Registered nurses (RNs) are increasingly becoming a more diverse group. Every 2 years, the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) conducts the largest and most comprehensive survey to track the supply, demographics, and trends of the U.S. nursing workforce. According to the 2024 survey, from 2022 to 2024:

  • The percentage of respondents who identified as White/Caucasian declined from 80% to 76.6%.
  • The percentage of Black/African American RNs rose from 6.3% to 8.6%.
  • The percentage of those who selected Other increased from 3% to 3.5% over the same period.

Overall, in 2024, 23.4% of respondents self-reported as belonging to various racial minorities, up from 20% in 2022.

One way to increase diversity in nursing is to make nursing education more accessible. Earmarking scholarship funds for minority communities, including African American, Alaska Native, Asian, and Native American nursing students, is key to fostering diversity in nursing.

Here are 12 nursing school scholarships and education awards that may help eligible students from underrepresented communities fund nursing and health care education.

Scholarships for Minority Nursing Students

1. AAPINA Scholarship Program

Sponsored by the Asian American/Pacific Islander Nurses Association, Inc., this $500 annual scholarship is for members who have maintained membership for at least 2 years, are enrolled in undergraduate or graduate nursing programs, and meet academic and leadership requirements.

2. Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium (ANTHC) Scholarships

The Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium offers 10 $5,000 scholarships for full-time enrollment and 10 $2,500 scholarships for part-time enrollment to qualified Alaska Native and American Indian students. Scholarships may be used for tuition, room and board, books, and fees.

3. American Indian Nurse Scholarship Program

The National Society of the Colonial Dames of America offers 16 scholarships to eligible Native American students across all 50 states. Also known as the American Indian Medical Scholarship (AIMS), this scholarship provides recipients $1,500 per semester for up to 8 semesters.

4. IHS Scholarship Program

The Indian Health Service (IHS) offers three scholarship programs of varying amounts for Alaska Native and American Indian students studying health care. Three scholarships are offered:

  • The Preparatory Scholarship, for qualified students enrolled in preparatory courses or prerequisite courses leading to enrollment in an eligible health professions degree program
  • The Pre-Graduate Scholarship, for qualified students enrolled in courses leading to a bachelor's degree in pre-medicine, pre-dentistry, or pre-nursing
  • The Health Professions Scholarship, for qualified undergraduate- and graduate-level students enrolled in an eligible health profession degree program

5. M. Elizabeth Carnegie African American Scholarship

This scholarship, distributed by Nurses Educational Fund, Inc., offers a $2,000 endowed scholarship to African American nurses in doctoral nursing programs. The award was named after M. Elizabeth Carnegie, the first Black nurse to serve as a voting member on the board of a state nursing association.

6. Islamic Medical Association of North America (IMANA)

IMANA’s scholarship program annually provides a one-time award to financially assist full-time students pursuing careers across many health care fields, including nursing.

7. NAHN Scholarships

These scholarship programs are for members of the National Association of Hispanic Nurses (NAHN) who have enrolled full-time in a nursing program. The number and types of scholarships offered each year depend on the amount of money in the scholarship fund.

8. Native Hawaiian Health Scholarship Program

The National Health Service Corps, part of the U.S. Health Resources & Services Administration, offers this scholarship to Native Hawaiians pursuing careers in health care. The scholarship covers tuition and other school-related costs and provides a monthly stipend. In return, students must work in a medically underserved area within Hawaii for every year of funding they receive.

9. NBNA Nursing Scholarships

The National Black Nurses Association, Inc., offers several scholarship programs for NBNA members. Applicants must have at least 1 year of school remaining, and awards vary from $1,000 to $15,000 depending on the specific scholarship.

10. Philippine Nurses Association of America Foundation Scholarship

The Philippine Nurses Association of America, Inc. (PNAA) offers annual scholarship awards to BSN students of Filipino ancestry. It also offers annual scholarship awards to members who are currently pursuing a master's degree, a post-master's degree, or a doctoral degree in nursing.

11. Udall Undergraduate Scholarship

This $7,500 award is earmarked for Native American and Alaska Native college students in their sophomore or junior year who are studying a health care field and plan to work with Native communities during their careers.

12. DiversityNursing.com Education Award

DiversityNursing.com offers an annual $5,000 education award to U.S. citizens who are enrolled full- or part-time in an accredited nursing program. Eligible programs include associate, diploma, bachelor’s, and graduate nursing programs. Licensed nurses working in the United States may also apply, and no essay is required.

>>Read More: 25 Nursing Scholarships You Should Know About

Minority Nursing Associations

Whether you’re looking for more scholarships or just want a sense of community in nursing, consider these minority nursing associations.

Tips for Applying for Nursing Scholarships

When dealing with something as serious as paying for nursing school, it’s easy to become overwhelmed. Here are some things to know before applying:

  • Consider past winners. By reviewing past winners, you can see the types of candidates the scholarship committee looks for.
  • Check eligibility requirements. When looking for minority nursing scholarships, there may be demographic eligibility requirements. Also confirm GPA, enrollment status, membership, residency, and career-goal requirements.
  • Follow instructions. Because so many people apply for scholarships, simple mistakes such as failing to submit all required documents or missing an essay can cost you real money. Follow instructions closely when applying for scholarships.
  • Carefully craft your essay. An essay, if required, is a great way to stand out to a scholarship committee, but it is also an opportunity to lose out on a scholarship if you don’t thoroughly understand the prompt. Make time for research and writing.
  • Proofread your essay and materials. Bad grammar and poor punctuation can cost you an award for nursing school. Have someone edit your essay to make sure it flows and is grammatically correct.
  • Deadlines matter. Be organized when applying for scholarships, and track deadlines carefully. You don’t want to be preparing materials at the last minute. Consider creating a checklist of all the awards you are applying for so you don’t miss any important dates or information.

Brush up on more tips for getting a college scholarship before you begin your applications.

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