Nurse Corps Scholarship

The Nurse Corps Scholarship Program provides scholarships to nursing students in exchange for a minimum of 2 years, full-time service commitment at an eligible health care facility with a critical shortage of nurses.

The Nurse Corps Scholarship Program provides scholarships to nursing students in exchange for a minimum of 2 years, full-time service commitment at an eligible health care facility with a critical shortage of nurses.

The applicant must be a U.S. citizen or national, enrolled or accepted for enrollment in a fully accredited academic institution with a graduate, baccalaureate, associate degree or diploma nursing program located in a State, the District of Columbia, or a U.S. Territory. The applicant must be free of any federal judgment liens, not have breached a prior service obligation, is not excluded, debarred, suspended, or disqualified by a federal agency, and have no conflicting service obligations. Financial need is also reviewed as part of the eligibility determination. The applicant must submit an application, and sign a contract agreeing to accept payment of scholarship funds and provide health care services in a health care facility with a critical shortage of nurses for a minimum of two years.

United States citizens or nationals, enrolled or accepted for enrollment in a fully accredited graduate, baccalaureate, associate degree or diploma nursing program.

Training Service-obligated scholarships are awarded to full-time students of nursing. Scholarships pay tuition and require fees to the school, a monthly stipend to students and a single annual payment to the student to assist with other reasonable educational expenses that include books, supplies, instruments, and uniforms. The program requires 1 year of service for each year of scholarship support, with a minimum 2-year service commitment post-graduation. A maximum of 4 years of educational support may be awarded to an individual. Service obligation must be fulfilled at an eligible health care facility with a critical shortage of nurses. Refer to the Nurse Corps Scholarship Application and Program Guidance for specific requirements.

Training Service-obligated scholarships are awarded to full-time students of nursing. Scholarships pay tuition and require fees to the school, a monthly stipend to students and a single annual payment to the student to assist with other reasonable educational expenses that include books, supplies, instruments, and uniforms. The program requires 1 year of service for each year of scholarship support, with a minimum 2-year service commitment post-graduation. A maximum of 4 years of educational support may be awarded to an individual. Service obligation must be fulfilled at an eligible health care facility with a critical shortage of nurses. Refer to the Nurse Corps Scholarship Application and Program Guidance for specific requirements.

Each award covers up to one to four years of educational support, as requested. No awardees may receive more than four years of support.

As provided in the amendment in section 846(e) of the Public Health Service (PHS) Act, a funding preference is given to eligible applicants with the greatest financial need. Nurse Corps Scholarship Program will use the Student Aid Index measure in the Department of Education's Student Aid Report (SAR) from the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to evaluate financial need. In FY 2025 program set-aside up-to $5 million in funding for students pursuing a registered nursing degree, nurse practitioners specializing in Women's Health or Obstetrics and Gynecology, and Certified Nurse Midwives. In addition, up to $5 million was set aside for Career Pathway/entry level health professionals seeking degrees to become an RN. The Nurse Corps Scholarship Program allocated the remaining funding for the education of all other remaining nursing specialties.

Funding preference is given to all qualified applicants with the greatest financial need. HRSA will make awards in rank order based on funding preference until all funds are exhausted.

Award notifications are sent by email no later than September 30 of each year.

Renewal applications are not necessary for students in compliance. Contracts may be multi-year funded through graduation (up to one to four years) if the applicant signs the contract through the graduation date.