Financial Aid & Assistance
Competitive financial aid packages and awards are available for full-time students. Our Dean is committed to supporting doctoral student education and works with the PhD program to identify mechanisms and sources of financial support for students.
Financial aid packages may include:
- VUSN Scholarship valued at half the tuition and renewable for one year based on progress toward achieving program requirements.
- VUSN Centennial PhD Fellowship
- Graduate School Honor Fellowship
- Graduate Student Assistantships
In addition, our Graduate School offers other mechanisms of financial support such as Dissertation Enhancement Grants.
Students are encouraged to explore all avenues of financial support. Full-time students are encouraged to apply for pre-doctoral funding through various external agencies, such as the NIH, specialty organizations, and foundations. Additional support for dissertation work and educational expenses may be available from other foundations and through educational loan programs.
Students who need more financial aid may apply for funds through the University Financial Aid Office located at 2309 West End Avenue, telephone 615.322.3591.
The Graduate School also provides opportunities for financial aid. A CSS/FAF Financial Aid form and a Vanderbilt Financial Aid Application form must be completed and may be obtained from the University Graduate School.
The main campus Student Financial Aid office counsels students about appropriate sources for student loans. For additional information, refer to the Vanderbilt University Graduate School Bulletin or the Graduate School website.
Students wishing to be considered for any of the financial awards provided by the School of Nursing or the Graduate School must check ‘yes’ in the box next to the question, ‘do you wish to be considered for a financial award?’ on the application under ‘Plans for Graduate Study’.
- AACN (American Association of Colleges of Nursing)
- ACS (American Cancer Society)
- ANA (American Nurses Association)
Johnson & Johnson Services, Inc (www.discovernursing.com/home) - Department of Veterans Affairs
- NIH (National Institutes of Health)
NINR (National Institute of Nursing Research) - NLN (National League for Nursing)
- MCHB (Maternal Child and Health Bureau)
- STT (Sigma Theta Tau, International)
- TCN (Tennessee Center for Nursing)
See the Tennessee Graduate Nursing Loan
Forgiveness Program
Contact your own specialty professional nursing association(s) for other funding opportunities.

