About KCNA Scholarships

King County Nurses Association (KCNA) is proud to help ensure the future of nursing in our community by offering scholarships to qualified nursing students. Since 1993, KCNA has awarded $865,270 in scholarship funds to support 350 nursing students.


2026 SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATIONS ARE NOW OPEN.

APPLICATIONS CLOSE MARCH 2, 2026.


KCNA is proud to offer 18 scholarships at $4,500 a piece in 2026. We encourage applicants to review their eligibility and to start their applications early.

APPLY

Click the APPLY button above to review your eligibility and to register an account to apply. 


Pictured above are the 2025-26 KCNA Scholarship recipients. Click here to learn more about their commitment to nursing.

Scholarships: General Information

King County Nurses Association (KCNA) is proud to help ensure the future of nursing in our local community by offering scholarships to qualified nursing students pursuing careers as a registered nurses or current RNs returning for advanced nursing degrees. 


PURPOSE

  1. Provide financial assistance to qualified students who have a permanent address, or are currently enrolled in a nursing program in King County and are preparing for a career as a registered nurse, or to RNs returning for an advanced degree in nursing or a related field.
  2. Encourage and provide for increasing diversity within the nursing profession that reflects the population as a whole.
  3. Support nurses to be change agents in creating a healthier community in King County.



TYPES OF SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE

Core Plus Award

This scholarship is for nursing students enrolled in an associate program, a baccalaureate program or an accelerated baccalaureate program - all preparing for careers as a registered nurse. This category is also for licensed registered nurses in an RNB program leading to bachelor’s degree in nursing. The Core Plus Category is also for pre-licensure nursing students working towards an advanced nursing degree.


Advanced Award -Valerie Weiss Memorial Scholarship

This scholarship is for post-licensure registered nurses working towards an advanced degree in nursing or a related field. For Master's, DNP and PhD nursing students. In addition to meeting eligibility requirements, advanced applicants must demonstrate an exemplary commitment to the nursing profession through extracurricular professional activities.


  • Valerie Weiss, ARNP, MN, MA was an outstanding nurse whose professional commitment was an inspiration to her colleagues and patients alike. This award is given as a lasting legacy, honoring her commitment to nursing and the community.



ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

For both the Core Plus Award  and the Advanced Award - Valerie Weiss Memorial Scholarship, applicants must:

  • Be currently enrolled in nursing program as described in the categories above (school must be approved by the WA State Board of Nursing).
  • Maintain a minimum “B” average (3.0 grade point average on a 4.0 scale).
  • Maintain a permanent address in King County OR be enrolled in a nursing program located in King County.

Only applicants to the Advanced Award - Valerie Weiss Memorial Scholarship must meet one additional requirement:

  • Meet the above criteria and demonstrate an exemplary commitment to the nursing profession through extracurricular professional activities.



AWARD CRITERIA

Scholarships will be awarded on the basis of:

  • Commitment to social justice
  • Commitment to King County community
  • Community/School Involvement



Additional Information

  • KCNA reserves the right to distribute the scholarships among award categories depending on applications received.
  • Applicants can only receive an award once from KCNA. If you have previously received an award, you are not eligible to apply.
  • KCNA members are encouraged to apply! KCNA members are automatically eligible to apply. (example: you are a KCNA member who is attending an online school. While you work in King County, your address is in neighboring county. You are eligible to apply where a nonmember would not be eligible.)


FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

  • Do I need to include transcripts from all the schools I have attended?

    You only need to submit your current college transcripts that include nursing courses and any prerequisites.

  • Do I need official transcripts?

    An official transcript is not needed, an unofficial transcript is sufficient.

  • Can I have a past instructor submit a recommendation?

    Yes, as long as they know you well enough to write a recommendation.

  • If I received a KCNA scholarship in the past, can I apply again?

    Applicants can only receive an award once from KCNA. If you previously received an award, you are not eligible to apply.

  • Can I apply for a scholarship if I haven't completed any prerequisites?

    No, you need to have completed the nursing prerequisites and be accepted into a nursing program to apply.  

  • If I am awarded the scholarship, when can I start using the money?

    The funds will be sent to your school for use beginning with summer term 2026 and ending the spring term of 2027. 


    Awardees are responsible for working with their school's financial office to establish when during the above timeline the funds will be utilized.


  • Can I apply if I am a KCNA member but do not have a permanent address in King County and am taking an online degree course in another state?

    Yes, KCNA members are automatically eligible to apply for a scholarship.

  • Can I apply if I have Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) status?

    Yes, if you are either attending school in King County or have a permanent address in King County, you are eligible to apply.

  • When will I hear back about the scholarship?

    We will notify you in April after the Scholarship Committee has made their decisions.

Special Project

The MentorLink project provides opportunities for new nurses and experienced nurses to connect, share and learn.

MENTORLINK

Nursing Events/Self Care

KCNA offers continuing nursing education and other events. Explore self-nurturing practices.

VIEW DETAILS

Donate to Scholarships

Support the next generation of registered nurses in King County!

DONATE