Nurse Anesthesia Scholarships: A Comprehensive Guide to Funding Your Education
Becoming a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) requires specialized training at the graduate level, typically spanning 24 to 36 months, integrating classroom study with hands-on clinical experience. Due to the precision and critical nature of this role, financial assistance through scholarships is a vital resource for aspiring nurse anesthetists. Numerous organizations and institutions offer scholarships to support these future healthcare professionals.
Key Scholarship Resources and Organizations
The AANA Foundation: The AANA Foundation serves as a comprehensive resource for students and professionals in nurse anesthesia. It hosts meetings and conferences, provides news updates, advances research and technology, and sponsors educational opportunities. Student scholarships are available for those who have completed at least six months of a nurse anesthetist program.
American Association of Nurse Anesthetists Foundation Scholarships: These scholarships require applicants to be currently enrolled (not merely accepted) in an AANA-accredited nurse anesthesia educational program and be an AANA member. Additional criteria may be specified by individual scholarship donors. Scholarship funds can only be used for nurse anesthesia education. Award amounts range from $1,000 to $3,500 for one year.
APSF (Anesthesia Patient Safety Foundation): A sister organization to the AANA, the APSF focuses on research and development in nursing anesthesia. It provides funding primarily through grants dedicated to clinical research or education and training. Accepted projects are generously funded and often involve teams of students and scientists.
US Department of Health and Human Services: The US Department of Health and Human Services offers funding opportunities such as the Nurse Anesthetist Traineeship, a grant for second-year students that may cover tuition and fees.
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Featured Scholarships
CANA Scholarship: The California Association of Nurse Anesthetists (CANA) offers a \$1000 scholarship to members of the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists who are residents of California or pursuing further education at a program in the state. Eligibility requires current enrollment in a nurse anesthesia educational program accredited by the sponsor. Selection criteria include academic achievement, participation in student organizations, and involvement in school and community activities.
Dean and Fred Hayden Memorial National Scholarship: This scholarship provides \$2500 to members of the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists who are enrolled in an accredited nurse anesthesia education program. Applicants must be second-year students who demonstrate financial need and outstanding academic excellence. They must also hold a current license as a registered nurse and a bachelor of science in nursing or another appropriate baccalaureate degree from an approved nursing program.
Dean Hayden, CRNA Missouri Scholarship: This scholarship awards \$1500 to members of the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists enrolled in an accredited nurse anesthesia education program in Missouri. Applicants must be second-year students who demonstrate financial need and outstanding academic excellence, holding a current RN license and a BSN or equivalent.
Dean Hayden Student Research Grant: The AANA offers research grants to student members in good academic standing who are proposing a research project related to nurse anesthesia. The award amount varies each year.
Dean Hayden Student Research Scholarship: This research scholarship is open to nurse anesthesia students in good academic standing who are members of the AANA. The award amount is \$1000.
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KyANA Scholarship: The Kentucky Association of Nurse Anesthetists (KyANA) sponsors an annual scholarship for Kentucky residents through the AANA Foundation, honoring the late Gary Jenkins, CRNA. This scholarship provides students with the opportunity to participate in federal advocacy efforts on Capitol Hill. KyANA has also enhanced educational opportunities by doubling the number of scholarships awarded to attend AANA's Annual Meeting.
Ohio Association Scholarship: Ohio residents enrolled in a nurse anesthesia program at an Ohio school are eligible to apply for financial assistance from the Dale O. Heimberger CRNA Memorial Scholarship Fund. Applicants must demonstrate financial need, academic achievement, and enthusiasm for the field.
Arkansas Association Scholarship: The Johnnie Rosell Nurse Anesthesia Education Grant is annually awarded by the Arkansas Association of Nurse Anesthetists to a senior in a nurse anesthesia program. The recipient must be an Arkansas resident and plan to practice within the state upon completion. The monies awarded are \$500 and must be used toward the cost of tuition and expenses.
Inaffit, LLC NATUREAL Health Is Greater Than Wealth Scholarship: This scholarship is available for high school seniors and undergraduate students that completed two years of college pursuing a degree in medicine, nursing, dental, research, nutrition or other health-related program.
Healthcare Leaders Scholarship: Offered to students entering or currently pursuing an educational program related to nursing or medicine, applicants must be 17 or over with a 3.0+ GPA, and enrolled or accepted to a nursing or healthcare-related program. Both graduate and undergraduate students are welcome to apply. All applicants must submit a 600 to 1,000-word essay explaining what they hope to accomplish during their career in the medical field and how the scholarship would fulfill those goals.
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Banyan Scholarship for Clinical Education and Healthcare Professions: This scholarship offers a \$1,000 grant to support working students in healthcare fields.
FHE Health Hope for Healing Scholarship: This annual scholarship awards \$5,000 to one graduate and one undergraduate student in the fields of mental and behavioral health, psychology, nursing, and/or addiction medicine.
American Cancer Society Scholarships: The American Cancer Society provides scholarships in cancer nursing, including doctoral scholarships to support study in a doctoral degree program in nursing or a related area that will prepare the graduate for a career as a cancer nurse scientist.
University-Specific Scholarships
Northeastern University: Northeastern University’s School of Nursing’s Anesthesia program offers scholarship funding. The Bouve College of Health Sciences provides a range of undergraduate and graduate programs, including the Northeastern University Scholars Program, which awards full tuition to 50 incoming undergraduates in any program.
University of Michigan - Flint: Second-year students in the nurse anesthetist program at the University of Michigan - Flint are invited to apply for the Barbara I. Sprague CRNA Scholarship, the Virginia K. Polzin CRNA Scholarship, or the Diane Brown CRNA Scholarship. Recipients must maintain passing grades and demonstrate participation in community activities and/or a professional health care organization.
University of Pittsburgh: Graduate students who completed their undergraduate degree at the University of Pittsburgh are eligible to apply for the Pitt Alumni Association Graduate Scholarship, which provides a partial tuition scholarship.
Virginia Commonwealth University: Full-time students enrolled in the Nurse Anesthetist Program at Virginia Commonwealth University are eligible for assistance from the Commonwealth of Virginia Graduate Tuition Assistance Program, in addition to general VCU financial aid.
University of Chicago: The Nursing at the Forefront Scholarship for Study in Anesthesia Nursing Award covers the full cost of tuition, plus books and fees at the University of Chicago.
UNC Greensboro: The Raleigh School of Nurse Anesthesia Board of Directors established a merit scholarship for students in UNC Greensboro’s School of Nursing Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Nurse Anesthesia Concentration.
Additional Scholarship Opportunities
EduMed Medical and Healthcare Scholarships: This resource lists 50 of the top available scholarships across 7 different healthcare fields, including dental, nursing, medical assisting, and healthcare leadership.
Hispanic Scholarship Fund (HSF): The HSF assists students of Hispanic heritage in obtaining a college degree.
NURSE Corps Scholarship Program (NCSP): The NCSP helps students complete their nursing education by paying tuition, fees, other education costs, while providing a monthly living stipend.
Tillman Military Scholars Program: This program supports active and veteran service members and their spouses by removing financial barriers to completing a degree program of choice.
Senior Care Scholarship (A Place for Mom): This scholarship is available to students enrolled in a bachelor's degree or graduate level program in nursing at an accredited four-year university.
PhDs.me Scholarships & Resources for Black Students: This resource provides funding options for Black students pursuing a PhD.
Kaiser Permanente Student Financial Aid Program: This program awards need-based nursing financial aid to students in California.
Federal and State Resources
Federal Student Aid: This provides grants, loans, and work-study funds for college or career school.
NURSE Corps Loan Repayment Program: This program helps alleviate the shortage of nurses by offering loan repayment assistance to registered nurses and advance practice nurses working at Critical Shortage facilities and nurse faculty employed at accredited schools of nursing.
Application Tips and Considerations
Application Fees: Typically, you will not have to pay an application fee for scholarships.
Application Review: Carefully review all scholarship criteria and instructions, as incomplete or incorrect applications will be rejected.
Eligibility: Ensure you meet the eligibility requirements, such as completing at least six months of nurse anesthesiology classes by a specific date (e.g., March 1, 2026).
Program Verification Form: Program Administrators must complete a Program Verification Form online for each resident before they can submit their application.
Application Deadlines: Applications are typically accepted through a specific date (e.g., March 1, 2026), and no changes are accepted after this time. Work with your Program Administrator as soon as the application opens, as residents cannot submit their application until the Program Administrator has completed their Program Verification Form.
Essays: The Involvement and Accomplishments Essay and Financial Need Essay must each be 2,000 characters (not words) or less (including spaces).
FAFSA Form: Financial aid scholarship applicants must provide their entire 2026-2027 FAFSA Form in PDF format. FAFSA forms must be in final format; drafts or estimates will not be accepted.
Technical Considerations: Use Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox for best results when completing your application.
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