The USF College of Nursing awards admitted students through grants and endowed funding. Types of financial assistance include graduate assistantships, fellowships, and scholarships. See the complete details provided below.

Graduate Assistantships FAQs

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

2. How much is a Graduate Teaching or Research Assistantship stipend per hour?
$22.86 per hour

3. 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.

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

Graduate Teaching Assistant

Teaching assistants (TA) are available for full time students only. A full time student takes 9 credits in the spring and fall semesters and 6 credits in the summer. PhD students who work as a TA 10 hours per week will receive half-tuition waiver; students working 20 or more hours per week will receive full-tuition waiver up to 9 credits per semester. This is evaluated on a semester by semester basis. TAs 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. Click here to view examples of the different roles that can be held as a graduate teaching assistant. Please view the Graduate Assistantships Resource Center for more information on waivers, training, and the collective bargaining agreement.

Note: The student is responsible for any fees not covered by the tuition waiver. Tuition waivers are reviewed and awarded each semester.

Application Process:

1. Review the example job descriptions for graduate teaching assistants.
2. The Office of Student Success will send out the application for graduate teaching assistantships to all admitted PhD students each semester. Please check your USF email frequently to receive this information and updates regarding the application process.
3. Once received, complete the application form and submit per directions.

Graduate Research Assistant

Graduate research assistants (GRA) are available for full time students only. A full time student takes 9 credits in the spring and fall semesters and 6 credits in the summer. PhD students who work as a GRA 10 hours per week will receive half-tuition waiver; students working 20 or more hours per week will receive full-tuition waiver up to 9 credits per semester. This is evaluated on a semester by semester basis. GRAs are appointed for a minimum of 10 hours per week and a maximum of 30 hours per week. GRAs will be assigned to a faculty research mentor who will also serve as the student’s 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. Click here to view examples of the different roles that can be held as a graduate research assistant. Please view the Graduate Assistantships Resource Center for more information on waivers, training, and the collective bargaining agreement.

Note: The student is responsible for any fees not covered by the tuition waiver. Tuition waivers are reviewed and awarded each semester.

Application Process:

1.  Review the example job descriptions for graduate research assistants.
2. The College of Nursing Office of Research will send out the application for graduate research assistantships. Please check your USF email frequently to receive this information and updates regarding the application process.
3. Once received complete the application form and submit per directions.

PhD Research Scholarship

The goal of the research scholarship 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 healthcare facilities; (ii) provide research experience for PhD students and (iii) support PhD student dissertation research. 

• This scholarship is awarded, preferentially, to first-year, full-time PhD students. Continuing students may also receive this scholarship based on available funds.
• PhD students are eligible to apply for a research scholarship, administered for three consecutive semesters as a graduate research assistantship. Awardees will be appointed for 20 hours per week.
• A specific work project is developed in collaboration with the faculty mentor and approved by the director of the PhD program. It is expected that the PhD student will spend most of their effort on research endeavors.
• Click here to view examples of the different roles that can be held as a graduate research assistant. Please review the Graduate Research Assistant tab for more information on tuition waivers.