The U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) awards scholarships to nursing students under the VA Health Professional Scholarship Program (HPSP). This scholarship is competitively awarded to an individual who has been unconditionally accepted into an accredited nursing school or is currently enrolled in one. The scholarship is pretty straight forward. The VA will pay tuition, books, most fees, and provide a monthly living stipend of approximately $1,153 a month (tax-free). Upon graduation and passing the NCLEX/certification the nurse will automatically be pipelined into a VA nursing residency program for one year where he/she will be able to enhance their skills and gain valuable nursing experience. After completing the nursing residency the newly trained nurse will have a minimum service obligation to the VA of at least 2.5 years where they get an opportunity to help take care of our nation's heroes.
Please spread the word amongst your faculty, and students. I’ve attached a flyer that you can provide to your nursing students, and to financial aid. If you have any questions please feel free to reach out to me or the HPSPTeam@va.gov. A direct link to the HPSP program can be found here as well: https://va-ams-info.