Exceptional Nurse Scholarships

Scholarship Sponsored by Exceptional Nurse

ExceptionalNurse.com —

Scholarship and

Support

Overview

Description Mission and focus

ExceptionalNurse.com is a nonprofit initiative dedicated to supporting nursing students and nurses with disabilities. The organization provides resources, guidance, and targeted financial assistance to help qualified students pursue nursing education on a full-time basis. Its work emphasizes removing barriers to entry and success in nursing programs for people with documented disabilities. The site and its programs aim to connect applicants with practical information and application pathways.

Key takeaways:

• Supports nursing students and nurses who have documented disabilities.
• Focuses on practical assistance to help candidates complete full-time nursing programs.
• Provides resources and scholarship opportunities tailored to accessibility needs.

Eligibility Who can apply

Eligibility is limited to students who can document a disability and who have either applied to or already been admitted to a college or university nursing or allied-health program on a full-time basis. Applicants must be able to supply official medical verification of their disability as part of the application. Part-time students or applicants without documentation do not meet the stated criteria. Prospective applicants should confirm program-specific interpretations of “full-time” with their institution before applying.

Key takeaways:

• Applicants must have a documented disability.
• Must be applying to or already admitted to a full-time college/university program.
• Medical verification of disability is required.

Checklist Required application materials

The application requires a completed and signed application form plus supporting documentation to verify academic readiness and disability status. Applicants must submit three letters of recommendation from non-relatives who can attest to academic ability and character, an essay of about 1–2 pages, and official transcripts for completed coursework. A Medical Verification of Disability Form is explicitly required to confirm eligibility. Assemble all materials carefully and verify submission instructions before sending.

Key takeaways:

• Completed and signed application form is mandatory.
• Three non-relative letters of recommendation required.
• Submit a 1–2 page essay, official transcripts, and Medical Verification of Disability Form.

Award

Value Amount and disbursement

Specific award amounts are not detailed in the provided content, so prospective applicants should consult ExceptionalNurse.com or contact the organization directly for current award values and disbursement policies. Awards for similar nonprofit scholarships often vary by year, funding availability, and applicant pool. If funding details are critical to your decision to apply, request the most recent award information before preparing your application.

Key takeaways:

• Award amounts are not specified in the provided material.
• Funding and award distribution may vary by year and availability.
• Confirm current award values and disbursement rules with the organization.

Application

Timeline Deadlines and review process

No fixed application timeline is included in the source material, so applicants should monitor the organization’s website or contact their office for current application windows, submission deadlines, and decision dates. Prepare application materials well in advance — collecting letters of recommendation and official transcripts can take several weeks. Verify preferred submission methods (mail, email, or online portal) and any post-submission notification procedures.

Key takeaways:

• Check ExceptionalNurse.com for current deadlines and application cycles.
• Start gathering documents early to accommodate processing time.
• Confirm submission method and notification timeline with the organization.

History of the

Award Founding and founder background

ExceptionalNurse.com was founded in 2001 as a grassroots nonprofit by Donna Maheady, Ed.D., APRN, a pediatric nurse practitioner and long-time nursing educator. Dr. Maheady has taught nursing for over 40 years and researched the experiences of nursing students with disabilities as part of her doctoral dissertation. She continues to be involved in nursing education (adjunct faculty at Utica College) and has personal experience navigating disability issues through her daughter, who has an HNRNPU de novo genetic mutation. The organization’s origins and leadership reflect a combination of professional expertise and lived experience driving its mission.

Key takeaways:

• Founded in 2001 by Donna Maheady, Ed.D., APRN.
• Founder’s doctoral research focused on nursing students with disabilities.
• Leadership combines professional nursing education experience and personal connection to disability advocacy. For the most current details on awards, deadlines, and application procedures, visit ExceptionalNurse.com or contact the organization directly.