Financing Your Education

The first step in applying for financial aid at USF is to submit your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). There is no FAFSA deadline for graduate students but students are encouraged to start the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as early as possible. The FAFSA code for the University of San Francisco (USF) is 001325.

APPLY FOR FAFSA

All USF financial aid awards and scholarships will require the completion of a FAFSA. Please refer to the financial aid website for graduate students for details.

In addition, USF’s School of Nursing and Health Professions offers a number of scholarships and funding options. Most scholarships are awarded on the basis of financial need which will be determined by the completion of a Scholarship Application at the time of application to a graduate program or by a continuing student's completion during the Fall of each academic year. A limited number of scholarships will also be awarded on the basis of merit. The following information describes funding resources that may be useful to your graduate studies.

School of Nursing & Health Professions Scholarships

Applicants need to apply by the priority deadline to be considered for SONHP scholarships.

• Dean’s Graduate Scholarships for Financial Need and Merit - This scholarship provides multi-semester awards for students in SONHP graduate programs who demonstrate outstanding experience or potential in the following areas: academics, commitment to social justice and community service, and leadership. Scholarships can range from $2000-$4000 in the first year.
• Social Justice Scholarship - The Social Justice Scholarship is awarded to a limited number of outstanding MPH program applicants committed to public health as social justice and the ethical goal of protecting the health of the public. This one-time award will be applied towards the student’s first-year tuition. All MPH applicants to the Orange County or Sacramento Campus are considered during the admission decision process.
• Elissondo Research Scholarship - This fund provides up to $300 per student upon request in support of a professional development opportunity.
• Yellow Ribbon Program - The Yellow Ribbon GI Education Enhancement Program (Yellow Ribbon Program) is a provision of the Post-9/11 (Chapter 33) that allows veterans to attend private schools and graduate programs costing more than the state tuition cap. The Yellow Ribbon program will cover all SONHP graduate programs. Awards will be made on a first come, first-served basis.
  
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• International Student Aid - International students are eligible for the Health Professions International Student Scholarship. Awarded funds can range from $2,000-$5,000.

Federal Student Loans For U.S. Citizens and Eligible Non-Citizens

• U.S. Citizens and U.S. Permanent Residents are eligible for a Federal Stafford Loan of $20,500 for each year of graduate studies. In addition, the Federal Grad PLUS Loan program covers remaining tuition and living expenses.
• Apply for U.S. federal student loans (Stafford and Grad Plus) at FAFSA. Start your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as early as possible. The loan process takes up to 8 weeks. You can accept all, part, or none of the federal loan offered to you. There is no FAFSA deadline for graduate students. The FAFSA code for the University of San Francisco (USF) is 001325.

FAFSA - APPLY NOW

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Financial Aid for Undocumented Students

Although undocumented students do not have legal U.S. immigration status, which prevents them from receiving state (Cal Grant) and federal (FAFSA) financial aid, USF is committed to supporting all students regardless of the identities they hold. The School of Nursing and Health Professions has several scholarship opportunities for applicants that are granted based on need and merit. Candidates are eligible to apply for scholarships upon submission of their application for admission. Your application will be handled with the utmost confidentiality and care. For questions regarding the application process, please contact Patrik Donahue, at pdonahue@usfca.edu.

USF has joined with the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities to express their unwavering support for Undocumented students. If you would like to read the full Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities statement please visit the following link: AJCU President's Statement.

The list below consists of some internal and external scholarships and resources such as search databases available to undocumented students:

• USF Jesuit Community Magis Endowed Scholarship for Undocumented/DACA Graduate Students - The USF Jesuit community offers scholarships to undocumented graduate students with a maximum of $1,000 awarded. Deadline: Rolling
• Paul & Daisy Soros Fellowships for New Americans - Supports 30 New Americans, immigrants or the children of immigrants, who are pursuing graduate school in the United States. Each Fellowship supports one to two years of graduate study in any field and in any advanced degree-granting program in the United States. Deadline: 10/29/20
• Manos De Esperanza Scholarship - The Manos de Esperanza organization grants scholarships to students that have a history of performing public service activities in their communities and who plan on contributing in the future. Students who demonstrate excellent leadership skills are highly encouraged to apply. Deadline: 6/30/20
• MPOWER Global Citizen Scholarship - For international students or DACA students who are currently enrolled or accepted to study full-time degree programs at a school MPOWER supports. The scholarship award ranges from $1,000-$3,000. Deadline: December 31, 2020 

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES FOR UNDOCUMENTED STUDENTS

External Scholarship Opportunities and Financial Resources

• Public Health Grants and Scholarships: A list of scholarships for current and prospective graduate students in Public Health
• SOPHE Student Member Fellowships and Awards: The Society of Public Health Education offers a variety of awards, fellowships, and scholarships to students. This site has a list of all funding opportunities and detailed information unique to each award.
• Lynn Adamson Memorial Scholarship (Graduate Level): The Women Health Care Executives (WHCE) awards this scholarship to a female graduate student dedicated to a health related career. This award is based solely on merit, and is worth $5,000 in addition to a one-year complimentary WHCE membership.
• National Health Services Corp: The National Health Service Corps Scholarship Program (NHSC SP) awards scholarships to students pursuing eligible primary care health professions training who in return, can commit to provide primary care, or mental health services in Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSAs). The total number of years you serve will depend on the number of school years of NHSC SP support you received. (This cannot exceed four school years.)
• Gates Millennium Scholarship Program: This program is intended for academically outstanding minority students with significant financial need, with a purpose of increasing representation of these target groups in computer science, education, engineering, library science, mathematics, public health, and the sciences, among disciples where these groups are underrepresented.
• Erin Aaberg Givans Memorial Scholarship: This scholarship is available to students pursuing an MPH at a California University, with interest in pediatric health policy and access to quality health care for children and youth. The foundation is Sacramento based. Apply for the scholarship here.
• Hispanic Health Professional Student Scholarship: The 2019 National Hispanic Health Professional Scholarship is open to any student enrolled full time in health professional programs, including, Public Health/policy and Nursing. Applicants are not required to be Hispanic; an affinity for the health of Hispanic communities and an interest in participating in NHHF Scholars Alumni activities is required. In addition, U.S citizens, permanent residents, or Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) are eligible to apply.
• PixelPlex Bi-Annual STEM Scholarship: This scholarship was established to help support and inspire students to pursue further education in the fields of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM), as well as economics and business. One student will be chosen from the applicant pool and will be awarded based on the strength of their written essay. The selected student will receive 2,000 USD to help cover education-related expenses.
• Healthcare Leadership Scholarship: Healthgrad.com offers annual Healthcare Leadership Scholarships for deserving students pursuing a degree in healthcare. This merit-based scholarship is awarded in the Spring, and designated for any student currently enrolled in a healthcare related undergraduate, graduate, or Doctoral program.
• Barbara B. Watson National Scholarship: The American College of Medical Practice Executives (ACMPE) scholarship fund supports individuals who hold a current position or have future career plans that will demonstrate potential to contribute to the MGMA’s mission of transforming healthcare. Scholarship applicants are required to be a student member of MGMA and must be enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate degree program relevant to medical practice management, including public health, business administration, healthcare administration and other related areas.
• Central California Asian Pacific Women Scholarship: These scholarships provide financial assistance to Asian and Pacific Islander (API) women pursuing higher education from the following counties: Fresno, Kern, Kings, Madera, Merced, San Joaquin, Stanislaus, or Tulare County.  Applicants will be evaluated based on the following priorities but not limited to: First-generation student, academic achievement, leadership, contribution to the API community, and ethnic diversity. Applicants must be an entering/continuing undergraduate, entering/continuing graduate, or re-entry student in a post-secondary educational institution (i.e. vocational programs, trade school, college, university, etc.).

Resources for Undocumented Students

• The Hispanic Health Professional Student Scholarship
• E4FC
• Hispanic Scholarship Fund
• HS Finder Scholarship Search
• Fastweb Scholarship Search
• MALDEF Scholarship
• Salef Scholarship
• WACAC Scholarship Guide
• Scholarship A-Z
• Dreamer’s Road Map

Estimated Costs

Please note that tuition rates and fees are subject to change and more information can be found about tuition and graduate student fees on the university tuition and fees schedule. In addition to tuition, there are fees for graduate students, including mandatory health insurance and Associate Graduate Students of USF (AGSUSF) annually.

USF Financial Services

At USF, we are dedicated to helping admitted students through the financial aid process and helping find the best solution for you, your situation, and your needs. We understand the financial aid process can be daunting for many students and families, so we strive to make it as smooth as possible. If you can't find what you're looking for, please Contact Financial Services for assistance.