Project SEND

College Made Possible

Project SEND—Seeking Excellence Through Nursing Diversity—offers licensed practical nurses (LPNs) the opportunity to become registered nurses (RNs) in as few as 18 months of study. Earn your Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) degree TUITION-FREE!

Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) are invited to apply for one of 15 Project SEND scholarships to Rivier University’s LPN to ASN program. A total of 60 students will be chosen over the course of four years.

Project SEND scholarships have been made possible through a $4 million grant from the U.S. Health Resources Administration (HRSA). This highly selective grant is one of only nine Nurse Education, Practice, Quality and Retention grants awarded by HRSA nationally in 2023. Annual grant distributions over the next four years will fund 45 full-tuition scholarship awards in 2024-26 and 15 partial-tuition awards in 2027.

Grant funds will support LPNs from diverse backgrounds and underserved communities to pursue ASN degrees, fulfilling the educational requirement to become RNs.

Project SEND scholarships will eliminate the financial challenge of a college degree for motivated students. Scholarship recipients will receive full tuition, fees, books, uniforms, an iPad, NCLEX-RN prep course, and a stethoscope to complete an Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) program, which is a prerequisite to licensure as a registered nurse. Classes are held evenings, and, whenever possible, students are given the choice of a weekday or weekend clinical, enabling students to continue to work while pursuing their degree.

Learn more about Project SEND and Rivier’s LPN to ASN degree program.

University Admission Requirements

Standard nursing program admission requirements apply. View requirements.

LPN to ASN Program Advanced Standing

Applicants may be granted advanced placement into the LPN to ASN Program contingent upon:

• proof of unencumbered LPN licensure;
• a review of their LPN curriculum;
• a score of 69 or above on the Nursing Acceleration Challenge Exam (NACE 1.2).

TEAS and SAT scores are not required for the LPN to ASN program. 

Scholarship Requirements

Scholarship Criteria

In addition to fulfilling admission and the advanced standing requirements outlined above, applicants must:

• hold a current, unencumbered LPN license;
• be a U.S. citizen or resident;
• be a member of an environmentally or economically disadvantaged population and/or underrepresented minority. HRSA considers the following to be eligible as one of these categories:
  • race/ethnicity
  • primary language (language you use in most situations)
  • first-generation college student (parent(s) did not complete a 4-year college/university)
  • economically disadvantaged
  • educationally/environmentally disadvantaged (e.g., You attended a high school where they qualified for free school lunches.)

Scholarship Application Process

Application for a Project SEND scholarship requires:

• a completed application to Rivier University’s LPN to ASN program, including all supporting documentation;
• a completed Project SEND Scholarship Form;
• submission of a short essay (100-500 words) discussing
  • What would receiving this scholarship mean for you?
  • Why you are seeking this degree, and how it will impact your nursing practice?
  • Describe your commitment to the nursing profession, including your long-term career goals.

Application Deadline

All applications and supporting documents must be submitted by October 30 to be considered for January admission and scholarship awards.

Scholarship Notification

Awards will be made, and finalists notified by November 30.

Speak with an Enrollment Counselor

We are here to help you! ASN program application questions and requests for assistance from an Enrollment Counselor can be made by calling (603) 897-8507 or emailing admissions@rivier.edu. Questions about Project SEND scholarships should be directed to Rebeca Cruz, Project Coordinator, at rcruz1@rivier.edu.

Apply Today

Apply online to the LPN to ASN program today at rivier.edu/apply.

To apply for a Project SEND scholarship, download the application form, complete and submit it. Instructions are provided on the form.