Are there any scholarships or grants aside from FAFSA??

Published

I'm planning to apply for my University's BSN nursing program in Fall 2010. I was wondering, are there any scholarships out there besides the FAFSA and Federal Pell Grant (I know there are loans, but I'm interested in scholarships or grants)? Unfortunately, the Adopt-A-Student program at our major hospital has canceled their program right when I'm about to begin my nursing studies. Right now, without enough money (my dad is the only one working and supporting 5 of us), I am seriously considering to work or enter a work study program. However, some of our family friends are telling me that that's not a good idea since your clinical and theoretical studies take up most of your time especially when you're a full time student. I would greatly appreciate any help/information regarding any scholarship or grants. I've looked up minority grants, unluckily, I haven't found any for Filipino-Americans. Thanks!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Operating Room.

YES!! You can get a big chunk of money from your nursing department. You can check your dept for that info. You can always do private scholarships, such as searching on fastweb.com, but I don't really hold my breath for those.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Go ask the receptionist in your nursing school about nursing specific scholarships. My school doesn't announce it, but they put applications out on the desk. You apply and they send your application off to a number of scholarship ppl. I got one directly from my school that paid for 2 semesters. I applied again at the end of 2 semesters and got another , so my schooling was paid for by the school. Then my employer gave me a nursing scholarship, so just ask around your school. Good grades are rewarded, I know from experience. Good luck

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Home Care.

Take a look on your school's financial aid website, there may be a link to scholarships that you can apply for.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

FAFSA is not a scholarship. It stands for "Free Applicaiton for Federal Student Aid". The numbers that come from the FAFSA are used to qualify you for any needs-based federal or state aid. It is also used to qualify you for low-interest student loans.

There are also private scholarships that you can apply for. One of the best databases of private nursing scholarships is on www.discovernursing.com (the site managed by Johnson & Johnson.

Schools of nursing may have their own resources. I oversee admissions and financial aid for gradaute students at my University, and I distribute about $1.5 million/year in aid. My money comes from four sources: 1) money from the State (since my University is a public institution; 2) money from the University; 3) money from federal or private grants that I apply for; and 4) money from gifts from alumni, foundations and endowment.

Definitely contact your school of nursing and University (both places) and see what you need to do to apply for aid.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Thanks everyone!! This is really helpful for me. I've applied to FAFSA and got my EFC and how much I am qualified for the Federal Pell Grant, but when I went to my University they said that the processing time for FAFSA takes about 4-6weeks.. I applied last nov. 8 for school yr 2009-2010 and haven't gotten any letter from my University saying that I am eligible for any award. Is it possible that because I applied late I might not get any award for this school year?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Operating Room.

It is quite possible. November is very, very late, because normally they are due in March. So go ahead and do this year's form before the deadline and you'll probably have better luck.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I'm really getting frustrated or maybe I'm just not looking hard enough but I have seen many scholarships that are not eligible to me! Most of them are saying that you have to be a daughter/son of this and that organization, you're a member or a family member is a member of this and that group, you live in this certain area, have this certain ethnicity, on and on and on rattling endlessly with all these criteria. Are there any scholarships out there that just simply states: need-based scholarship to any student wanting to go to nursing school?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

It is truly all about searching! If you first try the school you are attending & dont have luck you have to search the web for scholarships ( i know a never ending task)! I'm half Filipina half white and I haven't found any great scholarships for Filipino students besides the ones given from my school. I would suggest looking for more expanded scholarships from fastweb.com or websites like that!

goodluck & dont give up!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Trauma 1.

Make sure to get all you can from fafsa first (www.fafsa.gov), but then sign up for fastweb, it matches you with scholarships. Hope this helps!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I'd strongly suggest picking up work-study. There are many scholarships at my school that you must be nominated for by faculty and I've found that work-study gives faculty the opportunity to get to know you. When they can associate a name with the face (and I don't just mean nursing faculty, everyone from CAPS and Advising, FA, to maintenance know me by now) they "find" scholarships for you. I've received several faculty nominated scholarships. The same for advising, they were eager to look at my transfer credits, and accepted classes that had not been initially accepted, reducing my course load. Spend time at the school and get to know these people, they really will help you!

BTW, I'm a 3.65 student with a solid B in nursing classes I'm not getting recognized for carrying a 4.0.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion