The UW-Madison School of Nursing offers a generous annual scholarship program for both incoming and current students. All School of Nursing applicants and current students are strongly encouraged to apply for scholarships.
Applications will be considered for all School of Nursing scholarships depending on a variety of factors, including: academic achievement, leadership experiences, community involvement, personal qualifications, financial need, and career interests.
Scholarship Information
Current students and School of Nursing applicants are encouraged to apply for School of Nursing scholarships via the Wisconsin Scholarship Hub (WiSH). For more details about our School of Nursing scholarship application process, visit the School of Nursing’s Financial Support web page.
Students who wish to have financial need considered as part of their application scoring criteria must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
Please visit the UW-Madison Office of Student Financial Aid for additional information about financing your education. Students are also encouraged to explore the Wisconsin Scholarship Hub (WiSH), where you can apply to and find specific information regarding scholarships at UW-Madison.
For additional information, contact the School of Nursing Scholarship Team: scholarships@nursing.wisc.edu
Additional Financial Aid Resources
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Basic Needs Resources from the Office of Student Financial Aid
The Office of Student Financial Aid has a page dedicated to providing information on resources offered both through UW-Madison and the local community to help support student basic needs.
The Basic Needs Resources page offers information on:
- How to connect with a Basic Needs Assistant
- Submitting a “Basic Needs Request” through Purposity
- Exploring emergency support options
- Financial and tenant resources
- Food resources
- Health insurance
- Internet and technology assistance
- Child care assistance
Financial Advising Appointments with the Office of Student Financial Aid
The Office of Student Financial Aid has a team of advisors who are available to meet one on one to assist with all things financial aid: need help completing the FAFSA, have questions about your financial aid offer, or need advice on budgeting, money management, or debt counseling? Drop in or schedule an appointment today!
Drop In Advising – Today@UW
Schedule a Financial Advising Appointment through Starfish
Emergency Support
From the UW-Madison Office of Student Financial Aid
Badgers may face financial challenges and emergencies during their time at UW-Madison. We have financial support options, as well as limited emergency financial assistance opportunities available to currently enrolled students.
Outside/Non-UW Scholarships
Check out the extensive list below of scholarships unaffiliated with UW-Madison!
External Scholarships
AHEC Scholars Program
Wisconsin AHEC’s program, AHEC Scholars, is a two-year program for students entering the last two years of their health professions program. This program is designed to enhance and broaden health training with a combination of didactic education and community-based field placement in a Wisconsin rural or underserved community. Further information about eligibility requirements and program benefits can be found on the linked website.
Application: typically open August – October for the same year’s Fall cohort (e.g. open August 2022 – October 2022 for Fall 2022 cohort)
Number of spots: 6 Stipend: $1,500
American Indian Nurse Scholarship
Applicant must be enrolled in a tribe. If not enrolled, the student will be considered if he or she can prove direct tribal ancestry. Applicant must also be a high school graduate or have equivalent education, and be enrolled in an accredited school. Students must be pursuing degrees in nursing or in the field of health care and health education. Students are expected to return to work among their people to help improve health care.
Award Amount: $1,500 per semester Application
Army Nurse Corps Association Scholarship
Financial assistance is offered to nursing students enrolled in an accredited baccalaureate and graduate nursing/nurse anesthesia program. Eligibility Criteria: are serving or have previously served in any branch, and at any rank, of a component of the US Army, are not currently receiving funding by a component of the US Army, and, as applicable, have received an Honorable Discharge OR nursing or anesthesia students whose parent(s), spouse, or child(ren) is serving or has served in a component of the US Army. Application opens in February.
Deadline: March 30 Award Amount: $3,000
Aya Healthcare Future Travel Nurse Scholarship
Eligibility requirements include being of full-time nursing student status or proof of acceptance to a nursing program, having a 3.0 GPA or higher, being involved in extra-curricular organization(s) and/or volunteer work, and a passion for patient care. Aya will award 10 scholarships each year.
Deadline: year round Number of Awards: 10 Award Amount: $1,000
BSN Education Scholarships
A scholarship resource of BSN students linking to multiple available scholarships.
Caroline E. Holt Nursing Scholarship
Applicant must demonstrate that they are in financial need and are accepted and enrolled into an accredited school of nursing. Requirements include an application form, a list of extracurricular activities, a stamped postcard, two recommendation letters, a personal statement, and an official transcript.
Deadline: January 31 Number of Awards: 3 Award Amount: $2,500, non-renewable
Charlotte McGuire Scholarship Program
Applicant must have a current RN Licensure and be a current active member of AHNA for a minimum of 6 months. Applicant must be enrolled in an undergraduate academic setting dedicated to a practice of Holistic Nursing.
Deadline: April 15 Award Amount: $1,250
Geraldine “Polly” Bednash Scholarship Program
The Geraldine “Polly” Bednash Scholarship Program provides funding to outstanding students in baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs at AACN member institutions. Applicants must submit a brief essay on personal goals and career aspirations in nursing.
Deadlines: January 31, April 30, July 31, October 31 Number of Awards: 2 per deadline Award Amount: $5,000
Hurst Review-AACN Nursing Scholarship
Hurst Review and the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) are partnering to offer this scholarship program that recognizes and rewards entry-level nursing students for outstanding academic performance. All applicants must already be enrolled in an AACN member institution and maintain at least a 3.2 grade point average in their current program or last school attended. One scholarship in the amount of $2,500 will be distributed twice yearly.
Deadline: September 1 and February 1. Number of Awards: 2/year Award Amount: $2,500 Application
Incredible Health
Incredible Health has compiled a list of 50 nursing scholarships. Requirements, deadlines, and amounts vary.
*Pre-nursing students may apply
National Association of School Nurses (NASN) Advocacy Education Award
Applicant must be a current member with Active classification membership for the previous two years. Applicant must hold a current licensure and be employment full time as a school nurse (RN).
Deadline: October 25 Award Amount: $1,500
National Black Nurses Association (NBNA) Scholarships
Applicant must be African American currently enrolled in a nursing program and in good academic standing. Must be a member of the NBNA and have at least a full year of school remaining.
Deadline: April 15 Award Amount: $1,000-$15,000
NURSE Corps Scholarship Program
Eligible nursing students can apply to the Nurse Corps Scholarship Program (Nurse Corps SP). If accepted, they pay your tuition, fees, and other educational costs. In return, you work at a Critical Shortage Facility (CSF) when you graduate.
NurseJournal*
This is a database with a collection of grants and scholarships available to nursing students. Award amounts and deadlines vary.
Nursing Scholarships
This is a searchable scholarship database created specifically for nursing students. The scholarship listed here are provided by various nursing associations, educational institutions, foundations, for-profit/non-profit organizations, etc.
NursingExams.org
There is a growing demand for nurses in the U.S., however, there are many obstacles to becoming a fully qualified Registered or Practical Nurse. To address this, the team at NursingExams.org has created several academic scholarships to reduce barriers to becoming a nurse. NursingExams.org is offering one scholarship in each of these 3 categories: General Nursing Scholarship; Underrepresented Student Nursing Scholarship; Single Parent Nursing Scholarship
Deadline: June 1 Award Amount: $500
Nurses Foundation of Racine Scholarship*
The Nurses Foundation of Racine is offering scholarships for nursing students who reside in Kenosha, Racine, and Walworth Counties. Applicants must be enrolled in a nursing program with at least one semester of the nursing curriculum completed and must be in good academic standing. Must submit 3 signed letters of recommendation (faculty member, recent employer, personal).
Deadline: February 28 postmark
QGenda-AACN Scholarship
QGenda, a leader in healthcare workforce management solutions, has joined with AACN on a new scholarship program for students in all types of baccalaureate nursing programs four-year, accelerated, and degree-completion programs. Eligibility: Must be a current undergraduate nursing student. Must have at least a 3.5 GPA. Must be a U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident. Provide one academic or professional reference. Submit an essay (500-word maximum) on how they want to make an impact as a nurse OR how a nurse has specifically impacted them.
Deadline: July 1, February 1, & October 1 Number of Awards: 3 Award Amount: $5,000
RN to BSN/MSN Challenge Scholarship
RegisteredNursing.org believes that nurses have the power to promote a healthier tomorrow. Applicants must be a Registered Nurse (RN) working towards your Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) or Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) with a minimum GPA of 3.5, and a minimum age of 18. Online programs are eligible.
Deadline: September 1 Award Amount: $500
St Mary’s Hospital Minority Health Care Scholarship Program*
The scholarship provides financial assistance to individuals with interest and commitment to pursuing a health care profession. Scholarships will be awarded to two minority students who meet the eligibility requirements. Contact ester_lowery@ssmhc.com for information on eligibility requirements or to receive an application form.
ScrubinUniforms-AACN Scholarship
The Scrubin Uniforms/AACN Scholarship supports nursing students in baccalaureate, master’s and doctoral programs who are enrolled at AACN member schools with a formal affiliation agreement with Scrubin Uniforms. See eligible schools listed in the blue left column. To apply, students must complete an online application, provide demographic information and details on their academic achievement, and submit a short essay.
Deadline: September 1, December 30, & March 1 (Deadline extended to March 30, 2023) Number of Awards: 3/year Award Amount: $2,500
Shannon Marie & Louis Porter Smith Foundation Scholarship
The Shannon Marie & Louis Porter Smith Foundation awards one scholarship to a UW-Madison nursing undergraduate for the Spring semester. Applications will be accepted from October 1– November 30 of the preceding year. The scholarship is open to all undergraduate students who have been accepted into or are currently enrolled in the UW-Madison School of Nursing.
Deadline: November 30 Number of Awards: 2 Award Amount: $1,250
Study.com Scholarship for Future Nurses*
Study.com wants to assist in furthering the educational opportunities of future nurses. Areas of study that will be considered include students pursuing a bachelor’s degree program in nursing on the path to becoming a registered nurse, nurse practitioner, psychiatric nurse, nurse anesthetist, nurse midwife, clinical nurse specialist, and other related nurse professionals.
Deadline: May 1 Number of Awards: 1 Award Amount: $500 Application
Wisconsin League for Nursing*
The Wisconsin League for Nursing (WLN) Scholarship Program is available to Wisconsin residents currently enrolled in Schools of Nursing. All scholarships are awarded at the WLN Fall Conference. Scholarship winners are announced a month prior to conference and awarded only if monies are available.
Wisconsin Organization of Nurse Leaders (WONL)
Scholarship funds are available for registered nurses seeking a baccalaureate degree in nursing (BSN) or an advanced degree in nursing leadership, including MSN, MBA, MHA, MSOL, DNP or PhD. Eligible applicants must be enrolled in a program accredited by a recognized accrediting body and be a registered nurse and a current Wisconsin resident.
Deadline: August 6
*Pre-nursing students may apply
Contacts
Judy Christensen
Position title: Recruitment & Awards Specialist
Email:
judy.christensen
Phone: 608-262-9611
