Apply for those scholarships people!

[Schweet]

I just want to put it out there that not as many people apply for scholarships as you may think. 3 years ago I took the time and effort to do the reference letters, the statement of why I deserved the scholarship, etc. Well, I turned them in before the deadline and I got 5 scholarships! Turns out that all those other people who told me they were applying never got around to it and/or were too lazy. Don't be lazy! We're talking about thousands of dollars these people are giving away to help future nurses. Don't think you won't get one because you are not a minority or because you are not a single mom, because I saw every race, every income level and every age range accept scholarships. Just apply!

[llg, PhD, RN]

RN2BDFW is right. I've been involved in trying to give away smaller amounts of money to nursing students and have been amazed that people aren't willing to spend a few minutes filling out a brief application -- apparently because the scholarships are worth only $500 - $1000.

For example: The local chapter of my state's nursing association has recently stopped offering its scholarships because they couldn't get applicants. They would be begging people to apply. (Membership was not required.)

Another example: My hospital has a scholarship with no strings attached except that you have to be a current employee. I talk to all people all the time who complain about how expensive school is ... and when I ask them why they didn't apply for the scholarship, they say they "forgot" or "never got around to it."

I just say, "OK. I'll give the money to someone else."

[elkpark]

If you actually make a point of looking around, there are lots of scholarships available -- many of them are small (like, $500), but, every little bit helps and they add up! Many states have state funded scholarship/grant programs to help people go into nursing, specifically -- my state has three different (state) scholarship/grant programs to encourage/enable people to go into nursing. I got a big chunk of money from one of the programs to attend graduate school and was able to work it off by working in the state for two years when I finished school, which I was going to do anyway (if I had chosen to live somewhere else, I would have had to pay the money back). Many churches, civic groups, professional organizations, and charitable foundations give out small scholarships. When I was looking for funding for grad school, I found quite a few possibilities and this was even "pre-internet" -- I'm sure it's even easier now to find scholarship/grant possibilities.

[mariposabella]

I want to apply for scholarships as well, but I need to wait until I'm accepted into a nursing program. I hear that a lot of people don't apply for scholarships. Congrats on the 5 scholarships thats awesome! Did you use fastweb?

[tokyoROSE, BSN, RN]

I totally agree! Nearly all the people who applied to our department scholarships got them. My friend was totally upset that she didn't apply when she saw that I have my entire tuition covered and the scholarship is renewable! It is totally worth it to spend a couple of hours doing essays/recommendation letters/etc.

[kenpochic]

my gpa is 3.0-3.1 do u guys think thats too low to bother looking for a scholarship

[ajeanpants]

I've always felt that I am sort of a nuisance to professors and employers when I ask for those recommendation letters for all these different scholarships. Has anyone else felt that way? And I second mariposabella's question.. did you use fastweb?

[Schweet]

Hi Mariposabella,

Thank you very much! While the internet is a great tool in finding scholarships, I did not use that website you referred to in your post. I used the booklet (30 or so pages) given out by the financial aid department at my college. The booklet was great because it explained in detail how to word my essay for the greatest impact and to always send thank you notes/cards if a scholarship is received. I have looked around and many websites also contain that information. I am sorry that I am not able to list a website for the scholarships I was awarded. If possible check with you financial aid department and they will hopefully have a listing of those available to you. Looking on the web is another effective route.

Hi dcaradon,

My GPA was 3.1. My friend who had a 3.8 was awarded more money than me due to her GPA. Nonetheless, I received 5 scholarships with 3.1! You never know if you would have gotten a scholarship if you don't try.

Another piece of advice is to get involved in student nursing activities. Look to see if your school has a nursing club to join or become a class officer. I was involved in both of those activities and I believe that helped my chances, however, many of the scholarships were awarded to students who were not involved in those activities.

Hope this helps answer some of your questions :)

[Schweet]

I've always felt that I am sort of a nuisance to professors and employers when I ask for those recommendation letters for all these different scholarships. Has anyone else felt that way? And I second mariposabella's question.. did you use fastweb?

Hi ajeanpants,

I was lucky in that the professors I asked for reference letters were happy to comply and they stated they were proud of me for making it into nursing school. Besides, I wouldn't be surprised if they already have a template ready to go, which would make it a cinch to write. Oh, that reminds me, be sure the individuals you ask for reference letters are reliable and will get the letter back prior to the deadline. It would be a shame to have to beg at the last minute for their letter.

[hiddencatRN, BSN, RN]

I'm having problems finding them

I had problems too. I already had a Bachelors degree going in to nursing school, and many I found I wasn't eligible for because of that. There was a hospital scholarship offered to my class for a 4 year work commitment. I opted not to do it because I didn't want to commit for 4 years since my husband and I want to leave the area sooner rather than later. Several of my classmates applied, but it seems like the hospital decided not to award it to anyone.

That being said, it's definitely still a good idea to look around to see what's out there.

[Iridescent Orchid, CNA, LPN]

Scholarships really can be a godsend if you take the time to get everything together and completed to apply for them! I applied for 3 that were offered by my college. This was my first time applying for any scholarships, and I almost didn't even turn my letter or application in because I felt I barely stood a chance, that hundreds would be applying for the same ones I've applied for, etc...well, here I am with a $400 check from a scholarship in my name waiting for next semester! :) Please utilize all the scholarships you possibly can or qualify for!

[citylights89, BSN, RN]

I am one of those lazy people that hardly ever apply for scholarships. I remember when I was a freshman, before nursing school, I applied for some online $500 scholarships and never heard anything else. I was discouraged. Hit some money troubles again last year and did the same - nothing. I was lucky to get the departmental scholarship from my school. All I had to do was plead my case and show that I pretty much exhausted all my options. I was able to get $8000, which is the highest amount, based on my GPA, which is perfect because that is the exact amount of the 4 year $8000 scholarship from my university that ended in my fifth year (silly nursing school).

[FLDoula]

Definitely worth applying for! I've gotten one for $800 a few semesters ago towards pre-reqs and now have one for $1000 toward my first semester! :) Still waiting on one more to come in but we were told it would probably not be until after the first of the year until we hear. I pay all out of pocket and we have our youngest in college now also. This really helps!