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Scholarship & Financial Aid

With one of the lowest tuition rates in the country, the University of South Florida is driven by a commitment to value. In fact, according to U.S. News, USF has been ranked as the “best value” institution among all public universities in the state of Florida (2025).

At the USF College of Nursing, scholarships and financial aid are available to assist nursing students in achieving their academic goals. In 2024–2025, the College of Nursing awarded over 380 foundation scholarships, distributing $730,000 in private funding alone.

The following topics will assist you in getting started with funding your nursing education here at USF and beyond. For any questions or concerns, please visit our Student Resources page or email nursingscholarship@usf.edu.

  • USF Tuition & Fees 

    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.

    College of Nursing Expenses

    If you are admitted to the USF Health College of Nursing there may be additional fees to cover CPR training, housing, criminal background check, drug screening, textbooks, course software, clinical uniforms, equipment 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.

    Graduate Student Housing

    The Office of Housing and Residential Education has designated specific apartments in Magnolia F for graduate student housing to best support this population's specific needs. This residential community consists of 3-4 single bedroom apartments and is a short walk to everything USF has to offer. More information can be found on the office website.

    Graduate students can apply for on-campus housing by clicking here to start their application. Graduate students remain eligible for other spaces in the on-campus inventory as well. For any questions related to graduate housing, please reach out to our office at 813-974-0001 or at housing@usf.edu.

  • 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 eligibility to find scholarships that align with your background and interests, applying early, and tailoring your application to highlight your strengths and goals.

    The College of Nursing awards specific assistantships and scholarships to currently admitted students. An email will be sent to students through their USF email when funds are available. We recommend checking your USF email account daily.

    Apply for FASFA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid)

    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 types of financial assistance and allows you to be automatically considered for federal, state, and institutional financial aid programs based on your dependency status and Student Aid Index. Please visit the Office of Financial Aid website for details on how to get started on this free application for funding.

    University 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: The College of Nursing does not have a separate Financial Aid office. 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.This office works in conjunction with the college and the Office of Financial Aid.  

    Loans

    The Nurse Faculty Loan Program for Master's, DNP or PhD Students –The Nurse Faculty Loan Program (NFLP) is a federal program that provides loans to students enrolled in advanced nursing degrees in exchange for a commitment to teach full-time for at least four years in the U.S. as a nurse faculty member.

    Students can borrow up to $35,000, and after the end of the teaching commitment, 85% of the loan is forgiven. To be eligible, applicants must be enrolled in a nursing education program. For more information, please contact nursingscholarship@usf.edu.   

  • USF AwardSpring Scholarships

    USF offers a variety of scholarships designed to help you and your family pay for college. To apply for these scholarships, you will need to complete a USF AwardSpring questionnaire hereduring the designated application period (December to May). This questionnaire will match you with scholarships you may be eligible to receive.

    The College of Nursing offers more than 50 scholarship opportunities through USF AwardSpring. In the USF AwardSpring Database, use the keyword “nursing” to search and view the current scholarships for nursing students. Scholarships can be awarded based on academic merit, extracurricular activities, special talents, or demographics.

    To apply for scholarships through AwardSpring, you must first be admitted to USF. If you're applying to the College of Nursing but haven’t been admitted to USF yet, we encourage you to complete your university application as soon as possible.

    Once you're admitted to USF and activate your Net ID, you'll gain access to AwardSpring, regardless of whether you've been admitted to the College of Nursing. For helpful tips and instructions, including a Student Scholarship Application Guide, please visit the resources available through the USF Foundation here.

    Agency-Sponsored Scholarships

    Florida Navy Nurse Corps Association Scholarship - The Florida Navy Nurse Corps Association Scholarship Committee has established a fund to award scholarships to deserving nursing students and/or Registered Nurses to continue their studies for a baccalaureate or graduate degree in nursing. Application information will be distributed each Fall term and can also be found here.

    The NAPNAP Foundation DNP/PhD Student Scholarship - Supports the education of a pediatric-focused nurse practitioner Doctor of Nursing practice (DNP) or PhD student who demonstrates the ability to articulate and implement an innovative solution through clinical competence, academic achievement, and leadership, as well as encourage involvement in NAPNAP and promote professional development of the individual student. Application and award information can be found here.

    Below you can also find links to scholarship and loan repayment opportunities available to nurses receiving education and/or licensed in the state of Florida:

    Linking Industry to Nursing Education (LINE) - The LINE Fund is a state grant available to Florida educational institutions to expand nursing education opportunities. This funding enables the USF Health College of Nursing to support students through various avenues, including scholarships to satisfy unmet financial needs, pay for application costs for early licensure and certifications, provide additional clinical opportunities, student success coaching, and more.

    Scholarships and other funding opportunities made available through LINE will be communicated to eligible students directly during their program.

  • 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, depending on college needs and/or student preparation and experience.
    2. How much is a Graduate Teaching or Research Assistantship stipend per hour? $27.72 per hour
    3. Will I be funded through all years of my program? Funding for students is not guaranteed; however, funding is often available to students throughout the first two years of their coursework. Once coursework has been completed and the dissertation stage has begun, PhD students will be expected to be funded by grants or scholarships that the student applies for on their own. Graduate Teaching Assistantships and Graduate Research Assistantships may still be available to students after they begin the dissertation stage.
    4. What does the assistantship cover? Students on graduate assistantships are paid an hourly stipend depending on the number of hours worked. Graduate assistants may also receive a tuition waiver paid by the college, depending on the number of hours worked.

    Graduate Teaching Assistant

    Teaching assistants (TA) are available for full-time students only, unless their program plan requires less than full-time coursework, and then an exception request must be made to the college. 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 a half-tuition waiver; students working 20 or more hours per week will receive a full-tuition waiver. This is evaluated on a semester-by-semester basis. TAs are appointed for a minimum of 10 hours per week and a maximum of 29 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. 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.

    The application process is determined by the PhD program and will be detailed to students directly once they are admitted into the program.

    Graduate Research Assistant

    Graduate research assistants (GRA) are available for full-time students only unless their program plan requires less than full-time coursework, and then an exception request must be made to the college. 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 a half-tuition waiver; students working 20 or more hours per week will receive a full-tuition waiver. This is evaluated on a semester-by-semester basis. GRAs are appointed for a minimum of 10 hours per week and a maximum of 29 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. 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.

    The application process is determined by the PhD program and will be detailed to students directly once they are admitted into the program.

    PhD Scholarships

    Scholarships for PhD in Nursing Science students are available through endowed funding and funding from the College, University, and Office of Graduate Studies. Students will be nominated for this funding and will receive information about these awards directly.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • How do I find out about available College of Nursing scholarships?

    The USF College of Nursing offers scholarships each academic year for both undergraduate and graduate students. All scholarship applications must be submitted through AwardSpring. Updates and access details are posted on the Office of Financial Aid website. AwardSpring allows students to apply for USF scholarships by completing a brief questionnaire that shows a list of scholarship(s) they may qualify for based on responses.

    The College of Nursing may have specific supplemental scholarships opportunities available to currently enrolled students. An email will be sent to students through their USF email when funds are available. We recommend checking your USF student email account daily – this is where all official communication from the university will be sent.

    How do I apply for scholarships?

    Students can apply for scholarships directly through the AwardSpring Database during the published application cycle. AwardSpring applications typically go live in December of each year.

    For scholarships outside of AwardSpring, application details will be provided upon notification of the opportunity.

  • How will I know if I am awarded a scholarship?

    All scholarship applicants will receive an email from the College of Nursing Scholarship Committee if a scholarship has been awarded. The email will include the scholarship name, amount, and details on how to accept the scholarship award.

    All scholarship notifications are contingent upon final approval from the Office of Financial Aid. Applicants can expect to receive an email in June.

    When will funding be awarded?

    Students notified of their scholarship award who accept their terms & conditions and provide thank you notes prior to the start of a semester should expect to receive disbursement before the fee payment deadline. All scholarships will first apply to any remaining balance on tuition and fees. If there is no remaining balance, then students will receive a refund for the remainder of the award.

    Students notified of their scholarship award who accept their terms & conditions and provide thank you notes during the semester should expect to receive disbursement in approximately 3-5 business days.

    Why do I not see my scholarship award in my Student Self-Service?

    College of Nursing Scholarships are sent to the Office of Financial Aid for processing to student accounts. It can typically take up to 7-10 business days (depending on university volume) to see an award posted in Student Self-Service so that they may complete their terms & conditions and monitor their thank you note requirement.

    If both requirements are complete by the start of a semester, students should expect their scholarship disbursement the Monday following the Drop/Add period. If a student completes their award requirements for a scholarship received mid-semester, they should expect funding to disburse in the following 3-5 business days.

    Why did I not receive a refund?

    Nursing scholarships will cover any remaining balance of tuition and fees on a student's account first. If a scholarship award is less than a student’s tuition balance, then their entire scholarship award will be utilized. If a scholarship award is more than a student’s balance then they should expect to receive a refund, either by direct deposit or mailed check.

  • What can my scholarship funding be used for?

    If a specific use is not outlined in the scholarship notification, then a student’s award can cover any expense that appears on the USF tuition bill, including tuition & fees, housing, meal plans, lab fees, etc.

    If a student has excess funding for a particular term because of financial aid, Bright Futures, their CON scholarship, etc., the balance will be refunded either by direct deposit or mailed check.

  • How do I accept my terms and conditions?

    Students should complete the following steps to accept their award conditions:

    1. Log in to the myUSF portal using your USF NetID and password. 
    2. Click on “My Resources” on the top bar and select “Student Self-Service”
    3. From the main menu, select the option for “Financial Aid” 
    4. Select “Award Offer” and click "Award Year 2025-2026"
    5. Click the "Confirm" button to view the terms and conditions.
    6. Carefully review the terms.
    7. At the bottom of the page, acknowledge that you have read the terms by selecting the appropriate checkbox.
    8. Click "Accept Award" to finalize the process.

    How do I submit a thank you letter?

    Students may email their thank you note(s) as a PDF or Word Document attachment to nursingscholarship@usf.edu. Following the scholarship notification, students will receive further instruction on how to accept their award, including a “donor profile” to assist them in completing their thank you note.

  • Is my College of Nursing Scholarship automatically renewed?

    Details regarding renewability can be found in an individual scholarship’s terms & conditions. Most USF Nursing scholarships are non-renewable, which means that students should only expect to receive a one-time payment (unless their total award amount is split into two semesters). If indicated in the terms & conditions, students can receive the same award more than once should they reapply and are selected by the scholarship committee again.

    For renewable Nursing scholarships, students should be aware that they must continue to meet scholarship requirements for the award to be reoccurring (i.e., if a scholarship is need-based, students must continue to demonstrate eligibility for need-based aid through each year’s FAFSA).

Contact Us

CON Scholarships: For assistance with scholarship opportunities through the USF College of Nursing, students can connect with the scholarship team at nursingscholarship@usf.edu.

Financial Aid: Once a student is admitted, they may contact USF Health Office of Financial Aid for assistance with navigating the financial aid process. This office works in conjunction with the college and the University Office of 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 benefits process.

For additional assistance, email ovs@usf.edu.