For some reason, so many people choose to opt out when the opportunity to apply for a scholarship arises. Maybe it’s because they don’t want to put in the work, or perhaps it’s because they just don’t think that they will ever win. There are a lot of myths surrounding scholarships, and nursing scholarships are no exception. Nursing scholarship myths most likely exist in the mind of every nurse or aspiring nursing student’s mind. Many revolve around how scholarships are judged. I’m here to help expose some nursing scholarship myths.
Nursing scholarships are more widely available than you think, and chances are you probably qualify for a lot of them!
7 Nursing Scholarship Myths
1. Nursing scholarships are only for low-income students
Not all of them. There are certainly nursing scholarships that are need-based, but there are many others that are merit-based or based on other criteria. Some don’t even look at your family’s income. Even if you don’t qualify for federal aid, you can still apply for funding through private scholarship programs.
2. It takes too much time and effort
“It takes too much time and effort.” Yes, searching and applying for scholarships can take a lot of time and effort. But, saving $500 – thousands of dollars is definitely worth it. When you’re a nursing student and trying to save money, every extra dollar you can get will be helpful! You’re basically getting free money if you win a scholarship, sounds like a win-win! To help you wrap your head around the idea, think of it as a “job”. Say you spend 10 hours searching and applying for nursing scholarships, and you only win one worth $500. That’s $50 per hour that you’re “getting paid.” That seems worth it to me, and should make it seem a little more enticing to start your scholarship hunt!
3. You have to be an honors student to win
Nope! This is one of the greatest nursing scholarship myths. While many scholarships have eligibility requirements of a minimum GPA, most don’t ask for a 4.0. For example, our nursing scholarship that we offer here at TravelNurseSource.com only requires you to have a 2.5 GPA. This is a very achievable GPA for most students!
4. Too many people apply
Sure, tons of people apply for scholarships. But, tons of people don’t! There are a lot of applicants that don’t take the time to read the information thoroughly, follow directions, and answer the questions correctly. These applicants will automatically get thrown out. So, as long as you take your time to read the directions, answer the correct questions, and meet the eligibility requirements, you’ve probably already done more than other applicants.
5. Nursing scholarships go unclaimed
This is one of the nursing scholarship myths that can be hard to discredit. There are so many general scholarships and scholarships for nursing students that it’s hard to know for sure. Of course, there are most likely nursing scholarships out there that go unawarded. But, it’s also likely that it’s only a few here and there, not the majority.
6. You have to be a great essay writer
Even if you struggle with writing essays, you should not be discouraged from applying for nursing scholarships. This myth about nursing scholarships is very common. Often times people won’t see the point in applying if they know they aren’t strong writers. Many judges care more about what you write than how you write. How well you write might have some weight, but following the instructions and addressing the questions will get you farther than someone who wrote eloquently and didn’t follow instructions. Plus, there are many tips for writing a nursing scholarship essay. Don’t forget to ask someone else to proofread if you’re unsure.
7. You can only be a high school student to apply
It’s good to start your search early, but lots of scholarships don’t focus on age. Most focus more on your acceptance or current enrollment as a nursing student, such as ours here at TravelNurseSource.com! You don’t have to be a young student to win a scholarship. Many older adults go back to school for nursing, and there are plenty of scholarships for nursing school that they are still eligible for.
No matter your race, income level, GPA, or other factors, there’s a nursing scholarship out there for you. Don’t let these nursing scholarship myths keep you from searching and applying!
Ready to put these myths behind you and apply for your next nursing scholarship? Then we’ve got just the one for you! TravelNurseSource.com is awarding two $1,000 nursing scholarships to undergraduate nursing students during the 2022-2023 school year. Buckle down and start typing, because this could be yours to claim. Applicants are asked to write an essay about their personal story. Tell us what inspired you to pursue a nursing career, and how this scholarship will put you closer to reaching your goals. For more information, and to see if you qualify to apply, head over to our scholarship page.
