Scholarship and Grant FAQs

Nursing students (applicant must be in an accredited program leading to initial licensure as an RN), baccalaureate, master, and doctoral candidates with a cumulative G.P.A. of 3.0 or higher. International students are welcome to apply.

Note: AORN Staff, AORN Board of Directors, Scholarship Committee Members and AORN Foundation Board of Trustees are not eligible to apply for the AORN Foundation Scholarship program.

Students enrolled in a nursing certificate program are not eligible for an academic scholarship.

Since we are the member association for perioperative nurses, the applicant must possess an interest in the field of perioperative/surgical nursing. This interest and/or experience must be clearly demonstrated in the personal statement.

Officially recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education as a national accreditation agency, the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) is an autonomous accrediting agency contributing to the improvement of the public's health. CCNE ensures the quality and integrity of baccalaureate and graduate education programs preparing effective nurses.

AORN Foundation requires verification of successful completion of coursework with grades of 3.0 or higher and copies of receipts of payment for allowable covered expenses. A check for the amount paid will be processed and sent to the recipient within 10-15 business days of receipt of the documentation.

Recipients will only be reimbursed for classes taken after August 1 of the awarded academic year through September 30 of the awarded academic year.

Note: Allowable expenses covered by the AORN Foundation scholarships are tuition charges and the cost of books.

Tax laws vary by country. For example, in the United States, scholarship funds used exclusively for the payment of tuition or textbooks are normally not taxable. The scholarship recipient is responsible for taxes, if any, that may be assessed against your scholarship award. We recommend consulting your tax advisor for more guidance.

Scholarship applicants applying for funding between January and June for the next academic year can expect to receive their application by late August. 

Applications for Expo Grants will open in October and will close by December 1^st.

Applicants will be notified approximately 6 weeks after the application deadline.

No, you must wait to register for the exam until after you have received your award letter. In that letter, you will have a code you will use when you register for the exam. If you sign up and pay for the test before receiving your grant letter, you will not be reimbursed for the cost of the exam.

Applicants will be notified approximately 6 weeks after the application deadline.

The AORN Foundation does not fund nursing certification programs, RNFA training programs, mission trips, chapter events, or other similar activities.