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CNSA Parent Nursing Award

Get up to $3,000 for baccalaureate-level nursing students who are also parents — applications open each December.

Reviewed by G Paul · verified August 14, 2026

$3,000

Total value

Dec 1, 2026

Next deadline

Canadian Nurses Foundation

Administered by

What you will need

Online application submitted via cnf-fiic.ca/scholarships/
Proof of Canadian citizenship or permanent residency
Proof of enrollment in a Canadian nursing program (RN, IEN, NP, LPN, or RPN)
Verification of parental status

About this award

You can receive up to $3,000 for your studies. This is a scholarship, not a loan, so you do not have to pay it back. This is for you if you are balancing the demands of a nursing program while raising a child. Applications open each December and typically close in late January for the following academic year. No specific date is posted publicly for the current cycle — before you start your application, check the Canadian Nurses Foundation (CNF — the national organization that provides funding for nursing students) program page or call their office to confirm when applications open and close this year. You will hear back through the application portal or email. Winners are chosen based on merit by the CNF awards committee. They award over 135 scholarships per year across all their different funding tiers, so competition depends on the number of applicants each year. Ask the CNF how many people typically apply for the parent-specific award so you can judge your odds. Ask the Canadian Nurses Foundation during your application how the money will reach you — some awards pay students directly, others apply funds to tuition. Confirm this so you can plan your cash flow. Renewal conditions aren't listed — if you're counting on this for multiple years, confirm with the Canadian Nurses Foundation whether it's a one-time award or renewable and what you need to maintain.

Who qualifies

To qualify, you must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident. You must be enrolled in a Canadian nursing program such as RN (Registered Nurse), IEN (Internationally Educated Nurse), NP (Nurse Practitioner), LPN (Licensed Practical Nurse), or RPN (Registered Practical Nurse). Specifically for this award, you must be pursuing a Baccalaureate level (Bachelor's degree) of study and be a parent.

This is what the award's own page said when we last checked. Rules change, so confirm with the provider before you apply.

Canadian citizen or permanent resident
Open to undergraduate students
Studying nursing

How to apply

Read the award's own page
Check you meet every requirement, and note each document they ask for.
Submit your application
Save a copy, and submit at least a day before the deadline shown above.

More details

Parenting Proof

Avoid providing a vague mention of your children.

Instead, provide clear evidence of your parental status and explain how the scholarship helps you balance childcare with your clinical rotations.

Support

Don't forget to highlight the support system they have in place.

Mention your childcare arrangements or family support to show the committee that you have a stable plan to complete your degree.

Strategy

Since one single application covers every CNF scholarship you qualify for, do not treat this as a separate task.

Spend extra time on your general profile and personal statement so it appeals to multiple award committees at once.

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