Since its founding in 1956, the University of South Florida has been committed to providing undergraduate and graduate educational opportunities to the best and brightest students in Florida, throughout the nation and from around the world. This commitment continues today, and the USF: Unstoppable Campaign is focused on providing the next generation of students with the intellectual resources they will need to compete in a fast-paced, evolving global society.
The Important Role of Scholarships and Fellowships
The University of South Florida places among its highest priorities the establishment of privately funded scholarships. Our goal is to ensure that deserving students have the opportunity to attend USF regardless of their financial realities. We actively seek scholarship partners who are interested in the welfare of higher education and in the education of tomorrow’s leaders today.
Scholarships are financial support that traditionally recognize excellence or distinguished success in academics, community service, athletics, leadership and other special characteristics. Unlike loans, scholarship awards do not have to be repaid, and the additional financial support provided through scholarships is a vital component of assistance packages administered by the university. These awards address the future by proactively investing in the University of South Florida’s most precious resource: our students.
Undergraduate Student Scholarships
USF Opportunity Scholarships. Recipients are deserving undergraduate students who are the first in their families to attend college or have limited financial resources, making higher education impossible. These need-based awards provide up to $5,000 annually to each recipient to make attending the University of South Florida a reality.
Florida Leader and Emerging Researcher Scholarships. These funds are designated for Florida residents who show particular aptitude for scholarly leadership and research abilities, respectively. Florida Leader Scholarships will award up to $10,000 per academic year, while Emerging Researcher Scholarships will designate up to $2,500 per year. The goal for both scholarships is to support our distinctive undergraduate research mission through promoting and rewarding the creation of new knowledge.
Global Excellence Scholarships. These scholarships further the undergraduate education mission of the University of South Florida in two very important ways. First, they bring top international undergraduates from around the world to study at the university, increasing the USF brand and reach globally. Second, by recruiting top talent on an international scale, we are able to diversify the campus community. Ultimately, these scholarships help expose students to various cultures, thus equipping them with skills in cross-cultural communication and global understanding. Each recipient of a Global Excellence Scholarship earns up to a $10,000 annual award.
Passport Scholarships. While we believe that it is important to bring the world to the University of South Florida, it is equally important to expose USF students to the world. To facilitate this, we have created the Passport Scholarship. These $2,500 awards will allow our students to take advantage of a diverse array of education abroad opportunities, including semester exchanges, dual degree programs, summer and short term programs, international internships and service learning experiences.
Graduate Student Scholarships
Similar to Global Excellence Scholarships, Graduate Global Excellence Scholarships will strengthen the university’s global village and improve the educational experience for all. With up to a $15,000 annual award, these international student scholarships will help USF recruit and retain excellent graduate students from all over the world.
Doctoral Student Scholarships and Fellowships
Doctoral Excellence Presidential Scholarships. These awards will enable the University of South Florida to remain competitive for the best doctoral students. These students will teach and do research in a wide variety of fields in which we offer the doctoral degree. This $25,000 annual award will be designated for students who are at the top of their academic fields with a high capacity for generating knowledge.
Doctoral Dissertation Fellowships. These funds are limited to graduate students who need only to complete dissertation work to earn the doctoral degree. Recipients receive up to a $5,000 award and a final boost toward realizing a rare and remarkable academic achievement.
The University of South Florida’s commitment to academic excellence leads us to search around the world and right here in Tampa Bay for the top undergraduate and graduate students. Continuing support for scholarships and fellowships will strengthen the university’s academic mission and build upon USF’s world-renowned scholarly reputation. Together, we can make a difference in the lives of our students. Together, we will be unstoppable.
