Nurses Educational Funds Graduate Nursing Scholarships Opening Soon
Offered by Nurses Educational Funds, Inc.
About This Scholarship
Nurses Educational Funds, Inc. (NEF) is one of the oldest sources of private scholarship money for graduate nursing education in the United States, tracing its roots to a fund started in 1910 to honor nursing pioneer Isabel Hampton Robb. Today NEF administers a portfolio of named scholarship funds that support registered nurses earning master's and doctoral degrees in nursing education, practice, research, and administration.
NEF sets a high academic bar: applicants need a GPA of at least 3.6, a current RN license, and current membership in a national professional nursing association such as the ANA, a specialty nursing organization, or Sigma Theta Tau International. Eligible programs include master's degrees following a baccalaureate in nursing, PhD, DNP, DNAP, and EdD programs, and accelerated BSN-to-doctoral tracks, with at least two semesters of study remaining after awards are announced in early June.
A distinctive feature of NEF awards is that scholarship checks go directly to the winning nurses rather than to their universities, giving scholars flexibility in how they cover tuition, books, and related costs. The application centers on a 750-to-850-word essay about professional goals and the applicant's potential contribution to the nursing profession, supported by three references.
Eligibility
- Registered nurse with a current, unexpired RN license
- Enrolled in a master's, PhD, DNP, DNAP, or EdD nursing program (or accelerated BSN-to-doctoral program)
- Minimum GPA of 3.6
- Current member of a national professional nursing association (ANA, a specialty organization, or Sigma Theta Tau International)
- At least two semesters of study remaining after award notification in early June 2027
How To Apply
- Complete the online application at n-e-f.org between October 1, 2026 and February 1, 2027. You will supply contact information for three references who submit reference forms, upload transcripts and license documentation, and write an essay of roughly 750 to 850 words on your professional goals and planned contribution to nursing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can apply for an NEF scholarship?
Registered nurses pursuing a master's or doctoral degree in nursing (including PhD, DNP, DNAP, and EdD programs) with a GPA of 3.6 or higher and membership in a national professional nursing association.
Is the money paid to my school?
No. NEF awards scholarships directly to the recipients rather than to their college or university.
When are NEF winners announced?
Applicants are notified in early June 2027 for the cycle that closes February 1, 2027, and must have at least two semesters of study remaining at that point.