Registered Nursing (RN) Scholarship Program 

The Cherokee Nation Registered Nursing (RN) Scholarship Program provides financial support to Cherokee Nation citizens pursuing an Associate of Applied Science Degree in Nursing. The program is designed to strengthen the Cherokee Nation Health Services workforce by preparing qualified nurses who commit to serving Cherokee communities. The RN Scholarship Program is a competitive program with limited space based on available funding. 

Partner Schools 

• Connors State College

• Carl Albert State College

• Tulsa Community College

• Northeastern Oklahoma A&M

• Oklahoma State University – Institute of Technology 

Program Benefits 

Program assistance may include tuition (excluding general education courses, prerequisites, and electives, except Pharmacology); books; school supplies; required equipment, including a tablet or laptop; applicable fees; post-testing and licensure costs (NCLEX, Oklahoma Board of Nursing license, background check, and fingerprinting); and select nursing training and pinning ceremony supplies. All items are purchased through approved vendors. 

Commitment Requirement 

Participants must agree to complete the RN program in good standing and work full-time with Cherokee Nation Health Services as an inpatient RN for a minimum of one (1) year and up to two (2) years following graduation. 

Application Periods

• Spring Semester Application Period: September 26 – November 9

• Spring Semester Begins: Early to mid-January

• Fall Semester Application Period: April 1 – May 16

• Fall Semester Begins: Mid- to late August or early September 

Eligibility Requirements 

Applicants must: 

• Be a Cherokee Nation citizen

• Reside within the Cherokee Nation reservation or contiguous counties

• Accepted into or enrolled full-time in an eligible RN program

• Not be pursuing a BSN or MSN degree (refer to Cherokee Nation Scholarship for funding for those degree types)

• Agreement to complete a Nurse Residency Program (up to six months)

• Maintain satisfactory academic progress

• Sign a Contract Service Agreement to accept full-time employment as an in-patient RN with Cherokee Nation Health Services for one (1) to two (2) years post-graduation

• Attendance at a non-proprietary (non-profit/public) institution 

Candidates who apply will complete an initial pre-screening to determine whether they meet the basic eligibility requirements. Eligible candidates will then be scheduled for an in-person interview. 

Application Information 

To apply, download the application below and email the completed form to HigherEducation@cherokee.org. For additional information, contact Cherokee Nation Higher Education at HigherEducation@cherokee.org or (918) 453-5465.