offers nursing students of American Indian descent. To be eligible, a scholarship candidate must be of Native American descent and plan to return to their Native American communities as a nursing professional or a nurse educator. The American Indian Nurse Scholarship recipient is designed to be $1,500 per semester award if the nursing student meets academic standards. Scholarship monies may only be applied to academic costs, like tuition, etc.
The National Society of the Colonial Dames of America (NSCDA) seeks to serve those who have helped define and form the United States through restoration and historic preservation initiatives. The NSCDA was established in 1891 and is 15,000 members strong. The National Society of the Colonial Dames of America is the recipient of an excellence award for their preservation efforts of Historic Sites, issued by the National Trust for Historic Preservation. The NSCDA was established in 1891 and is currently headquartered in Washington, DC.
Deadline: June/December
11. Nurses Educational Funds Scholarships
The Nurses Educational Funds Scholarships include the offering of 26 different scholarships to eligible nursing students studying for their graduate nursing degrees. The M. Elizabeth Carnegie African American Scholarship is awarded to black nursing professionals who are currently attending a nursing doctoral degree program. The alumni association from the School of Nursing at the Freedman Hospital offers the Estelle Massey Osborne Scholarship annually, to African American nurses who are currently studying for their master’s degree.
The Nurses Educational Funds Inc. (NEF) is a nonprofit organization that encourages the donation of funds to support nursing education at a graduate level. The NEF was established more than 100 years ago and is currently headquartered in Brooklyn, NY. NEF receives donations from nursing educators, publishers, pharmaceutical businesses, and individuals grateful for the skills and talents nurses bring to their patients each day, and each night. The NEF holds the distinction of being the largest professionally endorsed source for graduate nursing school scholarship funding.
Deadline: Varies
12. Philippine Nurses Association of America PNAA Scholarships
The Philippine Nurses Association of America (PNAA) offers an annual scholarship to Filipino-American nursing students currently studying for their master’s or doctoral degrees. The PNAA scholarship awards the awardee $1,000 each semester, for a total of $2,000 each year. To be eligible, a scholarship candidate must be a member of the PNAA (for at least one year prior to applying) and studying for a graduate/doctoral degree, maintaining a minimum GPA of 3.0. Additionally, scholarship applicants must be committed to PNAA’s values and be available to receive the award at the PNAA Gala each year.
The Philippine Nurses Association of America (PNAA) was created in response to the needs of dedicated Filipino-American nurses. The PNAA seeks to create positive change in the dynamic industry of nursing. This associate began in 1979 as the Federation of Philippine Nurses Association. Furthermore, it takes a hands-on approach actively contributing to many activities in underserved communities throughout the country.
Deadline: January
13. Ron Brown Scholar Fund
The Ron Brown Scholar Fund awards a scholarship to a high school senior of $10,000 per year, for 4 years, for a total of $40,000. Essentially, the Ron Brown Scholar Fund is dedicated to assisting high school seniors who are both academically outstanding and possess a knack for civic-mindedness. Eligible students must be African American students with an exceptional academic record and proven leadership skills. Additionally, scholarship candidates must demonstrate financial hardship and be a United States citizen or in residence as a permanent resident.
The Ron Brown Scholar Fund is a nonprofit, public charity named in honor of Ron Brown, a previous Security of Commerce for the US. The Ron Brown Scholar Fund is headquartered in Charlottesville, VA, and managed by a board of trustees. The scholarship seeks to create future nursing leaders who hold the same dedication to public service.
Deadline: January
14. The American Nurses Association/SAMHSA Minority Fellowship Program
The American Nurses Association (ANA) and the Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Minority Fellowship Program (MFP) offer two scholarships in cooperation. The Minority Fellowship Doctoral (MFP Doctoral) program was the first grant that offered financial support for minority nursing professionals pursuing a doctoral degree. The Minority Fellowship Masters (MFP Masters) program was introduced in 2014 and is dedicated to providing financial support to minority graduate school nursing students with career aspirations in the field of behavioral health for children and teenagers.
The Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) began as the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), as the administrator of a grant program dedicated to improving health initiatives in minority communities by providing funding for studying for an advanced nursing degree. Currently, it is positioned within the Department of Health & Human Services.
Deadline: May
15. Udall Undergraduate Scholarship
The Udall Undergraduate Scholarship winner gains access to the UDALL Network, an organization that includes the leaders and change-makers of the Native American Communities. Additionally, the scholarship awardee attends an orientation in Arizona and receives a financial award of up to $7,000 for academic costs. Scholarship candidates must be civic-minded, have displayed exceptional leadership qualities, and be a sophomore or junior currently enrolled in an institution of higher learning.
The Morris K. Udall & Steward L. Udall Foundation is dedicated to maintaining the legacies of two individuals who, when serving as members of the House of Representatives (and in their civilian lives) contributed positively to Native American communities. The Udall Foundation was established by an act of Congress in the early 1990s and is currently an independent agency within the executive branch of the United States government.
Deadline: March
Are There Nursing Scholarships for Other Minorities?
It may seem like the lion’s share of nursing scholarships are for African-American nursing students. However, there are scholarships for Hispanic nursing students, and Native American nursing scholarships also called American Indian nursing scholarships. Many schools will list all of the various scholarships available to their students. This makes it easy for students of color to find Hispanic minority scholarships, Native American nursing scholarships, American Indian nursing scholarships, and more.
There are also many third-party websites dedicated to helping students find scholarships that they are eligible for. Some of these programs are for all students. However, nursing students who are looking for Hispanic minority scholarships can find resources specifically targeted toward them. Just a quick search for “Hispanic nursing scholarships” or “scholarships for Hispanic nursing students” will return many helpful results.
Many institutions and organizations offer LPN scholarships for minorities and even nurse practitioner scholarships for minorities. These LPN scholarships for minorities and nurse practitioner scholarships for minorities allow people of color access to more advanced nursing education that they might not otherwise be able to undertake.
Why are Nursing Scholarships so Important for Minority Women?
It can be difficult for minority women to build a professional career. There can be obstacles due to both their race and their gender. However, nursing is one area where minority women often have successful careers. To make entering the nursing world a little less difficult, many people and organizations have created scholarships for African American females and scholarships for minority females from other races.
Of course, these scholarships are available for students in a wide variety of different academic fields. However, there is a high concentration of nursing scholarships for African American females and similar scholarships for minority females of other races. Many of these scholarships are created by minority women who have found success in the nursing field themselves and thus are specifically for nursing students.
Is It Easy for Black Nurses to Get Scholarships?
While it is not exactly easy to get any kind of scholarship, the truth is that there are many scholarships for black students going unclaimed. There are even some full-ride scholarships for African Americans that are not claimed. Many African-American students do not know about these scholarships, or they might feel like the scholarships are too competitive, so they won’t have a chance of getting one even if they apply.
However, this is not necessarily the case, which leads to the problem of scholarships for black students going unclaimed. African American students may want to research their scholarship opportunities and apply for any that they are eligible for, even competitive full-ride scholarships for African Americans. This is true whether these students are going into nursing or some other field.
National Black Nurses Association
The National Black Nurses Association administers many African American nursing scholarships. These black nurses association scholarships, also known as NBNA scholarships, are a key source of financial aid for black nursing students. Students may be able to find a black nurses scholarship through other sources, but the National Black Nurses Association can connect students to many different African American nursing scholarships. These NBNA scholarships could make the difference for a student who may not be able to afford their tuition otherwise.
All things considered, the NBNA may be the best place for students to find Black nurses association scholarships. This does not mean that students should stop looking for another black nurses scholarship. There are many different scholarships, and quite a few of them actually go unclaimed. It can’t hurt to apply for these scholarships, and students may end up having less competition than they expect.
Related:
