Nursing & Healthcare Scholarships.
The search data for December 11, 2025, shows a massive spike in students looking for “nursing scholarships.” This makes sense. The spring semester is about to start, tuition bills are arriving, and the healthcare industry is desperate for new talent.
If you are a nursing student, a medical assistant, or an aspiring doctor searching for nursing scholarships deadline January 2026, you have to move fast. There is a cluster of high-value awards that close their portals in the first few weeks of the new year.
These scholarships are not just for 4.0 GPA students. Many are for “future caregivers” who show compassion and financial need. Here are nine urgent opportunities you need to apply for before the month ends.
1. Nurses Educational Funds (NEF) Scholarships
Deadline: February 2, 2026 (Portal is Open NOW)
While the hard deadline is early February, the application is extensive. This is the gold standard for graduate nursing students (Masters and Doctoral).
The Reward: Up to $10,000.
Who Applies: Registered Nurses (RNs) seeking advanced degrees.
Why Urgent: You need transcripts and references. You cannot get these over the holiday break when university offices are closed. You must request them this week.
2. The Caroline E. Holt Nursing Scholarship
Deadline: January 10, 2026
Provided by the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR), this is a prestigious one-time award for students in financial need.
The Reward: $2,500.
Who Applies: Any student accepted into or enrolled in an accredited school of nursing.
Strategy: The DAR values community service and patriotism. Your essay should highlight how your nursing career is a form of service to your country and community.
3. Tylenol Future Care Scholarship
Deadline: Typically Late January / Early February (Watch for Announcement)
This is one of the most famous corporate scholarships in healthcare. Tylenol awards 40 scholarships annually to students pursuing careers in healthcare.
The Reward: $5,000 to $10,000.
Who Applies: Undergraduates and graduate students in medical, nursing, or pharmacy school.
Strategy: They look for “Leadership.” Do not just talk about caring for patients. Talk about how you want to change the healthcare system.
4. Union Plus Scholarship (Health Focus)
Deadline: January 31, 2026
If you (or your parents/spouse) are a member of a labor union, you are eligible. While open to all majors, they have a strong history of funding students in the allied health professions.
The Reward: $500 to $4,000.
Who Applies: Current and retired union members and their families.
Strategy: Focus on the values of “Solidarity” and “Hard Work.” Connect your desire to be a nurse with the desire to support working families.
5. Earnest Scholarship
Deadline: January 31, 2026
Earnest is a student loan lender, but their scholarship fund is open to all. The application is famously simple and creates a massive “no-essay” opportunity (or very short essay).
The Reward: $5,000.
Who Applies: Any enrolled college student (very popular with nursing students due to high debt loads).
Strategy: It is a numbers game. Apply early.
6. American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) Grants
Deadline: Early 2026 (Check specific Practice Group deadlines)
If you are studying to be a Nurse Practitioner (NP), the AANP offers various grants and scholarships.
The Reward: Varies ($2,500+).
Who Applies: NP students who are AANP members.
Strategy: Join the AANP as a student member today. The membership fee is small compared to the scholarship access it unlocks.
7. Meland Foundation Nursing Scholarship
Deadline: Often Late January / Rolling
This foundation supports nurses in the NJ-NY-PA-CT area (and sometimes broader) who have BSNs and are pursuing Nurse Practitioner degrees.
The Reward: $2,000 to $5,000.
Who Applies: Nurses with a vision for the “Nurse-Patient Relationship.”
Strategy: They focus on the “Holistic” aspect of nursing. Write about seeing the patient as a person, not a chart.
8. Stephen J. Brady Stop Hunger Scholarship
Deadline: December 5 – January 5 Window
While not strictly for nursing, this is a massive public health scholarship. If you are a student who works to combat hunger (a major determinant of health), you qualify.
The Reward: $5,000 for education + $5,000 for your charity.
Who Applies: Students aged 5-25.
Strategy: Public health nurses are perfect for this. Connect your volunteer work at the food bank to your understanding of nutrition and patient health.
9. Mensa US Scholarship
Deadline: January 15, 2026
You do not have to be a Mensa member to apply. You just need to write a short essay (550 words) about your career goals.
The Reward: Varies ($500 – $2,500).
Who Applies: Any college student.
Strategy: Nursing is a science. Write your essay about the intellectual challenge of nursing the critical thinking, the pharmacology, the rapid decision making.
The “Holiday Break” Plan
Do not let these deadlines slip past you while you are celebrating.
The “Transcript” Trap.
Most of these require official transcripts. Your school registrar is likely closed from December 20th to January 2nd. If you wait until January 3rd to request a transcript for a January 10th deadline, you will miss it. Request them today.
Recycle Your “Why Nursing” Essay.
You will need a “Personal Statement” for almost all of these. Write one perfect 500-word essay about the specific moment you decided to become a nurse. Polish it until it shines. Then, adapt it for every single application on this list.
Ask for Money for Christmas.
If relatives ask what you want for the holidays, ask for “Scholarship Application Fees” (if applicable) or membership fees for professional organizations like the AANP or NSNA. It is an investment that pays off ten-fold. https://job.gterahub.com/scholarships-3/