Scholarships & Aid
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 with a few exceptions. 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.
USF Resources
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 Scholarships
Accepted students may receive scholarships to cover three to 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 recipients will be notified at the time of admission.
* Scholarship funds include endowments from the SOE general scholarship, Oricello, Winberry, Oaks and Yellow Ribbon.
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.*
Eligibility
The Social Justice Scholarship is open to applicants enrolled in programs at the Hilltop Campus, at USF's additional locations, and online. Past recipients of the scholarship are eligible to apply again for future scholarships, but preference will be given to students that have not yet received the scholarship (and meet the criteria). Newly admitted students are not eligible for this scholarship.
Criteria
Student must demonstrate:
- previous and/or current experience in community service and engagement
- commitment to developing partnerships with marginalized youth, schools and/or communities
- personal and professional background related to issues of marginalization and social justice
- financial need
Application Process
Submit online application
Application Deadlines
Application, résumé and essay must be received by the following dates to be considered for the corresponding semester
Intersession and Spring: November 30
Summer: March 30
Fall: April 30th
* Scholarship funds include endowments from the SOE general scholarship fund.
Graduate Assistantships
The School of Education awards a number of Graduate Assistantships each academic 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 for up to 200 hours per fiscal year (hours must be utilized by May 20).*
Criteria
School of Education full-time faculty members will select students with whom they will work and supervise on the approved project or assignment.
Students must be admitted to and enrolled in a graduate program in the School of Education.
The proposed project must have a strong mentorship component, so that students are able to strengthen their research, teaching or professional skills.
Application Process
- School of Education full-time faculty member select student(s) with whom they will work
- Faculty Mentor completes online Faculty Application
- Student completes online Student Application
- Application Deadlines
Application, résumé and essay must be received by the following dates to be considered for the corresponding semester
Intersession and Spring: November 30
Summer: March 30
Fall: April 30
* Scholarship funds include endowments from the SOE general scholarship fund.
The 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.
Eligibility
Applicants must have been officially accepted to present (e.g. individual presentation, panel presentation, poster presentation) at a professional — national or international — conference related to their field(s) of study. Special Status students are not eligible to apply.
Conditions
The Conference Presentation Stipend:
- can only be used to cover conference-related costs such as travel/transportation, registration, accommodations and/or printing/duplicating costs
- is granted as a reimbursement after all receipts of covered expenses have been submitted (original receipts must be submitted to the SOE Dean's Office immediately after the conference)
- can fund a student for only one conference per term, determined as per the date of the conference (Term 1: January-July / Term 2: August - December)
Amount
The Conference Presentation Stipend cannot exceed $200 per term.
Application
Interested students should apply as soon as they receive their conference acceptance letter. To apply, fill out the Conference Presentation Stipend form, available in the SOE Dean's Office and from department Program Assistants. Contact your Department Program Assistant for more information.
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.
Application Process
Interested applicants must complete the online application for the School of Education Scholarship for Undocumented Students. Applications will be reviewed on a continuous basis. Our committee seeks to make decisions within four weeks after application is submitted. Your application will be reviewed by a group of School of Education faculty and staff dedicated to supporting undocumented and DACAmented students. Your application will be handled with the utmost care and confidentiality.
If you have any questions about the application, please contact Lisa Klope, Associate Director of Admission of Outreach, at lklope@usfca.edu.
Eligibility Requirements
- Undocumented or DACAmented student
- Incoming or current student in any School of Education program (Hilltop or regional campuses)
- Candidates with financial need will be prioritized, but all will be considered
- Priority will be given to applicants who are actively engaged in education advocacy, immigrant rights, or other work related to supporting undocumented students