Graduate Tuition & Financial Aid

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 College of Nursing there will 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 will be provided to you as an admitted student. (usually $1,000-$2,500 per year).

University Scholarships & Financial Aid

The services offered by the University Scholarships & Financial Aid Services office 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 University Scholarship & Financial Aid Services office.

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.

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 Health 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.

Fellowships

• USF Grad Fellowship – 3 in total; 2 for PhD and 1 for DNP. 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 – 1 in total; PhD only. 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.

• College of Nursing Dorothy Benjamin Research Fellowship – 1 in total; PhD only. Offer paid appointment and in-state tuition for 2 years – only offered once every two years; requires full-time enrollment. Also provides small expense account for research posters, etc. Student’s research must be in an area that, “improves the care for individuals with Alzheimer’s disease or other memory disorders.” Submit a one-page essay on how your research plans match the donor’s intention. Deadline is July 1st for a fall semester start. Submit to the College of Nursing Office of the Associate Dean for Research and Innovation.

Post-Graduate Fellowships

Scholarships

• College of Nursing Vardell Endowed Scholarship – $7,500/year financial need-based award; 1 for PhD and 1 for DNP. Must be full-time enrolled and practicing nursing in Pinellas County and/or promise to practice nursing in Pinellas County upon graduation. Submit a one-page essay on how your plans match the donor’s intention of “…promoting nursing education and practice in Pinellas County.” Deadline is July 1 for a fall semester start. Submit to the College of Nursing.

• 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.

Loans

• College of Nursing State of FL Nurse Educator – 1 in total; PhD only; U.S. citizen only. Offers $3,500/semester for 6 consecutive semesters; must be new fall admit and full-time enrolled each semester. The full amount awarded must be paid back if the recipient does not secure a faculty position (visiting and adjunct apply) in the State of Florida upon graduation. Submit the application no later than July 1 for a fall semester start.

• State of Florida Nurse Educator Master's Program – The State of Florida Nurse Educator program provides up to 5 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 Janice Walker at jwalker@health.usf.edu.

• Nurse Faculty Loan – Number of awardees varies each year due to federal release of funds; US citizen only. Up to $15,000/year with up to 85% loan forgiveness upon graduation provided the applicant secures a full-time faculty position at a university or college in the U.S. Per federal guidelines this is offered on a first-come, first-served basis. The college will put out a call via your USF Health email each summer when funds are available.

• The Nurse Faculty Loan Program for Master's 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. For more information contact Janice Walker at jwalker@health.usf.edu.

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 10-20 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 10-20 hours per week. A specific work schedule is developed with the appropriate faculty supervisor. Research assistantships may include work with the Research Center staff or with an individual faculty member or research residency in a healthcare setting. 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 Candice Kunkle at ckunkle1@health.usf.edu. 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 10-20 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. 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)

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.