The federal student aid application for the 2027-28 school year opened Sept. 23, the earliest launch in the program's history. Cincinnati-area adults who qualify for a Pell Grant through it could also get up to $4,000 toward a nursing degree at Chamberlain University's new Sycamore Township campus.
The money comes through the Chamberlain Care Grant, which the university offers at most of its campuses nationwide.
The grant, which covers $1,000 per academic session for the first four sessions, is available to new students pursuing a bachelor's degree in nursing, or BSN, according to the university's grant page.
No separate application is required.
An enrollment representative determines eligibility for most Chamberlain scholarships and grants. To qualify for the Care Grant, students must be new to Chamberlain, qualify for the Federal Pell Grant and remain enrolled in at least six credit hours through the fourth week of each of their first four consecutive sessions. The grant is limited based on available funding, and Chamberlain says terms may change.
The grant cannot be combined with other institutional offers, military rates or alumni rates. Students eligible for more than one non-stackable offer receive whichever is most beneficial. Chamberlain's grant page does not say whether that rule applies to the Founders' Grant, a separate offer worth up to $15,000 for students who are among the first to join the Cincinnati campus.
Financial aid and enrollment
The university says on its financial aid page that it awarded more than $87 million in scholarships and grants in 2025. The Cincinnati campus page says Chamberlain awarded more than $14 million for its BSN program that year.
The Cincinnati campus, Chamberlain's 25th nationwide, opened Aug. 20 at the Kenwood Collection at 5905 E. Galbraith Road, Suite 3000. Chamberlain says the BSN program can be completed in as few as three years with no prerequisite courses and no application fee. The campus offers evening and weekend scheduling and six start dates per year.
Executive campus director Priya Shastri said in a June 23 press release that Cincinnati has "over 50,000 open healthcare jobs" and that many programs in the region are already at or near capacity. The press release itself cited nearly 50,000 healthcare vacancies per month statewide in Ohio.
The Cincinnati Business Courier reported the campus plans to enroll 450 nursing students. Chamberlain's Columbus campus posted a 98.36% pass rate on the national nursing licensing exam in 2025 with an average class size of 16, according to the university.
Campus office hours are Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The toll-free number is 877-751-5783. Chamberlain's FAFSA school code is 006385.
