NEF Scholarship Application Process

The NEF Scholarship Application Review Process

If your application was completed (i.e. had three references and had all the required information) then it is eligible for review. Four months’ time is required before applicants are notified by email whether or not they received a NEF Scholarship.

The nurse review process begins at the end of February and continues until mid-April.

Each applicant is reviewed by two nurse reviewers. The applicants with the highest scores are then evaluated by the NEF Criteria and Eligibility Committee members who decide on the finalists and who assign specific scholarships. The list of scholarship recipients must be approved by the entire NEF Board of Directors in early May and the NEF Scholars are notified by the end of May, 2025. Those with completed applications who did not qualify will also be notified at the end of May 2025.

NEF Scholarships are for Master's and Doctoral degree study in Nursing.

General Requirements

The following requirements must be met by ALL applicants:

• Current RN license/Registration with current expiration date, from any state within the USA Required
• Current national professional nursing association membership with a current expiration date – such as the American Nurses Association, or specialty organization and/or evidence of international honor society membership (Sigma Theta Tau International). You will be asked to upload a copy of your membership card.
• Proof of current citizenship or legal residency status, such as:
  • United States Passport (biographic page) with current expiration date
  • Birth Certificate
  • Naturalization Certificate from the USCIS
  • Permanent Resident (Green) Card with current expiration date

Specific Requirements

• Master’s degree applicant must have:
  • Enrolled either full or part-time in a professionally accredited* nursing program ∆.
  • Completed at least 12 graded credits of the master’s program at the time the application is submitted.
  • Maintained a minimum GPA of 3.6.
• Doctoral degree (PhD, DNP, EdD) applicant must have:
  • Completed a master's degree.
  • Enrolled either full or part-time in a professionally accredited* nursing program ∆.
  • Completed at least 12 graded credits of the program at the time the application is submitted.
  • Maintained a minimum GPA of 3.6.
• Accelerated BSN to Doctoral (PhD, DNP, EdD) applicant (includes student without a master's degree in nursing)
  • Enrolled full or part-time in a professionally accredited* nursing program ∆.
  • Completed 45 graded credits of the program at the time the application is submitted.
  • Maintained a minimum GPA of 3.6.
    
    

* Accredited Graduate Nursing Programs

including but not limited to master's or DNP nursing programs, are those programs that are accredited by the following: Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN), Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCC), New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE), or other recognized American Nursing College or School of Nursing Accrediting bodies.

∆ A Nursing Program is defined here as:

A graduate (master’s or doctorate) nursing program that is in a Department/School/College/University of Nursing granting graduate nursing degrees.

• If the applicant is enrolled in a dual degree program, one of the dual degrees must be in graduate (master’s or doctorate) nursing, granted by a nursing department/school/college/university and both of the degrees must be awarded simultaneously at the end of the program. An articulation agreement within the university or between two colleges in which degrees are given at different completion dates are ineligible.
• Student in post-graduate certificate program is not eligible for an NEF Scholarship.
  
  

Instructions

When you open the online Scholarship Application you will be asked to:

• Provide the e-mail address for three individuals whom you have asked to submit Reference Forms. One reference to attest to your academic performance and achievements; one reference to attest to your employment performance and achievements; and one reference who can attest to your professional achievements as a nurse leader. An e-mail will be automatically sent to these individuals providing a link for submitting their references for your application. Three specific references are required: one academic, one employment, and one other professional.
• Upload a Personal Essay and Goal Statement. The suggested length of the essay is 750 to 850 words. Your essay should state your professional goals and assess your potential for making a contribution to the nursing profession. Essays are rated on identification of your long-term goals, evidence of potential to meet these goals, and the clarity of your statements.
• In addition you are requested to submit with your application official transcripts from your current graduate program.
• Official transcripts can be sent electronically to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or by mail (seal unbroken) directly from the school to:
  NEF, 137 Montague Street, Ste. 144, Brooklyn, NY, 11202.
• Unofficial transcripts are accepted from all undergraduate nursing programs you have attended. Please be sure your name and the name of the University is clearly documented on the unofficial transcripts. The NEF email for the school is This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and the mailing address is Nurses Educational Funds, Inc., 137 Montague Street, Ste. 144, Brooklyn, NY 11201.
• Should you have any questions or concerns about the Application process, contact the NEF Office at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for assistance.
• Please make your three reference choices aware of the necessity of a prompt response before the application deadline.