Determining how to finance one’s education is not a one-step process. It takes a commitment to learning about the different types of aid, determining which ones suit you, and then applying and qualifying for the guidelines specified.
Many forms of financial assistance are available through the
USF Office of Financial Aid. In addition, the College of Nursing awards specific scholarships to current admitted students by way of grants and endowed funding.
While there is no separate Financial Aid office within the College of Nursing, we have compiled a listing of information that may be helpful as you begin your search.
No matter what type of funding you are applying for, you should start by completing the
Free Application for Federal Student Aid or FAFSA. The FAFSA is used to determine eligibility for a number of types of financial assistance.
- Graduate Assistantships - The College of Nursing offers graduate teaching assistantships and research assistantships to qualified students. More information can be found at http://health.usf.edu/nocms/nursing/AdmissionsFinacial/graduate_assistantships.html.
- Scholarships – Scholarships are based on both need and merit and do not have to be repaid. Each scholarship has specific rules on eligibility requirements. Information is available through private organizations and the USF Office of Financial Aid.
- Federal Restricted Scholarships – Federal Restricted Scholarships are awarded through federal funds from the Department of Health and Human Services. Applications are available online at http://health.usf.edu/nocms/nursing/pdfs/Disadvantaged%20Scholarship%20Application%20Form.pdf
- USF Graduate School Scholarships and Fellowships – The USF Graduate School offers a range of scholarships and fellowships. To be considered for a specific award, it is critical to submit a complete application prior to the stated deadline. Applications received after the deadline will not be reviewed. For a listing of deadlines and requirements for USF Graduate School Scholarships and Fellowships, please see:
http://www.grad.usf.edu/grants.asp.
- Traineeships - Traineeships are federal dollars that do not require that any service be performed by the student. Awards are determined at the discretion of the principal investigator and can vary each term depending on number of applicants. Awards are posted each semester via USF Health email. Applications for traineeships are available at: http://health.usf.edu/nocms/nursing/docs/finaid/traineeship.pdf.
- www.Discovernursing.com – Discovernursing.com is a website sponsored by Johnson & Johnson that is dedicated to nursing careers. It contains information on career pathways, scholarships, and much more.
- The Nurse Faculty Loan Program for Graduate Students - The Nurse Faculty Loan program requires a commitment to teach for four years in the USA post-graduation with an 85% loan forgiveness possible. For more information contact the COO Ms. Anne Phillips aphillip@health.usf.edu.
- State of Florida Nurse Educator Program – The State of Florida Nurse Educator program provides up to 6 semesters of stipend support for full-time enrollment and a student commitment to teach for three years in the State of Florida post graduation. For more information contact the program director, Dr. Barbara Redding at bredding@health.usf.edu.
- USF Don’t Stop Don’t Drop initiative– The USF Student Ombudsman is available for guidance, analysis of need, and recommendations for students. For more information see http://www.sa.usf.edu/dontstopdontdrop/.
- Financial Assistance Search Sites – There are a number of sites that can be used to search for financial assistance. Some of the commonly used sites for nursing include:
- Resources for Educational Distinction (R.E.D.) – R.E.D. serves as a clearinghouse for nationally competitive scholarships and fellowships. In general, these scholarships and fellowships are designed for highly driven, academically strong, visionary students. Some are for graduate/professional study in the U.S., while some involve study abroad. For more information see: http://red.usf.edu/.
- Nursing Financial Partners
- College of Nursing Internal Scholarships & Awards
- Foundation/Donor based
Foundation based scholarships are awarded based on predetermined
related criteria determined by donor.
How to Apply: Download a College of Nursing Standard Scholarship Application, or request one from the
Office of Student Affairs.
- Timeline: A call for applications is announced by email and
contains the specific deadline for each term; awards are made
for the fall term each year by the Students Affairs Committee.
- Criteria: Students must be a admitted to and enrolled in
the College of Nursing. Students must meet the additional criteria
set by the donor.
- Notification: Students are notified of the award by a letter
from the Dean of the College of Nursing.
- Scholarships
Restricted (Federal programs) These awards are federal funds from the Department
of Health and Human Services. How to Apply: Applications are available online and through the office of Student Affairs:
- Timeline: Fall term: sometime in September
- Spring term: sometime in December
- A call for applications is announced by email and contains
the specific deadline for each term
- Criteria: Full-time enrollment in nursing programs
- Minimum GPA of 3.25 for graduate and 2.50 for undergraduate
course work
- No incomplete grades or below a "C" in any NUR or
NGR courses
- Need is verified by the student financial aid package and
agency criteria
- You must submit a copy of your Financial Aid Award Notice
from OASIS with your completed application.
- Notification: Emails are sent to students with instructions
on how monies will be disbursed.
- Benefits: Students are not required to work or perform service
- Monies may reduce the amount of personal federal loans through
financial aid
- Traineeships
Traineeships are federal dollars that do not require that any
service be performed by the student. Awards are determined at
the discretion of the principal investigator and can vary each
term depending on number of applicants. Awards are posted each
semester via email.
How to Apply:
Applications are available online and at the College of Nursing Student Affairs Office. Applications
are valid August through January for the award year. Awards are
distributed in fall and spring terms.
Criteria:
Students must be admitted to and enrolled in the College of Nursing
graduate program
Students must be enrolled full time after the drop-add week.
Benefit:
Students are not required to work or perform service. Monies
are distributed in one lump sum through the student financial
system. Monies may reduce the amount of personal federal loans
through financial aid
