Nursing Scholarships in Illinois — 2026

16 scholarship programs available to Illinois nursing students — including 1 Illinois-specific award and all major national programs.

Scholarships Available

Illinois-Only Awards

$80K

Avg RN Salary

Find Accredited Nursing Programs in Illinois

Browse programs that qualify for federal and state scholarship funding.

Illinois-Only Awards

Illinois-Specific Nursing Scholarships & Grants

These programs are exclusively available to Illinois residents or nurses committed to practicing in Illinois.

State Program

Illinois Future Teacher Corps — Nursing Faculty Track

Up to $5,000/year

Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC)

Illinois residents pursuing graduate nursing education with intent to become nursing faculty at Illinois institutions.

Illinois-resident nursing faculty pipeline funding
Renewable with academic progress
Teaching obligation at Illinois nursing schools

📅 Deadline: March🎓 Levels: MSN, DNP, PhD✓ RenewableVisit Program →

National Scholarships — Open to Illinois Students

15 national programs available to nursing students in all 50 states, including Illinois.

Federal Program

HRSA Nurse Corps Scholarship Program

Full tuition + fees + $1,490/month stipend

US citizen enrolled in an accredited nursing program. Requires 2-year service commitment at a Critical Shortage Facility after graduation.

📅 May (varies by year)🎓 BSN, MSN, NP✓ RenewableLearn More →

Federal Program

Indian Health Service Health Professions Scholarship

Full tuition + fees + $1,459/month stipend

American Indian or Alaska Native enrolled in nursing or other health professions program. Service commitment required.

📅 March (varies by year)🎓 BSN, MSN, NP, any✓ RenewableLearn More →

Nursing Association

AACN Educational Advancement Scholarships

$2,500–$10,000

Students in AACN member institution BSN, MSN, or doctoral programs. Various specialty scholarships available.

📅 Rolling (varies by award)🎓 BSN, MSN, DNP, PhDLearn More →

Nursing Association

AANP Foundation Scholarship

$2,500–$5,000

NP students enrolled in an accredited nurse practitioner program. Must be AANP member.

📅 October🎓 NP, MSN, DNPLearn More →

Nursing Association

American Nurses Foundation Nursing Scholarship

$2,500

RNs pursuing additional nursing education (BSN through doctoral level). Must demonstrate financial need.

📅 May🎓 BSN, MSN, DNP, PhDLearn More →

Nursing Association

NSNA Foundation Scholarship

$1,000–$7,500

Nursing students (LPN/LVN through doctoral) enrolled in accredited programs. Must be NSNA member.

📅 January 15🎓 LPN, ADN, BSN, MSN, DNPLearn More →

Diversity Award

National Black Nurses Association Scholarship

$500–$5,000

Black nursing students enrolled in an accredited nursing program (all levels). Must be NBNA member.

📅 April 15🎓 LPN, ADN, BSN, MSN, DNP, PhDLearn More →

Diversity Award

NAHN Scholarship Program

$1,000–$3,000

Hispanic/Latino nursing students enrolled in accredited programs. Academic achievement and community involvement considered.

📅 June🎓 LPN, ADN, BSN, MSNLearn More →

Private / Corporate

Jonas Nursing & Veterans Healthcare Scholars

$5,000–$10,000/year

Doctoral nursing students (DNP or PhD) focused on veterans' health or nursing education. Competitive nomination by member school.

📅 January (school nomination required)🎓 DNP, PhD✓ RenewableLearn More →

Private / Corporate

Tylenol Future Care Scholarship

$5,000–$10,000

Nursing and pre-med students demonstrating leadership, academic achievement, and commitment to healthcare.

📅 June🎓 BSN, MSN, anyLearn More →

Private / Corporate

Nurses Educational Funds (NEF) Scholarship

$2,500–$10,000

Registered nurses pursuing BSN, master's, or doctoral degree. Must be US citizen with a current RN license.

📅 January🎓 BSN, MSN, DNP, PhDLearn More →

Nursing Association

Emergency Nurses Association Foundation Scholarships

$3,000–$10,000

ENA members pursuing advanced nursing education with an interest in emergency nursing. Multiple specialty awards available.

📅 June🎓 BSN, MSN, NP, DNPLearn More →

Nursing Association

AORN Foundation Scholarship

$3,000–$5,000

RNs pursuing perioperative nursing certification or advanced degrees. AORN membership preferred.

📅 March🎓 BSN, MSNLearn More →

Military / Service

Army Nurse Corps Active Duty Health Professions Loan Repayment

Up to $40,000/year in loan repayment

RNs or student nurses willing to serve as Army officers. Active duty or Reserve commission options.

📅 Rolling (recruiter contact required)🎓 BSN, MSN, NP✓ RenewableLearn More →

Military / Service

Navy Nurse Corps NROTC Nursing Scholarship

Full tuition + fees + monthly stipend

Accepted to or enrolled in an accredited BSN program. Must qualify for Navy officer commission.

📅 January🎓 BSN✓ RenewableLearn More →

Is Nursing School Worth It in Illinois?

$79,690/yr

Avg RN Salary

+5.1%

Projected Job Growth

$25,000–$80,000

Typical BSN Tuition

2–4 years

Avg Payback Period

With an average Illinois RN salary of $79,690/year and 5.1% projected job growth through 2032, nursing in Illinois offers strong returns. Stacking scholarships to cover $10,000–$30,000 of tuition significantly shortens the payback period. Use our nursing ROI calculator to model your specific program and scholarship combination.

More Illinois Resources

Nursing Programs in Illinois Affordable Programs in Illinois Fastest Programs in Illinois RN Salary in Illinois License Requirements in Illinois How to Become a Nurse in Illinois All Scholarships

Scholarships in Neighboring States

Indiana Scholarships Iowa Scholarships Kentucky Scholarships Missouri Scholarships Wisconsin Scholarships

What nursing scholarships are available in Illinois?

Illinois nursing students can access 16 scholarship programs — including 1 Illinois-specific award such as Illinois Future Teacher Corps — Nursing Faculty Track. Additionally, all national programs (HRSA Nurse Corps, NSNA Foundation, ANA Foundation, and others) are open to Illinois residents.

How much can I get from nursing scholarships in Illinois?

Nursing students in Illinois can realistically earn $3,000–$15,000/year through a combination of scholarships. The HRSA Nurse Corps covers full tuition plus ~$1,490/month. With Illinois's average RN salary of $79,690/year, the ROI on even a $50,000–$80,000 BSN investment is strong — most nurses recoup tuition costs within 2–3 years of working.

Does Illinois have a loan repayment program for nurses?

Illinois nurses may qualify for the federal HRSA Nurse Corps Loan Repayment Program and the National Health Service Corps (NHSC) Loan Repayment Program, both of which operate in Illinois. These federal programs offer $30,000–$50,000+ in repayment for nurses practicing in federally designated shortage areas. Check with Illinois's Board of Nursing (https://nursing.illinois.gov) for any state-specific programs.

Can I get scholarships for online nursing programs in Illinois?

Yes. The vast majority of nursing scholarships are degree-based, not delivery-method-based. Whether you attend a traditional on-campus program or an accredited online nursing program in Illinois, you qualify for HRSA Nurse Corps, NSNA Foundation, ANA Foundation, and most other listed scholarships. The only requirement is CCNE or ACEN accreditation — which all legitimate online nursing programs hold.

What GPA do I need for nursing scholarships in Illinois?

GPA requirements vary by scholarship. Most association scholarships require a minimum 3.0 GPA, while competitive federal programs and merit awards may require 3.5 or higher. The HRSA Nurse Corps focuses on program enrollment and accreditation rather than strict GPA cutoffs, making it accessible to students who might not qualify for merit-only awards. Many state and employer-based awards have no formal GPA requirement.

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