Canadian Nurses Foundation · National
CNSA Education Award
About this award
Get up to $3,000 for your baccalaureate nursing studies if you've pursued extra research or education outside your required classes — apply between December and late January.
You can receive up to $3,000. This is a scholarship, not a loan, so you do not have to pay it back. This is for you if you have gone above and beyond your required coursework to pursue nursing research or specialized certifications that show your dedication to the profession. Applications open each December for the following academic year and typically close in late January. No specific time zone is posted publicly — before you start the application, check the Canadian Nurses Foundation (CNF — the national organization that supports nursing education) program page or call their office to confirm when applications open and close this year. You will hear back via the methods specified in the online portal. Winners are chosen based on merit by the CNF awards committee. They award over 135 scholarships per year across all tiers, but they do not publish the exact number of winners for this specific award — ask the CNF how many applicants they typically receive so you can judge your odds. Ask the Canadian Nurses Foundation during your application how the money will reach you — some awards pay students directly, others apply funds to tuition. Confirm this so you can plan your cash flow. Renewal conditions aren't listed — if you're counting on this for multiple years, confirm with the Canadian Nurses Foundation whether it's one-time or renewable and what you need to maintain.
Can you get it?
- Canadian Citizen or Permanent Resident — citizenship requirement
- Undergraduate — study level
- Studying Nursing — field of study
How to apply
Review eligibility and gather your documents~1 hour
Read the official award page end-to-end. Confirm you meet every requirement before you start.
Submit by No deadline~1 hour
Double-check every field, save a copy, and submit at least 24 hours early.
More details
The biggest mistake is listing projects that were required for a grade.
Winners instead highlight work completed outside of required class assignments, such as independent research on nursing topics or earning a specialty certification.
List exactly what you did and why it helped your professional growth.
The biggest mistake is providing a generic character reference.
Winners instead secure letters from professors or mentors who can specifically vouch for the extra-curricular research or advocacy work you performed.
The biggest mistake is applying to multiple CNF awards separately.