Financial Aid & Scholarships

The $5,000 PLU Alumni Scholarship is a one-time scholarship automatically awarded in the first term of the program to graduate students who also earned their bachelor’s degree from PLU. (Restrictions apply to those students who are also PLU staff, and international scholarship recipients.)

Applicants who are not PLU alumni are automatically considered for this one-time merit scholarship, which, if awarded, will be applied to the first term of the program.

The Nordic Opportunity Grant is awarded to degree-seeking citizens of Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Finland and Iceland. $7,500 is awarded for the first year of the program and $5,000 awarded for the second year (only for 2-year program options). (If awarded the Nordic Opportunity Grant, applicants are not eligible to receive PLU Alumni or Graduate Academic Scholarships.)

The International Grant is awarded to degree-seeking international students who do not qualify for the Nordic Grant. $7,000 is awarded for the first year of the program and $3,500 awarded for the second year (only for 2-year program options). (If awarded the International Grant, applicants are not eligible to receive PLU Alumni or Graduate Academic Scholarships.)

The Graduate Scholarship (GRD) provides valuable financial aid for students pursuing advanced degrees as nurse practitioners. The scholarship aims to increase the number of advanced degree health professionals providing health care in medically underserved areas. The GRD Scholarship award value is up to $25,000 over three years.

Application Opens: March 25, 2025

Application Deadline: May 13, 2025

Scholarship Award Notification: June 2025

Eligibility Criteria

• Residency:
  • Be a Washington state resident. In most cases, a Washington state resident lives in the state for one year immediately before starting a college program. Note that WSOS accepts undocumented applicants.
• Financial Need:
  • Submit and have your FAFSA or WASFA processed by the GRD application deadline.
  • Apply for Federal Education Tax Credits if eligible.
  • Either have a family income at or below 125% of Washington state median family income based on family size -OR- provide information on the application about current and expected student loan debt, past reliance on income-based programs, and current financial situation.
• Education Plan:
  • Currently pursuing a specialty in Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner (AGNP- primary care), Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP), Psychiatric Mental Health (PMHNP), or Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (PNP – primary care) in a DNP or MSN program at one of the following eligible universities:
    • Gonzaga University, Pacific Lutheran University, Seattle University, UW Seattle, or Washington State University (WSU Spokane, WSU Tri-Cities, WSU Vancouver, or WSU Yakima).
  • Must have completed at least one semester or two quarters in your DNP or MSN program.
  • Must have at least 75% of your program’s required clinical hours left to complete.
  • Be enrolled full-time as defined by your DNP program or part-time as defined by your MSN program
  • Be in good academic standing as defined by your DNP or MSN program.
• Post-Degree Plan:
  • Intend to practice in a Washington state MUA or HPSA for at least two years after program completion.
  • Commit to sharing job attainment data post-degree completion with WSOS.

How Process:

• Meet the eligibility requirements.
• Complete all sections of the application and complete the following materials by the deadline:
  • Two essay questions
  • A recent unofficial transcript from your DNP or MSN degree program
• Submit and have your FAFSA or WASFA processed by the deadline on the application timeline.
• Have one recommendation form submitted from a professional or academic reference who can speak to your commitment to working in a Washington MUA or HPSA.