Check out our list of scholarships, grants, and loan repayment programs to support nurses in need of financial assistance.
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Financial stability is one of nursing’s many perks. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary for registered nurses (RN) was $93,600 in May 2024. Although nursing offers higher wages than most industries, what nurses actually earn varies.
Sometimes nurses need financial assistance, so many national and state organizations offer financial support for nurses. Learn about nursing grants, emergency loans for nurses, and other forms of financial aid available.
National Financial Assistance Programs for Working Nurses
National and regional programs offer financial help for nurses and relatives of healthcare professionals. These funds support education costs for those struggling due to illness or injury. Eligible recipients receive varying amounts, depending on the program.
$15,000-$75,000
New York Life, Cigna, and E4E Relief created the Brave of Heart Fund to help the families of healthcare workers who died of COVID-19. Funds can be used for funeral costs, medical care, food, and/or housing. Recipients may receive a first-time grant and an additional grant for extended financial needs.
Who Can Apply: This fund supports individuals who have lost family members in the healthcare industry to COVID-19.
Who Can Apply: This grant is open to licensed RNs, APRNs, and nursing school faculty. Eligible applicants must have earned a degree from an accredited school and work full-time in an approved nursing school or high-need area.
Up to $50,000
The Indian Health Services (IHS) offers nurses up to $50,000 to help repay their student loans. Nurses must agree to work for at least two years serving American Indian and Alaska Native communities.
Who Can Apply: Healthcare professionals can apply if they pledge to work in American Indian and Alaska Native communities for two years.
Varies
The First Responders Children’s Foundation offers financial support for the children of first responders who were injured or died on the job. Applicants can use funds for childcare, housing, and/or medical care, and must show proof of financial need and a first responder ID.
Who Can Apply: This grant supports children of first responders, including police officers, firefighters, emergency medical technicians, and ICU workers such as nurses.
Up to $8,000 for grants; Up to $15,000 for down payment
The Nurse Next Door program helps nurses become homeowners, with grants of up to $8,000 and down payment help of up to $15,000. New homeowners can benefit from no application fees, upfront costs, or broker fees, and free appraisals covering up to $545.
Who Can Apply: Any healthcare worker, including nurses, can apply to the program.
$37,500-$75,000
The National Health Service Corps (NHSC) helps thousands of healthcare professionals who work in rural and underserved areas. Workers in primary care, dental care, or behavioral and mental health can apply, but they must sign a two-year contract to work at an NHSC site.
Who Can Apply: Eligible applicants include U.S. citizens who work at Medicaid, Medicare, and State Children’s Health Program provider sites and are licensed to work at NHSC locations.
Varies
The Public Service Loan Forgiveness federal grant offers loan forgiveness for public workers after they have made 120 payments on a direct loan. Eligible candidates must have paid their loans under an income-driven repayment plan.
Who Can Apply: Nurses who work full time for federal, state, local, or tribal agencies, including the military, can apply. AmeriCorps and Peace Corps volunteers are also eligible applicants.
Who Can Apply: Applicants must be seeking behavioral health treatment because of their experience as a frontline healthcare worker. Eligible recipients must also meet income requirements and have insurance that covers their medications.
Who Can Apply: U.S. citizens, nationals, or dual citizens qualify for this program. Applicants must be licensed nurses working full time in a critical shortage facility or as nursing education faculty.
Up to $40,000
Through the Faculty Loan Repayment Program, nursing faculty can receive up to $40,000 toward their student loan debt. This grant encourages nursing students to pursue academic careers.
Who Can Apply: To receive funds, applicants must be nursing faculty members from disadvantaged backgrounds and hold a two-year contract at an accredited school.
Varies
The Virtual Sports Academy created the Everyday Hero Housing Assistance Fund in 2011 to help nurses, firefighters, police officers, and teachers purchase homes. The organization has its own agents and lenders, cutting down on sales costs.
Who Can Apply: Any nurse, except those in New York and Vermont, can apply for assistance.
State-Specific Financial Assistance Programs for Working Nurses
State governments and local organizations offer financial support to help healthcare workers pay for childcare, education, and emergency expenses. Recipients usually must meet residency standards in the state to receive funds.
Up to $50,000
The Massachusetts Loan Repayment Program (MLRP) for Health Professionals targets primary healthcare providers working in communities experiencing healthcare staff shortages and significant barriers to access. Applicants must have unpaid professional healthcare student loans and practice in an underserved community for at least two years.
Who Can Apply: Primary healthcare providers, including advanced practice nurses. Applicants cannot take part in any other government repayment plan nor be a member of the National Health Service Corps.
Up to $15,000
The Minnesota Health Care Loan Forgiveness Programs grants loan forgiveness to healthcare professionals serving high-need areas. Applicants must sign a service contract committing to 2-3 years in an approved facility.
Who Can Apply: Registered nurses, advanced practice nurses, and other healthcare professionals willing to do direct patient care during the designated time frames.
Up to $65,000
The New Hampshire SLRP funds healthcare professionals working in state-designated medically underserved areas. Applicants must commit to working three years full-time or two years part-time.
Who Can Apply: APRNs, RNs, and other healthcare providers willing to meet the work requirements. Eligible care providers cannot have unfinished service commitments nor be receiving funding from any other loan repayment program.
Up to $6,300
The Edna Lauterbach Scholarship is available for New York State RNs or LPNs specializing in home and community-based care. They must write an essay explaining why they’re pursuing those specialties and how they’ll achieve their career goals. Scholarship funds are to be used for educational expenses.
Who Can Apply: RNs and LPNs licensed to practice in New York State.
$500
Etta B. Cummings, the founder of the Washington State Nurses Foundation (WSNF), created this fund to help overworked nurses in the state. The foundation sponsors grants and scholarships for nurses who have experienced unemployment, injuries, illnesses, or other crises.
Who Can Apply: Eligible candidates must be current WSNF members who have not received a Nurses
