HRSA ANEW FAQs

Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) Advanced Nursing Education Workforce (ANEW) Scholarship Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Advanced Nursing Education Workforce (ANEW) Scholarship Program?

The ANEW Scholarship Program provides scholarships/living expense stipends (up to ~$30,000 annually) to graduate nursing students who understand, firsthand, the challenge of being educationally, financially, or environmentally challenged. The program’s goal is to increase the number of primary care providers in rural and underserved areas, and who serve disadvantaged patient populations.

What are the criteria for eligibility?

Any student enrolled in our MSN APN graduate degree program, or who is an APN in the DNP program may apply. Priority funding will be directed to eligible full-time students who are: (1) from a financially, educationally, and/or environmentally disadvantaged background; (2) have financial need; and (3) are citizens/nationals of the United States.

What constitutes an educationally/environmentally disadvantaged background?

An “educationally/environmentally disadvantaged background” means that an individual has experiences that have made it difficult to obtain knowledge, skills, and abilities required to enroll in, progress in, and graduate from a health professions school. For example:

  • The individual is the first generation in his or her family to attend college;
  • English is not the individual’s primary language and language is still a barrier to academic performance;
  • The individual comes from a family that received public assistance (e.g., Temporary Assistance to Needy Families, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance program, Medicaid, and/or public housing).

Am I eligible to receive funds in multiple years of my degree program?

Yes, however you must reapply each year. Selection preference is not based upon prior award.

If I am receiving federal loans, am I eligible to apply for ANEW?

Yes. Loans will usually be reduced by the ANEW scholarship. Please check with a financial aid counselor to confirm what happens to loans in your unique situation.

How are the funds awarded?

ANEW funds are limited. Application is not a guarantee of award. Eligible applicants will have their applications reviewed by the scholarship committee in October. Awardees will be notified in November. For students awarded in Fall, awards will be posted to your account in two divided disbursements (Fall and Spring). 

Are there other requirements for recipients of HRSA ANEW funds?

Funding is contingent on maintaining satisfactory academic progress, meeting program and HRSA funding requirements including participation in a community health center clinical experience of up to 16 hours; and providing an email contact address for us to obtain follow-up data (e.g., employment status) for approximately 5 years.

Scholarship Application Process

Applications for the upcoming academic year (i.e., which considers costs of Fall, Spring, and Summer) will be accepted during August and September.  Application deadline for the academic year is September 30th. 

Students must obtain an NPI number as a condition for application. RNs and APNs are eligible to obtain an NPI number. For more about applying for an NPI, visit CMS.gov.  

In October, the Selection Committee will review applications in collaboration with Office of Financial Aid. Interviews may be requested before final selections. 

Awardees will generally be announced by end of November.

Please direct questions about the application process to HRSA@fdu.edu.

Thank you for your interest in the HRSA ANEW Scholarship Program.