Nursing Scholarships for African Americans

Top Nursing Scholarships for African Americans
Eligible students should consider nursing scholarships for African Americans to help pay for their nursing education.  Scholarships are available for both undergraduate and graduate nursing students.  You can find scholarships from a variety of sources.

Following below are examples of scholarships that African-American nursing students may be eligible to apply for to pay for school.

National Black Nurses Association

African American nurses and nursing students have access to multiple scholarship opportunities through the Association. Their more than 10 scholarship programs include the Martha R. Dudley Scholarship and the United Health Foundation Scholarship. Scholarships are intended to be used for undergraduate studies.  Awards are made based on academic scores, letters of recommendation, community service record, Association activities, and a personal essay.  Typical award amounts are between $500 and $2,000. Applicants must be Association members and have at least one year of study remaining to be considered. Nursing students interested in this opportunity can contact the Association at 8630 Fenton Street, Suite 330, Silver Spring, MD 20910 or by calling them at (301) 589-3200.

Ron Brown Scholar Fund

The Fund provides scholarships to African American students who demonstrate exceptional academic ability and are highly motivated to obtain an undergraduate education. Applicants must be graduating high school seniors. Nursing students who meet these criteria are eligible to apply for scholarships from the Fund. Scholarships are awarded based on academic ability, leadership potential, community service record, documented financial need, and letters of recommendation.  Award amounts are $10,000 each year for four years and can be used to pay for tuition, books, fees, health insurance, and living expenses. Applications are typically due to the Fund by November annually.  Enrollment in any four-year accredited nursing program is acceptable. Interested students can request an application by contacting the Fund at 1160 Pepsi Place, Suite 206, Charlottesville, VA 22901 or by calling them at (434) 964-1588.

UNCF (formerly the United Negro College Fund)

African American students enrolled in accredited undergraduate and graduate nursing programs are eligible to apply for scholarships through UNCF including the Dignity Health Corporate Scholarship and the UNCF General Scholarship among others. Application requirements vary depending upon the scholarship program. Students may have to be enrolled at specific colleges to be eligible for financial assistance.  Award amounts vary.  For the two scholarships mentioned above, awards range from $5,000 to $10,000.

Gates Millennium Scholars Program

This UNCF scholarship is a joint program with the Asian & Pacific Islander American Scholarship Fund, the American Indian Graduate Center Scholars, and the Hispanic Scholarship Fund. The Program is funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. It is open to economically disadvantaged graduating high school seniors.  Nursing students who meet eligibility criterion can apply. Scholarships are awarded based on academic scores, leadership potential, and community service record. Award amounts vary.  For information on any UNCF scholarship opportunity, students can contact the Fund by calling (800) 331-2244.

Thurgood Marshall College Fund

The Fund provides scholarships to African American students attending one of many participating schools including public Historically Black Colleges and Universities.  Scholarships are awarded based on merit. Applications must include academic scores, leadership and community service record, letters of recommendation, and a completed Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Nursing students who meet eligibility and submission requirements can receive scholarships that average $2,200 per semester and are renewable.  Awards can be used to pay for tuition, books, fees, and living expenses. Scholarships are made available throughout the year with each having individual eligibility and submission requirements including specific deadlines. For applications and guidelines, students can contact the Fund at 901 F Street NW, Suite 300, Washington, DC 20004 or by calling (202) 507-4851.

The Jackie Robinson Foundation

The Foundation awards scholarships to African American high school seniors who have been accepted into a four-year education program at an accredited college or university.  Nursing students who meet these criteria are eligible to apply.  Scholarships are based on academic scores, community service record, leadership ability, letter of recommendation, and documented financial aid. Award amounts are $7,500.  Applications are typically due to the Foundation by the end of March annually. Students can obtain applications and guidelines from the Foundation at One Hudson Square, 75 Varick Street, 2^nd Floor, New York, NY 10013 or by calling the Foundation at (212) 290-8600.

Educational Institute Scholarships for African American Nursing Students

African American nursing students may be eligible for scholarships through their school.  Scholarships may be designated for nursing students or open to all majors.  To learn about scholarship opportunities at your school, visit the financial aid office.  The nursing department will have information about nursing scholarships only.  Following is an example of a school that administers scholarship programs for African American students.

South Georgia College

Students enrolled in the College’s nursing program are eligible for nursing scholarships as well as minority scholarships including the Arthur Farrar Minority Scholarship and the Thomas H. Sr. & Ruth Frier Nursing Scholarship.  Students must be residents of Coffee County in Georgia.  African American nursing students who meet all eligibility criteria can apply.  Scholarships are awarded based on academic scores and financial need.  Award amounts vary depending upon the scholarship opportunity.  Students can learn more about all scholarship programs available by contacting the Office of Advancement at (912) 260-4269.

Employer-Sponsored Scholarships for African American Nursing Students

Local employers may offer scholarships that are designated for African American students.  You may not be required to be an employee to be eligible for scholarships.  The best way to learn about these scholarship opportunities is to contact hospitals and other healthcare organizations, including nonprofits, and ask if they offer nursing scholarships.  Those that open scholarship applications to non-employees will likely have a service commitment requirement that mandates scholarship recipients work for them upon graduation.

Community-Based Scholarships for African American Nursing Students

African American nursing students also have opportunities for financial assistance at the community level.  Nonprofit organizations and foundations are excellent resources for locating scholarships that are designated for African American students. The following is an example of a foundation that administers scholarships that are only open to African American applicants.

Greater Kansas City Community Foundation

African American nursing students currently enrolled in an accredited nursing program in the Greater Kansas Area may be eligible for a scholarship from the General Hospital #2 Perpetual Trust Fund.  The Greater Kansas Area included Wyandotte and Johnson counties in Kansas as well as Platte, Jackson, and Clay counties in Missouri.  Nursing students who live in St. Joseph, Missouri are also eligible to apply. Applicants must be pursuing a registered nurse degree on a full-time basis.  Scholarships are awarded based on academic scores, letters of recommendation, and a personal essay.  Award amounts vary and applications are due to the Foundation by the end of March annually.  For applications and guidelines, contact the Foundation at 1055 Broadway, Suite 130, Kansas City, MO 64105 or by calling them at (816) 842-0944.

Nursing scholarships for African Americans can be located from multiple sources.  It takes just a bit of research to locate a variety of opportunities.  Nursing students can use these scholarships to help cover the growing cost of a college education.