10 Graduate Nursing Scholarships for Mississippi RNs

• Mississippi RNs interested in (or actively working toward) a graduate nursing degree might already meet the qualifications to apply for scholarships. 
• Mississippi tuition for an advanced nursing degree can cost up to $9,000 per year at public institutions. 
• Check out these 10 scholarships for Mississippi nurses who want to expand their knowledge and career opportunities. 

Known as the birthplace of ‘the blues,’ Mississippi has a rich culture, southern hospitality vibe, and is home to southern cuisine. With just a few major cities in the state, half of Mississippi’s residents live in rural areas. In fact, 80 Mississippi counties are considered medically underserved and 94% of these are facing primary care physician shortages. Advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) can fill in as primary care providers and improve access to care for many Mississippians.  

But returning to school can be costly. Although the workplace may be a great place to start for tuition assistance, many nursing organizations offer scholarships to registered nurses (RNs) pursuing graduate degrees as well. 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.  

If you’re an RN pursuing an advanced degree, learn about APRN salary and job outlook in Mississippi, tuition costs, and scholarships. 

Mississippi APRN Salary and Job Outlook 

Mississippi has more than 4,000 employed NPs making an average salary of $117,500. While the salary is $8,500 less than the average NP salary nationwide, Mississippi RNs can expect job security if they’re willing to work in nonmetropolitan areas. In fact, the Northeast Mississippi nonmetropolitan area is the No. 1 nonmetropolitan area in the U.S. with the highest concentration of employed NPs.  

Mississippi has around 260 employed nurse anesthetists making an average salary of $201,300. Like NP salary, this is less than the national average. There’s limited data on nurse midwife data in Mississippi as the numbers are quite low. However, travel nursing as a nurse midwife is an option. As of December 2024, travel salary for general midwives is around $140,000 per year (and nurse midwives typically make much more than general midwives). 

The average advanced practice RN (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 Mississippi RNs interested in these roles as well. 

Mississippi APRN Tuition Costs

Attending graduate school may be a smart move for Mississippi RNs, as tuition cost is less than average U.S. tuition and cost of living is affordable. In fact, Mississippi ranks third out of 50 for the most affordable states to live in. Mississippi tuition for graduate nursing programs can cost up to $9,000 per year at public institutions. Should you choose to attend a public school out of state as a Mississippi resident, tuition costs can be even higher.   

These numbers don’t 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. Keep in mind that some 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. 

10 Scholarships for Mississippi RNs 

While most states offer the four popular APRN licenses (NP, nurse midwife, nurse anesthetist, and clinical nurse specialist), the Mississippi Board of Nursing offers all but clinical nurse specialist licenses.

If you’re interested in attending APRN school or any graduate nursing program (or are already enrolled) and want to save on tuition, explore these 10 scholarships for Mississippi RNs. 

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

Lane-Ware Graduate Mental Health Nursing Scholarship 

• Sponsor: Mississippi Nurses Foundation (MNF) 
• Award: $1,000 
• Deadline: July 
• Eligibility: For applicants enrolled in a graduate nursing program in Mississippi. Must be licensed as an RN in Mississippi, be involved in community service with an intent to continue, have at least a 3.5 GPA, and submit three letters of recommendation (two from faculty members and one from a community member). 
• Details: https://msnursesfoundation.com/scholarships/lane-ware-graduate-mental-health-nursing-scholarship  

Eileen S. and Earl C. Whittemore Advance Practiced/Nurse Practitioner Scholarship 

• Sponsor: MNF 
• Award: $2,500 
• Deadline: July 
• Eligibility: For APRN students enrolled in (or accepted into) in an accredited NP program. Must be an MNF member, licensed as an RN in Mississippi, have at least a 3.0 GPA, and submit two reference letters. 
• Details: https://msnursesfoundation.com/scholarships/eileen-s-and-earl-c-whittemore-advance-practiced/nurse-practitioner-scholarship  

Martha Douglas Memorial Scholarship 

• Sponsor: MNF 
• Award: (amount unspecified) 
• Deadline: February 
• Eligibility: For Mississippi residents enrolled in a Mississippi school of nursing. First priority given to school nurses returning to school. Second priority given to students enrolled in a BSN or graduate program. Must have at least a 3.0 GPA. 
• Details: https://msnursesfoundation.com/scholarships/martha-douglas-memorial-scholarship  

Hiawatha and Eunice Northington Memorial Scholarship

• Sponsor: MNF 
• Award: $1,000 
• Deadline: November 
• Eligibility: For RNs and NPs current working in geriatrics who are seeking a BSN, MSN, DNP, or Ph.D. Must plan to continue working in the field of geriatrics (inpatient or outpatient). Must be a current member of the Mississippi Nurses Association, licensed as an RN in Mississippi, have at least a 3.0 GPA, and submit two professional letters of references. 
• Details: https://msnursesfoundation.com/scholarships/the-hiawatha-and-eunice-northington-memorial-scholarship-1000-scholarship  

Kenneth Law Scholarship 

• Sponsor: Southern States Correctional Association (SSCA) 
• Award: up to $1,000 (multiple) 
• Deadline: April 
• Eligibility: For applicants accepted into an accredited bachelor’s or graduate degree program applicable to the field of criminal justice, rehabilitation, social services, or a related field (correctional nurses may consider applying). May be a full- or part-time student. Must be an SSCA member (or spouse of a SSCA member). The SSCA has 14 membership states, one of which is Mississippi. 
• Details: https://www.sscaweb.org/awards  

National Association of Junior Auxiliaries Graduate Scholarship

• Sponsor: National Association of Junior Auxiliaries, Inc. 
• Award: (amount not specified) 
• Deadline: February 
• Eligibility: For applicants pursuing graduate studies in which they will work directly with children and youth with special needs (fields can include counseling, psychology, mental health, special education, speech pathology, or hearing impaired). Graduate students in administrative roles or general education programs don’t qualify. Must be a permanent resident of a state with a National Association Junior Auxiliary Chapter (Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, and Tennessee). 
• Details: https://www.najanet.org/naja-scholarship  

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 a Mississippi VA or any other VA location in the U.S. 
• Details: https://vacareers.va.gov/job-news-advice/apply-influential-va-scholarship-programs/  

Nurses Organization of Veteran Affairs Scholarship 

• Sponsor: Nurses Organization of Veteran Affairs (NOVA) 
• Award: $1,500 to $3,000 (multiple) 
• Deadline: May 
• Eligibility: For applicants enrolled in an accredited nursing program (includes graduate programs) (must have completed at least one semester of the program). Must be current full- or part-time employee of the Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) (may be a Mississippi VA or any other VA location). Applicant must also be a current NOVA member (for at least one year prior to date of application). 
• Details: https://www.vanurse.org/page/EducationScholarships  

American Association of Nurse Practitioners Scholarship Program 

• Sponsor: American Association of Nurse Practitioners 
• Award: $2,500 to $5,000 
• Deadline: March 
• Eligibility: For RNs enrolled in an accredited NP program pursuing an MSN, DNP, or Ph.D. in nursing or a related field. Must have completed at least one semester of schooling at time of application. Must submit two recommendation letters. 
• Details: https://www.aanp.org/education/professional-funding-support/scholarships  

Nurses Educational Funds Scholarships 

• Sponsor: Nurses Educational Funds, Inc. 
• Award: (unspecified amount) (multiple) 
• Deadline: February 
• Eligibility: For applicants enrolled in Masters and doctoral nursing programs who have completed at least 12 to 45 credits of schooling and have at least two semesters of study left. Must have at least a 3.6 GPA and submit three references. 
• Details: https://www.n-e-f.org/about-us/nef-scholarships.html  

The Bottom Line

For Mississippi 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. 

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