10 Nurses Educational Funds Scholarships: How to Apply and Documents Required

For candidates who want to pursue nursing as their career, there are plenty of things to consider, including motivations for earning your degree, the program format that suits your learning style, and, most importantly, ways to finance your degree.

Planning is very necessary when you need to invest in your future, and that is why the financial part should not be taken lightly. Nurses Educational Funds Scholarships are a great way to reduce the extra burden of tuition and gain recognition from some of the top nursing and healthcare organisations in the world.

About Nurses Educational Funds (NEF)

Nurses Educational Funds, Inc. is a nonprofit organisation founded in 1912. Its mission is to promote nursing leadership through graduate education by providing scholarships to registered nurses who show outstanding academic performance, leadership potential, and commitment to the nursing profession.

Each year, NEF awards multiple scholarships ranging from $2,500 to $10,000 or more, depending on available funds and donor contributions. Unlike general financial aid, these scholarships specifically target graduate-level nursing education.

Below is a list of Nurses Educational Fund Scholarships, along with the amount that may be considered:

Scholarship Name	Scholarship Amount
Geraldine “Polly” Bednash Scholarship	$5,000
Hurst Reviews/AACN Nursing Scholarship	$2,500
Daughters of the American Revolution Scholarships	$1,000
Go Red Multicultural Scholarship Fund	$2,500
AANP Education Advancement Scholarships	Upto $62,500
SGNA RN Advancing Education Scholarship	$1,000 to $2,500
National Student Nurses’ Association Scholarship	$1,000 to $5,000
ExceptionalNurse.com Scholarships	$250 to $500
NURSE Corps Scholarship Program	Tuition, Fees, Books and Monthly Stipend
TYLENOL Future Care Scholarship	Varies

Nurses Educational Funds Scholarships: Name Specific in Detail

Now, let’s know the eligibility criteria and other information necessary to avail of the above-mentioned scholarships:

Geraldine “Polly” Bednash Scholarship

This scholarship is for the best nursing students in bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral programs. Four times a year, two $5,000 scholarships are distributed to the top candidates. A candidate at least needs to have a 3.2 GPA in their pursuing program or the last school they attended. The candidate must be enrolled in a program at an American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) member institution affiliated with CertifiedBackground.com for this scholarship.

Hurst Reviews/AACN Nursing Scholarship

Hurst Review Services and the AACN have come together to offer scholarships to students who are pursuing professional nursing degrees. Twice a year, two $2,500 scholarships are awarded.

Daughters of the American Revolution Scholarships

The Daughters of the American Revolution Society Scholarship, the Caroline E. Holt Nursing Scholarship, the Mildred Nutting Nursing Scholarship, and the Madeline Pickett (Halbert) Cogswell Nursing Scholarship are all available. 

Also Read: Bayer Foundation Scholarships to Study in Germany

Go Red Multicultural Scholarship Fund

This scholarship is especially for minority women pursuing undergraduate or graduate degrees in the healthcare sector. Candidates must be female, of Hispanic, African-American, Asian/Pacific Islander, or other minority origin and have a minimum 3.0 GPA. This scholarship registration is open from April to December.

AANP Education Advancement Scholarships

Candidates need to be current AANP members if selected as award recipients. Also, AANP membership should be continued throughout the entire award funding cycle. Candidates must have been previously admitted to and/ or currently attending courses in a fully accredited MSN programme, be enrolled in an FNP or WHNP programme, and maintain a 3.5 GPA.

SGNA RN Advancing Education Scholarship

The SGNA RN Advancing Education Scholarship is for candidates working in gastroenterology who are pursuing a BSN, MSN, or PhD. To be eligible for the scholarship, maintaining a 3.0 GPA is mandatory, along with being an SGNA member enrolled in an accredited advanced degree program.

The candidates eligible for the scholarship who are full-time students will receive $2,500; whereas, part-time students will receive $1,000.

National Student Nurses Association Scholarship

Ranging from $1,000 to $5,000, more than $330,000 annually is awarded by the National Student Nurses’ Association. For their first degree, candidates must be enrolled in state-approved schools of nursing.

ExceptionalNurse.com Scholarships

ExceptionalNurse.com Scholarship candidates must be students with a documented disability who have applied to or have already been admitted to a full-time nursing program. 

NURSE Corps Scholarship Program

Open to students enrolled in diploma, associate, bachelor’s, or graduate nursing programs, the NURSE Corps Scholarship Program helps alleviate the critical shortage of nurses. For at least two years, a candidate for this scholarship is required to work in a health care facility located in a Health Professional Shortage Area (HPSA). Preference is given to candidates pursuing a masters-level nurse practitioner degree.

TYLENOL Future Care Scholarship

Each year, TYLENOL recognises a total of $250,000 to 40 nursing students who have proven themselves through academic excellence, exemplary leadership, community involvement, and dedication to a career of caring for others.

Also Read: University of Washington Scholarships

Eligibility Criteria for NEF Scholarships

To qualify for the NEF scholarship, the applicant must be a registered nurse enrolled in an accredited graduate program with a strong academic record, leadership potential, and a clear commitment to advancing the nursing profession. Here are the eligibility criteria to get enrolled in the NEF scholarship program:

• Registered Nurse License: You must hold a valid and current RN license in the U.S.
• Enrollment: You must be enrolled in or applying to an accredited graduate nursing program (Master’s, DNP, PhD, or EdD).
• Academic Performance: A strong academic record is essential (usually a GPA of 3.6 or higher is competitive).
• Professional Goals: Must demonstrate a commitment to leadership roles in nursing education, administration, research, or clinical practice.
• Recommendation Letter: Two or more references from academic and professional supervisors.
• U.S. Citizenship or Permanent Residency: Most scholarships require applicants to be U.S. citizens or permanent residents.

Application Process

Applying for the Nurses Education Fund scholarships involves a thorough process. Candidates should prepare in advance to increase their chances of success. Here are some of the important steps that help you complete your application process:

• Visit the official NEF website (https://n-e-f.org). 
• Create an application profile and fill in all required detailed information.
• Collect and upload necessary documents in the specified format. 
• Double-check your application before submitting your application process.
• Applications usually open in October and close in February each academic year.
• NEF reviews applications based on academic excellence, leadership qualities, professional goals, and financial need.

Documents Required

The candidate applying for any scholarship requires a few of the following documents, without which they will not be considered for the scholarship:

• Within the USA, a current RN license/Registration from any state 
• National professional nursing association membership, such as the American Nurses Association, or a speciality organisation, and/or evidence of international honor society membership (Sigma Theta Tau International). The candidate will be asked to upload a copy of their membership card.
• Proof of legal residency status or current address, such as:

• United States Passport (biographic page)
• Birth Certificate
• Naturalisation Certificate from the USCIS
• Permanent Resident (Green) Card.

Also Read: Free Scholarships to Study Abroad for International Students

The Nurses Education Funds Scholarships are a powerful resource for registered nurses aiming to advance their education and take on leadership roles in healthcare. With its century-long legacy of supporting nursing professionals, NEF continues to shape the future of nursing by funding ambitious, talented, and dedicated individuals. 

If you are a nurse aspiring to pursue graduate or doctoral education, applying for an NEF scholarship could be your pathway to academic success, professional recognition, and leadership in the nursing profession. 

FAQs

RELATED POSTS

Manchester Metropolitan University Scholarships for International Students	University of Washington Scholarships
University of Oxford Postdoctoral Fellowship	Stony Brook University Scholarships for International Students
Sikh Human Development Foundation	Combined Counselling Board Scholarship

This was all about ‘10 Nurses Educational Funds Scholarships: General Requirements and How to Apply.’ Let the professionals at Leverage Edu take care of your academic journey! You may enlist the assistance of Leverage Edu specialists to assist you with the application process so that you can realise your goals.