University Cost to Attend

As you make financial plans to attend college, there are several factors to consider. The USF tuition rates are assessed per credit hour by course level, and costs will vary based on your residency status and course type (online, clinical, etc.). The current graduate tuition rates can be found on the University Controller's Office website.

Note: The tuition for the Nurse Anesthesia DNP program is higher, see the program's FAQs for details.

College Expenses

If you are admitted to the USF Health College of Nursing there may be additional fees to cover CPR training, criminal background check, drug screening, textbooks, course software, clinical uniforms, equipment (for pre-licensure students) and other expenses depending on your program.

Note: An estimated list of expenses (usually $1,000-$2,500 per year) will be provided to you as an admitted student.

University Scholarships & Financial Aid

The services offered by the USF Office of Financial Aid are an excellent place to start understanding and managing your college finances. With that office's helpful "Get Started" section, you can choose from step-by-step guides, search for scholarships, and learn more about the types of financial aid.

Note: Contact the USF Health Office of Financial Aid once you become an admitted student for assistance in navigating the financial aid process. That office also provides assistance with securing adequate funding, debt management counseling and financial planning.

College Financial Assistance

The USF College of Nursing awards admitted students through grants and endowed funding. Types of financial assistance include graduate assistantships, scholarships, fellowships and others depending on your program. See the complete details provided below under Types of Financial Assistance.

Note: The College of Nursing does not have a separate Financial Aid office, so students should contact the USF Health Office of Financial Aid for assistance navigating the financial aid process. This office works in conjunction with the college and the Office Financial Aid.

Veteran Education Benefit

See the Office of Veteran Success for details to on how to apply for VA Education Benefits at USF. That office provides step-by-step instructions on how to navigate the admissions and VA benefit process. Contact H. Jason Miller, associate director of Veteran Services for additional assistance.

Types of Financial Aid

Determining how to finance your education is not a one-step process. It takes a commitment to learning about the different types of aid, exploring which ones suit your budget and then applying for those you qualify for.The College of Nursing awards specific scholarships (grants and endowed funding) to currently admitted students. An email will be sent to students through their USF email when funds are available. We recommend checking your email account daily.

Note: No matter what type of funding you are applying for, start by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid or FAFSA. The FAFSA is used to determine eligibility for most of types of financial assistance.

• USF Scholarships – Scholarships for undergraduate and graduate students are based on both need and merit and do not have to be repaid. The college will email you directly when funds are available, through your USF email account. Each scholarship has specific rules on eligibility requirements. Information is available through the USF Office of Financial Aid.
• Private Funds – Many private organizations also provide scholarship opportunities, so conduct your own search or use some of these suggestions:

• Fastweb
• HRSA
• Bureau of Primary Health Care
• Florida Prepaid College Plans
• Florida Bright Futures

Fellowships & Scholarships

Available for multiple programs

• Jonas Nurse Leader and Jonas Veterans Healthcare Scholars – The College of Nursing requests funding every two years and will announce the applications process upon the receipt of funds.
• Ona & John Riggin Psych Mental Health Scholarship – Available for full or part time graduate or doctoral students pursuing a psychiatric mental health major from the College of Nursing. Must apply yearly. Visit the Office of Financial Aid to apply.
• Pat Vardell Endowed Nursing Scholarship – To support scholarships and/or stipends for students enrolled in the College of Nursing who have stated an intent to practice nursing in Pinellas County, Florida. Students must have demonstrated academic excellence by earning a minimum 3.0 (B) average, and financial need. Visit the Office of Financial Aid to apply.

Available for PhD only

• USF Graduate Fellowship – Offers stipend and tuition for the first 2 semesters; must be new fall admits and full-time enrolled each semester. All new program applicants are automatically considered; no application is required. Funding amounts may vary each year.
• College of Nursing Research Fellowship – Offers paid appointment and in-state tuition for 2 years; must be new fall admit and full-time enrolled each semester. All new program applicants are automatically considered; no application is required.
• Cecile and Jon Lengacher Scholarship – To offer scholarships to full or part-time PhD students, pursuing all majors, in the College of Nursing, on the Tampa campus. This scholarship can be awarded 1 semester with a preference for students focused on oncology research. Visit the Office of Financial Aid to apply.
• Patricia A. Burns Ph.D. Scholarship in Nursing – To provide support to a doctoral student for research assistance, data collection, and to attend conferences. Scholarship criteria: full or part-time grad students, all majors, College of Nursing, Tampa campus, renewable. Visit the Office of Financial Aid to apply.
• Linda E. Moody Doctoral Dissertation Support Fund – This fund is to help USF College of Nursing doctoral students working on their dissertation with financial support. Scholarship criteria: full or part-time graduate student, College of Nursing, Tampa campus. This scholarship is renewable. Visit the Office of Financial Aid to apply.

Loans 

• The Nurse Faculty Loan Program for Master's, DNP or PhD Students – The Nurse Faculty Loan Program requires a commitment to teach for four years in the U.S. post-graduation with an 85% loan forgiveness possible.

Post-Graduate Fellowships

• Advanced Practice Provider Fellowship - The USF Health College of Nursing collaborates with our clinical partners to develop, accredit, and evaluate fellowships for advanced practice providers, to include both nurse practitioners and physician assistants. Each fellowship is uniquely created to ensure that new nurse practitioners and physician assistants have the training and education to successfully transition from academia to a specialty clinical practice. The overarching goal is to increase the number of specialty trained practitioners to develop the competency necessary to deliver high-quality, evidence-based, and safe patient care. The average fellowship program is 12 months in length, with curricula consisting of didactic and clinical experiences in varied specialty areas (e.g., neurosurgery, critical care, cardiology, and orthopedics). Learn more here.

The College of Nursing offers graduate teaching assistantships and research assistantships to qualified students. These positions offer a salary and may cover a portion of tuition costs.

Graduate Teaching Assistant

Teaching assistants are appointed for a minimum of 10 hours per week and a maximum of 30 hours per week. TAs will be assigned to a clinical team or specific course(s) with an identified supervisor. A specific work schedule is developed in collaboration with the appropriate faculty supervisor. Training will be provided for each position. These positions may require travel to different sites. To view a full description of the graduate teaching assistantship, click here.

Graduate Research Assistant

Graduate research assistants are appointed for a minimum of 10 hours per week and a maximum of 30 hours per week. A specific work schedule is developed with the appropriate faculty supervisor. To view a full description of the graduate research assistantship, click here.

Application process for Graduate Teaching or Research Assistantships

1. Review job descriptions for graduate teaching or research assistantships.
2. Contact the faculty program director or assistant or associate dean to discuss the availability of assistantships within the program or the college.
3. Download, print and complete the application form located at: click here.
4. Submit the application along with your CV/Resume and a copy of your nursing license when applicable to Brittany Sheehy. She will review your application and contact the appropriate administrator for availability. If the administrator has available positions, you will be contacted directly by that administrator.

Frequently Asked Questions for Graduate Assistantships

1. What types of graduate assistantships exist for doctoral students?
Doctoral students can be appointed as graduate teaching assistants or as research assistants dependent on college needs and/or student preparation and experience.

2. What is the amount ($) of funding available to me as a graduate assistant?
Funding can range from $8,352 to $20,880 annually dependent upon the number of hours worked per week.

3. How many hours would I work if awarded an assistantship?
Graduate assistants normally work a minimum of 10 hours per week and a maximum of 30 hours per week.

4. Will I be funded through all years of my program?
Funding for graduate assistantships typically is available until a student’s coursework is completed. PhD students will be expected to be funded by a grant during the dissertation stage. Graduate assistantships will be continued pending favorable performance evaluations and overall college funding availability.

5. What does the assistantship cover?
Students on graduate assistantship are paid a salary and are considered salaried employees. Graduate assistants may also receive a portion of tuition paid by the college.

6. How many hours do I have to be enrolled in per semester to receive an assistantship?
Full time (at least 9 credits) and at least 18 completed graduate credit hours.

7. Do I have to apply for the stipend each year or is it automatically renewed?
Graduate assistantships will be continued pending favorable performance evaluations and overall college funding availability. Funding for graduate assistantships typically is available until a student’s coursework is completed. Students will be expected to be funded by a grant during the dissertation stage.

The goal of the Research Residency program is to facilitate research activities with College of Nursing PhD students, faculty members and nurses in the greater Tampa Bay metropolitan area. This serves three primary purposes: (i) expand the research portfolio and capabilities of local hospitals and health care facilities; (ii) provide research experience for PhD students and (iii) support PhD student dissertation research. 

PhD students are eligible to apply for a Research Residency Scholarship annually, and awardees will be appointed for 20 hours per week. A specific work project is developed in collaboration with the College of Nursing faculty mentor and approved by the director of the PhD program.  It is expected that the research resident will spend the majority of their effort on research endeavors mutually agreed upon between by the College of Nursing Faculty mentor and the Director of the PhD Program.

Duties of the Graduate Research Resident may include, but are not limited to:

• Conduct literature searches or literature reviews
• Participate in a journal club to review and critique health-related research
• Assist with communication, discussion, and dissemination of nursing science
• Assist with the development of research study designs and study protocols
• Perform data entry
• Assist with data management
• Conduct statistical analyses
• Identify research funding opportunities
• Assist with development of informed consent forms and institutional review board (IRB) applications
• Assist with development of grant applications
• Assist with development of abstracts, manuscripts, and oral and poster presentations
• Help to coordinate and administer research studies
• Serve as a liaison between local health care facilities and College of Nursing PhD Program