American Association of Colleges of Nursing Scholarships for International Students 2026-27

Studying nursing in the United States offers world-class education, but the financial commitment can be substantial for international students. Fortunately, the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN), along with its partners, supports aspiring nurses through various Foundation Scholarships for students enrolled in AACN member institutions. These opportunities cover a range of programs, including entry-level baccalaureate (BSN), master’s, and doctoral degrees, often targeting specialized fields like critical care or future nurse faculty roles. While individual award amounts vary, typically ranging from $2,500 to $5,000 (and sometimes higher), these scholarships primarily offer financial aid to offset tuition and educational costs, providing a crucial benefit to reduce the economic burden.

Though a single universal scholarship for international students isn’t offered by AACN, many partner scholarships may be open to them depending on specific eligibility criteria. In this blog, we provide comprehensive details on the specific AACN-affiliated scholarships, their eligibility requirements, application process, and deadlines for the 2026-2027 academic year to help you navigate your funding options.

Types of American Association of Colleges of Nursing Scholarships

The American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) does not offer a single, dedicated scholarship program exclusively for international students. Instead, international students pursuing nursing degrees at AACN member institutions may be eligible for a variety of Foundation Scholarships administered in partnership with various organizations.

These affiliated scholarships generally fall into the following types, categorized by degree level and professional focus:

1. Scholarships for Baccalaureate (BSN) Students

These awards target students in entry-level nursing programs.

• Hurst Review/AACN Nursing Scholarship: Recognizes and rewards entry-level nursing students for outstanding academic performance.
• AACN²: Pathway to Critical Care Nursing Scholarship (with AACN-Critical Care): Supports students in entry-level baccalaureate programs who are interested in practicing in critical care settings.
• QGenda – AACN Scholarship: Open to students in undergraduate and graduate programs. Certain application cycles may be designated specifically for entry-level baccalaureate students.

2. Scholarships for Master’s and Doctoral Students

These scholarships focus on those pursuing advanced degrees, often with a commitment to academic or professional leadership.

• NurseThink® – AACN Scholarship: Supports students in master’s and doctoral programs who desire to become future nurse faculty.
• Deborah E. Trautman Future Nurse Leader Scholarship: A leadership development scholarship for students in master’s or doctoral programs at AACN member schools affiliated with NursingCAS.
• Uniform Advantage/GNSA Scholarship: Targets members of the Graduate Nursing Student Academy (GNSA) enrolled in master’s and doctoral programs.
• QGenda – AACN Scholarship: Open to students in master’s and doctoral programs during specific application cycles.

3. General Scholarships for Students in AACN Member Schools

These scholarships are typically available to students across multiple degree levels (BSN, MSN, DNP) enrolled in an AACN member school.

• Certiphi – AACN Scholarship: Provides funding to students enrolled in AACN member schools.
• Scrubin Uniforms – AACN Scholarship: Supports students in baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs enrolled at AACN member schools with a formal affiliation agreement with Scrubin Uniforms.

List of American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) Scholarships

Here is a list of the primary American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) Foundation Scholarships that international students may be eligible for, along with their coverage and general eligibility requirements.

Scholarship Name	Target Program Level	Award Amount / Coverage	Primary Eligibility Requirements
NurseThink® – AACN Scholarship	Master’s & Doctoral	USD 5,000	Must be enrolled in a master’s or doctoral nursing program at an AACN member institution. Must be a member of the Graduate Nursing Student Academy (GNSA) and express a desire to become future nurse faculty.
QGenda – AACN Scholarship	Undergraduate & Graduate	USD 5,000	Must be a currently enrolled student at an AACN member school. Eligibility may be restricted by citizenship/residency in some cycles; international students must verify this. Cycles are split by program level.
Hurst Review/AACN Nursing Scholarship	Baccalaureate (Entry-Level BSN, ABSN)	USD 2,500	Must be an entry-level nursing student enrolled at an AACN member school. Awards recognize outstanding academic performance.
Uniform Advantage-GNSA Scholarship	Master’s & Doctoral	USD 2,500	Must be a member of the Graduate Nursing Student Academy (GNSA) and enrolled in a master’s or doctoral program at an AACN member school. Focus is on future leaders.
Scrubin Uniforms – AACN Scholarship	Baccalaureate, Master’s, & Doctoral	Varies (e.g., USD 2,500)	Must be an enrolled student in a baccalaureate, master’s, or doctoral program at an AACN member school with a formal affiliation agreement with Scrubin Uniforms.
Deborah E. Trautman Future Nurse Leader Scholarship	Master’s & Doctoral	USD 3,500 (Direct student award)	Must be enrolled in a master’s or doctoral nursing program at an AACN member school affiliated with NursingCAS. Focus is on leadership development.
AACN²: Pathway to Critical Care Nursing Scholarship	Baccalaureate (Entry-Level BSN)	USD 2,500	Must be enrolled in an entry-level baccalaureate program at an AACN member school and committed to practicing in critical care settings.

Details of the American Association of Colleges of Nursing Scholarships

Below are details of five of the most prominent American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) Foundation scholarships in individual paragraphs. These awards are funded by corporate and foundation partners and administered by the AACN Foundation.

1. NurseThink® – AACN Scholarship

This scholarship is specifically designed to address the nationwide nursing faculty shortage by supporting students who aspire to become future nurse faculty members. The $5,000 award is granted twice a year to students currently enrolled in master’s or doctoral nursing programs at an AACN member institution. To be eligible, applicants must be members of the Graduate Nursing Student Academy (GNSA) and submit a short essay detailing their plans to teach after graduation, highlighting their commitment to academic nursing.

Benefits	$5,000 scholarship award paid directly to the student’s institution. Funds support students committed to a career in academic nursing.
Eligibility	Must be enrolled in a master’s or doctoral nursing program at an AACN member institution. Must be a member of the Graduate Nursing Student Academy (GNSA) (free membership). Must express a desire to become future nurse faculty.
Target Program	Master of Science in Nursing (MSN), Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Nursing.
Application Process	Complete an online application, provide academic information, and submit a short essay (e.g., outlining plans to teach after graduation).
Deadlines	The scholarship is awarded twice annually, with typical deadlines around January 31 and July 15.
Official Link	On the official AACN scholarships portal.

2. QGenda – AACN Scholarship

The QGenda – AACN Scholarship is one of the most broadly available as it supports students across undergraduate and graduate nursing programs at AACN member schools. This $5,000 award is granted three times per year, with each application cycle targeting a different set of students (e.g., one cycle for entry-level BSN, one for accelerated/master’s, and one for master’s/doctoral). Applicants typically need to maintain a minimum 3.5 GPA and submit an essay focusing on how they plan to make an impact as a nurse, though applicants should note that this scholarship often requires U.S. Citizenship or Permanent Residency.

Benefits	$5,000 scholarship award paid to the student’s institution. Awarded in three cycles to reach students at various stages.
Eligibility	Must be a currently enrolled student at an AACN member school. Must maintain a minimum 3.5 GPA. Important: Applicants must typically be a U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident.
Target Program	Open to undergraduate (BSN), accelerated (ABSN, Entry-Level MSN), and graduate (MSN, DNP, PhD) students, with different cycles for each group.
Application Process	Online application, required GPA check, submission of an essay (e.g., how the student intends to make an impact as a nurse), and one reference.
Deadlines	Awarded three times per year with typical deadlines around February 1, July 1, and October 1.
Official Link	On the official AACN scholarships portal.

3. Deborah E. Trautman Future Nurse Leader Scholarship

Created in honor of AACN’s President and CEO, this scholarship is a prestigious leadership development program focused on cultivating future leaders in academic nursing. The award provides $3,500 toward educational expenses, plus an additional amount (up to $1,500) to cover travel for an AACN student-focused conference and a virtual leadership experience with Dr. Trautman. It is open to students in master’s and doctoral nursing programs at AACN member schools who are members of the GNSA and demonstrate a commitment to academic nursing.

Benefits	$3,500 for educational expenses, plus up to $1,500 for travel to attend an AACN student conference and a leadership development experience with Dr. Trautman.
Eligibility	Must be enrolled in a master’s or doctoral nursing program at an AACN member school affiliated with NursingCAS. Must be a GNSA member. Must demonstrate a clear commitment to academic nursing leadership.
Target Program	Master’s (MSN) and Doctoral (DNP, PhD) degree students.
Application Process	Submit a comprehensive application including an essay (vision for academic nursing), a CV/resume, goals for the leadership experience, and two letters of recommendation (one must be from the Dean/Director).
Deadlines	The primary application period typically closes around October 1 or October 30 annually.
Official Link	On the official AACN scholarships portal.

4. Hurst Review/AACN Nursing Scholarship

This scholarship, offered in partnership with Hurst Review, aims to recognize and reward outstanding academic performance among entry-level nursing students (BSN or Accelerated BSN). A $2,500 award is distributed twice yearly. To be eligible, students must be enrolled at an AACN member institution and typically must maintain a minimum 3.2 Grade Point Average (GPA) in their current program or most recently attended school. It is merit-based and rewards students who have demonstrated excellence early in their pre-licensure journey.

Benefits	$2,500 scholarship award. Recognizes and rewards outstanding academic performance.
Eligibility	Must be an entry-level nursing student (pre-licensure) enrolled at an AACN member school. Must maintain at least a 3.2 GPA in the current program or last school attended.
Target Program	Baccalaureate (BSN) or Accelerated Baccalaureate (ABSN) students.
Application Process	Online application and submission of academic records. This is a merit-based scholarship.
Deadlines	Awarded twice annually with typical deadlines around September 1 and February 1.
Official Link	On the official AACN scholarships portal.

5. AACN²: Pathway to Critical Care Nursing Scholarship

This specialized scholarship is a partnership between the AACN and the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN-Critical Care) designed to encourage students to pursue careers in critical care settings. It offers $2,500 to students enrolled in entry-level baccalaureate programs at AACN member schools. The primary eligibility requirement is demonstrating a genuine interest and commitment to practicing in a critical care environment upon graduation, thus helping to replenish the critical care nursing workforce.

Benefits	$2,500 scholarship award. Encourages students to enter the specialty of critical care nursing.
Eligibility	Must be enrolled in an entry-level baccalaureate nursing program at an AACN member school. Must demonstrate a commitment to practicing in a critical care setting after graduation.
Target Program	Baccalaureate (BSN) students.
Application Process	Online application and essay demonstrating interest and commitment to practicing in a critical care environment.
Deadlines	Deadlines have historically fallen around September 1 annually.
Official Link	On the official AACN scholarships portal.

Also Read: Study in USA For Free: A Guide to Study in America for Free

Tips for a Successful American Association of Colleges of Nursing Scholarship Application

Successfully applying for American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) Foundation scholarships as an international student requires careful attention to eligibility details and strategic essay writing. The primary barrier is often a U.S. residency requirement, which must be navigated first.

Here are the important tips for international students:

• Check Residency Clause: Immediately filter out scholarships (like QGenda) that explicitly require U.S. Citizenship or Permanent Residency. Focus efforts on awards that don’t specify this restriction.
• Confirm School Status: Ensure your institution is an active AACN Member School.
• Confirm Visa Status: If the rules are ambiguous, contact the AACN Foundation Coordinator directly to confirm your specific visa (e.g., F-1) is eligible.
• Fulfill GNSA: If applying for a graduate award (NurseThink® or Trautman), ensure you hold the required, free Graduate Nursing Student Academy (GNSA) membership.
• Make Uniqueness a Strength: Don’t just mention your international status; explain how your unique global background and perspective (e.g., prior healthcare system experience, cultural view of health) inform and strengthen your nursing goals.
• Link Global to Local: Show how your U.S. education will enable you to advance global health or specifically serve diverse populations in the U.S. that share your background.
• Start Recommender Requests Early: Give your recommenders, especially those overseas or with busy executive schedules (like your Dean/Director for the Trautman scholarship), ample time.
• Certify Translations: Have all official international academic transcripts and documents professionally translated and certified as required.
• Proofread Critically: Have your essay reviewed by a native English-speaking advisor or professor to ensure maximum clarity and professionalism.
• Adhere to Format: Follow all word counts, font, and submission requirements exactly.

Why Study at the American Association of Colleges of Nursing?

Studying at an American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) Member Institution provides a distinct advantage through quality assurance, enhanced career prospects, and access to leadership networks.

• High Standards: Curricula adhere to the AACN’s “The Essentials” core competencies, ensuring comprehensive, high-level education.
• CCNE Accreditation: Member schools are typically accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), which is crucial for:
  • Licensure eligibility.
  • Access to Federal Financial Aid.
• Employer Preference (Fact): Employers show a strong preference for nurses with degrees (BSN and higher) from AACN-aligned programs.
• Employer Preference (Fact): Employers show a strong preference for nurses with degrees (BSN and higher) from AACN-aligned programs.
• Advanced Degree Prep: Education is specifically designed to prepare nurses for Master’s (MSN) and Doctoral (DNP) programs, leading to advanced practice and leadership roles.
• Skill Focus: Strong emphasis on critical thinking, leadership, research, and evidence-based practice (EBP), making graduates highly competitive.
• Scholarship Eligibility: Students are eligible for exclusive AACN Foundation scholarships.
• Graduate Network: Graduate students get access to the Graduate Nursing Student Academy (GNSA) for leadership development and networking.
• Policy & Advocacy: Students benefit from the AACN’s role as the national voice for academic nursing, which secures federal funding and influences health policy.

Also Read: Fully Funded Scholarships in USA to Study Abroad

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