10 Awesome Nursing Scholarships for Minorities

Minorities are underrepresented in nursing, making the field unreflective of the nation’s diversity. This is problematic, as studies show that increasing diversity in healthcare fields such as nursing can reduce health disparities and improve the overall care of all patients. Minority nursing scholarships are one way to achieve a more representative group working in the field, as they help remove the financial barriers that prevent some minorities from pursuing a career in healthcare. 

Keep reading to learn about 10 of the best minority nursing scholarships available today. 

1. American Indian Nurse Scholarship

Amount: $1,500

Deadline: N/A

Eligibility: 

• Enrolled in a tribe or village (may consider unenrolled applicants who can provide tribal ancestry)
• Students who are high school graduates, in their last semester of high school, or have equivalent education
• Enrolled in an accredited school in a health professional program 

Application Requirements:

• Expected to graduate in two years if enrolled in an associate degree program 
• Expected to graduate in four years if enrolled in a bachelor’s degree program 
• Maintain the school’s required scholastic average   
• Letter of recommendation from an advisor, a teacher, or another school official 
• Demonstrated financial need 
• Focused on a career related to the healthcare needs of the American Indian, Alaskan Native, or Hawaiian Native community

This is a fantastic minority nursing scholarship for students enrolled in a tribe or village—and in some cases, those who can prove tribal ancestors. Originally, the American Indian Nurse Scholarship was only available to female students pursuing a career in nursing; however, the scholarship has broadened to cover all genders along with a wide spectrum of fields in healthcare and education, including nursing.

2. Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium (ANTHC) Board of Directors Scholarship

Amount: $5,000 per year (for up to three consecutive years)

Deadline: N/A

Eligibility: 

• Permanent Alaska resident
• Interest in working in a healthcare-related field
• Enrolled full-time in higher education (in pursuit of associates, bachelors, masters, or Ph.D.)
• Minimum 3.0 GPA 

Application Requirements:

• Alaska Native/Native American proof of eligibility
• Transcript 
• Resume 
• One-page personal statement 
• Two letters of recommendation 

Founded to increase the participation of Alaska Native and American Indian people working in the healthcare fields, the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium awards 10 of these competitive scholarships annually to meritorious students with a desire to improve healthcare for Indian people. 

3. Indian Health Service Preparatory Scholarship

Amount: Covers full tuition and provides a stipend to cover living expenses 

Deadline: N/A

Eligibility: 

• U.S. citizen
• Member or descendant of a federally recognized, state-recognized, or terminated American Indian Tribe or Alaska Native Village
• High school graduate or the equivalent
• Minimum 2.0 GPA 

Application Requirements:

• Transcript 
• Letter of acceptance into an eligible program 
• Documentation of American Indian Tribal or Alaska Native Village Membership
• Essay 
• Intent to serve Indian people as a health professional in your chosen discipline
• Capable of completing a health profession degree program

The Indian Health Service Preparatory Scholarship helps train, educate, and staff medically understaffed Indian health programs. This minority nursing scholarship provides generous financial support—including covering full tuition and providing a stipend to cover living expenses—however, a minimum two-year service commitment with an Indian health program is required of recipients.  

4. Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA) Native Hawaiian Health Scholarship Program (NHHSP)

Amount: Covers tuition, fees, other educational costs, and provides a monthly stipend 

Deadline: N/A

Eligibility: 

• Proof of Hawaiian ancestry
• Enrolled full-time at an accredited college or university
• Pursuing a career as a nurse, nurse-midwife, nurse practitioner, clinical psychologist, dentist, dental hygienist, dietitian/nutritionist, physician, physician assistant, or social worker
• Have no federal judgment liens
• Have no existing service commitment
• Not be overdue on a federal debt

Application Requirements:

• Transcript 
• Resume 
• Personal statement 
• Recommendation letter

For consideration for this minority nursing scholarship, candidates must have proof of Hawaiian ancestry and demonstrate a commitment to providing quality healthcare to the native Hawaiian people. In return for covering the cost of full tuition and related school costs, along with providing a monthly stipend, recipients must fulfill a service requirement—working between two and four years in a medically underserved Hawaiian community.

5. National Black Nurses Association (NBNA) Board of Directors Scholarship

Amount: $1,500

Deadline: April 15, 2021

Eligibility: 

• Member of NBNA and a member of a local chapter (if there is no local chapter, applicants can join NBNA as a Direct Member) 
• Enrolled and in good academic standing in a nursing program (B.S.N., A.D., Diploma or L.P.N./ L.V.N. masters, or Ph.D.)
• At least one full year of school remaining 

Application Requirements:

• Official transcript from an accredited school of nursing
• Two-page essay 
• Two letters of recommendation 
• A professional headshot 
• Material supporting eligibility and desirability such as participation in student nurse activities and involvement with the African American community 

The NBNA funds numerous awards—including its Board of Directors Scholarship—to assist nurses in growing and contributing to the health and healthcare of African American communities. Established in 1971, the NBNA has 115 chapters in the U.S. and represents approximately 200,000 Black nurses. 

6. National Association of Hispanic Nurses (NAHN) United Health Foundation Scholarship

Amount: $5,000 per year (for up to three consecutive years)

Deadline: N/A

Eligibility: 

• Full-time student 
• NAHN member in good standing 
• Attending/enrolled in an accredited nursing program
• Minimum 3.0 GPA 

Application Requirements:

• Resume 
• Letter of reference 
• Preference is given to rising sophomores and above

NAHN partners with the United Health Foundation Diverse Scholars Initiative to provide this scholarship intended to cultivate a more culturally relevant workforce that is reflective of society and offer more effective healthcare, especially in under-served communities. In addition to financial support, UHF Diverse Scholars are also provided with mentorship and internship opportunities. 

7. National American Arab Nurses Association (NAANA) Scholarship for Nursing Study 

Amount: $500–$1,000

Deadline: N/A 

Eligibility: 

• Proof of acceptance or enrollment in an accredited nursing program 
• Arab heritage
• 3.0 GPA
• Demonstrated leadership (academic, professional, and/or through student organizations)
• Evidence of engagement in, and contribution to, the healthcare of the Arab American community

Application Requirements:

• Transcripts
• Resume
• One- to two-page essay answering why the applicant deserves the award

Students of Arab heritage studying nursing at all levels—associate Degree, bachelor’s degree, RN-BSN, or BSN-MSN (master of science in nursing)—are eligible for this well-respected award.  Winners are determined by their contributions and interest in improving the healthcare of Arab Americans. 

8. The Foundation of the National Student Nurses’ Association (FNSNA) General Scholarship 

Amount: Up to $7,500

Deadline: January 15, 2021 

Eligibility: 

• Enrolled in a state-approved nursing program leading to an associate degree, baccalaureate, diploma, direct-entry master’s degree, RN to BSN/MSN completion, LPN/LVN to RN, or accelerated programs
• Pre-nursing students taking courses in preparation to enroll in a nursing program
• Taking no fewer than six credits per semester
• Involved in student nursing organizations and/or community health activities
• Record of academic achievement
• Established financial need

Application Requirements:

• Clinical Instructor/Faculty Advisor certification form
• Financial aid certification form
• Transcript
• Acceptance letter (only for applicants transferring to another school within the academic year)
• Nursing license (for applicants in an RN-BSN or RN-MSN program)

An excellent scholarship for minority nurses, the FNSNA General Scholarship is generally given to students studying in specific fields—such as oncology and critical care—or to students from groups that are underrepresented in the nursing profession. 

9. Bachelors for Non-Registered Nurses (High School) in Oncology Nursing Scholarship

Amount: $3,000–$5,000 per year 

Deadline: January 31, 2021 

Eligibility: 

• Currently not licensed as an RN and does not have a bachelor’s degree in another field
• Accepted or enrolled in a bachelor of nursing degree program at a CCNE or NLN-CNEA accredited school of nursing 
• Interest in and commitment to oncology nursing

Application Requirements:

• Transcript 
• 250-word essay describing interest in caring for persons with cancer after graduation
• List of professional goals and how they relate to the advancement of oncology nursing 

Supported by the Oncology Nursing Foundation, the Bachelors for Non-Registered Nurses (High School) in Oncology Nursing Scholarship is an exciting award for any minority high school student interested in pursuing a career in oncology nursing. 

10. Breaking Barriers: Scholarship for Men in Nursing

Amount: $500

Deadline: N/A 

Eligibility: 

• Male 
• 18 years of age or older 
• Actively enrolled in an accredited nursing program
• Minimum GPA of 3.5

Application Requirements:

• Transcript 
• Resume 
• 500- to 1000-word essay using the prompt: Why do you think nursing is widely regarded as a feminine field, how do you propose we change this perception, and why do you feel this is important to the future of nursing and patient care?

Although not a traditional minority, men represent just a small fraction of the nurses in the U.S. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), males make up 12% of registered nurses. This scholarship seeks to help attract more men to the profession, broaden diversity in the workforce, and change the perception that the field is meant for women. 

Curious about your chances of acceptance to your dream nursing school? Our free chancing engine takes into account your GPA, test scores, extracurriculars, and other data to predict your odds of acceptance at over 500 colleges across the U.S. We’ll also let you know how you stack up against other applicants and how you can improve your profile. Sign up for your free CollegeVine account today to get started!