First things first: If you are in nursing school, know someone in nursing school, or know someone that desires to go to nursing school, go ahead and send them the link to this blog post and tell them they have until May 2nd for this scholarship! If they're not applying to nursing school yet, have them keep this link as a resource for later. Don't gate-keep, okay?
For new readers, welcome. To old readers, hey! Some of you may know I went to nursing school for the low cost of $0.00. Free. On top of that, I was paid a monthly stipend to survive. Nobody but God 😭 This was through the Health Resources and Services Administration, also known as HRSA. It's an agency under the United States Department of Health and Human Services. Ultimately, this agency's goal is to improve access to quality medical care in underserved areas and critical shortage facilities that are extremely understaffed. To do this, they sponsor the nursing education of students and after the completion of their training, students are required to serve in these areas for 2-4 years depending on the number of years sponsored.
So - take me for example. I completed both my BSN and MSN at Emory University. If not for the Nurse Corps Scholarship (NCS), I'm not even sure if I would have completed my loan repayments by now 🙃 NCS paid for the entirety of my nursing program and provided me with a monthly stipend, which at the time was about $1100 and some change. After graduating, I worked 1 year in Macon, GA and then transferred my service requirements to Los Angeles, CA when we moved. More importantly, this program provides our communities with people that can make a significant difference in the lives of others.
Who is eligible for the scholarship?
Are a U.S. citizen (born or naturalized), a national, or a lawful permanent resident
Are an accepted or enrolled student in a nursing degree program at a United States accredited school of nursing
Begin classes on or before September 30, 2024
Don’t have any federal judgment liens
Don’t have an existing service commitment
Aren’t overdue on a federal debt
Eligible nursing programs include:
Diploma in Nursing
Associate degree in Nursing
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
Graduate-level nurse practitioner
Graduate level advanced registered nurse
Bridge Nursing Graduate-level Programs (registered nurse to BSN, registered nurse to Master of Science in nursing-nurse practitioners, Direct Entry Master of Science in nursing-nurse practitioners)
What's required to apply?
Online application form
Proof of acceptance/enrollment to nursing program
Academic transcripts
Response to essay question
Resume/curriculum vitae
Two professional signed letters of recommendation
Copy of tuition costs/fees
Student Aid Report from FAFSA
Applications for the Nurse Corps Scholarships are currently open! The deadline is May 2nd at 7:30 PM (EST). Need more details on the scholarship? Check out the HRSA website here for all the nitty gritty details and see the files below. Going to school was already hard enough; this scholarship gave me one less thing to have to think about. I get paid $0.00 for promoting this agency and scholarship. Like the Bible says, my people perish/are destroyed for lack of knowledge (Hosea 4:6). I think my duty is to simply share resources that can help you or help a friend.
Drop questions below! I'll be praying for everyone that chooses to apply!