Audience · Nursing
Nursing Scholarships & Bursaries in Canada
Canada is facing a nursing shortage — and that means funding opportunities for nursing students are better than ever. Several provinces now offer forgivable loans, recruitment grants, and bursaries specifically for nursing students. Combined with university-specific awards and CNA Foundation scholarships, nursing students can significantly reduce their educational costs.
Nursing shortage incentives: Multiple provinces offer recruitment grants
Ontario nursing grant: Up to $10,000 for nursing students committing to underserved areas
CNA Foundation: Multiple scholarships for Canadian nursing students
University awards: Most nursing schools offer department-specific bursaries
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Quick facts — Nursing Scholarships & Bursaries in Canada
Nursing shortage incentives
Multiple provinces offer recruitment grants
Ontario nursing grant
Up to $10,000 for nursing students committing to underserved areas
CNA Foundation
Multiple scholarships for Canadian nursing students
University awards
Most nursing schools offer department-specific bursaries
Loan forgiveness
Some provinces forgive student loans for nurses working in rural/remote areas
Last verified
March 2026
Provincial nursing incentives
Several provinces offer specific financial incentives for nursing students as part of health workforce recruitment:
- Ontario: Nursing Education Financial Incentive — up to $10,000 for students committing to underserved communities after graduation
- British Columbia: Nursing bursaries and loan forgiveness for graduates working in rural and remote areas
- Nova Scotia: Nursing student bursary and loan forgiveness programs for graduates staying in the province
- New Brunswick: Tuition relief programs for nursing graduates who remain in NB
- Saskatchewan: Nursing recruitment incentives including relocation and education grants
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National nursing scholarships
Canada-wide scholarship programs available to nursing students:
- CNA Foundation Scholarships: Multiple awards for Canadian nursing students at various levels (BScN, MN, NP, PhD)
- CIHR Health Professional Scholarships: Graduate-level funding for nursing research
- Canadian Nursing Students' Association Awards: Various bursaries and awards for nursing student association members
- Hospital and health authority scholarships: Many hospitals offer bursaries in exchange for post-graduation employment commitments
Tips for nursing students
Practical advice for nursing students seeking funding:
- Check if your province offers loan forgiveness for nurses working in underserved areas — this can be worth $10,000–$20,000+
- Apply for both nursing-specific AND general university bursaries — you can often receive both
- Look into hospital sponsorship programs — some hospitals pay tuition in exchange for a commitment to work there after graduation
- Nursing graduate programs (MN, NP) often have dedicated scholarships with less competition than undergraduate awards
- Provincial nursing associations often have bursary funds — check with your local RN/LPN association
Frequently asked questions
Yes. Several provinces offer loan forgiveness programs for nurses who work in rural, remote, or underserved communities after graduation. The federal government also has a Canada Student Loan forgiveness program for family physicians and nurses working in underserved areas.
Yes. The CNA Foundation, provincial nursing associations, hospital foundations, and university nursing departments all offer scholarships specifically for nursing students.
Yes. Some hospitals and health authorities offer to cover part or all of tuition costs for nursing students in exchange for a commitment to work at their facility for a specified period (usually 2–3 years) after graduation.
NP programs have dedicated scholarships from CIHR, provincial health ministries, and universities. Because NP programs are smaller, these scholarships can be less competitive than undergraduate awards.
Yes. Nursing scholarships and bursaries can be combined with government student aid. Provincial nursing incentive grants are typically in addition to your regular student aid package.
Official source:
CNA Foundation – Nursing Scholarships
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Last verified: March 2026
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Always confirm details directly with the program provider before applying.
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