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NursingCAS 2026-27: How It Works, Fees and Deadlines
NursingCAS lets you apply to many nursing programs with one application. Here is how this cycle works, what it costs and which date you should actually plan around.
NursingCAS is the shared application for participating nursing programs. Its August 2026 newsletter says the 2026-27 cycle has more than 2,500 programs and runs from August 6, 2026 to January 28, 2028. It costs $70 for your first undergraduate program or $90 for your first graduate program, per NursingCAS, and each program sets its own deadline.
What is NursingCAS?
One online application and one set of transcripts for nursing programs at participating schools. The American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) describes it as covering programs at the associate, bachelor's, master's and doctoral levels, and the NursingCAS policies say AACN runs it with its technology partner, Liaison International.
Schools see your application and materials through WebAdMIT, their admissions software, as NursingCAS explains. So you complete the shared part once, then add whatever each program asks for on top. Everything here is from official NursingCAS, AACN and Liaison pages as of October 2026.
Which nursing programs use NursingCAS?
Second-degree, bachelor's, master's and doctoral programs, plus RN diploma, associate and certificate programs, per the participation policy. Not every school takes part, so search NursingCAS for your exact school, degree and start term.
Do not assume two programs with the same degree have the same requirements. That goes for BSN, accelerated BSN, MSN, DNP and nurse anesthesia programs alike. The NursingCAS degree comparison explains the routes, including second-degree bachelor's programs for people who already have a bachelor's, and doctoral programs focused on practice or research.
What is in the NursingCAS application?
Four sections, per the Liaison application guide. The first three are shared across all your programs. The fourth, Program Materials, is where each program lists its own extra requirements.
Personal Information
Your biographic and contact details, citizenship and family information, and the other questions in this section. Double-check your email, since that is how programs reach you.
Academic History
The high schools and colleges you attended, your coursework and the tests you took or plan to take. Keep your transcripts open while you enter courses so you can match them line by line.
Supporting Information
Your achievements, experiences, licenses and certifications. For each experience, say what you did and what you learned, not just your title.
Program Materials
Each program's deadline and extra requirements. Keep a short checklist per program so nothing slips.
How do NursingCAS transcripts, verification and GPA work?
Start with what your programs ask for. The NursingCAS Applicant Help Center has separate guides for sending official transcripts, checking your status, verification and GPA calculations. Order transcripts early, since the last day they can be matched to your application is February 10, 2028 at 5 PM ET.
Electronic is the first choice. NursingCAS processes electronic transcripts from Parchment and National Student Clearinghouse. If your registrar cannot send one, it should mail an official paper transcript with a NursingCAS Transcript ID Form to the NursingCAS Transcript Processing Center, PO Box 9201, Watertown, MA 02471.
In Academic History, the application guide lets you enter coursework yourself or use Professional Transcript Entry. Either way, check every entry against your transcripts before you submit. To estimate your GPA first, try our NursingCAS GPA calculator, then go by the official number in your application.
How much does NursingCAS cost?
For 2026-27, NursingCAS charges $70 for the first undergraduate program and $55 for each additional one, or $90 for the first graduate program and $60 for each additional one. Three undergraduate programs, for example, come to $180. NursingCAS fees are non-refundable, and some programs charge their own supplemental fee too. You can preview your total in the application under My Programs, then Calculate Fee.
Fee waivers are out for now. NursingCAS says it is out of waiver funds and will add more on May 3, 2027, for programs with later start dates. Waivers are limited, first come, first served, and cover only your first program.
How NursingCAS fee waivers work
NursingCAS adds waiver funds twice a cycle, at the start (August 6, 2026) and halfway through (May 3, 2027), per its fee page. There are two kinds, income-based and service-based, and you can apply for only one per cycle. You must request a waiver before you submit. If you are approved, you have 30 days to submit, weekends and holidays included, with no extensions. NursingCAS suggests calling customer service at 617-612-2880 first to check whether funds are left. AACN funds the program, as NursingCAS notes.
What are the NursingCAS 2026-27 dates and deadlines?
The cycle opened August 6, 2026 and closes January 28, 2028 at 11:59 PM ET, per NursingCAS. It covers programs starting in summer and fall 2027 and winter and spring 2028. But the cycle close is not your deadline. Every program picks its own, and you can submit until 11:59 PM ET on that date. Find it by clicking Add Program and looking under Deadline.
Applying for a winter or spring 2027 start? That is the previous cycle, which stays open until January 29, 2027, per the August newsletter. While the two cycles overlap, make sure you are in the right one for your start term. AACN notes that schools set their program dates within the cycle.
Every 2026-27 processing cutoff
| Date and time | What closes |
|---|---|
| August 6, 2026 | Cycle opens |
| January 28, 2028, 11:59 PM ET | Cycle closes: last day to create an account, submit, request references or order Professional Transcript Entry |
| February 10, 2028, 5 PM ET | Last matching of transcripts and official test scores |
| February 10, 2028, 11:59 PM ET | Last day for references to submit |
| February 11, 2028, 11:59 PM ET | Last approval of Professional Transcript Entry |
| February 16, 2028, 11:59 PM ET | Last resubmission of an Undelivered application |
| February 17, 2028, 5 PM ET | Last verification and end of processing |
Reapplying through NursingCAS
Use the Re-Applicant feature to carry your data, coursework and transcripts into the new cycle. References and anything in Program Materials do not carry over. You do not need to resend transcripts already processed, only new ones for added coursework. Save a PDF of your current application first, as NursingCAS recommends.
How do you put together a strong NursingCAS application?
Start six weeks before your deadline, using the countdown on nursingcas.org. For each program, note the degree, start term, requirements and deadline.
| Before your deadline | What to do |
|---|---|
| 6 weeks | Decide which programs fit and learn each one's requirements. |
| 5 weeks | Request transcripts and references, if required. |
| 4 weeks | Begin your application and collect supporting materials, like personal statements and certification data. |
| 3 weeks | Follow up on any transcript that has not arrived, and keep working on your application. |
| 2 weeks | Finish and submit your application. |
| 1 week | Check your status and email, and confirm your transcripts and references were received. |
If a program wants references, the August newsletter suggests asking them early and giving them a clear deadline. And as the April newsletter puts it, do not wait until the last minute to submit. After you submit, check your status in your application and act on anything flagged. The help center explains each status. For help, NursingCAS support is at 617-612-2880, support@nursingcas.myliaison.com or the chat in your application, Monday to Friday, 9 AM to 5 PM ET.
Practice the classic nursing interview question
Your application is full of stories you can use in an interview. Pick one experience that drew you to nursing, say what your role was and what it taught you, and tell it in your own words.
“Why do you want to be a nurse?”
Skip the general reasons and tell one moment that showed you what nurses actually do.
Example answer written by Confetto
I got interested in nursing while volunteering at a community clinic. One afternoon I watched a nurse go over a discharge plan with a patient who was scared to go home. She let him talk first, then walked him through each step and had him repeat it back.
He left calmer than he came in, and it was not because of anything high-tech. It was her knowledge plus the trust she built in ten minutes. That is the kind of nurse I want to be, and it is why I am applying.
For more, see our nursing school interview questions and our guide to answering why you want to be a nurse.
Sources: NursingCAS, AACN and the NursingCAS Applicant Help Center from Liaison, linked throughout. Information checked as of October 2026.
Frequently asked questions
What is NursingCAS?
NursingCAS is the shared application for participating nursing programs. You fill out one online application and send one set of transcripts, and it reaches every participating program you pick. Read AACN's NursingCAS page.
When does the 2026-27 NursingCAS cycle open and close?
It opened August 6, 2026 and closes January 28, 2028. Each program sets its own deadline inside that window, and that is the date to plan around. See NursingCAS cycle dates.
How much does NursingCAS cost?
For 2026-27, $70 for your first undergraduate program and $55 for each one after that, or $90 for your first graduate program and $60 for each one after that. Some programs add their own supplemental fee. See NursingCAS fees.
How do I send transcripts to NursingCAS?
NursingCAS processes electronic transcripts from Parchment and National Student Clearinghouse. If your registrar cannot send one, have it mail an official paper transcript with a NursingCAS Transcript ID Form to the NursingCAS Transcript Processing Center, PO Box 9201, Watertown, MA 02471. Read NursingCAS's transcript FAQ.
Can I reuse my NursingCAS application if I reapply?
Yes. The Re-Applicant feature carries over your data and transcripts. References and anything in Program Materials do not carry over, and you send new transcripts only for new coursework. Read NursingCAS's re-applicant FAQ.
Are NursingCAS fee waivers available?
Not right now. NursingCAS says it is out of fee waiver funds and will add more on May 3, 2027. Waivers are limited and first come, first served, so request one early if you qualify. See NursingCAS fee waivers.
Do all nursing schools use NursingCAS?
No. Only participating schools do, so search for your school, degree and start term in NursingCAS, and check the school's own site if it is not listed. Read NursingCAS participation policies.
Can I apply to an accelerated BSN or a DNP through NursingCAS?
Yes, if your program participates. Participating programs include second-degree, bachelor's, master's and doctoral nursing programs. Look up your specific program in NursingCAS to confirm. Read NursingCAS participation policies.