Northern Arizona University Nursing Scholarships: Addressing the Healthcare Shortage

The United States is currently facing a significant nursing shortage, a problem that Northern Arizona University (NAU) is actively working to combat. By expanding its accelerated nursing programs and providing financial assistance, NAU aims to increase the number of qualified nurses entering the workforce.

Addressing the Nursing Shortage Through Scholarships

NAU has been proactive in securing funding to support its nursing students. It was among the first institutions in the nation to receive funding from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation to address the nation’s nursing shortage. The university's School of Nursing received 15 scholarships, each worth $10,000, from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation to be used for student tuition, academic fees, and living expenses for students enrolled in the Accelerated Nursing Program in 2008-09 academic year. These scholarships were distributed through the foundation’s New Careers in Nursing Scholarship Program to entry-level nursing students in accelerated programs. Preference was given to students from groups underrepresented in nursing or who are from disadvantaged backgrounds.

The New Careers in Nursing Scholarship Program addresses the challenge that many potential students face. Ellermann explained that many potential students are unable to enroll in the Accelerated Nursing Program because already having a college degree disqualifies them for receiving most federal financial aid programs. The New Careers in Nursing scholarships addresses this problem.

In addition, a $6.4 million grant to Northern Arizona University will expand NAU’s accelerated nursing programs, including offering full-tuition scholarships to 240 students earning their nursing degrees to address Arizona’s critical health care shortage.

Accelerated Nursing Programs: A Fast Track to a Nursing Career

Accelerated nursing programs offer an efficient route for adults with prior degrees to become licensed registered nurses. These programs are designed for individuals who have already completed a baccalaureate or graduate degree in a field other than nursing. The accelerated nursing programs are an excellent way to increase the number of nurses more quickly. Students seeking second degrees have already shown they are talented and motivated to succeed.

Read also: Funding Your Nursing Education

NAU offers both an Accelerated Bachelor's in Nursing (ABSN) program and a compressed bachelor’s in nursing (CBSN) program. The ABSN program, is designed for students who have existing bachelor’s degrees in a field outside of nursing. The 16-month CBSN program is designed for students with some college experience and is anticipated to launch in fall 2023 at campuses throughout the state including Flagstaff, Tucson and Yuma.

The ABSN program is an intensive year-round learning format, completed in 18 months of coursework and available for students who have completed a bachelor’s degree, met prerequisites and wish to become a registered nurse.

The Impact of Scholarships on Nursing Education

Scholarships play a vital role in enabling students to pursue nursing careers. Scholarships for second degree students are critical to allow NAU to maintain its full teaching capacity in the program. The tuition scholarships remove economic barriers for those individuals who may be unable to return to school for financial reasons.

The grant funded by the State of Arizona through the Arizona Department of Health Services aims to address the shortage of health care workers in Arizona communities by removing financial barriers and ensuring people from all backgrounds have the opportunity to become nurses.

NAU's Commitment to Addressing Arizona's Healthcare Needs

NAU is committed to ensuring students are prepared to enter the nursing workforce that Arizona so desperately needs. Thanks to state grant, NAU will significantly expand its nursing program offerings and educate more students who will positively contribute to serving Arizona’s communities and address health equity throughout the state.

Arizona is ranked in the top five states nationwide experiencing severe nursing shortages. NAU is positioned to address this critical shortage by increasing access to high-quality accelerated nursing programs which will decrease the time of completion for practice-ready bachelor’s prepared nurses to enter the workforce.

Upon graduation, each scholarship recipient is required to work for four years as a nurse in Arizona. Graduates will secure nursing roles in all corners of the state, including rural and underserved communities.

NAU has a rich history of serving rural and underserved communities. Nursing combines medical knowledge with compassionate care. At NAU, students learn to treat patients with skill and empathy through a curriculum that emphasizes clinical reasoning, cultural awareness, and holistic wellness. NAU Nursing graduates work in fast-paced hospitals, rural health centers, tribal clinics, and nonprofit organizations.

Additional Scholarship Opportunities at NAU

In addition to program-specific scholarships, NAU offers a variety of other financial aid opportunities for nursing students:

Automatic Tuition Scholarships: When you apply to NAU as a first-year student, you’ll automatically be considered for tuition scholarships, no extra steps needed. Just be sure to fill out your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) early to make the most of all available aid.
Access2Excellence (A2E): Through a combination of funding, including scholarships, A2E covers 100% of tuition for eligible Arizona residents with a household income up to $65,000. And if you’re a member of one of Arizona’s 22 federally recognized tribes, you qualify for A2E no matter your income or state of residency. Applies to Flagstaff and statewide campus students (but not online).
Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE): If you’re from a western state, you may qualify for the WUE program, which gives you a major tuition discount as an out-of-state student.
College-Specific Scholarships: Many NAU colleges offer scholarships for undergraduate students. The W. A. Franke College of Business, for example, offers scholarships to its students.
Education Abroad Scholarships: Most tuition scholarships can be used toward NAU’s education abroad or exchange programs. They don’t apply to faculty-led or provider programs, though.

Utilizing ScholarshipUniverse for Maximum Scholarship Opportunities

NAU provides students with a valuable tool called ScholarshipUniverse, a matching system that maximizes scholarship opportunities. Each scholarship opportunity that a student sees on ScholarshipUniverse has gone through an extensive vetting process in order to protect students from scholarship scams.

Read also: Scholarships for Colorado Nurses

ScholarshipUniverse is a one-stop shop for all your scholarship needs. You can apply, review, research, and accept scholarship aid worry-free. All departments on campus will use this platform in future academic years to post their scholarship opportunities.

To access ScholarshipUniverse:

You must be an admitted, incoming student, or current student at NAU.
Once you’ve been admitted to NAU, you automatically have a ScholarshipUniverse account!
The more questions you answer and information you fill out, the more accurate the matching scholarship opportunities will be.

ScholarshipUniverse will help track and manage your pending and completed applications. By far the best way to search for and apply for private scholarships is by using our ScholarshipUniverse tool.

Tips for Finding and Applying for Scholarships

Research: Search for scholarships awarded to students based on college majors, hobbies, achievements, grades, or other criteria that might apply to you.
Plan ahead: Donors might ask for essays, résumés, or letters of recommendation.
Focus on the scholarships you have the best shot at winning. Look for programs and organizations you are affiliated with.
Be cautious of scams.

External Scholarships

Internal scholarships refer to scholarships directly awarded by NAU, and external scholarships refer to any scholarships awarded by an outside source.

Scholarship Disbursement Process

Once NAU receive a scholarship check and any corresponding documentation, they work to post the award on the student’s account in a timely manner. Include the student’s NAU ID number and full name on the check, and an award letter that specifies any of the scholarship requirements or restrictions, including which term the scholarship should be applied to. All third-party, private donor scholarship checks should be received in our office no later than July 1 for the fall term and Dec.

Concurrent Nursing Program Scholarship

One scholarship will be awarded to a qualifying student in each of these programs: Northern Arizona University's concurrent nursing program with Coconino Community College, NAU's American Indian Program for nursing, and NAU's Flagstaff campus nursing program.

To be eligible, students must be enrolled in one of these three programs: Northern Arizona University's concurrent nursing program with Coconino Community College, NAU's American Indian Program for nursing, or NAU's Flagstaff campus nursing program. Proof of enrollment is required.

Scholarship funds are for the 2023-2024 academic year and should only be used for tuition, course books, or other academic expenses. Applicants may only receive one scholarship per year from Health First Foundation. Scholarships are awarded annually and are non-renewable.

Application Instructions for Health First Foundation Scholarship

Note: An incorrectly formatted essay will disqualify your application. and forward it to your academic advisor to sign. Once signed, save as a PDF for upload.

Obtain proof of enrollment to upload with your application (valid documents include an unofficial transcript, registrar enrollment verification letter, or official acceptance letter). Complete application by clicking the button below. Funding for this scholarship is generously provided by the Health First Foundation Board of Directors. Questions?

NAU Nursing Programs: Preparing Future Healthcare Professionals

NAU offers a comprehensive nursing program that prepares graduates for successful careers in various healthcare settings. Yes! Graduates of NAU’s BSN programs are eligible to take the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN) exam.

At NAU, you’ll learn to treat patients with skill and empathy through a curriculum that emphasizes clinical reasoning, cultural awareness, and holistic wellness.

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