HRSA Nursing Grants, Scholarships and Loan Repayment

HRSA is the federal agency behind most nursing-specific aid. The key thing to know: some programs pay you directly, and the "nursing grants" mostly go to schools and hospitals.

The two kinds of HRSA money

For you, or for your school?

HRSA's nursing page splits its support in two: financial assistance to individuals to help pay for nursing school or repay nursing debt, and grants to the institutions training nurses. HRSA is clear that the second group "are for organizations, not individuals."

So if you searched for a "nursing grant" to pay your own tuition, the federal grant you can apply for directly is the Pell Grant, through the FAFSA. HRSA's own programs for individuals are scholarships and loan repayment, most of them in exchange for service.

The institutional grants still matter to you: they fund traineeships, faculty loans and programs at the schools that win them. Ask your school's financial aid office which HRSA-funded aid it holds.

Programs you apply to yourself

HRSA programs for individuals

Program	For	What it does
Nurse Corps Scholarship	Nursing students	Tuition, fees, costs and a monthly stipend for service
Nurse Corps Loan Repayment	RNs, APRNs, nurse faculty	Up to 85% of nursing loans for service
NHSC Scholarship	NP and nurse midwife students (primary care)	Scholarship for service in shortage areas
NHSC Loan Repayment Programs	Nurses and other clinicians	Four programs with different requirements
STAR Loan Repayment	Clinicians in substance use disorder treatment	Up to $250,000 for six years of service
Faculty Loan Repayment	Faculty at eligible health professions schools	Loan repayment for teaching service
Native Hawaiian Health Scholarship	Native Hawaiian students in primary and behavioral health	Scholarship program

From HRSA's nursing programs page and each program's apply page, checked Nov 7, 2026.

Verified listings

The HRSA programs nurses use most

Service scholarshipVerified Nov 7, 2026

Nurse Corps Scholarship Program

HRSA, U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services

RN (ADN)BSNNP & grad

Who it's for: Students accepted to or enrolled in a nursing degree program at an accredited U.S. school of nursing. Open to U.S. citizens, nationals and lawful permanent residents; HRSA gives preference to applicants with the greatest financial need.
What it pays: Tuition, eligible fees and reasonable costs (books, clinical supplies, uniforms), plus a monthly stipend. HRSA says the entire award is taxable.
The catch: After you graduate, you work at an eligible health care facility with a critical shortage of nurses.
Timing: The 2026 cycle is closed. HRSA says 2026 applicants will hear by September 30, 2026; the page offers email alerts for the next cycle.

Source: bhw.hrsa.govOfficial page

Loan repaymentVerified Nov 7, 2026

Nurse Corps Loan Repayment Program

HRSA, U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services

RN (ADN)BSNNP & grad

Who it's for: Licensed RNs, advanced practice registered nurses (such as nurse practitioners) and nurse faculty with qualifying nursing school debt, working full time at an eligible critical shortage facility or accredited school of nursing.
What it pays: 60% of your outstanding qualifying nursing loans over a two-year contract, with a possible third year for another 25% (up to 85% in total), per the sponsor's site as of Nov 2026. Payments are taxable.
The catch: Two years of full-time work at a critical shortage facility, or as faculty at an eligible nursing school.
Timing: The 2026 cycle is closed; HRSA notifies 2026 applicants by September 30, 2026.

Source: bhw.hrsa.govOfficial page

Service scholarshipVerified Nov 7, 2026

National Health Service Corps Scholarship

HRSA, U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services

NP & grad

Who it's for: Full-time students in primary care disciplines, including nurse practitioner tracks (adult, family, geriatrics, primary care pediatrics, psychiatric mental health, women's health) and nurse midwifery. U.S. citizens or nationals only; a green card does not qualify.
What it pays: A scholarship for your primary care training, paid in exchange for service.
The catch: Scholars serve in Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSAs) after training.
Timing: For 2026-27, HRSA only considered students whose classes began by September 30, 2026.

Source: nhsc.hrsa.govOfficial page

Loan repaymentVerified Nov 7, 2026

STAR Loan Repayment Program

HRSA, U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services

RN (ADN)BSNNP & grad

Who it's for: Licensed clinicians in an eligible discipline who work full time in substance use disorder treatment at an approved facility. HRSA lists it among its programs for nurses.
What it pays: Up to $250,000 in education loan repayment, per the sponsor's site as of Nov 2026.
The catch: Six years of full-time work at a STAR-approved facility.
Timing: The 2026 cycle is closed; the page offers alerts for the next one.

Source: bhw.hrsa.govOfficial page

Grants to organizations

HRSA nursing grants (and how they reach students)

HRSA lists these among its funding for organizations supporting nurses and nursing programs:

Nurse Faculty Loan Program: funds go to schools, which lend to students preparing to teach nursing. Ask your graduate program whether it participates.
Advanced Nursing Education programs: awarded to schools and health organizations for graduate nursing education.
Nurse Anesthetist Traineeship: awarded to nurse anesthesia programs, which pass support to their students.
Nurse Education, Practice, Quality, and Retention: awarded to organizations for nursing education and practice projects.

You can't apply for these yourself, but you can benefit. Before you choose a graduate program, ask the admissions or aid office: "Do you hold Nurse Faculty Loan Program or traineeship funds, and how do students get them?"

Weighing a service commitment?

See exactly what Nurse Corps pays and what it asks of you in return.

Nurse Corps explained

Sources checked Nov 7, 2026: HRSA: Nursing Loan Repayment, Scholarship, and Grant Programs; NHSC Scholarship eligibility; STAR Loan Repayment Program.

FAQ

Common questions

Does HRSA give grants to individual nursing students?

Not usually. HRSA's nursing grants go to organizations such as schools and hospitals. Individuals apply for HRSA scholarships and loan repayment programs, like Nurse Corps and NHSC.

What HRSA programs are there for nurse practitioners?

NP students in primary care tracks can apply to the NHSC Scholarship. Working NPs can look at Nurse Corps Loan Repayment (which covers APRNs) and the NHSC loan repayment programs.

What is the Nurse Faculty Loan Program?

It is an HRSA program for organizations: participating schools receive funds to support graduate students preparing to become nurse faculty. Ask your graduate program whether it takes part.