Scholarships
The National Black Nurses Association provides scholarships to students at all levels (LPN to Doctorate). These scholarships start at $1,000. NBNA scholarships are presented each year to the Awardees at the Annual Institute & Conference.
The 2024 NBNA Scholarship Program is now closed!
At the NBNA Conference, NBNA offers scholarships to student nurses at all levels. The NBNA chapters also provide scholarships. Other corporations that have given generously have been VITAS Healthcare, Children’s Mercy Kansas City, FIGS, Trusted Health and Arizona College. Individuals have made contributions to the NBNA Scholarship Fund including Sandra Evers-Manly, CEO, Northrup Grumman Foundation; NBNA Member Barbara Julian; an endowed scholarship by NBNA Member Margaret Pemberton; and, an endowed scholarship by the family of George McGuire.
In 2012, the Tuskegee Airmen Scholarship Foundation provided the Della H. Raney Nursing Scholarship for $2000. The scholarship is named after the first chief nurse assigned to the Tuskegee Air Field. In 2013, a new scholarship, Mrs. Lynne Edwards Research Scholarship, was supported by Dr. Linda Burnes Bolton, past NBNA President and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and given to a PhD candidate.
Over $150,000 in scholarships have been given to PhD candidates. In 2020, a record number of scholarships were given, 32 scholarships and over $68,000 in scholarships. In 2023, a record number of scholarships were given: 57 scholarships and over $257,000 in scholarships.
Annual Scholarships
Scholarships vary from year to year
- Abbott Scholarship Fund
- Arizona College of Nursing Scholarship
- Aya Healthcare Nurses of Tomorrow Scholarship
- BAND AID® BRAND Black Healthcare Heroes in Nursing Scholarship
- Dorothy B. Martin Scholarship
- Dr. Daisy Harmon-Allen Scholarship
- Dr. Eric J. Williams Scholarship
- Dr. Kenya Williams Health Policy Leadership Scholarship
- Dr. Lauranne Sams Scholarship
- Dr. Lola Denise Jefferson Scholarship
- Dr. Martha A. Dawson Genesis Scholarship
- Dr. Millicent Gorham Scholarship
- George E. McGuire Memorial Scholarship
- JAYHAL Foundation Scholarship
- Mrs. Ola Lofton Scholarship
- Margaret Pemberton Scholarship
- Maria R. Dudley Advanced Practice Nurse Scholarship
- NBNA Board of Directors Scholarship
- NBNA Ebi Porbeni Memorial Scholarship by Be The Match
- NBNA Social Justice Scholarship
- NurseThink.com Scholarship
- Supplemental Health Care (SHC)
- The Lifepoint Health Equity in Nursing Scholarship
- United Health Foundation for Diversity in Health Care Scholarship
- VITAS Healthcare / Esther Colliflower Scholarship
Scholarship Requirements
NBNA Members Only
Must be a member of NBNA and a member of a local chapter (if one exists in your area). If a chapter does not exist within a 50- mile radius of your location you may join NBNA as a Direct Member.
Enrollment in Nursing Program
Candidate must be currently enrolled in a nursing program (LPN/LVN, ADN, RN-BSN, Generic BSN, Masters, Doctorate) and in good scholastic standing at the time of application.
Remaining School Year
Applicant must have at least one full year of school remaining.
Must Provide
Official Transcript
Official Transcript(s) from an accredited School of Nursing
Personal Statement
Two-page / 500-word maximum Personal Statement / Essay
Letters of Recommendation
Two (2) letters of recommendation (1) from Dean/Faculty member (must include enrollment and expected date of graduation), and (2) from Chapter President/Vice President (validating the application information is correct)
Resume or CV
Resume or CV (5-page maximum)
Registrar Verification
Letter from the Registrar verifying enrollment and expected graduation date
Professional Headshot
A clean/clear professional headshot.
Additional Supporting Items
Additional items to accompany the application in support of the candidate’s eligibility and desirability may include documented evidence of:
- participation in student nurse activities, and
- involvement in the African American community, i.e., letters, news clippings, awards, certificates
- evidence of being engaged and involved in local chapter and/or the National Black Nurses Association activities and programs
Deadline to Submit: March 15, 2024
Application Resources
- Documents related to completing the scholarship application
- 2024 Scholarship Application via CommunityForce
- 2024 Membership Application (before completing the application, please review the Chapter Directory located under the Membership tab to locate your State and a chapter in your area).
- 2024 NBNA Membership Honor Pledge
Your completed application and all supporting documents must be submitted online and received by March 15, 2024. If you have questions, please email kshaw@nbna.org.
SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATIONS and TRANSCRIPTS CAN BE ACCEPTED BY MAIL OR EMAIL.