Canadian Nurses Foundation · National
John J Vanderlee Award for Male Nursing Students
About this award
Get up to $3,000 for your nursing studies if you are a male student in your second year or higher of a baccalaureate program.
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 male student pursuing a bachelor's degree in nursing and have already completed your first year of study. Applications open each December for the following academic year and typically close late January. No specific date or 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 through the application portal or email. The CNF awards committee chooses winners based on merit. They award over 135 scholarships per year across all tiers, but they do not publish the exact number of winners for this specific award — ask the CNF how many applicants they typically receive so you can judge your odds.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 your grades without context.
Winners instead explain how being a man in nursing allows them to provide unique perspectives or support to patients.
Describe a specific moment where your presence made a difference in patient care.
The biggest mistake is using a generic character reference.
Winners instead provide letters from clinical instructors who can vouch for your bedside manner and technical skills.
Ask your instructor to highlight your growth from first year to second year.