Canadian Nurses Foundation · National
CNSA Practical Nursing Award
About this award
Get up to $3,000 for your practical nursing studies — 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 are a practical nursing student who is actively involved in your school's nursing association chapter. 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 providing financial support to nurses) program page or call their office to confirm when applications open and close this year. You will hear back via the methods listed on their portal. The CNF awards committee chooses winners based on merit. They award over 135 scholarships per year across all tiers, but they do not publish exactly how many go to this specific award — ask the CNF how winners are chosen and roughly how many applicants they typically receive so you can judge your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
- Baccalaureate — study level
- Studying nursing, practical 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 your duties without explaining their impact.
Winners instead describe specific moments where they improved patient care or supported fellow students.
Detail one specific instance where your leadership in your CNSA chapter made a difference.
The biggest mistake is using a generic reference letter.
Winners instead provide letters from clinical instructors who can vouch for their hands-on skills.
Ask your instructor to mention a specific skill you mastered during your placement.