Top 10 Masters of Mental Health Nursing Scholarships

Mental health is a crucial aspect of human well-being, especially in times of stress, uncertainty, and crisis. Mental health nurses play a vital role in providing care, support, and education to people with mental health issues, as well as their families and communities.

If you are a registered nurse who wants to advance your career and skills in mental health nursing, pursuing a master’s degree in this field can be a rewarding and fulfilling option. However, you may also face some challenges, such as the cost of tuition, the time commitment, and the academic requirements.

Fortunately, there are many scholarships available for nurses who want to pursue a master’s degree in mental health nursing. These scholarships can help you cover some or all of the expenses related to your education, such as tuition, fees, books, travel, and living costs. They can also provide you with recognition, networking opportunities, and mentorship from leaders in the field.

In this blog post, we will introduce you to the top 10 masters of mental health nursing scholarships that you can apply for. We will also provide you with some information about each scholarship, such as the cost, the deadline, and the application link.

Why Apply for Masters of Mental Health Nursing Scholarships?

There are many reasons why you should apply for Master of Mental Health Nursing Scholarships, such as:

• Reducing your financial burden: A master’s degree in mental health nursing can be expensive, depending on the program, the institution, and the location. Scholarships can help you pay for some or all of the costs associated with your education, such as tuition, fees, books, travel, and living expenses. This can reduce your financial stress and allow you to focus more on your studies and your career goals.
• Enhancing your academic performance: Scholarships can also motivate you to excel in your academic endeavors, as they often require you to maintain a certain grade point average, complete a certain number of credits, or conduct a certain type of research. Scholarships can also provide you with access to academic resources, such as libraries, journals, databases, and mentors, that can enrich your learning experience and improve your skills and knowledge.
• Boosting your professional development: Scholarships can also help you advance your professional development, as they often expose you to opportunities such as conferences, workshops, seminars, internships, and fellowships, that can broaden your horizons and enhance your network. Scholarships can also help you gain recognition, credibility, and visibility in the field of mental health nursing, as they often come with awards, certificates, publications, or media coverage, that can showcase your achievements and potential.
• Making a positive impact: Lastly, scholarships can also help you make a positive impact in the field of mental health nursing, as they often enable you to pursue your passion, interest, and vision, and contribute to the advancement of knowledge, practice, and policy in this area. Scholarships can also help you serve the needs of diverse and underserved populations, such as rural, urban, low-income, minority, or marginalized groups, who may face barriers to accessing quality mental health care.

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The Top 10 Masters of Mental Health Nursing Scholarships

Here are the top 10 masters of mental health nursing scholarships that you can apply for, along with some information about each scholarship:

1. The National Association of Social Workers (NASW) Foundation Scholarship

Supports graduate social work students, including those pursuing mental health specializations.

• Cost: Varies (multiple scholarships offered)

• Deadline: Varies by scholarship

• Application Link: https://www.naswfoundation.org/

The NASW Foundation is the charitable arm of the NASW, the largest membership organization of professional social workers in the world. The NASW Foundation offers various scholarships to graduate social work students who demonstrate academic excellence, leadership potential, and commitment to the social work profession and its values. Some of the scholarships are specifically for students who are interested in mental health practice, research, or policy, such as the Consuelo W. Gosnell Memorial Scholarship, the Verne LaMarr Lyons Memorial Scholarship, and the Ruth Fizdale Program.

2. The American Psychiatric Nurses Association (APNA) Foundation Scholarship

Empowers registered nurses pursuing advanced degrees in psychiatric-mental health nursing.

• Cost: Varies

• Deadline: May 1st

• Application Link: https://www.apna.org/

The APNA is the largest professional association for psychiatric-mental health nurses in the United States. The APNA Foundation is the philanthropic arm of the APNA, which supports the advancement of psychiatric-mental health nursing through education, research, and leadership. The APNA Foundation offers scholarships to registered nurses who are enrolled in accredited master’s or doctoral programs in psychiatric-mental health nursing. The scholarships are based on academic merit, financial need, and involvement in the APNA and the psychiatric-mental health nursing field.

3. The American Nurses Foundation (ANF) Scholarships

Offers various scholarships, including some specifically for mental health nursing programs.

• Cost: Varies

• Deadline: Varies by scholarship

• Application Link: https://www.nursingworld.org/foundation/programs/nursing-research-grants/nursing-grant-scholars/

The ANF is the philanthropic arm of the American Nurses Association (ANA), the largest and most influential nursing organization in the United States. The ANF supports the advancement of nursing through research, education, and practice. The ANF offers various scholarships to nurses who are pursuing graduate degrees in various specialties, including mental health nursing. Some of the scholarships are sponsored by specific organizations, such as the American Psychiatric Nurses Association, the American Association of Nurse Practitioners, and the American Association of Colleges of Nursing.

4. The Jonas Nurse Leaders Scholarship Program

Supports registered nurses pursuing advanced degrees in various specialties, including mental health.

• Cost: Up to $20,000 per year

• Deadline: Varies by state

• Application Link: https://jonasphilanthropies.org/

The Jonas Nurse Leaders Scholarship Program is a national initiative of the Jonas Philanthropies, a family of charitable organizations that aim to improve health care, education, and the environment. The Jonas Nurse Leaders Scholarship Program provides financial support, leadership development, and mentoring to registered nurses who are pursuing master’s or doctoral degrees in various specialties, including mental health. The program partners with nursing schools across the country to select and support the scholars, who are expected to become leaders, educators, and researchers in the nursing field.

5. The Johnson & Johnson Nurses Scholarship Program

Offers scholarships to RNs and APRNs pursuing advanced degrees in various areas, potentially including mental health.

• Cost: $5,000

• Deadline: March 1st

• Application Link: https://nursing.jnj.com/scholarships

The Johnson & Johnson Nurses Scholarship Program is a part of the Johnson & Johnson Campaign for Nursing’s Future, a multi-year initiative that aims to enhance the image, recruitment, retention, and education of nurses in the United States. The Johnson & Johnson Nurses Scholarship Program awards scholarships to registered nurses and advanced practice registered nurses who are enrolled in accredited master’s or doctoral programs in various areas of nursing, potentially including mental health. The scholarships are based on academic achievement, leadership potential, and community involvement.

6. The March of Dimes Graduate Nursing Scholarship

Awards scholarships to RNs enrolled in maternal-child nursing programs, which often include a mental health component.

• Cost: Varies

• Deadline: March 1st

• Application Link: https://www.marchofdimes.org/our-work/health-professionals/awards-and-scholarships

The March of Dimes is a nonprofit organization that works to improve the health of mothers and babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth, and infant mortality. The March of Dimes Graduate Nursing Scholarship supports registered nurses who are pursuing graduate degrees in maternal-child nursing, which often include a mental health component, such as perinatal, neonatal, pediatric, or family nursing. The scholarships are based on academic performance, professional experience, and career goals.

7. The National Bpartisan Commission on Mental Health Services Scholarship

Supports graduate students pursuing mental health-related degrees, including nursing.

• Cost: Up to $20,000 per year

• Deadline: Varies

• Application Link: https://www.nami.org/Home (Check under “Scholarship Opportunities”)

The National Bpartisan Commission on Mental Health Services is a federal agency that was established by the 21st Century Cures Act of 2016. The commission is tasked with reviewing the current state of mental health services in the United States and making recommendations for improvements. The commission also offers scholarships to graduate students who are pursuing mental health-related degrees, including nursing. The scholarships are intended to support the next generation of mental health professionals who can address the gaps and challenges in the mental health system. The scholarships are based on academic merit, financial need, and commitment to mental health services.

8. The Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing Scholarships

Offers various scholarships, including some for mental health nursing programs.

• Cost: Varies

• Deadline: Varies by scholarship

• Application Link: https://www.sigmanursing.org/advance-elevate/scholarships

Sigma Theta Tau International (STTI) is the honor society of nursing, which recognizes and supports the excellence of nurses in education, research, and practice. STTI offers various scholarships to its members who are pursuing graduate degrees in various specialties, including mental health nursing. Some of the scholarships are sponsored by specific chapters, regions, or partners of STTI, such as the American Nurses Credentialing Center, the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses, and the Emergency Nurses Association.

9. The American Psychological Association’s (APA) Scholarship Programs

While not specific to nursing, the APA offers scholarships for mental health professionals, potentially relevant for some MSN-MH specializations.

• Cost: Varies

• Deadline: Varies by scholarship

• Application Link: https://www.apa.org/about/awards

The APA is the leading scientific and professional organization of psychologists in the United States. The APA supports the advancement of psychology through research, education, and practice. The APA offers various scholarships for mental health professionals, potentially relevant for some MSN-MH specializations, such as clinical, counseling, forensic, or community psychology. Some of the scholarships are aimed at promoting diversity, inclusion, and social justice in the mental health field, such as the Minority Fellowship Program, the CEMRRAT2 Task Force Scholarship, and the APA Foundation Scholarship.

10. The Nurse Practitioner Healthcare Foundation’s (NPHF) Scholarship and Awards Program:

Provides scholarships and awards to nurse practitioners and nurse practitioner students, including those in mental health.

• Cost: Varies

• Deadline: Varies by scholarship or award

• Application Link: https://www.nphealthcarefoundation.org/

The NPHF is a nonprofit organization that supports the advancement of nurse practitioners and their role in improving health care outcomes. The NPHF offers scholarships and awards to nurse practitioners and nurse practitioner students who demonstrate excellence, innovation, and leadership in various areas of practice, education, research, and policy. Some of the scholarships and awards are relevant for mental health, such as the Pfizer/ANPF Scholarship, the AstraZeneca Scholarship, and the NPHF/Procter & Gamble Endowed Scholarship in Gastroenterology.

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Conclusion

As you can see, there are many masters of mental health nursing scholarships that you can apply for to pursue your dream of becoming a mental health nurse. These scholarships can help you reduce your financial burden, enhance your academic performance, boost your professional development, and make a positive impact in the field of mental health nursing.