There are many scholarships available to those wanting to study nursing abroad. Scholarships can be need-based, merit-based, or based on factors such as ethnicity or country of origin.
Nursing scholarships to study in the US and Canada:
The Fulbright Scholars Program offers scholarships for U.S. citizens to study abroad in over 140 countries. The Boren Scholarships and Fellowships offer awards of up to $20,000 to U.S. undergraduate and graduate students to study abroad in areas of the world that are critical to U.S. interests and underrepresented in study abroad programs, such as Africa, Asia, Central and Eastern Europe, Eurasia, Latin America and the Caribbean, and the Middle East.
The National Security Education Program (NSEP) David L. Boren Scholarships and Fellowships provide unique funding opportunities for U.S. undergraduate and graduate students to study less commonly taught languages in world regions critical to U.S. interests, such as Africa, Asia, Central and Eastern Europe, Eurasia, Latin America and the Caribbean, and the Middle East.
The Gilman International Scholarship Program offers awards of up to $5,000 to undergraduate students of limited financial means to enable them to participate in study abroad programs worldwide.
The Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program is a program of the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.
Scholarships for Minority Students offers a directory of scholarships, fellowships and other funding opportunities for minority students. Scholarships are categorized by race/ethnicity and field of study.
Nursing scholarships to study in the United Kingdom:
The National Health Service (NHS) provides funding for a limited number of scholarships each year to support students from developing countries who wish to study nursing or midwifery in the United Kingdom. Scholarships are awarded for one academic year and cover the cost of tuition fees, return airfare, and a living allowance.
The Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Plan (CSFP) is an international program under which member governments offer scholarships and fellowships to citizens of other Commonwealth countries. The program currently supports around 3,000 scholarship and fellowship awards each year, with up to 800 new awards being added each year.
The British Council offers a number of scholarships for students from developing countries who wish to study in the United Kingdom. Scholarships are awarded for postgraduate study in a wide range of subject areas, including nursing.
The Royal College of Nursing Foundation offers scholarships for nurses and midwives who wish to study in the United Kingdom. Scholarships are awarded for postgraduate study leading to registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Council.
The British Association of Critical Care Nurses (BACCN) International Nurse Scholarship Scheme offers scholarships of up to £1,000 for nurses who wish to undertake postgraduate study or research in critical care nursing in the United Kingdom.
A number of other organizations in the United Kingdom offer scholarships and bursaries for nursing students. These include the Health Education England, the Department of Health, and a number of hospitals and health charities.
Students should contact their chosen university to find out about any funding opportunities that may be available. Alternatively, they can search for scholarships on the websites of organizations such as the British Council or the Royal College of Nursing.
Nursing scholarships to study in Australia or New Zealand:
There are a number of scholarships available for nursing students wishing to study in Australia or New Zealand.
The Australian government offers a number of scholarships for international students, including the Australia Awards Scholarships and the Endeavour Awards. These scholarships cover the cost of tuition, return airfare, living allowance, and health insurance.
The New Zealand government also offers a number of scholarships for international students, including the International Doctoral Research Scholarships and the International Postgraduate Research Scholarships. These scholarships cover the cost of tuition and living expenses.
A number of universities in Australia and New Zealand offer scholarships for international students wishing to study nursing. Students should contact their chosen university to find out about any funding opportunities that may be available.
There are a number of private organizations that offer scholarships for nursing students wishing to study in Australia or New Zealand. These include the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Foundation, the Health Workforce Australia, and the New Zealand Nurses Foundation.
Some general tips for applying for scholarships:
- Start your search early and allow yourself plenty of time to find and apply for scholarships.
- Read the eligibility requirements carefully and make sure you meet all the criteria before applying.
- Follow the instructions on how to apply exactly. Many scholarship applications are rejected simply because the applicant did not follow the instructions.
- Be sure to proofread your application and essay before submitting them. Typos and grammatical errors can be a quick way to have your application rejected.
- Keep in mind that scholarships are very competitive, so don’t get discouraged if you don’t receive one the first time you apply. Keep applying and eventually you will find one that you qualify for.
Students should search for scholarships on the websites of organizations such as these to find out about any funding opportunities that may be available.
Scholarships are a great way to finance your education, but remember that you will need to compete with other students for these awards. Make sure you start your search early and be prepared to put in a strong application. Good luck!