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Education and Professional Growth

15 Graduate Nursing Scholarships for North Carolina RNs

  • North Carolina RNs interested in (or actively working toward) a graduate nursing degree might already meet the qualifications to apply for scholarships. 
  • North Carolina tuition for an advanced nursing degree can cost up to $6,000 per year at public institutions. 
  • Check out these 15 scholarships for North Carolina nurses who want to expand their knowledge and career opportunities. 

Charmaine Robinson

MSN-Ed, BSN, RN

June 25, 2025
Simmons University

While North Carolina RNs only need a master’s degree to obtain an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) license, doctoral degrees are growing in popularity in the state.  

For example, many nurse anesthetists in North Carolina are obtaining doctoral degrees as opposed to master’s degrees. North Carolina RNs who wish to return to school have several graduate degree options to choose from.

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), Doctor of Nursing Practice (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 North Carolina, tuition costs, and scholarships. 

North Carolina RNs

North Carolina APRN Salary and Job Outlook 

The most popular APRN in North Carolina is the NP (about 76% of the APRN workforce in 2022 and growing). However, at $121,600 per year, North Carolina NPs are paid less than the average NP in the U.S. The state’s nurse midwives are one of the highest employed nurse midwives in the nation after California, New York, and Georgia, but pay is also lower than the national average. North Carolina nurse anesthetists are the highest paid at $223,000 per year – $10,000 more per year than the national average! 

Nationally, 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 North Carolina RNs interested in these roles as well. 

North Carolina APRN Tuition Costs

North Carolina RNs who wish to return to school may benefit from the state’s affordable tuition. North Carolina has the third most affordable public college tuition in the nation after Florida and Wyoming. The state’s tuition for graduate nursing programs can cost up to $6,000 per year at public institutions. Should you choose to attend a public school out of state as a North Carolina resident, tuition costs can be 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. 

North Carolina RNs

15 Scholarships for North Carolina RNs 

Today, most North Carolina NPs hold a master’s degree and attended school at out-of-state institutions. Just 10 years prior, most attended school within the state. Most North Carolina nurse midwives attend school at out-of-state institutions and have done so for the past 10 years. Nurse anesthetists and clinical nurse specialists in North Carolina typically attend school within the state. 

If you’re interested in attending graduate school (or are already enrolled) and want to save on tuition, explore these 15 scholarships for North Carolina RNs. Keep in mind, some sponsors require you to attend school within North Carolina.  

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

Eunice Smith Scholarship  

  • Sponsor: North Carolina Foundation for Nursing 
  • Award: Up to $2,000 
  • Deadline: May 
  • Eligibility: For RNs pursuing education at the baccalaureate, masters, or doctoral level on a part-time basis.  
  • Details: https://www.ncnurses.org/foundation/scholarships/#Eunice  

North Carolina Nurses Association Triad Region Scholarship  

North Carolina Nurses Association Southwest Region Scholarship  

Shaver-Hitchings Scholarship  

  • Sponsor: Triangle Community Foundation 
  • Award: $1,500 
  • Deadline: March 
  • Eligibility: For graduate students, physician’s assistants, or medical students in the Triangle area of North Carolina who have worked (preferably volunteered) with individuals with alcoholism, drug abuse, and addictive disorder treatment. Applicants with experience in addiction prevention education may also apply. Must reside in Chatham, Durham, Orange, or Wake County. Must demonstrate a commitment to helping others in this specialty. No minimum GPA is required. 
  • Details: https://trianglecf.org/award/shaver-hitchings-scholarship/  

Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists Financial Success Scholarship  

Judy Knox Scholarship  

  • Sponsor: College Foundation of North Carolina 
  • Award: $1,000 
  • Deadline: May 
  • Eligibility: For applicants admitted to a BSN or MSN program in North Carolina (online programs are accepted). Must be a North Carolina resident (for at least 12 months prior to date of application) and have at least a 3.0 GPA. 
  • Details: https://www.cfnc.org/pay-for-college/scholarship-search/judy-knox-scholarship/ 

Martha Wood Scholarship 

  • Sponsor: North Carolina Emergency Nurses Association (NCENA) 
  • Award: $1,000 (two) 
  • Deadline: July 
  • Eligibility: For NCENA members enrolled in a nursing program (BSN or higher). Must currently work (for at least one year) in either emergency nursing or the pre-hospital/transport fields as a RN, paramedic, Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), or Emergency Department Technician (EDT). Must submit two letters of recommendation and aspire to continue practicing emergency nursing after graduation. 
  • Details: https://ncena.nursingnetwork.com/nursing-news/199013-martha-wood-scholarship-opportunity-apply-now-  

American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology Foundation Scholarships 

North Carolina Association of Nurse Anesthetists, Doctoral Leadership Education, and Development Scholarship 

  • Sponsor: North Carolina Association of Nurse Anesthetists (NCANA), American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology Foundation 
  • Award: $3,000 (multiple) 
  • Deadline: (unspecified) 
  • Eligibility: For NCANA members enrolled in a doctoral program. Must reside in North Carolina. Preference will be given to first-year students. Additional scholarships are available.  
  • Details: https://www.aana.com/resident-hub/education-grants-and-scholarships/foundation-scholarship  

North Carolina League for Nursing Academic Scholarship 

  • Sponsor: Foundation for the Carolinas 
  • Award: (amount unspecified) 
  • Deadline: February 
  • Eligibility: For graduate students pursuing a master’s or doctoral degree in nursing or a related field at an accredited institution. Master’s program must be in North Carolina (doctoral program may be outside of North Carolina). Must have completed at least 6 semester credits of the program at time of application. For residents of North Carolina only.  
  • Details: https://fftcscholarships.communityforce.com/Funds/Search.aspx  

William Tasse Alexander Scholarship 

  • Sponsor: Foundation for the Carolinas 
  • Award: (amount unspecified) 
  • Deadline: February 
  • Eligibility: For full-time students pursuing a college degree interested in education/teaching (including graduate degrees). RNs interested in becoming a nurse educator may consider applying. Must be from Mecklenburg County and have at least a 3.0 GPA.  
  • Details: https://fftcscholarships.communityforce.com/Funds/Search.aspx  

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

National Association of School Nurses Endowment Education Scholarship 

  • Sponsor: National Association of School Nurses (NASN) 
  • Award: up to $2,500 
  • Deadline: October 
  • Eligibility: For school nurses or school nurse educators enrolled in (or accepted into) a certificate or higher degree nursing program. Must be a current NASN member (for the past two years) who has a bachelor’s degree or higher (can be non-nursing-related). 
  • Details: https://www.nasn.org/membership/benefits/awards-scholarships/endowment-education-scholarship  

Nurse I Am Scholarship 

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

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  

North Carolina RNs

The Bottom Line

For North Carolina RNs, advancing your career is an excellent career 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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