Rhode Island Nursing Scholarships

Scholarship Sponsored by Rhode Island Foundation

The Foundation distributes scholarships from multiple nursing endowment funds every year. A single Nursing Application can be used to apply for all available nursing scholarships.

Award overview
- Scholarship amounts range from $500 up to $10,000.
- Awards are not automatically renewed; past recipients must submit a new application to be considered again.
- In general, applicants should be either residents of Rhode Island or enrolled in a nursing program located in Rhode Island (see individual fund notes below for exceptions and preferences).

Application components
Applicants must complete the Nursing Application, which may require:
- Essays
- Academic transcripts
- A résumé worksheet
- Letters of recommendation
- Other supporting documentation as requested

Specific fund eligibility and preferences
The following summarizes criteria associated with each nursing scholarship fund. In addition to the Nursing Application, applicants should meet the fund-specific conditions listed.

- Alumnae Association of Newport Hospital School of Nursing Scholarship
- Rhode Island residents pursuing nursing studies

- Albert E. and Florence W. Newton Nursing Scholarship
- Rhode Island residents studying nursing either in-state or out-of-state
- Non–Rhode Island residents who are enrolled in a nursing program in Rhode Island
- Previous awardees are eligible to apply again

- John J. O'Connor Jr. Memorial Nursing Scholarship Fund
- Rhode Island resident enrolled at a Rhode Island school
- Seeking certification/degree as a CNA, Associate, or Bachelor of Nursing
- Demonstrated academic achievement
- Demonstrated financial need
- Previous recipients may reapply

- Edward J. and Virginia M. Routhier Nursing Scholarship
- Licensed RNs pursuing a baccalaureate or graduate nursing degree in Rhode Island
- Students enrolled in a baccalaureate nursing program in Rhode Island
- Demonstrated financial need
- Previous awardees are eligible to reapply

- Willard and Marjorie Scheibe Nursing Scholarship
- Rhode Island residents pursuing LPN, RN, or advanced nursing degrees
- Demonstrated financial need
- Previous recipients may reapply

- Lillian Sparfven & Ethel Ferrara Fund Scholarship
- Rhode Island residents with demonstrated financial need
- Enrolled in an accredited program for an LPN, RN, or advanced nursing degree
- Preference given to applicants who plan to practice in Rhode Island after graduation
- Previous recipients may reapply

- Surti Family Scholarship
- Applicants must currently be working in Rhode Island as Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs)
- Preference given to CNAs employed at Butler Hospital, then at Care New England or its successor

- Alan Edgar Wurdeman Scholarship Fund
- Rhode Island residents pursuing LPN or RN programs
- Students attending a nursing school in Rhode Island or Northeastern University School of Nursing
- Minimum GPA of 2.5 required
- Preference for candidates who intend to remain in Rhode Island after graduation
- Previous recipients are eligible to reapply

Deadline and submission
- Application deadline: 11:59 p.m. Eastern (EST) on Monday, April 13, 2026.

Please complete and submit the Nursing Application and any required supporting documents by the deadline to be considered for these scholarships.