Part of our Nursing Scholarships by Level series. Last checked: 9 November 2026.
Funding for a first nursing qualification (a BSN, diploma, ADN or other pre-registration programme) is harder to find than postgraduate funding. Most big international scholarships are for master’s degrees. But good options exist, and several open or close over the next three months.
Deadlines coming up
| Scholarship | Who it’s for | Value | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|
| FNSNA Undergraduate Scholarships | US nursing students (ADN, BSN, LPN-RN, RN-BSN) | $1,000–$10,000 | Early January 2027 (listed as 11 January; confirm on fnsna.org) |
| Hurst Review–AACN Nursing Scholarship | Entry-level nursing students at AACN member schools, GPA 3.2+ | $2,500 | Opens 1 December 2026, closes 1 February 2027 |
| NURSE Corps Scholarship | US students in LPN, ADN, BSN or NP programmes | Full tuition + monthly stipend | Usually spring (2026 cycle ran 10 March to 9 April) |
| NHS Learning Support Fund | Pre-registration nursing students in England | £5,000+ a year (not repayable) | Apply within six months of starting, then each year |
Recently closed: Mastercard Foundation Scholars at UCT (2027 intake: undergraduate closed 30 September 2026, postgraduate 31 October 2026) and the Certiphi–AACN Scholarship (closed 1 November 2026). Both are covered below so you can prepare for the next round.
For African students
Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program
This is the largest fully funded undergraduate scholarship open to Africans. It is offered through partner universities in Africa and abroad. At the University of Cape Town, it covers tuition, on-campus accommodation, living expenses, medical aid, a laptop, a study visa and annual travel, plus leadership and career training. The 2027 intake has closed (undergraduate applications were due 30 September 2026). Expect the 2028 round to open around mid-2027.
- You must first apply for admission to a UCT programme, then submit the separate scholarship application. Only applicants with an admission offer are considered.
- Selection looks at academic performance, leadership and commitment to your community.
- Check that your chosen nursing or health sciences programme is open to international students. Other partner universities run their own cycles, so check each one’s Mastercard Foundation page.
Government and state bursaries at home
For nursing students in Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya and elsewhere, the most realistic undergraduate support is often local: state government bursaries, local government scholarships, hospital-sponsored training with a work bond, church and community foundations, and alumni funds at your school. These are rarely advertised widely. Ask your school’s student affairs office, and follow your state’s scholarship board.
For US students
- FNSNA (Foundation of the National Student Nurses’ Association). Awards range from $1,000 to $10,000, with over $500,000 given each year. One application is matched to every fund you qualify for. Open to ADN, BSN, diploma, accelerated BSN, LPN-to-RN and RN-to-BSN students taking at least 6 credits, and graduating after 1 July 2027. You don’t need to be an NSNA member. Deadline: early January 2027. Scholarship listings give dates between 8 and 11 January, so submit by 8 January to be safe and check the date on fnsna.org.
- Hurst Review–AACN Nursing Scholarship. One $2,500 award, twice a year, for entry-level nursing students at AACN member schools with a GPA of 3.2 or higher. The next window opens 1 December 2026 and closes 1 February 2027; the following one runs 1 July to 1 September.
- Certiphi–AACN Scholarship. Three $5,000 awards for pre-licensure BSN or direct-entry students at AACN member schools, with a GPA of 3.2+ and a 500-word essay. The 2026 round closed on 1 November. Expect the next window to open in early autumn 2027.
- NURSE Corps Scholarship (HRSA). Pays full tuition, required fees, a monthly stipend and money for books and uniforms. In return, you work at least two years full-time at a Critical Shortage Facility. All payments are taxable. Open to US citizens, nationals and permanent residents. The 2026 cycle closed on 9 April. The President’s FY2027 budget proposes cutting most Title VIII nursing workforce programmes, so watch HRSA for the 2027 cycle.
For UK students
Nursing students at universities in England can claim the NHS Learning Support Fund. It is non-repayable money on top of any student loan:
- Training Grant: £5,000 a year.
- Specialist Subject Payment: an extra £1,000 for some courses, such as mental health and learning disability nursing.
- Parental Support: £2,000 a year if you have a child under 15 (or under 17 with special educational needs).
- Travel and dual accommodation expenses for placements, plus an Exceptional Support Fund of up to £3,000 for hardship.
You must be eligible for Student Finance support and apply within six months of starting your course. Nurses training in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have their own bursary systems.
How to win an undergraduate nursing scholarship
- Apply for admission early. Most full scholarships only consider applicants who already have an offer.
- Tell a specific story. Why nursing, what you have already done (volunteering, caring for a relative, community health work) and what you will do afterwards.
- Ask referees early and give them your draft essay.
- Apply to many smaller awards. Five $1,000 scholarships are easier to win than one full ride.
- Never pay to apply. Real scholarships do not charge application or “processing” fees.
Next level up: Master’s scholarships for nurses and PhD and DNP funding.
Sources: University of Cape Town, Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program 2027; Foundation of the National Student Nurses’ Association; AACN Foundation for Academic Nursing (Certiphi–AACN and Hurst Review–AACN scholarship pages, November 2026); HRSA Bureau of Health Workforce, Nurse Corps Scholarship Program; AACN Policy Watch (8 April 2026); Department of Health and Social Care, NHS financial support for health students (10th edition, 2026 to 2027). Always confirm dates on the official page before applying.
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