Occupational Nursing Scholarships

How Occupational Nursing Scholarships Pay for School
If you are or plan to be an occupational nurse, you can apply for occupational nursing scholarships to help pay for your education. Even after you earn your nursing degree, you will be required to get additional education throughout your career. Scholarships can help pay for your initial degree as well as your continuing education requirements.

This type of financial assistance is available from multiple resources such as the following examples below.

National Occupational Scholarships

There are national organizations that support occupational nurses and typically offer scholarships of some kind to help nurses and nursing students with their education costs. There may be resources available from the federal government as well.  Each scholarship program will have individual eligibility requirements and guidelines that students can use to successfully complete an application. Following is an example of a national program that offers scholarships to occupational nurses and students.

American Association of Occupational Health Nurses Foundation

Occupational nursing and nursing students may be eligible for a variety of scholarships from the Foundation. The Professional Development Scholarship provides financial assistance to undergraduate and graduate nursing students.  Students must be pursuing a bachelor or master degree to qualify. Awards are made based on academic scores, essay, and recommendation letters. Award amounts range from $1,000 to $2,500.  Application deadlines vary.  Students interested in this opportunity can obtain applications from the Foundation at 7794 Grow Drive, Pensacola, FL 32514 or by calling (850) 474-6963.

State Occupational Scholarships

Nursing students may be eligible for scholarships available from state agencies.  Organizations such as foundations, membership groups, and nonprofit organizations are additional sources of scholarships that nursing students should consider.  The following are examples of state programs that offer scholarships in occupational nursing.

Kansas Nurses Foundation

Kansas nursing students who are interested in occupational nursing may be eligible for the Patsy Quint Occupational Health Nurses Scholarship offered by the Foundation.  The scholarship is intended for students pursuing bachelor, master, or doctoral degrees in occupational nursing.  Scholarships are awarded based on academic scores, personal essay, and recommendation letters. Award amounts are $500 and applications are due to the Foundation by the end of June annually. Students interested in obtaining an application can contact the Foundation at P.O. Box 3899, Topeka, KS 66604 or by calling (785) 233-8638.

Northeast Association of Occupational Health Nurses

The Association serves the interests of occupational health nurses and nursing students in ten states from Pennsylvania to Maine.  Multiple financial assistance opportunities are available including the Kathleen Schusler Memorial Scholarship. Students can use scholarship funds for school tuition or certification by the American Board of Occupational Health Nurses.  Nursing students seeking bachelor or master degrees qualify for assistance. Scholarships are awarded based on academic scores, work history as an occupational nurse, recommendation letters, and commitment to occupational nursing. Award amounts are $1,000.  Applications for this scholarship must be submitted by the end of September annually.  Applications and guidelines are available from the Association.

Educational Institute Occupational Scholarships

Your nursing school likely offers scholarships and other financial assistance opportunities to students.  If they do, they may have scholarships available specifically for students who are studying to become occupational nurses. The school’s nursing department as well as the financial aid office should have information on all nursing school aid programs. Following is an example of a school that offers traineeships with financial aid to occupational nursing students.

Harvard University (Massachusetts)

Nursing students interested in occupational nursing and enrolled in the University’s School of Public Health may be eligible for a traineeship coordinated through the Education and Research Center (ERC). Trainees receive financial assistance for tuition and other expenses as well as a stipend. In additional to monetary aid, trainees receive practical experience in applying what they learn in class. Students interested in traineeship can contact the School at (617) 432-1260.

Employer-Sponsored Occupational Scholarships

Local companies that hire occupational nurses are the ideal source of employer-sponsored scholarships for students studying occupational nursing.  These employers will include hospitals, healthcare organizations, and even small businesses.  You can contact them directly to see if they offer scholarships to community members. The following is an example of an employer that sponsors scholarships for students that specialize in occupational nursing.

Williamette View Health Center

Employees of the Center who are Certified Nurses Aids and attend an accredited nursing program full-time may be eligible for the Marion A. Lindeman Scholarship.  Scholarships are awarded based on work history, commitment to occupational nursing, and documented financial need. Because this is a need-based scholarship, students are required to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to be considered. This scholarship is for undergraduate nursing students only. Award amounts vary and applications are typically due by March annually.  Students can request applications and guidelines from Oregon Student Access Commission at 1500 Valley River Drive, Suite 100, Eugene, OR 97401 or by calling (541) 687-7400.

Community-Based Occupational Scholarships

Other community organizations such as civic groups and foundations may be sources of additional scholarship opportunities. Typically these groups restrict eligibility to local residents.  Foundations, particularly community foundations, provide the majority of scholarships at the local level.  Donors often establish scholarship programs that provide financial assistance to students on a regular basis. The following is an example of a funder that offers scholarships to local nursing students.

Community Foundation of Central Illinois

Occupational nursing students who live in the Peoria, Illinois area may be eligible for scholarships from the Foundation. Residents of Southern Kane and Kendall counties qualify for financial assistance.  The Jean M. Brown Nursing Scholarship is intended to provide financial assistance to nursing students, including those planning to become occupational health nurses.  Current occupational health nurses can also apply for continuing education assistance. Be sure to complete the Occupational Health Application when applying. Scholarships are awarded based on academic scores, financial needs, and recommendation letters. For current applications and guidelines, contact the Foundation at 111 West Downer Place, Suite 312, Aurora, IL 60506 or by calling them at (630) 896-7800.

You have access to multiple sources of occupational nursing scholarships, and you can apply for as many as you want.  The more scholarships you receive, the less you will ultimately have to pay toward your nursing school costs.