Now is the time to seriously consider a career in the field of nursing, especially if you are Latino. There are many Latino nursing scholarships available to both men and women seeking to become a nurse. According to a report in Minority Nursing, during an interview with Maria D. Krol, President of the National Association of Hispanic Nurses (NAHN) Connecticut Chapter – “The time has come for Hispanic/Latinos to get involved to increase our numbers and to help improve the health of our communities.” The rapidly increasing Hispanic population has made recruitment of Hispanic/Latino nurses a priority in many communities.
There are many scholarship opportunities available all over the nation. Here are our top five picks for finding the best Latino nursing scholarships:
#1. 2011 NAHN (National Association of Hispanic Nurses) Scholarships: NAHN has many different scholarships listed, the most exciting being the United Health Foundation $40,000 scholarship. Their website is: www.nahnnet.org/NAHNScholarships.html.
#2. Hispanic Scholarship Fund (HSF): Proclaimed as the “Nation’s leading Hispanic higher education fund,” HSF has been diligently working to assist students and address those obstructions that may prevent many Latinos from earning their college degrees. HSF has over 20 scholarships listed on their website from $1,000-$30,000. For the most current information, please see their website at: www.hsf.net.
#3. Minority Nurse Magazine Scholarship Program: For members of minority groups working to earn a bachelor’s degree in nursing. Four scholarships of $500 and $1,000 are awarded annually. For more details, visit their website: http://www.minoritynurse.com/scholarships.
#4. The Gates Millennium Scholars: Funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, this scholarship will provide Hispanic American students with an opportunity to complete an undergraduate college education in all discipline areas and a graduate education for those student pursuing studies in mathematics, science, public health or library science. For more information, check out their website: www.gmsp.org.
#5. Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, William K. Schubert Minority Nursing School: Awards $2,750 annually for individuals from historically under-represented groups in nursing, who are preparing to be pediatric, direct patient care registered nurses. Scholarship URL: www.cincinnatichildrens.org/careers/general/diversity/schubert-scholarship/schubert-scholarship.htm
Apply for as many scholarships as you can in the nursing field, as a Latino or minority, for academics or athletics, or just general college scholarships. Remember, you should never have to pay money for scholarship information- any reputable scholarship will be looking to give you money, not the other way around! Be sure to stay organized and keep accurate notes regarding your progress. You will want to create a file that will help you track deadlines and important dates. There are also other ways to help pay for your education. Don’t forget to look into grants, work-study, and internship programs that may be available. Be sure to keep a good attitude and stay motivated! This is just the tip of the iceberg. There are so many options available to you when you’re searching for Latino nursing scholarships!