20 Graduate Nursing Scholarships for Florida RNs

• Florida RNs interested in (or actively working toward) a graduate nursing degree might already meet the qualifications to apply for scholarships. 
• Florida tuition for an advanced nursing degree can cost up to $6,500 per year at public institutions. 
• Check out these 20 scholarships for Florida nurses who want to expand their knowledge and career opportunities. 

Florida is among the Top 5 states with the highest number of licensed Registered Nurses (RNs), and many are returning to school for an advanced degree. Florida Nurse Practitioners (NP) are in high demand and expected to grow 50% by 2030.  

The workplace may offer a tuition assistance program, but 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 of Nursing Practice (DNP), Ph.D., or other nursing-related graduate degree. 

If you’re an RN pursuing an advanced degree, learn about Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRN) salary and job outlook in Florida, tuition costs, and scholarships. 

Florida APRN Salary and Job Outlook 

The average APRN salaries in the U.S. include $126,000 for NPs, $130,000 for nurse midwives, and $213,000 for nurse anesthetists. While Florida APRN salary is generally lower than the national average, job growth is particularly high. Florida NP jobs are not only projected to grow 50% by 2030, they’re ranked No. 1 as the fastest growing Florida occupation requiring a college degree. 

Other Florida APRN jobs are projected to grow as well, including nurse midwife (16%) and nurse anesthetists (15%). Nationally, APRN jobs as a whole 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 Florida RNs interested in these roles as well. 

Florida APRN Tuition Costs

Florida has the most affordable college tuition of all 50 states, costing around $6,500 per year at public institutions. While these numbers may be more palatable than those of other states, such as Vermont’s $17,000 yearly tuition, college costs can be higher if you attend school out of state as a Florida resident. These numbers don’t reflect tuition costs at private institutions in the state, books, uniforms, or equipment for clinical training.  

These numbers can be intimidating, but scholarships can cover some if not all costs of returning to school, especially if you apply for multiple ones. Keep in mind that 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 benefits like free continuing education credits, job boards, retailer discounts, and more. 

20 Scholarships for Florida RNs

Florida APRN jobs are growing exponentially. If you’re interested in attending graduate school (or are already enrolled) and want to save on tuition, explore these 20 scholarships for Florida RNs.  

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

Florida Association of Nurse Anesthetists Student Scholarship Award  

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

Florida Nurses Association Statewide Scholarships  

• Sponsor: Florida Nurses Association 
• Award: (unspecified amount) (multiple) 
• Deadline: June 
• Eligibility: For Florida residents pursuing a nursing degree (includes graduate degrees). Must have at least a 3.0 GPA, completed at least one semester of schooling, submit two letters of recommendation, and have resided in Florida for at least one year. 
• Details: https://www.floridanurse.org/page/AvailableGrantsScohlarships 

Oncology Nursing Foundation Master’s and Doctoral Scholarships

• Sponsor: Oncology Nursing Foundation 
• Award: $5,000 (multiple) 
• Deadline: February 
• Eligibility: For RNs enrolled in (or accepted into) an accredited Masters, DNP, or PhD program. Must submit one letter of recommendation and demonstrate a commitment to oncology nursing. 
• Details: https://onsfoundation.org/funding-for-nurses/education/masters-scholarships  

Iona Pettingill Scholarship

• Sponsor: Florida Nurses Association 
• Award: (unspecified amount) 
• Deadline: June 
• Eligibility: For Florida residents pursuing a nursing degree (includes graduate degrees). Applicant must be interested in public health. Must have at least a 3.0 GPA, completed at least one semester of schooling, submit two letters of recommendation, and have resided in Florida for at least one year. 
• Details: https://www.floridanurse.org/page/AvailableGrantsScohlarships   

Great 100 Nursing Scholarship Nursing

• Sponsor: Florida Nurses Association 
• Award: (unspecified amount) 
• Deadline: June 
• Eligibility: Must have at least a 3.0 GPA, completed at least one semester of schooling, submit two letters of recommendation, and have resided in Florida for at least one year. Must reside in Northeast Florida. 
• Details: https://www.floridanurse.org/page/AvailableGrantsScohlarships 

Kay Fullwood Northeast Florida Geriatric Nursing Scholarship Fund 

• Sponsor: Florida Nurses Association 
• Award: (unspecified amount) 
• Deadline: June 
• Eligibility: For applicants enrolled in an accredited graduate nursing program with a focus on geriatrics. Also available to practicing geriatric NPs enrolled in an accredited DNP program who seeks to continue working with older adults. Must have at least a 3.0 GPA, completed at least one semester of schooling, submit two letters of recommendation, and have resided in Florida for at least one year. Must reside in the Northeast Florida area (Nassau, Duval, Baker, Clay, and Bradford counties). 
• Details: https://www.floridanurse.org/page/AvailableGrantsScohlarships 

Charlotte Anzalone Scholarship Fund 

• Sponsor: Florida Nurses Association District 8 
• Award: (unspecified amount) 
• Deadline: June 
• Eligibility: For applicants pursuing a nursing degree (including graduate degrees). Must have at least a 3.0 GPA, completed at least one semester of schooling, submit two letters of recommendation, and have resided in Florida for at least one year. Preference will be given to residents of Orlando, Seminole, and Osceola counties. 
• Details: https://www.floridanurse.org/page/AvailableGrantsScohlarships 

Scholarship Fund Volusia County 

• Sponsor: Florida Nurses Association District 6 
• Award: (unspecified amount) (multiple) 
• Deadline: June 
• Eligibility: For applicants pursuing a nursing degree (including graduate degrees). Must have at least a 3.0 GPA, completed at least one semester of schooling, submit two letters of recommendation, and have resided in Florida for at least one year. Six scholarships are available (two are available to Volusia County residents only and the other four to Florida residents of any county). 
• Details: https://www.floridanurse.org/page/AvailableGrantsScohlarships 

District 4 Florida Nurses Scholarship 

• Sponsor: Florida Nurses Association District 4 
• Award: (unspecified amount) 
• Deadline: June 
• Eligibility: For applicants pursuing a nursing degree (including graduate degrees). Must have at least a 3.0 GPA, completed at least one semester of schooling, submit two letters of recommendation, and have resided in Florida for at least one year. Must be a resident of Hillsborough County. 
• Details: https://www.floridanurse.org/page/AvailableGrantsScohlarships 

Ruth Jacobs District 46 Scholarship 

• Sponsor: Florida Nurses Association District 46 
• Award: (unspecified amount) (multiple) 
• Deadline: June 
• Eligibility: For applicants pursuing a nursing degree (including graduate degrees). Must have at least a 3.0 GPA, completed at least one semester of schooling, submit two letters of recommendation, and have resided in Florida for at least one year. Must be a resident of Pinellas County. 
• Details: https://www.floridanurse.org/page/AvailableGrantsScohlarships 

Olive Ramsey Memorial Scholarship Fund 

• Sponsor: Florida Nurses Association District 46 
• Award: (unspecified amount) 
• Deadline: June 
• Eligibility: For applicants pursuing a nursing degree (including graduate degrees). Must have at least a 3.2 GPA, completed at least one semester of schooling, submit two letters of recommendation, and have resided in Florida for at least one year. Must reside in Pinellas or Pasco County. 
• Details: https://www.floridanurse.org/page/ScholarshipsGrants 

Elizabeth M. Willis Scholarship 

• Sponsor: Florida Nurses Association District 46 
• Award: (unspecified amount) 
• Deadline: June 
• Eligibility: For applicants pursuing a nursing degree (including graduate degrees). Must have at least a 3.0 GPA, completed at least one semester of schooling, submit two letters of recommendation, and have lived in Florida for at least one year. Must reside, work, volunteer, or attend school in Pinellas County with preference to applicants in St. Petersburg. Preference also given to volunteers of the Red Cross. 
• Details: https://www.floridanurse.org/page/AvailableGrantsScohlarships 

Louise Fiske Memorial Scholarship Fund 

• Sponsor: Florida Nurses Association District 21 
• Award: (unspecified amount) 
• Deadline: June 
• Eligibility: For applicants pursuing a nursing degree (including graduate degrees). Must have at least a 3.0 GPA, completed at least one semester of schooling, submit two letters of recommendation, and have resided in Florida for at least one year. Must reside in Broward County. 
• Details: https://www.floridanurse.org/page/AvailableGrantsScohlarships 

Eleanor Bindrum Scholarship Fund 

• Sponsor: Florida Nurses Association District 5 
• Award: (unspecified amount) 
• Deadline: June 
• Eligibility: For applicants pursuing a nursing degree (including graduate degrees). Must have at least a 3.0 GPA, completed at least one semester of schooling, submit two letters of recommendation, and have resided in Florida for at least one year. Preference given to perioperative nurses in South Florida. 
• Details: https://www.floridanurse.org/page/AvailableGrantsScohlarships 

Connie Dorry Memorial Fund Scholarship 

• Sponsor: Florida Nurses Association 
• Award: (unspecified amount) 
• Deadline: June 
• Eligibility: For applicants enrolled in an accredited MSN NP program. Must have at least a 3.0 GPA, completed at least one semester of schooling, submit two letters of recommendation, and have resided in Florida for at least one year. Must reside in Dade County. 
• Details: https://www.floridanurse.org/page/AvailableGrantsScohlarships 

Susan Lynch NP Trailblazer Scholarship 

• Sponsor: Florida Association of Nurse Practitioners (FLANP) 
• Award: (unspecified amount) 
• Deadline: (unspecified) 
• Eligibility: For Florida-licensed RNs and APRNs enrolled in an accredited master’s, doctoral, or post-MSN/post-DNP certificate program (must have completed at least one semester of the program). Must be a FANP member. If selected, award recipient must attend the FLANP Annual Conference. 
• Details: https://www.flanp.org/page/awards-scholarships  

National Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists (NACNS) Scholarships 

• Sponsors: 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/  

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  

Nurses Educational Funds Scholarships 

• Sponsor: Nurses Educational Funds, Inc. 
• Award: (unspecified amount) (multiple) 
• Deadline: February 
• Eligibility: For applicants enrolled in master’s 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  

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/  

The Bottom Line

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

Read More