Admission & Aid
Financial Resources
Federal financial aid, state, and university resources are available as funding to newly admitted and current USF School of Education students.
In order to offset the cost of graduate education tuition, many School of Education courses are offered in the late afternoon and evening, and/or on alternating weekends. Most students find they can maintain a full time job while earning their credential, master’s or doctoral degree. However, if your program requires you to spend time in a classroom (e.g.: student teaching) or to complete a fieldwork or traineeship experience, such commitments will interfere with a normal workday. Please consult your intended program of study for more information.
Note: Students enrolled in the School of Education's Certificate programs are not eligible for federal financial aid (FAFSA).
General Scholarships
The following scholarships are available to all USF School of Education master's or doctoral students. Applicants must meet the eligibility requirements outlined in the scholarship description.
Admission Scholarship
Newly admitted students may receive scholarships to cover between one and six credits of tuition* in the first year of their program. All accepted students are automatically considered for these scholarships – there is no additional application.
* Scholarship funds include endowments from the SOE general scholarship fund.
Social Justice Scholarship
This scholarship program recognizes and encourages USF School of Education students who are and/or seek to be transformative change agents in their schools, professions and communities. This scholarship is awarded to any School of Education graduate student who demonstrates outstanding dedication and vision for equitable conditions in schools and communities, domestically and internationally. Selected students can receive up to three credits of tuition.*
Scholarship open to continuing students only; newly admitted students are not eligible to apply in their first semester.
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* Scholarship funds include endowments from the SOE general scholarship fund.
Graduate Assistantship
The School of Education awards a number of Graduate Assistantships each year, allowing students to work with a Faculty Mentor in the areas of research, teaching or professional development. Selected students will be paid an hourly rate of $16.39* (subject to change) for up to 200 hours per fiscal year (hours must be utilized by May 20). Graduate assistantships open to continuing students only; newly admitted students are not eligible to apply.
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* Scholarship funds include endowments from the SOE general scholarship fund.
Conference Presentation Stipend
All currently enrolled master's and doctoral School of Education students are eligible to apply for the Conference Presentation Stipend to assist in conference expenses. Applications will be reviewed by the applicant's department chairperson and faculty members. The stipend cannot exceed $200 per term.
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School of Education Undocumented Student Scholarship
The School of Education is pleased to offer financial support to incoming and current undocumented and DACAmented students enrolled in any School of Education program (Hilltop or regional campuses). In recognition of the social change efforts that many of our undocumented students are engaged in, the scholarship responds to the social, cultural and political stressors undocumented and DACAmented students face. Awards will be given in the amount of up to $5,000 dollars. Continuing and newly admitted students are welcome to apply.
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Return to USF on a Double Dons Scholarship
Continue your USF journey in one of our graduate programs — at a reduced tuition fee.
Scholarships for Credential Programs
Scholarships for Doctoral Programs
State and Federal Resources
The following programs are administered by various agencies in the State of California and around the United States. Please consult each program's website for further information.
Assumption Program of Loans for Education (APLE)
The APLE program is a state-funded competitive teacher incentive program administered by the California Student Aid Commission. It is primarily designed to encourage outstanding students who want to become K-12 teachers in subject areas where a critical shortage has been identified (such as math, science and special education) or in designated schools that meet the criteria established by the Superintendent of Public Instruction (such as low income and low performing schools). Students must be nominated for APLE, and nominations are not made until after students begin an approved teacher preparation program at USF.
Cal Grant Program
If you are currently an undergraduate student with a Cal Grant A or B and plan to enroll in a teacher credential program, you may be eligible to renew your Cal Grant award for an additional year. The additional year of payment is provided to students who are seeking an initial teaching credential and cannot be used for other graduate level courses of study.
Perkins Loan Forgiveness
You qualify for cancellation (discharge) of up to 100 percent of a Federal Perkins Loan if: you have served full-time in a public or nonprofit elementary or secondary school system as a teacher in a school serving students from low-income families; or you are a special-education teacher, including teachers of infants, toddlers, children, or youth with disabilities; or you are a teacher in the fields of mathematics, science, foreign languages, or bilingual education, or in any other field of expertise determined by a state education agency to have a shortage of qualified teachers in that state.
Stafford Loan Forgiveness Program for Teachers
The Teacher Loan Forgiveness program is intended to encourage individuals to enter and continue in the teaching profession. Under this program, individuals who teach full-time for five consecutive, complete academic years in certain elementary and secondary schools that serve low-income families and meet other qualifications may be eligible for forgiveness of up to a combined total of $17,500 in principal and interest on their Federal Family Education Loan and/or Direct Loan program loans.
Teach Grant
The TEACH Grant provides up to $4,000 per year to graduate students who are completing course work needed to begin a career in teaching.
Troops to Teachers Program (TTT)
Troops to Teachers is a U.S. Department of Education and Department of Defense program that helps eligible military veterans begin new careers as teachers in K-12 public, private, and charter schools where their skills, knowledge, and experience are most needed. State and regional Troops to Teachers offices provide participants with counseling and assistance regarding certification requirements, routes to state certification, and employment leads. Additionally, generous financial assistance may be provided to eligible individuals who wish to serve as teachers in schools serving a high percentage of students from low-income families.
External Resources
The following scholarship resources are not associated with the University of San Francisco and are provided here as a general service to students.