Nurse Corps Scholarship Program
Updated: Jan 29, 2021
My timeline
January 2018: I learned about the Nurse Corps Scholarship & decided to apply to nursing school over PA school
August 2019: I began nursing school
March/April 2020: I applied for the Nurse Corps Scholarship
July 16th, 2020: Notification of becoming a finalist
September 16th, 2020: I received an email with a subject line 'Login to your Nurse Corps Portal'. And my heart began to pound... Was this the notification that I've been waiting for??
Should I open it now? Or later? Whatever... I'm proud of myself either way. Let's see...
I took a deep breath and clicked the mail...
"Congratulations! We are pleased to inform you that you have been selected to receive a 2020 NurseCorps Scholarship Program (NurseCorps SP) award! As a member of the NurseCorps Scholarship Program, you are about to embark on an exciting journey. Once you have obtained your nursing degree, you will join a group of dedicated nursing professionals who have made a commitment to nursing and the underserved."
Complete disbelief washed over me. It took a few minutes for reality to settle in. I called my mom to share the good news. I won... not just any scholarship... the one that made me say, "Ok, I'll go to nursing school and I'll win this scholarship."
Law of manifestation is real... but we won't get into that now. :)
Anyway, are you interested? Let's chat about this scholarship.
What is the Nurse Corps Scholarship program?
"The Nurse Corps SP is a competitive program administered by HHS’ Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). HRSA improves the health of underserved and vulnerable populations by strengthening the health workforce and connecting skilled professionals to communities in need. The Nurse Corps SP carries out this mission by growing the workforce in underserved communities. The Nurse Corps SP strives to select recipients who are more likely to remain at their service sites and continue serving those in need even after they fulfill the service commitment.
With this as HRSA’s guiding principle, the Nurse Corps SP’s purpose is to provide scholarships to nursing students in exchange for a minimum two-year full-time service commitment (or part-time equivalent), at an eligible health care facility with a critical shortage of nurses.
Applicants are strongly encouraged to explore the types of nursing opportunities that exist in eligible critical shortage facilities before applying to the Nurse Corps SP. Upon graduation and licensing, all participants must fulfill their service obligation at an eligible health care facility and in the discipline (Registered Nurse (RN) or Nurse Practitioner (NP)) for which they were funded.
There is a lack of behavioral health training for advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs). To address this need, Nurse Corps SP supports NPs, who have a broader scope of practice and the capacity to increase access to behavioral health services. HRSA reserves up to 50 percent of the Nurse Corps SP funds for the education of NPs, with up to 20 percent of total program funding targeting NPs specializing in Psychiatric-Mental Health. Through this approach, the Nurse Corps aims to support providers who are well positioned to combat the opioid epidemic." Read more here.
Why should I join?
Well, you're going to become a nurse anyway, right? Why not serve a population in need. You still have choice on where you go and which hospitals you apply to. For example, I've made a list of the top cities which I may move to after graduation. I've been plugging in hospital addresses into the HPSA ID locator on the HRSA website to ensure that I could work there. Also, getting a full scholarship is not a bad gig. ;)
How to apply?
The application cycle begins in the spring. I believe that it opened up in March 2020 (when I applied). So, be sure to check in the early spring for application cycle dates. It varies slightly each year.
Find out more by clicking this link: https://bhw.hrsa.gov/funding/apply-scholarship/nurse-corps
Tips on Applying
Take your time on the essay. Have someone proofread it for you. Show (not tell) how you are actively involved in the community. Reflect on how you are already a stellar community member. How do you give back to the medical community? Are you confident in your skills as a future nurse? How do you plan on giving back in the future? Are you interested in nursing specialties of critical needs?
Also, ask your professor for a great recommendation letter. Make sure it is someone who actually knows you a little bit. I know it is hard, because the professors have so many students. Still, sit down and chat with a professor. Help them see your goals and your future. They will be able to write to your character, persistence, and work ethics.
Final Words
Just apply. I did not think that I would win. I was in the middle of a COVID mission and had to figure out a way to get certain information to them in the middle of long days. Even as a finalist, I thought... "Why am I trying? But I gotta try anyway." Just try. I know that my mission is similar to the Nurse Corps mission. So, maybe they saw that. And maybe they'll see the truth in you too.
Apply and keep your grades up. Study hard. Stay motivated and good luck y'all.
Did you apply? Are you interested in the National Nurse Corps Loan Forgiveness program? Share your thoughts and experiences. :)
Learn more about the program and see if you are eligible: