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Scholarships

BNA of Greater St. Louis

Scholarships

The BNA of Greater St. Louis strives to provide scholarships for deserving LPNs, RNs, Advanced Practice Nurses, and nursing students committed to serving their communities, passionate about improving the health of the minority population and contributing to the mission of the BNA of Greater St. Louis.

BNA of Greater Saint Louis

Scholarship Program

The Edith L. Cole Scholarship Awards Luncheon will be held on October 24, 2026 at the St. Louis Community College- Forest Park in the Health Sciences Building- Room 412A from 12:15 – 2:00 pm.

 

“It would not be possible to praise Nurses too highly.”

Stephen Ambrose

How to Apply

Application Process

Scholarship Requirements


Each applicant must meet the following criteria:
  1. be a current member of the Black Nurses Association of Greater St. Louis;
  2. currently enrolled in an accredited nursing program (LPN/LVN, Diploma, ADN, BSN, Master’s, or Doctoral; 
  3. has completed fundamentals clinical course, if attending basic nursing program;
  4. be in good academic standing at the time of the application, with a minimum GPA of 2.75;
  5. sign the attached Commitment Letter;
  6. enrolled in a basic LOCAL nursing program, meaning Missouri or Illinois (must be resident of MO or IL)

01

Download Application

Scan the QR code to Apply.

02

Gather Materials

Each applicant must provide the following:
  1. Completed 2026 Scholarship Application; (ALL REQUESTED DOCUMENTS MUST BE UPLOADED DURING COMPLETION OF THIS APPLICATION or YOU WILL BE DISQUALIFIED) 
  2. Copies of transcript(s) from most recently attended/enrolled accredited school of nursing; the Scholarship and Awards Committee reserves the right to require an official transcript;
  3. Three-page typed essay (guidelines provided in separate section);
  4. Documentation of current enrollment and grade point average of 2.75 or better, in nursing courses
  5. Recent professional-type headshot is required
  6. Additional items to accompany the application in support of applicant’s eligibility and desirability may include documented evidence of:
  7. Participation in student nurse activities
  8. Involvement in activities targeting the Black/African American community (e.g., letters, news clippings, awards, certificates, etc.)
  9. Reference letters from two (2) of the four listed below;
  • Dean, Nursing Director, or Faculty (on official letterhead)
  • Minister or religious leader (e.g., Pastor, Priest, Imam, Rabbi; on official letterhead)
  • Nurse in the community; can be a member of the BNA of Greater St. Louis (on letterhead of place of employment or healthcare affiliation)
  • Individual who is knowledgeable about applicant’s personal and professional character with signature and contact information (cannot be family member)
  • See the section labeled “REFERENCE LETTER COVER PAGE” for specifics.
 

03

Submit by Deadline

Sept 23, 2026, 5pm CST

Are you providing a reference for an applicant: Click Here to Download Reference Cover Page

Donate To Support our Scholarships

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Past BNA St. Louis

Scholarship Recipients

Take advantage of every opportunity; where there is none, make it for yourself.

- Marcus Garvey

We all have dreams. In order to make dreams come into reality, it takes an awful lot of determination, dedication, self-discipline and effort.

- Jesse Owens

The most common way people give up their power is by thinking they don’t have any.

- Alice Walker

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