13 Graduate Nursing Scholarships for Kentucky RNs

• Kentucky RNs interested in (or actively working toward) a graduate nursing degree might already meet the qualifications to apply for scholarships. 
• Kentucky tuition for an advanced nursing degree can cost up to $12,000 per year at public institutions. 
• Check out these 13 scholarships for Kentucky nurses who want to expand their knowledge and career opportunities. 

From horse racing and bluegrass to fried chicken and bourbon, Kentucky has a rich cultural history with many attractions for tourists. This state is perfect for travel nurses looking for an exciting and vibrant travel experience. But registered nurses (RNs) already living and working in Kentucky may have even more reason to stay, particularly those returning to school to become nurse practitioners (NPs). Kentucky NP jobs are projected to grow over the next few years.

If paying for school is a burden, the workplace may offer tuition assistance, but why stop there? Many organizations offer scholarships to RNs pursuing graduate degrees. his 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 advanced practice RN (APRN) salary and job outlook in Kentucky, tuition costs, and scholarships.

Kentucky APRN Salary and Job Outlook

The NP is the most popular APRN type in Kentucky at 16,200 licensed. Kentucky RNs returning to school to become NPs can expect 2,300 open NP jobs from 2024 to 2029. Furthermore, the West Kentucky nonmetropolitan area ranks in the Top 5 nonmetropolitan areas in the nation with the highest employed NPs.  

The second most popular APRN type in Kentucky is the nurse anesthetist at 2,000 licensed. The nurse midwife and clinical nurse specialist roles are least popular in the state with only around 200 and 150 licensed, respectively.  

The average 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 Kentucky RNs interested in these roles as well. 

Kentucky APRN Tuition Costs

Kentucky ranks 17 out of 50 for the most affordable states to live; however, tuition at Kentucky public colleges is higher than the average public college tuition nationwide. Graduate programs can cost up to $12,000 per year at Kentucky public institutions. Should you choose to attend a public school out of state as a Kentucky 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. Some scholarship sponsors may require you to be a member of a nursing organization before you can even 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.

13 Scholarships for Kentucky RNs 

Kentucky offers four APRN licenses: NP, nurse midwife, nurse anesthetist, and clinical nurse specialist. Kentucky NPs can specialize in acute adult care, gerontology, psych/mental health, family practice, neonatal care, pediatric care, and women’s health. Kentucky clinical nurse specialists have the option to focus on similar specialty populations.  

If you’re interested in attending graduate school (or are already enrolled) and want to save on tuition, explore these 13 scholarships for Kentucky RNs.  

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

Edith Schwab Memorial Scholarship 

• Sponsor: Bluegrass Community Foundation 
• Award: $1,000 
• Deadline: May 
• Eligibility: For applicants in Kentucky pursuing a graduate degree focused on a career in public service (fields of study include: public administration, teaching, public health, or social work). RNs pursuing graduate degrees in public health may consider applying. Must intend to work in Kentucky after graduation. 
• Details: https://www.bgcf.org/all-scholarships/  

Kentucky Board of Nursing, Nursing Incentive Scholarship Fund 

• Sponsor: Kentucky Board of Nursing
• Award: (amount unspecified)
• Deadline: May
• Eligibility: For Kentucky residents enrolled in an approved nursing program (includes graduate programs). Graduate nursing students must complete nine credit hours per academic year. Must work full-time as nurse in Kentucky for at least one year for each year funded by the scholarship award.
• Details: https://kbn.ky.gov/KBN%20Documents/nisf-brochure.pdf

Harold & Mary Snook Scholarship 

• Sponsor: Community Foundation of Lewisville 
• Award: (amount unspecified) 
• Deadline: October 
• Eligibility: For applicants pursuing studies in education or any medical field (preference given to those studying nursing). Must demonstrate financial need. 
• Details: https://cflouisville.awardspring.com/Home/ScholarshipDetails/351995  

Kentucky Rural Nursing Scholarship 

• Sponsor: Kentucky Nurses Foundation 
• Award: $1,500 to $10,000 
• Deadline: August 
• Eligibility: For applicants enrolled in an accredited Kentucky school of nursing program (includes graduate programs). Must be a member of the Kentucky Nurses Association (KNA) (or KNA student member). Must currently (or plan to) practice in the rural areas of the Commonwealth of Kentucky after graduation. 
• Details: https://kentucky-nurses.nursingnetwork.com/page/99835-2024-knf-scholarships  

Dr. Sandra K. Tunajek Scholarship for Nurse Anesthesia Education 

• Sponsor: Kentucky Association of Nurse Anesthetists, American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology Foundation 
• Award: $3,000 
• Deadline: (unspecified) 
• Eligibility: For applicants enrolled in an accredited nurse anesthesia program in Kentucky. Additional scholarships are available. 
• Details: https://www.aana.com/resident-hub/education-grants-and-scholarships/foundation-scholarship  

Kentucky Organization of Nurse Leaders Scholarship 

• Sponsor: Kentucky Organization of Nurse Leaders (KONL) 
• Award: $1,000 (spring and fall) 
• Deadline: December 
• Eligibility: For KONL members enrolled in a BSN, MSN, Ph.D., or DNP program. Must have at least a 3.5 GPA, submit two letters of reference (from a direct supervisor or faculty member), and currently work in a hospital, healthcare organization, or institution of higher learning in Kentucky. 
• Details: https://kyonl.nursingnetwork.com/page/101801-scholarship-information 

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 Kentucky. 
• Details: https://www.sscaweb.org/awards  

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 Kentucky VA or any other VA location in the U.S. 
• Details: https://web.archive.org/web/20240422020635/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) who 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 Kentucky 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 Academy of Ambulatory Care Nurses, Education Scholarship 

• Sponsor: American Academy of Ambulatory Care Nurses (AAACN) 
• Award: $1,000 
• Deadline: (unspecified) 
• Eligibility: For AAACN members enrolled in (or accepted into) an accredited school of nursing or other academic program deemed by the sponsor to advance the nursing profession. Must be willing to contribute back to AAACN and/or ambulatory care nursing. 
• Details: https://www.aaacn.org/membership/scholarships-awards/education-scholarship  

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  

Scrubin Uniforms/American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) Scholarship 

• Sponsor: AACN 
• Award: $2,500 
• Deadline: September, December, and March 
• Eligibility: For applicants enrolled in a nursing program (includes master’s and doctoral program) at an AACN member school with a formal affiliation agreement with Scrubin Uniforms (list of schools on site).  
• Details: https://www.aacnnursing.org/foundation/scholarships/scrubin-uniforms-scholarship/  

American Nephrology Nurses Association (ANNA) Scholarships 

• Sponsor: ANNA 
• Award: $1,000 to $4,375 (multiple) 
• Deadline: November 
• Eligibility: For ANNA members enrolled in a graduate nursing program. Must be actively involved in nephrology nursing and have been an ANNA member for at least one year. Must submit three letters of recommendation. 
• Details: https://www.annanurse.org/resources/members-only/grants-scholarships  

The Bottom Line

For Kentucky 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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