Online Resources & Scholarships for LPN Students
Explore over 15 scholarships and valuable student support resources that can help you at every stage of your college and career journey.
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Becoming a licensed practical nurse (or licensed vocational nurse if you’re in California and Texas) is one of the quickest ways to a career in nursing. It’s a great option if you want to make a difference as a nurse without earning your associate or bachelor’s degree right away, while still giving you the chance to advance your nursing education and career later on. And with job growth for LPNs and LVNs looking strong for the foreseeable future, now’s a great time to start your journey, whether through a traditional campus-based program or one of the many online LPN programs available.
But to make the most of your education and training, you’ll need to know where to find the right help, whether it’s financial, academic, or professional in nature. This guide will show you where to find some of the best scholarships, grants and support resources for LPN and LVN students that can help you throughout your time in school, during your clinicals, and well into your career. Get started below.
Scholarships and Grants for LPN and LVN Students
Scholarships and grants are great for helping pay for your LPN training program because they’re essentially “free money” that doesn’t have to be paid back. Both scholarships and grants are offered from a variety of sponsoring sources, including colleges, nonprofit organizations, individuals, and private interest groups.
Grants are usually awarded to students based on financial need. Scholarship programs, however, are typically competitive, with awards made considering factors such as academic achievement and involvement in community or charitable activities. Other factors often considered include minority or special interest group membership and financial need.
In the following sections, we’ll show you where to locate these scholarship opportunities, from awards offered by colleges themselves to national and regional scholarships, and list some of the best ones currently available. We’ll also give you some tips applying for those scholarships so you can maximize your chances of winning.
School-based LPN Student Scholarships
It’s not entirely unusual for colleges to offer scholarships and grants exclusively for their LPN students, whether the awards are sponsored by alumni groups, local businesses and civic groups, or the schools themselves. What that means is that the first stop on your scholarship and grant search as a current or future LPN student should be your program’s financial aid office. In fact, you might want to consider the availability of school-sponsored scholarship and grants in your program search itself if you’re not already enrolled. Below are examples of two schools with great scholarship and grant programs for their LPN students. See if your school or ones you’re researching offer similar scholarships.
LPN Scholarship Spotlight:
Vincennes University
Located in Southwest Indiana, Vincennes University offers a range of undergraduate degree and certificate programs, including a Practical Nursing Certificate of Graduation program available on both its Vincennes and Jasper campuses. Funded by a generous $1 Million donation, the school established the Alexandra Clark and Oscar Dunn LPN Scholarship program (described below) that offers financial support for LPN students throughout all three semesters of their certificate programs. Visit this Grants & Scholarships webpage to learn more about VU’s internal and outside scholarship opportunities, including the Karen Rae Gines Scholarship, another award exclusively for Practical Nursing CG students, and to access the online scholarship application.
Alexandra Clark and Oscar Dunn LPN Scholarship Program
Varies
1/15/22 (Annual)
Eligibility
For VU Practical Nurse CG majors with a minimum 2.0 GPA who demonstrate a strong motivation and interest in the certificate program. Financial need is considered.
How to Apply
Apply to Vincennes University (VU) and also complete the VU Scholarship Application, which is part of the main VU application. Applicants must also file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to be considered.
LPN Scholarship Spotlight:
Bucks County Community College
Bucks County Community College offers its Practical Nursing Certificate program on its main campus located in Newtown, Pennsylvania. The college features two scholarships exclusively to help its PN students pay for their educations: the Pickering Manor Licensed Practical Nursing Scholarship (discussed below) and the Shirley Weese Memorial Scholarship. To learn more about these and other scholarship and grant opportunities, visit BCCC’s Apply for Scholarships webpage, where students can browse all of the college’s internal scholarship awards as well as a wide selection of outside scholarship programs. The website additionally features a search tool that matches students with scholarship programs based on their personal information and eligibility.
Pickering Manor Licensed Practical Nursing Scholarship
$1,000
5/20/22 (Annual)
Eligibility
Open to students enrolled in the BCCC Practical Nursing Certificate program who are graduates of a Bucks County public high school (with preference given to graduates of the Council Rock School District). Applicants must additionally register and reach a minimum benchmark of 65% on the National League for Nursing pre-entrance examination, and maintain a grade average of 85% or better.
How to Apply
Apply online through the Bucks County Community College ScholarshipUniverse portal. Documentation required includes a written recommendation and a brief essay describing how the scholarship will help the student meet his/her educational and career goals.
National and Regional LPN and LVN Scholarships
Cherokee Uniforms
$1,000
4/15/23
Eligibility
Available to students currently enrolled in a full-time or part-time LVN/LPN (or undergraduate nursing) program located in the U.S.
How to Apply
Visit the scholarship website for detailed application requirements and instructions.
The Community Foundation of West Texas
$1,000
4/15/23 (Annual)
Eligibility
Open to students 25 years of age or older currently pursuing a career as a LVN or RN, and currently enrolled in a college or university in the Lubbock, Texas area. Financial need is additionally required.
How to Apply
Apply online via the application link on the scholarship webpage.
Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR)
$2,500
1/31/23 (Annual)
Eligibility
Open to nursing students accepted into or currently enrolled in an accredited nursing school program. Must have a demonstrated financial need and strong moral character evidenced by participation in volunteer activities.
How to Apply
Visit the scholarship webpage for full application instructions. Documents required include official transcripts, two letters of recommendation, and a personal statement.
Delaware Department of Education
Up to $5,000 (not to exceed tuition, mandatory fees, and other direct educational expenses)
5/20/22 (Annual)
Eligibility
Available to legal residents of Delaware enrolled in a full-time LPN or RN program with 2.5 or higher GPA. Not technically a scholarship, but a loan program in which recipients can have their loans forgiven at a rate of one year of employment with a non-profit hospital or state-owned hospital or clinic located in the Delaware for each academic year covered by the loan.
How to Apply
Complete the online application on the Delaware Higher Education Office Student Account Access website.
The Foundation of the National Student Nurses’ Association (FNSNA)
Up to $10,000
1/27/23
Eligibility
Open to students with established financial need currently enrolled and matriculated in a state-approved nursing program and involved in community health activities and/or nursing organizations.
How to Apply
Complete the application online. Requires submission fee, faculty advisor certification form, and financial aid certification form.
Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR)
$2,500
1/31/23 (Annual)
Eligibility
Open to students enrolled or accepted in an accredited school of nursing. Applicant must also be a member, or descendent of a member, of the NSDAR, or eligible for NSDAR membership.
How to Apply
Application instructions and full requirements can be accessed on the scholarship website. Documents required include official transcripts, two letters of recommendation, and 1000-word statement setting forth career objectives.
National Black Nurses Association (NBNA)
$2,500
4/15/22 (Annual)
Eligibility
Applicant must be a NBNA member and NBNA chapter member (if a chapter exists in the applicant’s area) with plans to become an LPN/LVN or RN.
How to Apply
Download the application via the scholarship website. Documents required include official transcripts, two letters of recommendation, essay, and headshot photo.
Virginia Department of Health
Varies, typically $1,200
6/30/22 (Annual)
Eligibility
Open to Virginia residents accepted or enrolled as a full-time or part-time student in a practical nursing program located in the State of Virginia. Recipient must agree to engage in a full-time nursing position in Virginia (one month for every $100 of award money) upon graduation and licensure. Financial need is also a requirement.
How to Apply
Access the application form on the scholarship website.
Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR)
$2,000
1/31/23 (Annual)
Eligibility
Available to students in financial need who are accepted or currently enrolled in an accredited school of nursing. Preference is given to applicants from the Lowell, Massachusetts area.
How to Apply
Full application details on the scholarship website. Documentation required includes transcripts, two letters of recommendation, personal statement, and evidence of acceptance or enrollment in the nursing program.
National Association of Hispanic Nurses (NAHN)
$4,000
5/31/22 (Annual)
Eligibility
Applicant must be a student of Hispanic descent who is male and is enrolled in a two-year associate degree nursing program.
How to Apply
Follow the application instructions on the scholarship website. Documentation requirements include official transcripts, two letters of recommendation, two essays, and verification of NAHN membership.
The American Red Cross
$3,000
May 15 (Annual)
Eligibility
Applicants must have served as Red Cross volunteers and be at last one year into their nursing program with good academic standing. Preference given to applicants who show financial need.
How to Apply
Complete the application by following the links on this online application website. In addition to the application, individuals will describe their Red Cross experience and plans for their nursing degree.
ALS Association – Florida Chapter
$8,000
7/8/22 (Annual)
Eligibility
Open to Florida residents accepted to or enrolled in a medically-related degree or certification program or social work degree at a U.S. two-year or four-year college or vocational/technical school. Applicant must also be a close relative of a person diagnosed with ALS.
How to Apply
Contact the scholarship sponsor for application instructions. Documents required include official transcripts, two letters of recommendation, and a 500-word essay describing how the applicant’s experience with ALS impacted his/her decision to enter the medical or social work field.
National Association of Directors of Nursing Administration in Long Term Care (NADONALTC)
Varies
4/15/23
Eligibility
Applicant must be enrolled in an accredited nursing program and committed (minimum two-year commitment) to practice in long-term care or geriatrics practice area.
How to Apply
Complete the application form and submit required documents via the scholarship website. Must include a list of student expenses with final total, and a 100-word essay.
Kentucky Board of Nursing
$3,000
5/20/22 (Annual)
Eligibility
Available to nursing students enrolled in an approved LPN, ADN, BSN, or graduate nursing program. Applicants must also be Kentucky legal residents with special preference given to financial need and academic achievement.
How to Apply
Apply online on the scholarship website. Part of the application process includes completing the FAFSA.
Rhode Island Foundation
Varies
5/9/22 (Annual)
Eligibility
Available to Rhode Island residents pursuing a LPN, RN, or advanced nursing degree. Demonstrated financial need is required. This scholarship is renewable, but requires reapplication.
How to Apply
Complete the online application accessed from the scholarship website.
5 Keys to Landing Your LPN Scholarship
There are two main parts to winning scholarships. The first is to seek out and apply to those scholarship contests that you best qualify for and therefore have a better chance of winning. Second, you must make an exceptionally good impression with the contents of your application package. Don’t forget, you’re going to face lots of competition with most scholarships you apply to. With all of that in mind, here are some specific tips for applying to and winning scholarships for your LPN program:
- Key #1: Start early
Get going on your scholarship search as soon as possible, preferably at the same time you start your search for your LPN or LVN training program. Starting early also means starting on your application package right away. That way you’ll have plenty of time to get your application form perfect, pick the best writers for your letters of recommendation, and produce the very best personal statement or essay possible. - Key #2: Be selective, but not too selective
It’s a balancing act. You want to be choosy when it comes to selecting those scholarship programs that you have a good chance of winning, but not so choosy as to limit yourself to just one or two. Remember what we said about competition and don’t rely on winning the biggest scholarship. - Key #3: Don’t shy away from the work.
Some scholarship contests really make you work for them, with lots of required documents, like multiple essays and letters of recommendation, etc. Some even want you to submit a video. Don’t let all that stuff stop you from applying, though. Remember, if you’re thinking all that extra work isn’t worth your time, there are others thinking the same thing. And that means fewer applicants and less competition. - Key #4: Be passionate and specific when writing your essay.
Besides your academic qualifications, the best way to impress the scholarship committee is by writing a great essay or personal statement. And since most LPN students will be enrolled in programs at a college in their local areas, you’ll want to emphasize your passion for working in your community. - Key #5: Be aware of deadlines.
When it comes to scholarships, getting your scholarship applications submitted by the deadline is most important. If you miss one, it doesn’t matter how well qualified you are or how compelling your essay is. So, note all of them very carefully, and don’t miss one.
Where to Turn If You Still Need Help Paying for Your LPN Program
Scholarships and grants are great, but they’re probably not going cover your entire LPN program bill. That’s why it’s important to develop a broad-based strategy for financing your education. And that strategy will likely include multiple funding sources. By far the most popular of these sources is the student loan. There are a number of places you can go for a student loan, but the most common, by far, is the federal government. Other often-tapped funding sources for LPN students include:
- Work-study: Speak with your LPN program’s department head or visit your school’s financial aid office.
- Employee tuition reimbursement: Talk with your supervisor or HR person.
- The GI Bill: For military veterans.
- Student loan forgiveness: Depending on your employer, you might be eligible for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program or a similar program after graduation.
For more information and advice on funding your LPN training program, check out EduMed’s financial aid guide and student loan handbook.
Academic and Professional Support Resources for LPN and LVN Students
Choosing to become a practical nurse and building a successful career takes time and effort, as well as a lot of planning. The good news is that there are lots of great resources out there to help you every step of the way. We’ve done our research and put together the following list of valuable LPN student resources that you can use to support your professional and academic efforts before, during, and after your time in an LPN program.
LPN and LVN Student Support Centers and Services
Your first stop for finding resources aimed at helping you launch a successful practical nursing career will likely be your own college campus. That’s where you’ll find an array of important student support services. Your school may feature a “one-stop shop” location for all of its student resources, typically known as the Student Services Support Center. Most likely, however, support services will be found across separate offices on your campus. Regardless of where they’re housed, LPN students are advised to familiarize themselves with the various support services available and take full advantage of them.
Below, we’ve spotlighted two LPN education programs with standout student support services to give you an idea of what you might expect to find at your school.
Austin Community College
ACC offers three track options to its Vocational Nursing program students, all based on its Eastview Campus in Austin: a three-semester traditional daytime track, a five-semester evening and weekend track, and five-semester Associate of Applied Science Health Sciences degree with Vocational Nursing Specialty. ACC vocational nursing students enjoy a uniquely robust package of support services, many of which can be accessed starting from the Vocational Nursing Program Welcome page.
Services include group and individual tutoring sessions, a Health Sciences Retention Coordinator, mental health resources and counseling, nursing student success workshop, and a nursing skills lab that features patient care equipment and a variety of patient simulators. Graduate resources include career coaches, resume review services, and job listings. ACC vocational nursing students are also welcome to join the campus-sponsored Student Vocational Nurse Association.
Minnesota State Community and Technical College
Each of Minnesota State Community and Technical College’s four campuses features its own fully-equipped student services department, including the Moorhead campus that houses the college’s four-semester Practical Nursing diploma program. Student services provided include academic, career, and personal counseling, tutoring support (both on-campus and online), and the Computer Help Center for all computer and IT needs. The Moorhead campus additionally sponsors a Spring Job & Internship fair as well as networking events held throughout the year for its nursing students and recent graduates. Access to many of these services can additionally be found online at M State’s Student Support website.
Resources for Online LPN and LVN Students
It’s no secret that the popularity and availability of online postsecondary college and university degree programs have grown substantially over the last decade, and even more so recently with the arrival of Covid-19. And while LPN education inherently requires substantial in-person training, distance learning has not passed the practical nursing world by, with many programs today combining face-to-face clinical experiences with substantial (sometimes 100%) online didactic coursework. Online LPN students face their own unique challenges when it comes to distance learning. Here are five useful resources to help them overcome those challenges.
- Keeping Good Nursing Records: A Guide
A big part of your job as an LPN or LVN will be keeping clear and concise patient records. This article, presented here by the National Institutes of Health, offers solid advice that online nursing students can use both in their practical nursing coursework and on the job as a professional LPN. - Learning Nurse
This resource network offers free learning resources for all levels of nursing. Tools include games, quizzes and self-assessment tests. There’s also an e-Learning section and library to brush up on prior learned knowledge or study a brand new concept or skill. - EduMed’s Guide to Online LPN and LVN Programs
This highly useful guide from EduMed was created to help you locate the quality, fully-accredited LPN or LVN training program that best suits your needs while also helping prospective students learn what to expect from an online program. - Transitioning to Online School: A Guide for Healthcare Students
This EduMed guide is designed to help new online healthcare students make a smooth and successful move to the distance education environment. Included are tips on managing your assignments, communicating with teachers and peers, working with your learning management system, and much more. - What Makes a Successful Online Learner?
Excellent article from the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities CAREERwise website designed to help new distance learners survive and prosper in the online learning environment.
Student Organizations and Professional Associations
- American Nurses Association
The ANA is the largest and most prestigious professional association of registered nurses in the U.S., but you’ll also find lots of great resources (information, advice, networking opportunities, etc.) that apply to LPNs and the broader nursing profession. - Lambda Psi Nu
The Lamba Psi Nu sorority is a professional association of LPNs and LVNs dedicated to improved professional nursing care through education, lifelong learning, and community involvement. Members enjoy a number of networking and service events and activities, including the association’s annual conference. - National Association of Licensed Practical Nurses (NALPN)
With over 3,500 members nationwide, the NALPN is the only national-level professional association of LPNs and LVNs in the United States. Membership benefits include specialized certifications, continuing education programs, an online career center, and many more. - National Association for Practical Nurse Education and Service (NAPNES)
NAPNES sets standards for LPN and LVN practice in the U.S., with the purpose of promoting and protecting the interests of practical nurses, and educating the public about the practical nursing profession. - National League for Nursing (NLN)
The National League for Nursing is dedicated to providing professional development, testing resources, and networking opportunities to its 1,200 institutional and 40,000 individual nurse faculty and nursing education leader members.
Online Communities, Networking Sites, and Other Social Groups
- Future LPN’s/RN’s Facebook Group
Facebook group boasting over 5,000 members sharing personal and professional insight about the challenges in becoming practical or registered nurses. - LPN Group LinkedIn Group
LinkedIn networking group with over 16,000 members designed to connect LPN professionals throughout the world. - LPNs Are Nurses Too! Facebook Group
Extremely active Facebook group (over 50,000 members) open to all medical and healthcare professionals and students, but especially LPNs and LVNs, the purpose of which is to help members succeed in their chosen careers. - r/nursing Reddit Community
With over 150,000 members, this Reddit community provides a forum for discussing issues of concern to nurses and nursing students in all areas of the profession - Registered Practical Nurse Forum LinkedIn Group
LinkedIn group dedicated to helping practical nurses in all aspects of their careers, but particularly in locating quality LPN and LVN employment.
Articles, Blogs, Videos and Podcasts
- 4 False Assumptions about an LPN Career
This article from Rasmussen College’s nursing blog takes a look at several of the most common misconceptions about the practical nursing profession, including “An LPN is not a real nurse” and “There’s no path for professional growth”. - 10 Best Things about Being a Nurse
From The Rounds, EduMed’s blog for healthcare students professionals, this post will help remind you about what it is that makes all the hard work of pursuing your nursing education and career worth it. - Careers for Nurses: Opportunities and Options
Short but informative article from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics that compares various nursing occupations in the United States. Readers will get a helpful overview of the roles and responsibilities of each nurse type, as well as information on employment and professional advancement options. - Off the Charts
Off the Charts is the blog of the American Journal of Nursing featuring contributions from working nurses, AJN editors, policy leaders, patients, and others. A wide range of important topics are covered, including policy discussions, nursing career and practice issues, personal stories from nurses and patients, and more. - Should You Become an LPN/LVN?
This YouTube video features a licensed practical nurse discussing the pros and cons of the practical nursing profession. Topics discussed include “how to become a LPN” and “things to consider in deciding on a LPN career as your end goal or as a stepping stone to becoming a registered nurse”.
