10 Graduate Nursing Scholarships for Arizona RNs

• Arizona RNs interested in (or actively working toward) a graduate nursing degree, might already meet the qualifications to apply for scholarships. 
• Arizona tuition for an advanced nursing degree can cost up to $12,000 per year at public institutions. 
• Check out these 10 scholarships for Arizona nurses who want to expand their knowledge and career opportunities. 

Arizona is known for its strong cultural heritage, historical wild west, and natural landscapes like the Grand Canyon. While Arizona has many great attributes, the state’s healthcare workforce is struggling. According to a 2022 report, most of the state’s physician assistants, nurse practitioners (NPs), and nurse midwives were recruited from other states. The report also found that only 9% of Arizona NPs and 18% of the state’s nurse midwives worked in rural areas.  

Arizona registered nurses (RNs) who wish to join this workforce may return to school to obtain an APRN license; however, tuition costs can be a barrier. The workplace might be a great place to start for tuition assistance, but many nursing organizations offer scholarships to RNs pursuing graduate degrees as well. This applies to RNs with an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) or Bachelor of Science (BSN) who want to go back for a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN), Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), Ph.D., or other nursing-related graduate degrees. 

If you’re an RN pursuing an advanced degree, learn about advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) salary and job outlook in Arizona, tuition costs, and scholarships. 

Arizona APRN Salary and Job Outlook 

Nurse practitioners are the most popular APRN in Arizona. At around 16,700 licensed, these professionals earn around $132,600 per year (nearly $5,000 more per year than the average NP in the U.S.). The Phoenix/Mesa/Scottsdale metropolitan area ranks among the Top 10 metropolitan areas in the U.S. with the highest number of employed NPs.  

Nurse midwives aren’t as popular in the state and make significantly less than the average NP nationwide. At just around 350 licensed, Arizona nurse midwives make on average $119,000 per year – nearly $11,000 less than the national average. Arizona has about 1,500 licensed nurse anesthetists making, on average, $216,700 per year as of December 2024 – more than the national average.  

Clinical nurse specialists are the least popular APRN in Arizona with only about 120 licensed, making an average salary of $119,200 per year as of November 2024. 

Nationally, the average APRN salaries include $126,000 for NPs, $130,000 for nurse midwives, and $213,000 for nurse anesthetists. APRN jobs in the U.S. are expected to grow 40% by 2033, which is much faster than the average growth rate of most jobs. 

Keep in mind, not every graduate nursing degree is an APRN degree. APRNs serve in advanced clinical roles and diagnose patients. Nurse educators, administrators, informaticists, researchers, clinical nurse leaders, and public health nurses may also hold graduate nursing degrees, but are not considered APRNs. Scholarships are available to Arizona RNs interested in these roles as well. 

Arizona APRN Tuition Costs

Returning to school may be a challenge for Arizona RNs as the state ranks among the Top 10 with the highest cost of living. Additionally, Arizona tuition for graduate nursing programs can cost up to $12,000 per year at public institutions.  

Should you choose to attend a public school out of state as an Arizona resident, tuition costs can be even higher. These numbers do not reflect tuition costs at private institutions. Neither does it include costs for books, uniforms, and equipment for clinical training like stethoscopes, second-hand watches, and pen lights. 

While these numbers can be intimidating, scholarships can cover some, if not all, costs of returning to school, especially if you apply for more than one. Keep in mind that some scholarship sponsors may require you to be a member of a nursing organization. Fortunately, some membership dues are as low as $80 per year, and you’ll have access to membership benefits like free continuing education credits, job boards, retailer discounts, and more. 

9 Scholarships for Arizona RNs 

The Arizona State Board of Nursing offers four APRN licenses to Arizona RNs with a graduate nursing degree: NP, nurse midwife, nurse anesthetist, and clinical nurse specialist.  

If you’re interested in attending graduate school (or are already enrolled) and want to save money on tuition costs, explore these 10 scholarships for Arizona RNs.  

Visit each sponsor’s website to confirm deadlines, eligibility, and monetary awards. Most scholarships are offered annually so mark your calendar! 

Austin Scholarship 

• Sponsor: Arizona Community Foundation, Austin Scholarship Foundation 
• Award: up to $15,000 per year (renewable up to three years) 
• Deadline: April 15, 2025 
• Eligibility: For high-performing students pursuing a college degree (includes graduate degrees). Must have at least a 3.5 GPA and demonstrate financial need. 
• Details: https://www.azfoundation.org/scholarship-seekers/scholarships/the-austin-scholarship-foundation/  

Arizona Nurse Practitioner Council/Arizona Nurses Association Chapter 9 NP Student Scholarship 

• Sponsor: AzNPC, Arizona Community Foundation 
• Award: $2,000 
• Deadline: May 1 
• Eligibility: For licensed RNs completing an initial NP program. Must be a current AzNA and AzNPC/AzNA Chapter 9 member. 
• Details: https://www.aznurse.org/mpage/AzNPC_ScholarshipInfo 

Audrey Rath Scholarship  

• Sponsor: AzNPC, Arizona Community Foundation 
• Award: $2,000 
• Deadline: May 1 
• Eligibility: For licensed NPs returning to school to obtain a certification or DNP. Must be a current AzNA and AzNPC/AzNA Chapter 9 member. 
• Details: https://www.aznurse.org/mpage/AzNPC_ScholarshipInfo  

Warrick Dunn Charities’ Hearts for Community Service Scholarship  

• Sponsor: Warrick Dunn Charities’ Hearts for Community Service 
• Award: $5,000 
• Deadline: July 
• Eligibility: For applicants enrolled in (or to be attending) a college degree program (including graduate degrees). Must have at least a 2.75 GPA, volunteer in the community, and reside in either Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, New Jersey, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, or Wisconsin. 
• Details: https://wdc.org/hearts-for-community-scholarships/ 

Veterans Affairs Health Professionals Scholarship Program 

• Sponsor: U.S. Veterans Affairs (VA) 
• Award: (full ride) 
• Deadline: September 
• Eligibility: For applicants enrolled or accepted into a full-time accredited academic program in nursing (certified psychiatric NP or any MSN program). Award recipients will also receive a monthly $1,300 stipend to cover living expenses. Must commit to working full-time for the VA for at least two years after graduation. May work at an Arizona VA or any other VA location in the U.S. 
• Details: https://vacareers.va.gov/job-news-advice/apply-influential-va-scholarship-programs/  

Nurse I Am Scholarship 

• Sponsor: Cherokee Uniforms 
• Award: $3,000 (multiple) 
• Deadline: April 
• Eligibility: For applicants enrolled in a nursing program (includes graduate programs).  
• Details: https://www.anurseiam.com/
  

American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology Foundation Resident Scholarship Program  

• Sponsor: American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology Foundation 
• Award: $1,000 – $9,000 (multiple awards) 
• Deadline: March 1 
• Eligibility: For students enrolled in an accredited nurse anesthesia program. Residents are eligible if they graduate after March 1, 2025. Most award recipients are selected based on merit and financial need. Some awards are exclusive to mothers, veterans, and residents of certain states. 
• Details: https://www.aana.com/resident-hub/education-grants-and-scholarships/foundation-scholarship/  

National Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists Scholarships 

• Sponsors: National Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists (NACNS) and the Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) Institute 
• Award: up to $2,000 (multiple) 
• Deadline: Tentative/Unknown at time of publication 
• Eligibility: For NACNS members enrolled in either a CNS graduate program or a critical care CNS graduate program. Applicants enrolled in a CNS program must have a passion for quality, safety, and clinical excellence. Applicants enrolled in a critical care CNS program must have a background in critical care, preferably holding critical care RN (CCRN) certification. Must submit two letters of recommendations. 
• Details: https://nacns.org/career-education/awards/  

National Health Services Corp Scholarship Program 

• Sponsor: Health Resources and Services Administration 
• Award: Varied amount (multiple awards) 
• Deadline: (unspecified) 
• Eligibility: For full-time NP and nurse midwife students enrolled in an accredited school. NP students must specialize in adult medicine, family medicine, geriatrics, primary care pediatrics, psychiatric mental health, or women’s health. All applicants must commit to working at least two years in rural, urban, and tribal communities (those with limited access to care) after graduation. 
• Details: https://nhsc.hrsa.gov/scholarships/eligibility-requirements 

The Bottom Line

For Arizona RNs, advancing your career is an excellent move, as the nursing industry is expansive and has many areas of need. If finances are a determining factor for returning to school, consider applying for multiple scholarships. If lack of time is an issue, many nursing schools offer online, part-time programs, many of which are more affordable than traditional full-time programs. 

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