TYPES OF AID

Scholarships

USF offers both merit- and need-based scholarships for full-time undergraduate students because we know the importance of investing in you. This year, the average merit scholarship for first-year students was over $20,000. If you’re admitted to USF, you’re automatically considered for merit scholarships, no separate application needed.

CAREER OUTCOMES

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Outcomes

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Merit Scholarships for First-Year Students

Merit scholarships for first-year students are awarded based on your USF-calculated GPA in core academic subjects. Merit scholarships are renewable each year for up to four years, as long as you maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress toward your degree.

Fall 2025 first-year merit scholarships
Merit award*	Amount
University Scholarship	$29,000
Presidential Scholarship	$24,000
Provost Scholarship	$22,000
Hilltop Scholarship	$20,000
Ignatius Scholarship	$18,000
Dons Scholarship	$16,000

*Merit scholarships can only be applied to tuition. Students admitted to our Hilltop first-year nursing program are not included in the criteria above; they are awarded a new Araoz Nursing Scholarship in the amount of $24,000.

Scholarships for Transfer Students

Two USF graduates posing in front of St. Ignatius

USF offers merit scholarships, Phi Theta Kappa honor society scholarships, and scholarships for students transferring from select community colleges in the Bay Area.

See our Transfer Scholarships

Merit Scholarships for International Students

Fall 2025 international first-year merit scholarships
Merit award	USF GPA Range	Amount
University Scholarship	≥ 4.01	$29,000
Presidential Scholarship	3.95 - 4.00	$24,000
Provost Scholarship	3.85 - 3.94	$22,000
Hilltop Scholarship	3.7 - 3.84	$20,000
Ignatius Scholarship	3.45 - 3.69	$18,000
Dons Scholarship	3.0 - 3.44	$16,000

Fall 2025 international transfer merit scholarships
USF GPA Range	Amount per year
≥ 3.75	$17,000
3.50 - 3.74	$14,000
3.20 - 3.49	$11,000
2.90 - 3.19	$8,000

Unfortunately, USF does not offer full tuition scholarships for international students, and international students are not eligible for need-based financial aid.

Chancellor’s Award for Catholic or Jesuit High Schools

If you are graduating or have graduated from a Catholic or Jesuit high school, you are eligible to receive a $5,000 annual scholarship toward the cost of tuition, renewable for up to four years (three years if you are a transfer student), provided you maintain satisfactory academic progress each semester.

Learn more about the Chancellor's Award

USF offers additional institutional grants and scholarships to students who have demonstrated financial need. To be eligible, you must submit a FAFSA (U.S. citizens) or CA Dream Act application (for undocumented or eligible non-citizens) by their required deadlines. These additional grants can be used for tuition only.
Athletic scholarships are offered for intercollegiate participation in:
- Women’s basketball, cross country, golf, soccer, tennis, track and field, volleyball, triathlon, and beach volleyball
- Men’s baseball, basketball, cross country, golf, soccer, tennis and track and field
Please call the Athletic Department at (415) 422-6891 for more information.
Army ROTC offers four-, three- and two-year scholarships that pay full tuition costs plus an annual stipend for books and supplies. Learn how to apply for Army ROTC scholarships.

Please call the Recruiting Operations Officer Aubrey Cubilo at (415) 422 -2562 or email at acubilo@usfca.edu for more information.
With research and advance planning, you can apply for additional scholarships offered by other companies, foundations, or organizations. These scholarships can help reduce your cost of attendance. Learn more about pursuing outside scholarships.