Scholarship Programs for Male Nurses

Can a Guy Get Some Money Around Here?

Typically, scholarships benefit high achievers in academics, athletics and other areas.  Some funds are set aside for particular groups, who receive college money for high levels of achievement combined with additional character traits. Minority scholarships and other targeted financial aid is designed to increase representation among groups that have traditionally been denied access to higher education.  Women enjoy college aid that helps them succeed in certain fields that have historically been dominated by a male workforce. And today, gender equity fosters financial aid that specifically helps male students earn degrees.

The lesson for college students seeking financial aid is to use every resource available; including those that specifically target race, gender, location, vocation, cultural ancestry and other personal attributes.

The nursing profession has traditionally been staffed by female employees, but gender lines continue to blur in the high-need profession.  As a result, more and more men are seeking financial aid to help them earn RN and LPN credentials.  While men-only nursing scholarships are not found around every corner, there is widespread financial aid available for male students entering the field.

Scholarship Opportunities Exist Exclusively for Male Nurses

The American Assembly for Men in Nursing (AAMN) is an advocacy and support organization serving male nurses.  The group provides professional support and educational resources for men in nursing roles.  Scholarships and awards are issued directly to students, and by way of institutional funding that allows schools to direct AAMN scholarships to worthy students on individual campuses. Scholarship offerings rely on available funding, so the number of awards and their value changes as funding commitments come and go.  For the 2013 school year, six scholarships worth $500 will be issued to qualified students who meet eligibility requirements; including noteworthy performance in student nurse essay contests. Johnson and Johnson, along with other health-related companies, provide valuable educational resources for the AAMN.  Eligible applicants maintain minimum 2.75 GPA and meet other program requisites.

Lack of Funding for Males?

The nursing profession is not training enough providers to meet growing medical needs associated with spikes in population numbers of people entering their healthcare-intensive years.  The ongoing shortage of nurses has kept the issue of under-representation among men in the field at the forefront of recruiting efforts.  Science Magazine attributes the shortage of male nurses to personal choices, but acknowledges that the 21st century is primed for greater participation among men. Higher salaries and increased competition within other professions continues to funnel qualified men into nursing-related fields.  And the role of nurses in health care continues to evolve: 75 universities now offer nursing PhDs, as well as other advanced nursing-related degrees.

The Emergency Nurses Association provides educational assistance that benefits career nurses and students entering nursing programs.  The awards are not men-only, but a good portion of the $1.5 million the organization has doled out has contributed to mens’ nursing education.  Continuing education efforts funded by the group offer short-term help for nurses gaining additional certifications and staying ahead of licensing requirements.  Additionally, the ENA Foundation sponsors several members to attend the ENA leadership conference each year.

BrainTrack Scholarships help pay for education expenses associated with RN and LPN licensing.  Nursing students advancing their standing within the profession are rewarded with scholarship dollars toward associate’s, bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral studies.  Each semester, the Hispanic advocacy group dispenses two nursing scholarships; one each to the winners and runners up. Student aid worth $1000 and $500 respectively, is up for grabs to students who submit winning essays and eligibility credentials.

Tylenol Future Care Scholarship has awarded over $8 Million to dedicated health care students.  Each school year, 40 candidates receive aid based on their performance in academics, leadership activities and community involvement.  Male nurses and other health care specialists are encouraged to apply

Minority Male Nursing Scholarships—Possible Resources

Scholarships that target ethnic minorities to promote cultural diversity in education are prime targets for male nursing candidates.  These examples illustrate the range of groups getting involved in higher education philanthropy:

• The National Association of Hispanic Nurses offers scholarships through some of its local chapters, such as the San Diego NAHN. San Diego members are eligible to earn as much as $8,000 for each scholarship awarded.  Members-only scholarships worth $40,000 annually are administered through NAHN’s united Health Foundation.  Additional scholarship dollars are distributed as a result of partnerships with health-related companies like Lilly.
• Black nursing candidates in San Diego are represented by San Diego Black Nursing Association Scholarships.  Applicants are currently enrolled nursing students and are members in good standing of the SDBNA for at least six-months prior to requesting scholarship assistance.
• Hispanic Scholarship Fund is a tireless advocate for Hispanic education.  Nursing students, and other Latinos pursuing higher education are eligible to apply for HSF scholarship monies.  As the largest non-profit dedicated to Hispanic education, HSF strives to create greater numbers of college graduate who come from Spanish cultural ancestry.  College resources are not limited to financial awards, the organization maintains a suite of higher education assistance programs.
• The Gates Millennium Scholars Program assists nursing students and other high-achieving minority college students.  The generous awards are good through graduation, providing full-ride opportunities for worthy recipients of the coveted awards.  Eligibility is limited to students who meet these criteria:

1. Minority of African American, Asian, Hispanic, Native American or Pacific Island descent
2. U.S. Citizen
3. Maintain cumulative High School grade point average of at least 3.3 on a 4.0 weighted scale
4. Pursuing first advanced education credential or degree
5. Exhibit leadership abilities
6. Eligible for Pell Grants
7. Submitted full application consisting of:  Student Application (Nominee Form), Educator Evaluation of Student Record ( Nominator Form), and Evaluation of Student Community Service and Leadership Record (Recommender Form)

• Eligible applicants earn National Black Nurses Association scholarships for qualified nursing education pursuits.   Up to $2,000 is awarded to each winner, based on letters of reference form teachers, extracurricular activities and demonstrated nursing aptitude.
• The National Coalition of Ethnic Minority Nurse Associations administers a scholarship program in concert with AETNA. The AETNA/NCEMNA Scholars Program is made possible through joint efforts with local NCEMNA chapters.
• Philippine Nurses Association of America Scholarship recognizes an outstanding student member who is engaged in a graduate or post-graduate nursing program. Each award is valued at $1,000.

Just as most nursing scholarships are not exclusively for men, they are not only for women either.  Nursing scholarships and other college financial aid is up for grabs for women and men entering health care fields.  Prudent strategies for landing nursing school aid include maintaining student memberships in industry associations, putting your best academic foot forward, and thoroughly vetting all sources of student assistance that might apply to your specific individual educational pursuits.