SCHOLARSHIPS

OHSU School of Nursing students typically obtain financial aid packages which include a variety of funding sources. Students can receive a combination of loans, grants, internal scholarships and outside awards.

The OHSU School of Nursing Scholarship

The School of Nursing Alumni Foundation offers scholarships to nursing students who meet various academic, financial, ethnicity, regional, and program criteria.  All incoming and current students must submit a completed OHSU SON scholarship application as well as the FAFSA application to be considered for these internal SoN awards. The OHSU School of Nursing Scholarship Application is also found in your online application. (Form is in Adobe Acrobat 4.0 format; you must have Adobe Acrobat Reader in order to print this document. Go to Adobe Acrobat to download the free Acrobat Reader.)

The OHSU School of Nursing awards over $200,000 worth of foundation scholarships to incoming and current students every year. For the 2006-2007 school year, the OHSU School of Nursing awarded:

• $125,000 to undergraduate students
• $161,000 to graduate students
• $77,000 to PhD students
  

School of Nursing grants get federal funding

Other Scholarship Opportunities

In addition to our internal scholarships, students are encouraged to apply for outside awards. While the School of Nursing does not process these awards, we are happy to provide the following contact information for specific scholarships as well as scholarship search engines.

AARP Foundation Women’s Scholarship Program:
Amount: $500-$5,000
Deadline: October 31, 2007
Requirements: Applicants much be female students, over the age of 40, who are enrolled in an accredited program within 6 months of the award. Students must also present demonstrated financial need. Priority will be given to applications in the following categories; individuals returning to the workforce after an extended absence; individuals who are underemployed (in a job with limited pay, limited growth opportunities and limited benefits); or grandmothers or other female relatives raising another family member’s child/children (with the ability to demonstrate significant financial responsibility for those child/children).

Alliance of Technology and Women's (ATW) Portland
Amount: $1,000 - $5,000
Deadline: February 28.
Requirements: Applicants must be women pursuing Associate's and Bachelor's programs to compete in the GREAT MINDS Collegiate Scholarship Program.

American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN)
Amount: Varies
Deadline: Varies
Requirements: Website lists a number of scholarship, fellowship, grant, and other funding source opportunities for nursing students enrolled in a variety of nursing programs. See website for details.

Bertha P. Singer Scholarship:
Amount: $1,000
Deadline: March 1st.
Requirements: Applicants must be enrolled in their third year of a four-year nursing degree program in Oregon. Must have a minimum of 3.0 GPA.

CollegeBoard Scholarship Finder
Amount: Varies
Deadline: Varies
Requirements: Open to nursing students enrolled in a variety of nursing programs. See website for details.

Community Health Partnership
Amount: $2000 to $10,000
Deadline: March 1
Requirements: Open to Oregon residents interested in public health nursing students enrolled in a variety of nursing programs. See website for details.

Dan and Mary Lou Shepard Trust and Foundation
Amount: Varies
Deadline: Varies
Requirements: Open to nursing students enrolled in a variety of nursing programs. See website for details.

Fastweb.com Scholarship website
Amount: Varies
Deadline: Varies
Requirements: The website offers a search engine to help students find scholarship opportunities appropriate for each student.

Ford Opportunity Scholarship Program:
Amount: 90% of the student’s “unmet financial need”
Deadline: March
Requirements: Applicants must be undergraduate students, residents of Oregon, and be single parent with custody of a dependent child. Students must have a minimum 3.0 GPA and proof of financial need. Students are required to complete the FAFSA to become eligible.

Foundation of the National Student Nurses’ Association (FNSNA)
Amount: $1,000 - $5,000 annually; renewable
Deadline: January 2009
Requirements: Promise of Nursing scholarship available to undergraduate and RN-BS students taking at least 6 credits per term. Applicants must be involved in student nursing organizations and community health activities, have documented academic success, as well as financial need. There is a $10 fee for this application.

Foundation of the National Student Nurses’ Association
Amount: $1,000 - $7,500 annually; renewable
Deadline: March 2009
Requirements: Promise of Nursing scholarship available to applicants who are graduate nursing students; demonstrate academic excellence, financial need and a commitment to the nurse educator role; and plan to serve in this capacity upon completion of the program.

Gary Stewart Scholarship for Research in Public Health:
Amount: $2,500, a one-year membership to ARHP, and paid registration and travel to Reproductive Health 2008.
Deadline: March 21
Requirements: Supports educational research projects of graduate students in public health. Funded through ARHP’s Fund for the Future of Reproductive Health®

Harding Loan Application
Amount: Up to $850 per term
Deadline: 4 weeks before term begins
Requirements: Applicant must be enrolled in SoN coursework.

Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) Nursing Scholarship Program
Amount: Full scholarship including tuition, fees, books, monthly stipend
Deadline: June 6, 2008
Requirements: HRSA funds approximately 200 full awards each year in exchange for at least two years service at a health care facility with a critical shortage of nurses. Please check website for more information.

Held Foundation Scholarship
Amount: $2,500
Deadline: Nov. 30, 2008
Requirements: Have graduated or will gradute from nursing school in 18 months prior to March 31, 2009 with a BS degree or higher and have been to recruited to one of five hospitals in Los Angeles County.

HRSA Bureau of Health Professions
Amount: Varies
Deadline: Varies
Requirements: HRSA offers information on a variety of scholarships, loans, and loan repayment programs to those in health care professions at various levels.  Please check website for more information.

Hispanic Metropolitan Chamber Scholarship:
Amount: $500-$5,000
Deadline: February
Requirements: Applicant must be of Hispanic ancestry and reside in Oregon or Clark County Washington. Students must have a minimum GPA of 2.75 and enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate program. Students are evaluated on academic achievements, extracurricular activities in the community and a written essay.

Hospice and Palliative Nurses Association (HPNA) Awards
Amount: Varies
Deadline: June 1, 2008 (check website for details)
Requirements: The HPNA funds several awards, grants, and scholarships each year. Please check website for more information.

Johnson & Johnson, Discover Nursing, Scholarship Search
Amount: Varies
Deadline: Varies
Requirements: The Johnson & Johnson website offers a search engine to help students find scholarship opportunities appropriate for each student.

Lawrence R. Foster Memorial Scholarship in Public Health
Amount: $2000 to $10,000
Deadline: March 1
Requirements: Open to Oregon residents interested in public health nursing students enrolled in a variety of nursing programs. See website for details.

Leo Adler Foundation:
Amount: Varies
Deadline: April 1st (postmark)
Requirements: To be eligible students must be graduates of North Powder High School or have graduated from a high school in Baker County, Oregon. Students must have a 2.0 GPA, have a need for financial assistance, and be of good moral character. Applications require proof of financial need (FAFSA and copies of tax returns), proof of academic success (transcripts, SAT scores, and high school diploma), and two letters of recommendation.

Lydia's Professional Uniform/AACN Excellence in Academics Nursing Scholarship:
Amount: 2 awards for $2,500
Deadline: August 1st and November 1st
Requirements: To qualify, students must possess a GPA of 3.5 or better, complete the required application form, and submit a 250 word essay describing their career aspirations and financial need.

Masters in Education Rural Areas (MERA) Fellowship:
Amount: $8,000
Deadline: April 1
Requirements: The student agrees to serve as a teaching assistant in one course per term over four terms while enrolled in the Master's of Nursing Education program. The student also commits to teach in a rural community and/or participate in statewide teaching efforts through distance delivery for at least 2 years post-graduation from the program. Fellowship Application

Minority Nurse Magazine Scholarship
Amount: Varies
Deadline: Varies
Requirements: Open to racial and ethnic minority nursing students enrolled in a variety of nursing programs. See website for details.

Mount Hood Medical Center Foundation Nursing Scholarship
Amount: One $10,000 award or two $5,000 awards
Deadline: May 16, 2008
Requirements: Undergraduate students admitted to the nursing program in their sophomore, junior or senior year of college in the Portland Metropolitan Area with a minimum GPA of 2.75. Preference will be given to those students with a history of employment at Legacy Health System and a willingness to consider employment with Legacy Mount Hood Medical Center for a minimum of one year following graduation.

National Black Nurses Associations Inc. Scholarships:
Amount: Varies between $500-$2,000
Deadline: April 15th
Requirements: Undergraduate students enrolled in a nursing program with at least one year remaining. Applicants must be members of the NBNA and of their local chapter. Students must provide official transcripts, letters of recommendation and essays.

National Student Nurses Association (NSNA) Foundation Scholarship Opportunities
Amount: Varies
Deadline: Varies
Requirements: Website offers scholarship recourses for undergraduate or graduate students enrolled in a nursing program.

Nurse Practitioner Healthcare Foundation
Amount: 8 awards $1,000-$5,000
Deadline: December 20th
Requirements: Varies

Oregon Nurses Foundation Centennial Education Scholarship:
Amount: $1,000
Deadline: Check website.
Requirements: For students accepted into or currently enrolled in a nursing program within in the state of Oregon. Students must have a cumulative GPA of 3.0. Applicants are evaluated on leadership abilities and experiences, experiences with diverse populations, future career goals, and financial need.

Oregon Student Assistance Council:
Amount: Varies
Deadline: Check website.
Requirements: For participating RNs who practice in qualifying areas for at least two years and up to 4 years, a designated amount of their qualifying federal loans are repaid. Award amounts prorated for nurses who practice less than full-time. The current annual award limit per individual is approximately $9,317 (adjusted annually on July 1, based on the current Consumer Price Index). Application

Oregon Student Assistance Commission
Amount: Varies
Deadline: Varies
Requirements: The website offers a search engine to help students find scholarship opportunities appropriate for each student.  Information specific to Nursing Repayment Options can be found here.

Paying for College Student Resource Guide
Amount: Varies
Deadline: Varies
Requirements: The website offers a listing of scholarship opportunities to help students find scholarship opportunities appropriate for each student.

Pride Foundation and Greater Seattle Business Association (GSBA) Scholarships:
Amount: Over 40 Scholarships available with one application. Awards vary from $500-$10,000 with the average recipient being awarded over $3,000. Students can receive more than one award.
Deadline: January 25, 2008
Requirements: Applicants must be Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon or Washington residents but may study elsewhere. Preference is given to students who are self-identified lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender (LGBT), members of LGBT families, or straight-allies who have been strongly supportive of the LGBT community. All scholarships emphasize demonstrated commitment to human and civil rights for all people.

Promise of Nursing Regional Faculty Fellowship:
Amount: Awards range from $1,000 to $7,500
Deadline: March 7, 2008
Requirements: For current licensed registered nurses who are looking to pursue a prestigious career in nursing education. Applicants are evaluated on documented academic excellence, financial need, and commitment to the nurse educator role with plans to serve in the capacity upon completion of your program.

ScrubsGallery.com Scholarship for the disabled      
Amount: $1,000
Deadline: September 1, 2008
Requirements: This scholarship will be awarded to a qualified student with a disability to continue their education in a nursing education program. Preference will be given to undergraduate students. Applicants must be students with a documented disability who have applied to, or already been admitted to, a college or university program on a full-time basis.

SGNA: Society of Gastroenterology Nurses and Associates, Inc. RN General Education Scholarship:
Amount: $2,500 reimbursement after completion of fall term.
Deadline: July 31
Requirements: Applicants must be a full-time nursing student with a minimum GPA of 3.0. Applicants must submit a short essay, a letter of recommendation, and a transcript of any coursework already completed.

Susan G. Komen for the Cure College Scholarship
Amount: Up to $10,000 per year.
Deadline: February 1
Requirements: Applicants must have lost a parent to breast cancer. Be a high school graduate, a high school student who will graduate by June 2008, or have received the equivalent of a high school diploma. Current college students are eligible. Plan to attend a state-supported college or university in the state where they permanently reside. Have a college GPA of 2.8 on a 4.0 scale (if already attending college). Be no older than 25 years old by June 2008. Be a U.S. citizen, or documented permanent resident of the U.S.
Never at any time have been subject to any disciplinary action by any institution or entity, including, but not limited to, any educational or law enforcement agency.

Tafford Uniforms Scholarship:
Amount: $1,000
Deadline: Applications are reviewed twice a year. Next application will open in August for a December award. See website for details.
Requirements: Both undergraduate and graduate students are eligible. Students must have a 2.5 GPA. Applicants must also submit a short essay explaining their reasons for pursuing a career in nursing.

Tylenol Scholarship:
Amount: 150 $1,000 and 20 $5,000 Scholarships
Deadline: September 30, 2007.
Requirements: For students pursuing careers in health care at either the undergraduate or graduate level. Applicants are evaluated on leadership qualities and academic performance.

Walter and Marie Schmidt Scholarship:
Amount: Varies
Deadline: February
Requirements: For undergraduate students with an interest in gerontological nursing. Students must be Oregon residents enrolled at least half time in a nursing program. Applicants are required to submit an essay on their desire to pursue a nursing career in geriatric health care.

Wired Scholar Scholarship Finder
Amount: Varies
Deadline: Varies
Requirements: Open to nursing students enrolled in a variety of nursing programs. See website for details.

PhD Funding Opportunities:

The GAANN teaching fellowship makes it possible for nursing PhD students to gain advanced preparation in nursing education in addition to their research training in nursing science. The goal of this fellowship program is to enlarge the pool of nurse scientists who are also educated in pedagogical research and theory. It is our expectation that this project will prepare a cadre of graduates uniquely prepared to assume the full academic faculty role that encompasses teaching and conducting research in a School of Nursing.

Symptom Management Fellowships for Doctoral and Postdoctoral Nursing Students:
This traineeship program emphasizes individual symptom management in the context of families and requires funded doctoral students to conduct research that will examine a wide variety of symptoms and disease states. Currently, OHSU nurse researchers are evaluating symptoms associated with antiretroviral therapy, attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder, immediate and late effects of cancer treatment, dementia, urine leakage, fatigue in chronic heart failure, headache, dyspnea, heartburn, musculoskeletal pain, and arthritis. The ultimate goal of this fellowship opportunity is to train researchers capable of developing and testing interventions that support optimal individual and family functioning in the context of illness.

OHSU School of Nursing Loans:

Emergency Loan:
Amount: $500.00
Requirements: For undergraduate students only. 0% interest rate for students needing emergency funds. It can be loaned over financial aid, even if students are fully funded.
Contact: Registrar’s Office
503-494-7800

Harding Loan:
Amount: $1,000-$2,000
Requirements: For current students needing additional assistance not provided by financial aid. These loans carry a 5% fixed interest rate which begins at the time of the loan. The loans come due 3 months after graduation. Only available to students who are not fully funded through financial aid.
Contact: Tami Buedefeldt
OHSU SoN Office of Admissions
503-494-0954

Loan Forgiveness Options:

Federal Loan Forgiveness for employees of non-profit agencies.
College Cost Reduction and Access Act of 2007 (H.R. 2669)
How it works: The federal government will cancel all remaining student loans for individuals who have worked in public service for ten years. Individuals are required to make 120 payments towards their student loans during those ten years in order to be eligible. Individuals will not receive reimbursement for previous payments, nor can they receive a check for the remaining balance of the loan, but rather all remaining student debt will be cancelled and no further payments required.
How to apply: The federal government is still determining how to process requests for this program. They are expected to announce procedures in Spring 2008. Please note that this program has been approved by the U.S. Department of Education and will begin canceling eligible student debt starting in October 2017.
Eligible Loans: Eligible student loans include Federal Direct Stafford Loans, Federal Direct PLUS Loans, Federal Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans, and Federal Direct Consolidation Loans.
Link to more information: http://www.ncnonprofits.org/advocacy/loanforgiveness.asp

Other important contacts for funding your nursing education: