Bea Goodwin Scholarship Grant

Bea Goodwin Scholarship Grant

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: Nurses Educational Funds Inc.
Last Updated: March 25, 2026

Summary

The Bea Goodwin Scholarship, established in 2026, honors the legacy of Dr. Bea Goodwin, a dedicated nursing leader. This scholarship is aimed at supporting professional nurses pursuing master's or doctoral degrees in nursing education. Applicants must have a minimum of two semesters remaining in their studies and must hold current RN licenses. Preference is given to candidates whose work reflects Dr. Goodwin's commitment to excellence in nursing education and preparing future nurse educators.

Overview

Note: Applicants MUST have a minimum of two semesters of study remaining after notification of award in early June (i.e. summer and fall; fall and spring).NEF Scholarships are awarded directly to the successful applicants and not to their college or university. Nurses Educational Funds Nurses Educational Funds, Inc. depends solely on donations to advance our only mission, to promote nursing leadership through annual scholarship support for professional nurses seeking masters and doctoral degrees in nursing education, practice, research, and administration. NEF’s only purpose is to provide nursing scholarship assistance to make graduate level nursing education possible. NEF is one of the largest, national, private, professionally endorsed source of funds for advanced nursing study with over one hundred years of service to and for professional nursing. NEF is a non-profit organization with 501(c) status. Bea Goodwin Scholarship This permanent scholarship, initiated in 2026, honors Bea (Beatrice) Goodwin, a nursing leader who was passionate about excellence in nursing education. Dr. Goodwin earned her BSN from Vanderbilt University and her Master's and PhD from New York University. Her illustrious career includes roles as professor at NYU Division of Nursing and Chair and Professor, Lehman College, City University of New York. She was a founding member of Sigma Theta Tau, Upsilon Chapter (NYU) and held influential positions with the National League for Nursing. Dr. Goodwin had a distinguished career as a flight nurse and Chief Nurse of the Air Evacuation Unit in the United States Air Force Nurse Corps and Air National Guard. Dr. Goodwin’s exemplary commitment to Nursing in Latin America began with her consultant role at the Pan American Health Organization. She helped establish the first nursing and midwifery program in Catholic University, Chile, S.A. She led an NYU project to enhance nursing education in eight countries of Latin America. She exerted efforts to create the International Nursing Research Center at the Chilean Association of Nursing Education (ACHIEN). From 2006 to 2018, as a member and of the NGO Health Committee, which holds special consultative Status with the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) of the United Nations, Dr. Goodwin addressed the imperative for students and practicing health professionals to become aware of the health needs of developing and least developed countries and the inter-connectedness of all nations.

Eligibility

You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. General RequirementsThe following requirements must be met by ALL applicants:Current RN license/Registration with current expiration date, from any state within the USA RequiredCurrent national professional nursing association membership with a current expiration date – such as the American Nurses Association, or specialty organization and/or evidence of international honor society membership (Sigma Theta Tau International).You will be asked to upload a copy of your membership card.Proof of current citizenship or legal residency status, such as:United States Passport (biographic page) with current expiration dateBirth CertificateNaturalization Certificate from the USCISPermanent Resident (Green) Card with current expiration date Specific RequirementsMaster’s degree applicant must haveCompleted a baccalaureate degree in nursing (or the equivalent requirement if enrolled in an “entry” level Master’s program).Enrolled either full or part-time in a professionally accredited nursing program.Completed at least 12 graded credits (pass/fail & satisfactory credits are not counted) of the master’s program at the time the application is submitted.Maintained a minimum GPA of 3.6.Doctoral degree (PhD, DNP, DNAP, EdD) applicant must have:Completed a bachelor’s and master's degree.Enrolled either full or part-time in a professionally accredited nursing program.Completed at least 12 graded credits (pass/fail & satisfactory credits are not counted) of the program at the time the application is submitted.Maintained a minimum GPA of 3.6.Accelerated BSN to Doctoral (PhD, DNP, DNAP, EdD) applicant (includes student without a master's degree in nursing)Enrolled full or part-time in a professionally accredited nursing program.Completed 40 graded credits (pass/fail & satisfactory credits are not counted) of the program at the time the application is submitted.Maintained a minimum GPA of 3.6. Accredited Graduate Nursing Programs including but not limited to master's or DNP nursing programs, are those programs that are accredited by the following:Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN); Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE); Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCC); New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE); or other recognized American Nursing College or School of Nursing Accrediting bodies. A Nursing Program is defined here as:A graduate (master’s or doctorate) nursing program that is in a Department/School/College/University of Nursing granting graduate nursing degrees.If the applicant is enrolled in a dual degree program, one of the dual degrees must be in graduate (master’s or doctorate) nursing, granted by a nursing department/school/college/university and both of the degrees must be awarded simultaneously at the end of the program. An articulation agreement within the university or between two colleges in which degrees are given at different completion dates are ineligible (both of the degrees must be awarded simultaneously at the end of the program).

Ineligibility

A student in post-graduate certificate program is not eligible for an NEF Scholarship