VASN Scholarships & Grants

Each year at the VASN Fall Conference, we recognize members who are advancing school nursing practice and supporting the health of students across Virginia. Through VASN scholarships, we celebrate these contributions while investing in the continued education and professional growth of school nurses.

VASN is committed to supporting school nurses at every stage of their careers. Members have access to VASN-funded scholarships, National School Nurse Certification scholarships, and additional scholarship opportunities through the National Association of School Nurses (NASN).

Explore the opportunities below to support your professional development and continued impact in school health.

VASN Continuing Education Awards

VASN offers awards to support nurses pursuing higher levels of nursing education.

Up to three awards may be awarded to nurses continuing their academic journey, in programs such as:

• LPN to RN
• RN to BSN
• MSN programs
• Other advanced nursing degrees

These awards help make continuing education more accessible for nurses dedicated to improving student health and school communities.

Applications open on/about August 1st. The deadline for applications is September 15th at 11:59 pm EDT.

To be eligible for one of the $1000 VASN Continuing Education Awards in 2026, applicants must meet all of the following criteria:

1. Current VASN member with two years of continuous, uninterrupted membership, concurrent with the time of application and award. (Includes: Registered Nurses with ACTIVE level NASN membership and Licensed Practical Nurses with ASSOCIATE level NASN Membership.)

2. Current employment as a school nurse or school nurse administrator serving Virginia public or private K-12 schools at the time of the application and award.

3. Current enrollment in, or acceptance to, a higher education program in the field of Nursing beginning Fall 2026. 

4. Complete planned coursework by December 31, 2026, and submit a transcript (official or unofficial) documenting a passing grade (C or better, if letter grade or Pass, if Pass/Fail grade).

The recipient of this award will be decided by random drawing and will be notified by October 1st.

Required at the time of application:

1. Proof of current enrollment in, or acceptance to, a higher education program in the field of Nursing.

The recipient must provide the following documents to  vasntreasurer@gmail.com  by December 31, 2026, as proof of eligibility before reimbursement is provided:

1. Proof of current employment as a school nurse or school nurse administrator serving Virginia public or private K-12 schools.

2. A transcript (official or unofficial) documenting a passing grade (C or better, if letter grade or Pass, if Pass/Fail grade) in coursework completed during this award period (August 1 - December 31, 2026).

Apply for the 2026 VASN Continuing Education Award

Questions?
Contact the VASN Scholarship Chair at vasnscholarships@gmail.com

Available Grants: NCSN Initial Exam Grant and Recertification Grant

VASN supports Virginia school nurses working toward or maintaining National School Nurse Certification (NCSN).

Initial Exam (NCSN) Grants

Supports school nurses taking the certification exam for the first time.
Three grants are available.

Applications open on/about August 1st. The application deadline is September 15th at 11:59pm EDT.

To be eligible for one of VASN's 2026 NCSN Initial School Nurse Certification Exam Grants, applicants must meet all of the following criteria:

1. Current active member of the Virginia Association of School Nurses with two years of prior consecutive membership in VASN at the time of the application and award.

2. Current employment as a school nurse or school nurse administrator serving Virginia public or private K-12 schools at the time of the application and award.

3. Must not have any other source of financial assistance to pay for NBCSN exam (including workforce grant money, Title money, PTA funds, or the like).

4. Must take and pass the initial certification exam during the Summer 2026 through Spring 2027 testing window (July 9, 2026, through April 4, 2027). The Applicant will pay all NBCSN exam application fees out-of-pocket (up front) and submit proof of NCSN Certification (passing result on the exam) with a receipt for exam registration fees to the VASN Treasurer for reimbursement NO LATER THAN APRIL 30, 2027.

Apply for 2026 NBCSN Initial School Nurse Certification Exam Grant

Recipients of the 2026 NBCSN Exam Grant will be decided by random drawing and announced at the VASN Fall Conference in Richmond.

Questions?
Contact the VASN Scholarship Chair at vasnscholarships@gmail.com

NCSN Recertification Grant

Supports certified school nurses renewing their NCSN credential.
Three grants are available.

Applications open on/about August 1st. The application deadline is September 15th at 11:59 pm EDT.

To be eligible for one of VASN's 2026 NCSN Recertification Grants, applicants must meet all of the following criteria:

1. Current active member of the Virginia Association of School Nurses with two years of prior consecutive membership in VASN at the time of the application and award.

2. Current employment as a school nurse or school nurse administrator serving Virginia public or private K-12 schools at the time of the application and award.

3. Must not have any other source of financial assistance to pay for NCSN Recertification fees (including workforce grant money, Title money, PTA funds, or the like).

4. Current NCSN recertification due date must be between May 1, 2026, and April 30, 2027. The Applicant will pay all NBCSN recertification application fees out-of-pocket (up front) and submit proof of recertification completion with a receipt for recertification fees to the VASN Treasurer for reimbursement NO LATER THAN APRIL 30, 2027.

Apply for 2026 NCSN Recertification Grant

Recipients of the 2026 NCSN Recertification Grant will be decided by random drawing and announced at the VASN Fall Conference in Richmond.

Questions?
Contact the VASN Scholarship Chair at vasnscholarships@gmail.com

NASN Scholarships

VASN members are also eligible to apply for scholarships offered by the National Association of School Nurses (NASN).

Available opportunities include:

• Research Scholarships
• Endowment Education Scholarships
• Advocacy Education Scholarship
• RN to BSN Education Advancement Scholarship

For full details and application information: Visit the NASN Awards & Scholarships Page

NASN New Member Scholarship

NASN also awards one New Member Scholarship each year in early April.

New members who join NASN between April 1 and March 31 are automatically entered into a random drawing. No additional application is required beyond the NASN membership application.

For full details and application information:

Visit the NASN Awards & Scholarships Page

Questions about NASN scholarships can be directed to
awards@nasn.org

Questions About Awards, Grants & Scholarships?

Email: vasnscholarships@gmail.com