How to Qualify for Scholarships
To be considered for scholarships and federal financial aid, complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This application is used to determine eligibility for a range of funding opportunities.
We encourage all applicants to submit the FAFSA as early as possible. Funding is limited, and scholarship availability may vary by program, eligibility, and available resources.
Explore the scholarship listings below for current opportunities and award details.
AACN Scholarship- Nurse Think for Future Nurse Faculty
Available to
School of Nursing - Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing (PhD)
School of Nursing - Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
School of Nursing - MSN Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist
School of Nursing - MSN Nursing Leadership
School of Nursing - BSN Completion Program (RN to BSN)
School of Nursing - MSN Nurse Practitioner
Award
Candidate description
The NurseThink®-AACN Scholarship is open to all students who are members of the Graduate Nursing Student Academy. To apply, students must complete an online application, provide demographic information and details on their academic achievement, and submit a short essay outlining their plans to teach after graduation.
Purpose
The NurseThink® - AACN Scholarship supports students enrolled in master's and doctoral nursing programs at AACN member institutions who have a desire to become future nurse faculty. The fund will provide a $5,000 scholarship awards to students twice a year through 2026.
AANP Scholarship Program
Available to
School of Nursing - Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
School of Nursing - MSN Nurse Practitioner
Award
Candidate description
AANP scholarships are available to members who are currently enrolled in an accredited graduate school in pursuit of an advanced degree. Applicants must be licensed as a registered nurse, have at least one semester of classes completed and be scheduled to complete an eligible NP program.
Purpose
AANP empowers you to thrive in your journey towards becoming an NP or career advancement and supports the next generation of NPs with members-only scholarships.
More Information
Awardees may receive $2,500 to $5,000 in scholarship funding. Only completed applications will be accepted and reviewed.
Deadline(s)
CACN Nurse Educator Scholarship
Available to
School of Nursing - Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing (PhD)
School of Nursing - Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
School of Nursing - Master's Entry Program in Nursing (MEPN)
School of Nursing - MSN Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist
School of Nursing - MSN Nursing Leadership
School of Nursing - MSN Nurse Practitioner
Award
Candidate description
Candidates Must:
1. Generate a letter indicating how one meets the scholarship criteria (please reference the criteria for the award above).
2. Be supported by a faculty member who sends a letter of recommendation on school letterhead that cites the candidate’s relevant academic, clinical, and professional experience, and stipulates that the candidate meets the award criteria.
3. Submit the scholarship application with all necessary documents.
Purpose
The California Association of Colleges of Nursing (CACN) is pleased to announce a Scholarship Program for graduate nursing students who are in or are preparing for the role of the nurse educator. Up to three $1,500 scholarships will be awarded for the academic year 2025-2026.
Cathleen K. Wilson, RN, PhD Memorial Scholarship for Leaders in Nursing
Available to
School of Nursing - MS Health Care Informatics
School of Nursing - MSN Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist
School of Nursing - MSN Nursing Leadership
Purpose
Funds provide scholarship support for MSN candidates focused on management/leadership in health care.
More Information
Please express interest through the SON Scholarship Google Form using your USD email address (link below).
Dean's Graduate Merit Scholar Awards
Available to
School of Nursing - Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing (PhD)
School of Nursing - MSN Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist
School of Nursing - MSN Nursing Leadership
Candidate description
This merit-based scholarship is available to incoming and continuing students in PhD, Executive Nurse Leader and Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialists programs.
Purpose
Students awarded this scholarship are invited and expected to collaborate with faculty on faculty research projects. Students are selected based on the strength of their applications for admission; no separate application is necessary.
More Information
Please express interest through the SON Scholarship Google Form (link below).
Desmond MEPN Endowed Scholarship
Available to
School of Nursing - Master's Entry Program in Nursing (MEPN)
Candidate description
All MEPN students are eligible and chosen by the SON scholarship committee.
Purpose
Supports USD School of Nursing (SON) MEPN students.
More Information
Please express interest through the SON Scholarship Google Form with your USD email (link below).
Dickinson MEPN Endowment Scholarship
Available to
School of Nursing - Master's Entry Program in Nursing (MEPN)
Candidate description
All MEPN students are eligible and chosen by the SON scholarship committee.
Purpose
Supports USD School of Nursing (SON) MEPN students.
More Information
Please express interest through the SON Scholarship Google Form with your USD email (link below).
Dickinson Nurse Educator Scholarship
Available to
School of Nursing - MSN Nursing Leadership
School of Nursing - BSN Completion Program (RN to BSN)
Purpose
The Dickinson Nurse Educator scholarship was established for students completing a BSN or MSN Nursing Leadership degree and plan to move into teaching positions.
DNP Dean's Scholar Awards
Available to
School of Nursing - Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
Candidate description
Criteria for the DNP Award include all of the following: (1) enrolled in USD's Doctor of Nursing Practice program; (2) record of academic excellence; (3) identified a USD doctoral-prepared faculty member who has agreed to be their faculty mentor AND who has either an ongoing evidence-based practice project in their clinical practice or an active program of research related to their clinical practice; and (4) completes an evidence-based clinical project that is closely related to the faculty mentor's clinically-based area of scholarship.
Purpose
The Dean's Office established the DNP Dean's Scholar Awards to recognize academic excellence in DNP students and their potential for development as expert scholars and clinicians. Eligible students will engage in translational, evidence based clinical projects with faculty mentors, participating in all phases of project development and implementation.
More Information
Please apply through the DNP Student Dean's Scholar Google Form. Students receive support the completion of their DNP clinical project and may apply during or after their second semester in the DNP program. (Students are eligible to receive this award only once.)
E. M. Horsch Nursing Endowed Scholarship
Available to
School of Nursing - All Programs
Candidate description
Currently enrolled in a degree program.
Purpose
Merit-based scholarship for Hahn School of Nursing students.
More Information
Please express interest through the SON Scholarship Google Form with your USD email (link below).
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