Enroll
Education and Professional Growth

10 Graduate Nursing Scholarships for Maryland RNs

  • Maryland RNs interested in (or actively working toward) a graduate nursing degree might already meet the qualifications to apply for scholarships. 
  • Maryland tuition for an advanced nursing degree can cost up to $11,000 per year at public institutions. 
  • Check out these 10 scholarships for Maryland nurses who want to expand their knowledge and career opportunities. 

Charmaine Robinson

MSN-Ed, BSN, RN

July 02, 2025
Simmons University

Known for its Chesapeake Bay, seafood, and large cities like Baltimore, Maryland is home to nearly 6.2 million residents and growing. The state has 89,800 licensed registered nurses (RNs) and an even smaller number of advanced practice RNs (APRNs). Maryland is also projected to have a shortage of more than 1,000 physicians by 2030. RNs in the state who wish to be of service can alleviate the provider shortage by returning to school to become APRNs. 

The workplace might offer a tuition assistance program, but why stop there? Many organizations offer scholarships to RNs pursuing graduate degrees. This applies to RNs with an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) or Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) who want to go back for a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN), Doctorate Nurse Practitoner (DNP), Ph.D., or other nursing-related graduate degree. 

Maryland RNs

Maryland APRN Salary and Job Outlook 

Aside from NPs, Maryland APRNs are typically paid less than the average APRN in the U.S. The state has around 5,200 NPs, each paid an average salary of $128,000 per year – slightly more than the national average. Nurse midwifery isn’t as popular in Maryland, as the state only has 220 nurse midwives, each paid less than the national average. At an average of $187,000 per year, Maryland’s nurse anesthetists are also paid less than the average nurse anesthetist in the U.S. 

Nationally, APRN salaries in the U.S. 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 Maryland RNs interested in these roles as well. 

Maryland APRN Tuition Costs

Maryland RNs returning to school to become APRNs can expect to pay less than the average tuition in the U.S., but for some, the cost may still be high. Maryland’s tuition for graduate nursing programs can cost up to $11,000 per year at public institutions. Should you choose to attend a public school out of state as a Maryland 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 multiple. Scholarship sponsors may require you to be a member of a nursing organization before you can apply. Fortunately, some membership dues are as low as $80 per year, and you’ll have access to other membership benefits like free continuing education credits, job boards, retailer discounts, and more. 

Maryland RNs

10 Scholarships for Maryland RNs 

Unlike most states which only offer four APRN licenses (NP, nurse midwife, nurse anesthetist, and clinical nurse specialist), Maryland offers a fifth APRN license – the nurse psychotherapist. If you’re interested in attending graduate school for one of these roles (or are already enrolled) and want to save on tuition, explore these 10 scholarships for Maryland RNs.  

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

Graduate and Professional Scholarship 

Maryland Delegate Scholarship  

  • Sponsor: The State of Maryland 
  • Award: $200 minimum 
  • Deadline: July 
  • Eligibility: For full- or part-time students pursuing a college degree at a Maryland institution (all majors and degree levels may apply). May attend an out-of-state institution only under certain conditions (see website for details). Awards will be prioritized based on financial need. 
  • Details: https://mhec.maryland.gov/preparing/pages/financialaid/programdescriptions/prog_delegate.aspx  

Grace E. Brown, Advanced Degree Program Scholarship  

Nursing Foundation of Maryland Scholarships 

  • Sponsor: Nursing Foundation of Maryland 
  • Award: $1,000 (multiple) 
  • Deadline: June 
  • Eligibility: For applicants pursuing a BSN or MSN degree in Maryland. Applicants pursuing an advanced nursing degree in nursing education are also eligible. Must demonstrate academic achievement, leadership, and community service. 
  • Details: https://mna.nursingnetwork.com/page/78071-2024-mna-awards  

Arthur L. Davis Scholarship  

  • Sponsor: Nursing Foundation of Maryland 
  • Award: $1,000 
  • Deadline: June 
  • Eligibility: For applicants pursuing an MSN degree which will prepare them for teaching in a Maryland nursing program. Must be a member of the Maryland Nurses Association and demonstrate academic achievement, leadership, and community service. 
  • Details: https://mna.nursingnetwork.com/page/78071-2024-mna-awards 

Travis Nursing Scholarship  

  • Sponsor: Nursing Foundation of Maryland 
  • Award: $500 
  • Deadline: Unspecified 
  • Eligibility: For applicants enrolled in a nursing program. Must have an interest in end-of-life palliative care and home hospice, and demonstrate academic achievement, leadership, and community service. 
  • Details: https://mna.nursingnetwork.com/page/78071-2024-mna-awards  

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/  

Maryland Association of Nurse Anesthetists Scholarship 

Veterans Affairs Health Professionals Scholarship Program 

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: June 
  • 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/  

Maryland RNs

The Bottom Line

For Maryland RNs, advancing your career is an excellent move as the nursing industry 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. 

Love what you read?
Share our insider knowledge and tips!

Read More