15 Graduate Nursing Scholarships for Massachusetts RNs

• Massachusetts RNs interested in (or actively working toward) a graduate nursing degree might already meet the qualifications to apply for scholarships. 
• Massachusetts tuition for an advanced nursing degree can cost up to $15,000 a year at public institutions. 
• Check out these 15 scholarships for Massachusetts nurses who want to expand their knowledge and career opportunities. 

Massachusetts is one of the highest paying states for registered nurses (RNs) and Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs), but the state’s college tuition is comparably high. The great news is, even if you’re already enrolled in a graduate nursing program, it’s not too late to receive financial help.  

Your Massachusetts residency and nursing license qualifies you for many scholarships. 

Yes, your 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 ADN or BSN who want to go back for an MSN, 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 Massachusetts, tuition costs, and scholarships. 

Massachusetts APRN Salary and Job Outlook

Currently, NPs are the fasting growing APRNs in Massachusetts. NPs total 79% of all licensed APRNs in the state with nurse anesthetists coming in second at 11%. In fact, NPs may outnumber physicians in Massachusetts in the far future. The state predicts one NP for every three physicians by 2032 — a rise from about 10 years ago, when there was one NP for every six physicians.  

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. 

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 Massachusetts RNs interested in these roles as well. 

Massachusetts APRN Tuition Costs

Not only does Massachusetts rank three out of 50 for the most expensive states to live in, it also ranks 10 out of 50 as having the most expensive tuition for public colleges/universities. Graduate nursing tuition can be as high as $15,000 per year at public institutions.  

Should you choose to attend a public school out of state as a Massachusetts 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. 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 $150 per year, and you’ll have access to other membership benefits like free continuing education credits, job boards, discounts on retailers, and more. 

15 Scholarships for Massachusetts RNs

While the NP role option is most popular in Massachusetts, the state also offers APRN licenses as a nurse anesthetist, nurse-midwife, clinical nurse specialist, and psychiatric clinical nurse specialist.  

If you’re interested in (or pursuing) one of these role options or any graduate nursing role and want to save money on tuition costs, explore these 15 scholarships for Massachusetts RNs. Visit each sponsor’s website to confirm deadlines, eligibility, and monetary awards. Most scholarships are offered annually. 

Massachusetts Nurses Foundation Scholarships 

• Sponsor: Massachusetts Nurses Association 
• Award: (varied amounts) (multiple) 
• Deadline: May 31, 2025 
• Eligibility: For RNs enrolled in (or accepted into) a nursing or healthcare-related degree program. Must submit three letters of recommendation (one from a MNA member). Must be a MNA member and have at least one year of experience in nursing. 
• Details: https://www.massnurses.org/mnf/scholarships/  

Doctor Thomas P. and Edwina H. Devlin Medical Scholarship 

• Sponsor: Massachusetts Nurses Association 
• Award: (varied amounts) (multiple) 
• Deadline: June 
• Eligibility: For applicants accepted into an accredited NP program or higher. Candidates are selected based on personal character, scholastic standing, and financial need. Applications are only accepted from residents of Melrose, North Reading, Reading, Stoneham, Wakefield, Wilmington, Winchester, or Woburn. 
• Details: https://devlinmedicalscholarship.org/eligibility.html  

Foundation for Nursing Advancement in Massachusetts Scholarship to Advance Diversity in Nursing  

• Sponsor: Foundation for Nursing Advancement in Massachusetts 
• Award: $2,500 
• Deadline: November 
• Eligibility: For applicants enrolled in (or accepted into) an accredited nursing program (includes master’s and doctoral). Must reside or practice in Massachusetts. 
• Details: https://www.fnama.org/scholarships-grants  

Massachusetts Senior Care Foundation Scholarship  

• Sponsor: Massachusetts Senior Care Foundation Scholarship 
• Award: $500 to $2,000 
• Deadline: Unspecified, but applications open in July 
• Eligibility: For applicants enrolled in (or accepted into) an advanced nursing degree program related to long-term care. Must currently work in a Massachusetts Senior Care Association member facility and have done so for at least one year (list of facilities on site). Must submit one letter of recommendation from a supervisor/manager. 
• Details: https://www.maseniorcarefoundation.org/scholarship-program  

Massachusetts/Rhode Island League for Nurses Nurse Educator (Doctoral) Scholarship  

• Sponsor: Massachusetts/Rhode Island League for Nurses (MARILN) 
• Award: (unspecified amount) 
• Deadline: September 
• Eligibility: For applicants pursuing a doctoral nursing degree to become a nurse educator.   
• Details: https://mariln.nursingnetwork.com/nursing-news/198960-mariln-scholarship-opportunities  

Richard Ouellette Scholarship 

• Sponsor: American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology Foundation 
• Award: $3,000 
• Deadline: (unspecified) 
• Eligibility: For students enrolled in an accredited nurse anesthesia program in Massachusetts. Most award recipients are selected based on merit and financial need. Additional scholarships are available.  
• Details: https://www.aana.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/2025-List-of-Scholarships.pdf  

New England Assembly of Nurse Anesthetists Scholarship 

• Sponsor: New England Assembly of Nurse Anesthetists 
• Award: $3,000 
• Deadline: (unspecified) 
• Eligibility: For students enrolled in an accredited nurse anesthesia program in a New England area school (includes six states, one of which is Massachusetts). Most award recipients are selected based on merit and financial need. Additional scholarships are available.  
• Details: https://www.aana.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/2024-List-of-Student-Scholarships-Financial-Need-and-Merit-1-18-24.pdf  

Association of Rehabilitation Nurses (ARN) 

• Sponsor: ARN 
• Award: $1,500 
• Deadline: June 
• Eligibility: For applicants enrolled in a graduate level degree program (must have completed at least one course). Must currently practice in rehabilitation nursing with at least two years of experience in this setting. Must be an involved ARN member. 
• Details: https://rehabnurse.org/membership/recognition/scholarship-opportunities  

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 Masters 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  

Uniform Advantage – AACN Scholarship 

• Sponsor: AACN 
• Award: $2,500 to $5,000 (multiple) 
• Deadline: September, December, and March 
• Eligibility: For applicants enrolled in master’s and doctoral programs. Open to Graduate Nursing Student Academy (GNSA) members. 
• Details: https://www.aacnnursing.org/foundation/scholarships/uniform-advantage  

National League for Nursing Education Scholarship Award

• Sponsor: National League for Nursing (NLN) 
• Award: up to $8,000 (multiple awards) 
• Deadline: annually in May 
• Eligibility: For NLN members pursuing a graduate degree who have completed at least one year of study at time of application. Must send in two letters of recommendation. Must work full-time as a nurse educator after graduation.  
• Details: https://www.nln.org/nln-foundation/foundationoverview/nursing-education-scholarship-awards   

QGenda – AACN Scholarship 

• Sponsor: AACN 
• Award: $5,000 
• Deadline: February and October 
• Eligibility: For applicants enrolled in master’s and doctoral programs with at least a 3.5 GPA. Must submit one letter of recommendation.  
• Details: https://www.aacnnursing.org/foundation/scholarships/qgenda  

National Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists (NACNS) Scholarships 

• Sponsors: NACNS and the Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) Institute 
• Award: up to $2,000 (multiple) 
• Deadline: Unspecified 
• 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/  

American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) Scholarship Program 

• Sponsor: AANP 
• Award: $2,500 to $5,000 
• Deadline: annually in 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  

Edmund J.Y. Pajarillo Health Informatics and Innovation Scholarship 

• Sponsor: National League for Nursing (NLN) 
• Award: up to $5,000 
• Deadline: annually in May 
• Eligibility: For nurses and nurse educators enrolled in an accredited graduate program focused on health informatics and innovation in research in nursing education. This scholarship is public, but preference will be given to NLN members. Preference will also be given to members of marginalized communities interested in transitioning from clinical practice to full-time teaching. 
• Details: https://www.nln.org/nln-foundation/foundationoverview/nursing-education-scholarship-awards   

The Bottom Line

For Massachusetts RNs, advancing your career is an excellent career 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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