Louisiana Nursing Scholarships and Grants

The State of Louisiana offers its residents several opportunities to apply for nursing scholarships and grants.

Listed below are the names and descriptions of Louisiana, school, and federal scholarships and grants for prospective nurses living in Louisiana.

Harry and Julia Watkins Huber Nursing Scholarship

McNeese State University, located in Lake Charles, Louisiana, offers this scholarship to full-time nursing students who attend their nursing program. Deadline is December 1 each year.

Three other scholarships for nursing students offered by McNeese State University are: the Frances Thompson King Memorial Nursing Scholarship, the Jewel M. Legare Nursing Scholarship, and the Mary Jean Turvey Richard Nursing Scholarship. For more information visit www.mcneese.edu/scholarships.

Our Lady of Holy Cross College

The nursing scholarship is offered to nursing students attending the college. Deadline is February 1.

Other nursing scholarships include: the Elizabeth Harkins Scholarship, the Betty Rae Kern Scholarship, the Amy O. Bourgeois Scholarship, and the Janey Milstich Scholarship. You can get more information at www.olhcc.edu/financial-aid/olhcc-scholarships.

Dorothy K. Page Memorial Nursing Scholarship

The University of Louisiana at Monroe is the sponsor of this nursing scholarship. It is available to nursing majors who attend the college. This scholarship requires a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 2.5 and the student must show financial need.

Helen Cannon Memorial Nursing Scholarship

Here is another scholarship offered to nursing students who attend ULM. Students must demonstrate competence and dedication to the profession of nursing and maintain excellent grades to receive this award. For more information go to: finaid.ulm.edu/scholarshiphome.htm.

Walter Lowre Mass Communication Scholarship

The scholarship is sponsored by Nicholls State University located in Thibodaux, Louisiana. It is available to sophomore students attending full-time. The student must reside in Terrebonne Parish, major in nursing, and carry no less than a 2.0 GPA. See more information at: www.dar.org/natsociety/edout_scholar.cfm.

National Health Service Corps Scholarship

The NHSCS is a federal scholarship available to students majoring in nursing and other health care majors. Students are required to work in an area with manpower shortage after graduation. Contact the Federal Student Aid Information Center for more information.

Scholarships for Disadvantaged Students

SDS is for disadvantaged, full-time nursing students who are experiencing great financial need. The school is responsible for determining need and scholarships that do not go beyond the cost of tuition, educational expenses and living expenses. Apply at the financial aid office at your school.

Louisiana students have the opportunity to apply for several federal grants to help pay for nursing school.

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant

The FSEOG is awarded to undergraduate students with great financial need. Students who are recipients of the Federal Pell Grant get first priority.

The amount of the rewards ranges from $100 to $4,000 per year. The amount awarded depends on the amount you receive from other sources of financial aid and funds available at your institution. Not all schools are participants in the FSEOG.

Federal Pell Grant

Undergraduate students who have not earned a bachelor’s degree and who exhibit financial need indicated by their Expected Family Contribution (EFC) as reported on their FAFSA may be eligible for the Pell Grant.

Pell Grant awards are $400-$5,350 per year. Your grant is calculated by cost of your school, whether you attend for a full year or less, and whether you attend part-time or full-time. Complete your FAFSA to determine eligibility.

Two grants awarded to nursing students by the State of Louisiana are:

Louisiana Taylor Opportunity Program for Students (TOPS)

TOPS pays tuition for nursing students and others who have a 2.50 grade point average (GPA) and a composite score of 20 on the ACT. You must attend a Louisiana public college or university, community or technical college, or an approved cosmetology school to be considered for an award.

You will need to complete a FAFSA and a TOPS application that are available online to determine eligibility.

Leveraging Educational Assistance Partnership (LEAP)

LEAP combines funds from the federal and state governments to grants to nursing students whose financial need is substantial and are academically qualified with a 2.0 GPA and a score of 20 on the ACT.

Recipients must be a one-year Louisiana resident before July 1 of the same year of the award and submit a FAFSA application.

We have attempted to include as many scholarships and grants for nursing students in Louisiana as we could find. Not included are the many private scholarships offered to eligible students. You can find financial aid to complete your education in nursing. Nursing schools, the Federal Government and the State of Louisiana have funds to help you get the education you desire.