Nursing

Scholarships for Black Nursing Students

LPN to doctorate: the National Black Nurses Association, the federal Nurse Corps program, employer tuition help and other verified awards for nursing students.

Verified

Nursing scholarships

NursingGraduate

NBNA Scholarships

National Black Nurses Association
Eligibility today: NBNA membership is required. The eligibility rules contain no race requirement.
Who can apply
NBNA members (through a local chapter if one is within 50 miles, otherwise as a direct member) enrolled in a nursing program from LPN/LVN through doctorate, in good standing, with at least one full school year left.
Award
Scholarships start at $1,000 (per the sponsor's site as of Nov 2026).
Timing
The most recent cycle closed in March. Join NBNA well before the next window opens.
Verified Nov 7, 2026Official page
Nursing

Nurse Corps Scholarship Program

HRSA (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services)
Eligibility today: A federal program open to eligible nursing students; it gives funding preference to those with the greatest financial need.
Who can apply
U.S. citizens, nationals or permanent residents accepted to or enrolled in a nursing degree program at an accredited U.S. school, with no existing service commitment or overdue federal debt.
Award
Pays tuition, eligible fees and other reasonable costs plus a monthly stipend; in return you work at a facility with a critical nursing shortage after graduation. The award is taxable (per HRSA as of Nov 2026).
Timing
The 2026 cycle has closed; HRSA offers email alerts for the next cycle.
Verified Nov 7, 2026Official page
How to plan

A nursing funding plan in four steps

  1. Join NBNA early. Its scholarships require membership through a local chapter (or direct membership if no chapter is within 50 miles), so join before the spring application window.
  2. File the FAFSA. Undergraduate nursing students may qualify for a Pell Grant of up to $7,395 for 2026-27. Federal Student Aid
  3. Weigh service-based aid. The Nurse Corps Scholarship pays tuition, fees and a monthly stipend, but you commit to work at a facility with a critical nursing shortage, and the award is taxable.
  4. Ask employers about tuition help. Many hospitals offer tuition assistance. Under IRS rules, up to $5,250 a year of employer educational assistance can be tax-free, including student loan payments. IRS Publication 15-B
Also open to nursing students

More awards to consider

GraduateSTEMNursing

McKnight Doctoral Fellowship

Florida Education Fund
Eligibility today: The program's stated purpose is to address the underrepresentation of African American and Hispanic faculty in Florida; its 'who may apply' rules list citizenship and degree, not race.
Who can apply
U.S. citizens with at least a bachelor's degree, starting a Ph.D. in arts and sciences, business, engineering, health sciences, nursing or the arts at select Florida universities. Current doctoral students can't apply, and degrees such as the DNP or M.D. aren't covered.
Award
Up to 50 fellowships a year, each with a stipend of up to $14,000 a year for up to three years (per the sponsor's site as of Nov 2026).
Timing
Applications are due in mid-January each year (for 2027-28 funding).
Verified Nov 7, 2026Official page
Any majorGraduate

AKA Educational Advancement Foundation Scholarships

Alpha Kappa Alpha Educational Advancement Foundation
Eligibility today: Open to all: the foundation supports students without regard to sex, race or other traits. Sorority membership isn't required for its main programs.
Who can apply
Full-time undergraduates (sophomore or above) and full-time graduate students at accredited schools. Minimum GPA is 3.0 for merit awards and 2.5 for need-based, Thrive and Launch awards. Most programs also ask for community service.
Award
Thrive awards go up to $1,000; other amounts aren't listed. Most are one-time awards (per the sponsor's site as of Nov 2026).
Timing
Thrive closes in March; undergraduate awards in April; graduate awards in August.
Verified Nov 7, 2026Official page
High school seniorsAny major

Zeta National Educational Foundation Scholarships

Zeta National Educational Foundation (Zeta Phi Beta)
Eligibility today: Given without regard to race, sex or other traits. Eleven general awards need no sorority membership; five are for members only.
Who can apply
High school seniors and college students for the general awards. The Chairman's Scholarship is for a female high school student.
Award
The Chairman's Scholarship covers educational costs up to $150,000; other amounts aren't listed. Most awards are one-time (per the sponsor's site as of Nov 2026).
Timing
The scholarships page doesn't show a deadline; check the foundation's AwardSpring portal.
Verified Nov 7, 2026Official page
HBCUAny major

Thurgood Marshall College Fund Scholarships

Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF)
Eligibility today: Awarded without consideration of race, sex or other protected traits; built for students at TMCF member schools.
Who can apply
Students at TMCF member schools and other eligible accredited institutions. One general application in the TMCF portal matches you to scholarships you may qualify for.
Award
TMCF reports more than $20 million awarded for 2023-24 (per the sponsor's site). Most awards are one-time; you may be selected for only one per academic year.
Timing
Deadlines vary by scholarship and are firm (Eastern time). Decisions start about 12 weeks after a scholarship closes.
Verified Nov 7, 2026Official page

A note on eligibility

Eligibility rules for race-conscious awards have been changing. The Supreme Court's 2023 SFFA v. Harvard decision addressed college admissions, and lawsuits since then have challenged some race-restricted programs. In one case, Fearless Fund closed its grant contest for Black women business owners in a September 2024 settlement. Supreme Court opinion WABE

Some sponsors have since opened their awards to all students while keeping a focus on Black students or HBCUs; others still limit eligibility. Each listing shows the sponsor's current wording as of November 7, 2026. Please confirm on the sponsor's site before you apply.

Real scholarships never charge you to apply

The FTC's warning signs for scholarship and grant scams:

  • An application, "processing" or "redemption" fee
  • A guarantee that you'll win, or a money-back promise
  • "You've been selected" for an award you never applied for
  • A request for your bank or card number to "hold" an award
  • Paying someone to fill out the FAFSA, which is free

FTC: How To Avoid Scholarship and Financial Aid Scams. Report scams at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

Questions

Questions students ask

Do NBNA scholarships require membership?

Yes. Applicants must be NBNA members, through a local chapter if one is within 50 miles or as a direct member otherwise, and enrolled in a nursing program from LPN/LVN through doctorate.

What is the catch with the Nurse Corps Scholarship?

It pays tuition, fees, other costs and a monthly stipend, but after graduation you must work at an eligible facility with a critical shortage of nurses. The award is also taxable.

Can a DNP student get the McKnight Fellowship?

No. The McKnight Doctoral Fellowship covers Ph.D. programs only; its page says degrees such as the D.N.P. are not covered. A nursing Ph.D. is eligible.

Sources (checked Nov 7, 2026)