Nurse Practitioner Scholarships
Independence and Autonomy in the Nursing Field
Nurse practitioners are Registered Nurses who have completed a specialized one or two year course of study beyond their Bachelor’s Degree. They work in a variety of settings and are able to conduct physical examinations, order and interpret laboratory tests and x-rays, and prescribe medications independent of a physician. In fact, in some medical situations a Nurse Practitioner may be a source of primary care. Nurse practitioners also provide education and counseling services for individuals and families.
If you see yourself in the role of a Nurse Practitioner, can you get financial assistance in the form of a scholarship? You certainly can.
Scholarship Opportunities
American College of Nurse Practitioners (ACNP)The ACNP Nurse Practitioner Student Scholarship is given to one student each year. In addition to $1,000 in financial assistance, the selected applicant receives a one-year membership in the ACNP. The scholarship recipient is announced at the ACNP’s annual conference; he or she is also awarded $750 to help defray the cost of travel to the conference and accommodations while there.
In order to be considered for the scholarship, applicants must be members of the ACNP, be enrolled in a nurse practitioner program, and have achieved a GPA of 3.4 or higher. Two letters of recommendation from colleagues are to be submitted with the application package. In addition, candidates must be able to demonstrate that the have distinguished themselves by participating in a professional organization, community service, or a research project.
National Health Service Corps (NHSC)The NHSC offers a competitive scholarship program to students preparing for a career as health care providers, including nurse practitioners, who are interested in working where the need is the greatest. Scholarship recipients receive funding to cover the cost of tuition and fees for up to four years of studies, in addition to a monthly stipend. The scholarship program also covers the cost of books, equipment, and supplies.
After completion of post-secondary training, scholarship recipients will have the opportunity to choose where they will practice from a list of locations designated as having a shortage of health care workers. For each year that scholarship funds are received, one year of service is required. The minimum commitment is two years.
Upstate Medical University, New York, Elaine Gelman Nurse Practitioner ScholarshipThe Elaine Gelman Nurse Practitioner Scholarship provides $1,000 in financial aid to a student enrolled in an accredited Nurse Practitioner program. Interested persons should submit proof of enrollment and two letters of recommendation from colleagues. Applicants are also required to demonstrate that they have participated in a research project, community service, a professional organization, or policy/lawmaking at the local, state, or national level.
University of Michigan—FlintStudents enrolled in the Nurse Practitioner program at UM-Flint who have completed at least 11 credit hours and have an A- average can apply for the Emmalyn Ellis Freeman Nurse Practitioner Scholarship. Any financial assistance provided under this program is paid into the student’s tuition account.
Each applicant is asked to submit an original, two-page essay, outlining his or her personal history, academic and professional goals, how they would describe the importance of their role as a nurse practitioner, and level of financial need. A letter of recommendation from a faculty member is also required.
