Best Nursing Grants in Illinois

The Isabel Hampton Robb Scholarship, provided by Nurses Educational Funds Inc., supports doctoral candidates in nursing education, practice, research, and administration. Applicants must hold a current RN license and have two semesters of study remaining after the award notification. Preference is given to those majoring in nursing research or organizational study. With over a century of service, NEF is dedicated to advancing nursing leadership through scholarship assistance, fostering the next generation of nursing professionals.

The Isabel McIsaac Scholarship, awarded by Nurses Educational Funds Inc., supports master's and doctoral nursing students with a minimum GPA of 3.6. Applicants must hold a current RN license and have completed a baccalaureate degree in nursing. Preference is given to candidates pursuing nursing research or organizational studies. This scholarship aims to promote nursing leadership and is funded solely through donations, reflecting over a century of commitment to advancing nursing education.

The Jane Eleanor Knox Scholarship, established by a $50,000 bequest from Dr. Knox, supports doctoral nursing students committed to leadership in the field. Applicants must possess a current RN license and maintain a minimum GPA of 3.6 while enrolled in accredited nursing programs. Preference is given to those focusing on nursing research or organizational studies. This scholarship fosters the advancement of nursing education and leadership through financial support from Nurses Educational Funds, Inc.

The Joan L. Conroy Scholarship, established in 2024, supports Ph.D. nursing students dedicated to educating future nurses. It honors Joan L. Conroy's legacy, emphasizing her love for education and nursing. Applicants must have two semesters left in their program and demonstrate a commitment to geriatric nursing and home health care. This scholarship is funded by the Nurses Educational Funds Inc., a nonprofit organization that promotes nursing leadership through educational scholarships.

The Joanne V. Pontier Scholarship, established in 2022 by Mary V. Insall, honors her sister, a dedicated emergency nurse. With a generous $50,000 donation, this scholarship supports emergency nurses pursuing graduate studies. Applicants must be enrolled in accredited nursing programs and have a minimum GPA of 3.6. Preference is given to doctoral students in nursing research. This scholarship aims to foster leadership in nursing and improve emergency care, ultimately saving lives and supporting families.

The Judith G. Whitaker Scholarship, awarded by Nurses Educational Funds Inc., supports nurses pursuing master's and doctoral degrees in nursing. Applicants must have two semesters of study remaining and meet specific eligibility criteria, including a valid RN license and a minimum GPA of 3.6. Preference is given to doctoral students focusing on nursing research. This scholarship reflects over a century of commitment to advancing nursing education and leadership.

Nurses Educational Funds

Nurses Educational Funds, Inc. depends solely on donations to advance our only mission, to promote nursing leadership through annual scholarship support for professional nurses seeking masters and doctoral degrees in nursing education, practice, research, and administration.

NEF’s only purpose is to provide nursing scholarship assistance to make graduate level nursing education possible. NEF is one of the largest, national, private, professionally endorsed source of funds for advanced nursing study with over one hundred years of service to and for professional nursing. NEF is a non-profit organization with 501(c) status.

Mary V. Insall Scholarship

The Mary Insall Scholarship was established in 2021, the result of a generous donation of $50,000 from Mary V. Insall, to recognize nurses interested in advanced practice, research and education in adult health, orthopedic specialization, and rehabilitation nursing at the Master’s and/or Doctoral level. This focus represents a keen interest by Ms. Insall in the field of orthopedics through her longtime affiliation with the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York City and therefore preference will be given to this area of specialty practice, research, and education.

Lakeview Foundation Scholarship

The Lakeview Foundation provides higher education scholarships to college bound students of Eastern Van Buren County, Michigan who are pursuing a healthcare degree.

Lakeview Foundation started in 1985 as a Hospital Authority Foundation. Its existence is solely due to the hospital that was started in Paw Paw in 1939 in a house that was the summer home of David Rose, a former mayor of Milwaukee.

The hospital quickly became Lakeview Municipal Hospital and eventually Lakeview Community Hospital Authority comprising the Villages of Paw Paw, Lawton, Decatur and Mattawan, The City of Gobles, and the Townships of Paw Paw, Pine Grove, Decatur, Antwerp, Almena, Hamilton, Porter and Lawrence.

Shortly after the hospital authority sold the hospital to Bronson Methodist Hospital, Lakeview Foundation became independent and accepted a large donation as part of the sale. Lakeview Foundation enjoys a close bond with Lakeview Bronson Hospital.

Nurses Educational Funds

Nurses Educational Funds, Inc. depends solely on donations to advance our only mission, to promote nursing leadership through annual scholarship support for professional nurses seeking masters and doctoral degrees in nursing education, practice, research, and administration.

NEF’s only purpose is to provide nursing scholarship assistance to make graduate level nursing education possible. NEF is one of the largest, national, private, professionally endorsed source of funds for advanced nursing study with over one hundred years of service to and for professional nursing. NEF is a non-profit organization with 501(c) status.

Terry Fulmer Scholarship

This 2022 scholarship honors Dr. Terry Fulmer, PhD, RN, FAAN, and focuses on long term care of the elderly in nursing homes. Dr. Fulmer’s life's work has been devoted to geriatric nursing education, mentoring, research, and policy development. Among her many accomplishments, she is nationally and internationally recognized as a leading expert in geriatrics and is also known for the conceptualization and development of the national NICHE program and research on the topic of elder abuse and neglect, work that has been funded by the National Institute on Aging and the National Institute of Nursing Research. In 2021, Dr. Fulmer was named a Living Legend by the American Academy of Nursing. This scholarship was initiated in December of 2021 by Dr. Mathy Mezey, EdD, RN, FAAN, an NEF Board member, and a noted international geriatric expert.

Nurses Educational Funds

Nurses Educational Funds, Inc. depends solely on donations to advance our only mission, to promote nursing leadership through annual scholarship support for professional nurses seeking masters and doctoral degrees in nursing education, practice, research, and administration.

NEF’s only purpose is to provide nursing scholarship assistance to make graduate level nursing education possible. NEF is one of the largest, national, private, professionally endorsed source of funds for advanced nursing study with over one hundred years of service to and for professional nursing. NEF is a non-profit organization with 501(c) status.

Susan Bowar-Ferres Scholarship

Created in 2023, the Susan Bowar-Ferres Scholarship is devoted to nursing leadership in the Magnet Recognition Program which recognizes health-care organizations for quality patient care, nursing excellence and innovations in professional nursing practice. Consumers rely on Magnet designation as the ultimate credential for high quality nursing.

The scholarship is given to a Master’s or Doctoral student demonstrating leadership in aspiring to achieve or continuing to achieve Magnet designation, such as being a Magnet Program Director/Coordinator, a leader of or actively involved as a member of their quality council, clinical indicator council or similar quality improvement program.

Susan Bowar-Ferres, PhD, RN, NEA-BC, is an Emeritus NEF Board Member who has dedicated many years of service to the NEF Board of Directors, as President of NEF as well as Chair of the Bylaws Committee. A nursing administrator in multiple health care service organizations spanning 50 years, Dr. Bowar-Ferres has devoted more than three decades of her professional career to the Magnet Recognition Program, serving as an appraiser, team leader and team member. Under her leadership as the Chief Nursing Officer, NYU Langone Medical Center earned two successive Magnet designations. Her dedication to the Magnet Program is ongoing. Dr. Bowar-Ferres is dedicated to excellence in practice and all that Magnet recognition means. The Susan Bowar-Ferres Scholar shares these values and aspirations.

Nurses Educational Funds

Nurses Educational Funds, Inc. depends solely on donations to advance our only mission, to promote nursing leadership through annual scholarship support for professional nurses seeking masters and doctoral degrees in nursing education, practice, research, and administration.

NEF’s only purpose is to provide nursing scholarship assistance to make graduate level nursing education possible. NEF is one of the largest, national, private, professionally endorsed source of funds for advanced nursing study with over one hundred years of service to and for professional nursing. NEF is a non-profit organization with 501(c) status.

Rita Reis Wieczorek Scholarship for Maternal-Infant and Pediatric Nursing

Created in 2020, by Rita Reis Wieczorek, EdD, RN, PNP, FAAN, together with NEF. Dr. Wieczorek is an NEF Board Member Emeritus and longtime board member. This scholarship is the first NEF Scholarship to focus on maternal-infant and pediatric nursing. For over four decades Dr. Wieczorek has devoted her career to providing the best maternal-infant and pediatric care to her patients as well as teaching the highest standards of care to master's and doctoral nursing students, motivating them to excel in their care for the well-being of mothers, infants and children.

The Philip D. Raso Scholarship, established in 2016 by the Ann G. & James B. Ritchie Foundation, supports graduate nursing students pursuing master's and doctoral degrees. To qualify, applicants must maintain a minimum GPA of 3.6, hold a current RN license, and have at least two semesters of study remaining. This scholarship honors Philip Raso's legacy and promotes nursing leadership through financial assistance for advanced education.

The Nurses Educational Funds, Inc. Scholarship supports professional nurses pursuing master's or doctoral degrees in nursing education, practice, research, and administration. Applicants must have at least two semesters of study remaining after the award notification, maintain a minimum GPA of 3.6, and hold a current RN license. This scholarship is based on proven excellence in nursing service and scholarship, making graduate-level nursing education accessible to dedicated professionals.

Graduate-level pediatric nursing students in the U.S. who are RNs pursuing master’s or doctoral degrees and demonstrating exceptional, innovative care or administration for children may be eligible for this scholarship. Focused on nursing, Nurses Educational Funds invites Illinois and other U.S. nurses in accredited programs with strong academic records to apply.

Students pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Nursing or equivalent degree, including those in Illinois, can seek support for tuition through the Merwin T. and Agnes Bowman Nursing Scholarship. Arkansas Community Foundation manages this scholarship as part of its statewide program for higher education, with specific eligibility determined within its online scholarship portal.

Illinois registered nurses pursuing accredited master’s or doctoral nursing degrees and seeking scholarship support for graduate study can apply for the AJN/Thelma Schorr Scholarship, which supports emerging nursing leaders who advocate through speaking or writing. Illinois nursing professionals can access funding through Nurses Educational Funds to advance education, practice, research, or administration careers.

Graduate-level registered nurses in maternal-infant and pediatric nursing can use this scholarship for advanced study while enrolled in accredited U.S. programs, including those in Illinois. With a mission to promote nursing leadership, Nurses Educational Funds provides direct scholarships to master’s and doctoral students maintaining a 3.6 GPA and active professional membership.

Graduate-level nurses in the U.S. pursuing accredited master’s or doctoral nursing programs can receive scholarship support for advanced study and leadership development. Focused on nursing, Nurses Educational Funds offers the Barbara L. Tate Scholarship to RNs with strong academics and professional association membership, which may benefit Illinois nurses seeking to advance their education and careers.

Graduate-level nurses pursuing master’s or doctoral degrees in accredited U.S. nursing programs can use this scholarship for advanced nursing education and leadership development. Grants from Nurses Educational Funds help Illinois nursing professionals who hold a current RN license and strong academic records, with preference for those preparing to become exemplary future nurse educators.

Illinois graduate-level nurses pursuing master’s or doctoral degrees in accredited U.S. nursing programs can access funding for advanced study through the Charles Hamlin Scholarship, supporting nursing education, practice, research, and administration. Illinois nursing students with Native American heritage, orthopedic interests, or a focus on preventing healthcare burnout may be especially competitive for this Nurses Educational Funds opportunity.

Illinois registered nurses pursuing accredited master’s or doctoral nursing degrees and demonstrating leadership may be eligible for this graduate education scholarship. Illinois nursing students can access funding through Nurses Educational Funds to support advanced study if they hold U.S. citizenship or legal residency, belong to a professional nursing association, meet GPA and credit requirements, and have at least two semesters remaining.

Focused on graduate nursing education, this scholarship supports U.S. registered nurses pursuing PhD or EdD degrees with a community home/health focus or historical research. Illinois nursing professionals enrolled in accredited doctoral programs who meet the academic and membership requirements may be eligible for the M. Louise Fitzpatrick Nursing Scholarship Award from Nurses Educational Funds.

Illinois registered nurses pursuing doctoral degrees in accredited U.S. graduate nursing programs can access funding through Nurses Educational Funds’ M. Janice Nelson Scholarship to support advanced study in nursing education and leadership. Applicants must hold an RN license, be association members, meet rigorous GPA and credit requirements, and have at least two semesters of study remaining.

Graduate-level nurses pursuing master’s or doctoral degrees in accredited U.S. nursing programs can seek scholarship support for clinical nursing leadership and scholarship, including those studying in Illinois. Focused on advanced nursing education, Nurses Educational Funds invites current RNs with strong academic records and professional association memberships to apply if they have at least two semesters of study remaining.

Black registered nurses in doctoral nursing programs, including those in Illinois, can receive scholarship support for advanced study and leadership development. Nurses Educational Funds supports graduate-level nursing education nationwide, funding African American nurses enrolled in accredited PhD, DNP, DNAP, or EdD programs who meet rigorous academic, licensure, and professional membership requirements.

Community Foundation of Henderson County

Community Foundation of Henderson County was incorporated in 1982 by a group of fourteen dedicated and compassionate local leaders with the immediate need to manage two funds - the William C. Armstrong Scholarship Fund and the Charlie Renfrow Scholarship Fund, in addition to providing a permanent vehicle for citizens to give back to their community.

Our Mission is to help people who care make lasting contributions to causes that matter. The Community Foundation of Henderson County is a highly visible, philanthropic leader directed by an engaged and committed board, staffed by qualified employees, empowering donors at all levels to invest in professionally managed charitable funds that address community needs.

Fredrick E. and Mary Meyer Scholarship

Applicant must demonstrate financial need and be pursuing a degree to become a registered nurse (RN). The scholarship is renewable. Recipients must maintain a 3.0 average in order to have their scholarship renewed.

About Community Foundation of Henderson County

• Mission: Helping people who care make lasting contributions to causes that matter.
• Vision: Community Foundation of Henderson County is a highly visible, philanthropic leader directed by an engaged and committed board, staffed by qualified employees, empowering donors at all levels to invest in professionally managed charitable funds that address community needs.

About Eleanor M. Kutchoodon Scholarship

Applicants must demonstrate need and have a strong desire for higher education in the field of nursing.

This is a renewable scholarship.