Financial Aid for Undergraduate Students
Financial assistance is available for undergraduate study in a variety of forms. Some financial assistance takes the form of a gift, which does not have to be repaid. Some financial assistance takes the form of self-help aid, money that has to be paid back or earned. Loans and federal work-study employment are examples of self-help assistance. For information about ECU financial aid programs, please visit their website or call 252-328-6610.
Nursing Scholarships, Loans and Grants
College of Nursing Scholarships/Fellowships
The College of Nursing awards approximately $100,000 in student scholarships every year. Scholarship criteria vary, some funds are merit-based and others are need-based. One application serves to apply for all scholarships.
Students admitted to the nursing undergraduate program may apply by submitting an Undergraduate Scholarship Application. Materials must be turned in to the Nursing Student Services office in 2150 Health Sciences Building no later than April 15. The scholarship application will be available online here in the near future.
Important notes:
- Awards will be made as scholarship credit to students' Higher One accounts.
- Awards are made for fall and spring semesters. One-half of amount will be credited in the fall and the remainder will be credited in the spring.
- All scholarship criteria (e.g. GPA, residency) must be maintained throughout the academic year in order to receive the second installment.
Scholarships:
- Alumni Society Scholarship
This scholarship is awarded to an undergraduate or graduate student who is enrolled full-time at the College of Nursing and meets general academic requirements of 2.5 cumulative GPA with recognized need and merit. - Charlotte M. Martin Memorial Beta Nu Scholarship
Recipients of this scholarship are rising seniors who are members of the Beta Nu chapter of Sigma Theta Tau and exhibit leadership potential along with providing community and/or chapter service. Recipients are selected by the Beta Nu Scholarship Committee. - Dotty Bennett Harrell Scholarship
This scholarship is awarded to a full-time undergraduate nursing student with a minimum 3.0 GPA. Recipient is preferably from Northeast Academy Christian School in Lasker, NC, or Northampton or Halifax counties. - Evelyn D. "Timmie" DeSimone Memorial Scholarship
This scholarship is awarded to a junior, senior, or graduate student. Eligibility includes dedication to and potential in profession of nursing, academic merit, financial need, and other qualifications at the discretion of the Student Affairs Committee. - Gertrude E. Skelly Charitable Foundation Scholarship
This Foundation has provided scholarship and emergency loan funds that are available to undergraduate and graduate nursing students. Criteria are left to the discretion of the Student Affairs Committee. - Gravely Foundation Scholarship
This scholarship is awarded to a full-time junior, senior, or graduate student. Selection is based upon academic excellence, financial need, qualities of citizenship and dedication to the nursing profession. - Health Sciences Golf Classic Scholarship
This scholarship is awarded to a full-time junior, senior, or graduate student who carries a minimum 3.5 GPA and who demonstrates achievement in clinical study (if applicable), service, and financial need. - Hospice of Tarheel Scholarship/Fellowship
This scholarship/fellowship is an annual scholarship for a student, either graduate or undergraduate, who expresses financial need and works in hospice, or secondly is willing to consider hospice work following graduation. The student should be in good academic standing and meet certain merit criteria as deemed appropriate by the College of Nursing Student Affairs Committee. - Jefferson-Pilot--Catherine and Max Ray Joyner Scholarship
This scholarship is merit based with preference given to Pitt County, North Carolina residents. - Jo Ann Mauer Scholarship
Recipients of this scholarship must be North Carolina residents, full-time RN/BSN students, minimum 3.0 GPA, and exhibit kind and courageous spirit (determined by faculty). The applicant cannot be a NC Nursing Scholar recipient. - Mabel Cooper Hayden Memorial Fund
This fund provides loans to nursing students who wish to pursue a career in public health nursing. It is available for an undergraduate or graduate nursing student. - Patricia Ann Yow Memorial Scholarship
This scholarship is awarded to an undergraduate or graduate nursing student chosen on academic merit. - Perry-Oyler Scholarship
This scholarship is awarded to a full-time graduate or undergraduate student carrying a minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA and who expresses an interest and commitment to a career in nursing. - Ruth Glass Bunting Memorial Scholarship
This scholarship is available for full-time undergraduate and graduate students in nursing that are NC residents, exhibit financial need, and demonstrate good citizenship. - Sigma Theta Tau International, Beta Nu Chapter Scholarship
This scholarship is available to an undergraduate or graduate nursing student based on academic merit and need. The intent is to assist with research, scholarships, and professional and academic activities. - Vickie C. and Steven E. Whitehurst Scholarship
This scholarship will be available to undergraduate nursing students with a minimum 3.0 GPA, with preference given to those who graduated from Ayden-Grifton High School.
Apply for the CampusRN - North Carolina Nursing Scholarship
Visit CampusRN to apply for the $1000.00 scholarship. AACN is pleased to announce a new partnership with CampusRN.com to provide a greater level of service to nursing students, faculty and deans at member institutions. CampusRN.com is a leading online service dedicated to serving the career planning needs of nursing students and potential employers nationwide. CampusRN.com is a subsidiary of CampusCareerCenter.com (CCC), the world's leading online campus recruiting company.
The AACN-CampusRN.com partnership involves a new Scholarship Program for currently enrolled nursing students. The Scholarship Fund is designed to support students who are seeking baccalaureate or higher degrees in nursing. Special consideration will be given to students:
- Completing an RN to baccalaureate nursing program (BSN);
- Enrolled in a master's or doctoral program in pursuit of a nursing faculty career;
- Enrolled in an accelerated baccalaureate or master's degree nursing program.
Scholarships in the amount of $2,500 will be distributed every 2 months through this program. Applicants must register for free with CampusRN.com and demonstrate a need for financial assistance.
Gertrude E. Skelly Charitable Foundation Emergency Loan Fund
This fund is used to provide emergency loans to any nursing student that has experienced extenuating circumstances within the six-month period prior to requesting a loan. "Extenuating circumstances" may include death of family member upon which the student is a dependent, major disaster that affects the student (i.e. flood, fire, etc.), or a one-time problem that effects a significant change in a student's life. The Office of Student Services in the College of Nursing will assess each candidate's situation and refer students to the ECU Medical and Health Sciences Foundation. Recipients of loans are responsible for repayment in accordance with the policies of the ECU Medical and Health Sciences Foundation. Loans will be made available as long as resources are available in the fund. The Board of Directors of the ECU Medical and Health Sciences Foundation, Inc. will manage and administer the fund. All expenditures are subject to final approval by the ECU Medical and Health Sciences Foundation.
Eunice M. Smith Scholarships
The North Carolina Foundation for Nursing (NCFN) is offering an opportunity for ADN graduates who have decided to return to school for their BSN to apply for the Eunice M. Smith Scholarship. They are also awarded to nurses who are pursuing their master's degree or a doctorate. Undergraduate awards are $1000 per year and graduate awards are $2000 per year. What is particularly unique about these scholarships is that they are awarded to nurses who have chosen to return to school on a part-time basis. There is a September 30 deadline to get the first four components of the applicant's paperwork to the NCFN. Although they may not have proof of their acceptance into the educational program by that date, the committee will review all applications for thoroughness and will award the scholarships by November 30 (pending receiving the acceptance letter.)
The NCFN Scholarship Committee will begin accepting application packets as early as June 30. Forms are available by calling Sindy Barker at 1-800-626-2153, ext.12 or Beth Holder at ext. 10.
Health Careers Academic Loan Program
Thinking about a health career? Consider the University Health Systems Health Careers Academic Loan Program. For more information or an application, please visit their website at http://www.uhseast.com/body.cfm?id=108
Nursing Leadership Council, Brody School of Medicine Scholarship
The Nursing Leadership Council (NLC) of the Brody School of Medicine has established the Nursing Leadership Council, Brody School of Medicine Scholarship which will provide a $500 award to deserving students that are considering nursing as a second career and are older adults or nurses with a diploma or associate's degree working toward a bachelor's degree. Preference for consideration will be given to current ECU employees.
The North Carolina Nurse Scholars Program
The purpose of this program is to attract outstanding nurses to pursue a degree in nursing and to also provide nursing services to citizens of North Carolina. Eligibility includes:
- Be a citizen of the U.S. and a resident of North Carolina for tuition purposes.
- Have earned a minimum of a 3.0 GPA (on a 4.0 scale) in previous college work.
- Be enrolled as a full-time nursing student in an eligible North Carolina institution.
- Designate your intention to enroll full-time (12 hours) or part-time (6-11 hours) per semester. Preference will be given to full-time applicants.
- Have a demonstrated record of professional leadership and service through collegiate extracurricular and community activities.
- Mail a complete NSP application by the published deadline (usually early May).
- Sign a promissory note and enter into a scholarship agreement upon receipt of a nurse scholarship. Recipient agrees to work as a full-time RN in North Carolina for one year for each year of NSP funding.
Recipients are selected on the basis of academic performance, evidence of leadership, professional contributions, and the promise of service as a registered nurse in North Carolina. Awards of $3,000 per year will be made for full-time students. Scholarships may be renewed for one year. Awards of $1,500 per year may be made for part-time students. Scholarships may be renewed for up to three years. For more information on the NC Nurse Scholars Program access the College Foundation of North Carolina at www.CFNC.org.
AfterCollege/AACN Nursing Scholarship Fund
AfterCollege, the leading employment website for nursing/allied health care students and the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) have partnered to offer this new scholarship program for students pursuing professional nursing education programs.
This scholarship program supports students who are seeking a baccalaureate, master's or doctoral degree in nursing. Special consideration will be given to students:
- Enrolled in a master's or doctoral program with the goal of pursuing a nursing faculty career
- Completing an RN to baccalaureate program (BSN), or
- Enrolled in an accelerated baccalaureate or master's degree nursing program
Who Qualifies?
Nursing students enrolled in a baccalaureate, master's or doctoral degree program in nursing with a GPA of 3.25 or higher. Scholarships will be in the amount of $2,500.
Winners will be announced within 60 days of each deadline.
To apply, download scholarship application here.
Federal and State Government Aid
Undergraduate students may apply for the Federal Perkins Loan, Federal College Work-Study Program and the William D. Ford Direct Stafford Loan Program.
Federal Perkins Loan
This low interest loan is funded by the federal government and previous borrowers' repayments. Loan eligibility is based on financial need. Repayment begins 9 months after the student borrower ceases to be enrolled at least half-time. First time Perkins Loan borrowers receive information about debt management before receiving loan funds. Minimum payments are $40 per month. Borrowers have up to 10 years to repay the loan, depending on amount borrowed. The ECU annual limit is $2000. Aggregate loan limits are $15,000 for undergraduate studies and $30,000 for graduate and professional studies, including undergraduate borrowing. Students who receive a Perkins loan on their award letter must report to the Student Loans Office, 126 Old Cafeteria Complex to sign a promissory note.
Federal Stafford Loan
Variable interest rate loans, with a cap at 8.25%. Loans are funded by private lenders but regulated by the federal government. Repayment begins 6 months after the student borrower ceases to be enrolled at least half-time. Borrowers have up to 10 years to repay depending on amount borrowed. Subsidized portion is based on financial need, while unsubsidized portion is available without regard to need. The loan amount may not exceed the cost of attendance. First time borrowers are required to view a loan counseling videotape and receive other debt management counseling before receiving Federal Stafford loan funds. This can be accomplished by checking out the video from the Office of Student Financial Aid or viewing it at Joyner Library. Once you have watched the video, please report to the Office of Student Financial Aid to complete the loan counseling paperwork. The amount of loan funds a student may borrow depends upon his/her academic grade level, remaining financial need, and dependency status.
Federal Work Study Program
Federally funded, need based part-time employment program with positions on and off campus. Some positions are in community service settings. Students are paid at least minimum wage and are paid for the hours actually worked. The average student works 10 to 12 hours per week while enrolled in classes. Employment opportunities are posted in the lobby of the Office of Student Financial Aid, which is viewable at all hours of the day.
Minority Presence Grant Program
Under the Board of Governors General Minority Presence Grant Program, African American students may be eligible for special financial assistance if they are residents of North Carolina, enrolled for at least three hours of degree-credit course work, and demonstrate financial need. For further information, contact:
ECU Office of Financial Aid
Old Cafeteria Building
East Carolina University
Greenville, NC 27858-4353
(252) 328-6610
You may also visit ECU Financial Aid Homepage to find all available information.
Professional Nursing
There are many Internet web sites that provide information on scholarships available for undergraduate nursing students. A few of these are listed below. The first one (discover nursing) lists over 100 professional organizations providing scholarships for nursing students.
www.discovernursing.com/scholarship_search.aspx
www.nadona.org/
www.aann.org/nnf/
Critical Care Nurses
Oncology Nurses
Other Internet Sites For Financial Aid Information
www.lib.msu.edu/harris23/grants/3gradinf.htm
www.finaid.org/otheraid
www.finaid.org/otheraid/federal.phtml
www.collegenet.com/about/index_html
www.wiredscholar.com/index.jsp
studentaid.ed.gov/students/publications/FYE/index.html
www.gibill.va.gov/ (Education benefits for veterans)
www.fastweb.com/ (Find money for college)
www.nslds.ed.gov/ (National student loan data system)
www.fafsa.ed.gov/ (Free Application for Federal Student Aid)
Financial assistance is also available in a variety of other forms including:
- Private Scholarships
- Scholarships awarded by the University
- Self-Help Programs
- College Foundation of North Carolina