Vocational Nurse Scholarship Program (VNSP)
California Department of Health Care Access and Information (HCAI)
Up to $4,000 for California vocational nursing (LVN) students who commit to one year of nursing work in an underserved area of California.
- How much
- up to $4,000
- Who qualifies
- Must be a California resident; begin the program by October 1, 2026; be enrolled in at least six semester units (or equivalent) until completion; have and keep a GPA of 2.0 or higher; graduate after March 31, 2027; have no other existing service obligation; and commit to one year of full-time (32+ hours/week) direct patient care in a medically underserved area or qualifying facility in California, starting within six months of graduating.
- For trade school students, adults going back to school
- For vocational nursing students
- Partly need-based: your FAFSA can affect whether you get it or how much.
- When to apply
- Opens later Annual window: 2026 cycle opened Sept 1, 2026 and closed Oct 2, 2026 at 3:00 p.m.; HCAI says the next cycle opens September 2027
- How to apply
- Apply on HCAI's online Funding Portal during the application window (opened Sept 1, closes ~early October)
- HCAI scores applications and may give a full, partial, or no award
- What you'll need
- state application
- Last checked
- October 5, 2026, against the official page (hcai.ca.gov) and page 2
The details
In exchange for a one-year service obligation in a medically underserved area or qualified facility in California, eligible vocational nursing (LVN) students may receive up to $4,000 (cannot exceed one year's cost of attendance). About $24,000 is available statewide in the 2026 cycle. Awardees may apply again each year they stay eligible; each new award adds another one-year service obligation. Paid by paper check from the State Controller; awardees get an IRS 1099. Breaking the service obligation can require repayment.
More money from California
- Cal Grant A2026-27 max: UC $15,588 (2026-27 cohort), CSU $6,838, CCC bachelor's program $3,024, private institutions $4,000-$9,358
- Student Success Completion Grant (SSCG)up to $8,000 per year (15+ units/semester); $2,596 per year (12-14.99 units/semester)
- Cal-HBCU Transfer Grant Programup to $5,000 (one-time)
- Cal Grant C2026-27 max: community college $1,094 (books/supplies); private schools $2,462 tuition/fees + $547 books/supplies
- Cal Grant B2026-27: $1,648 access award (first year); from year two also tuition/fees up to $15,588 at UC, $6,838 at CSU, $4,000-$9,358 at private schools
Keep looking
- Answer a few questions to see every program you qualify for
- Nearby states: Arizona, Nevada, Oregon
- Federal aid and national scholarships (open to students in any state)
- The FAFSA in plain English (2027-28)
- Should I file the FAFSA if I don't think I'll qualify?
- FAFSA deadlines by state (2027-28)
- The FAFSA for parents: what you need to do
- How to save on textbooks: free, rented and cheaper options
We list programs; we don't decide who gets them. Always check the official page before you apply. Spot something wrong? Tell us.