How to Apply for Scholarships at the University of South Florida

Studying in the USA is a dream for many students, but many give up thinking about the financial challenges ahead. At the University of South Florida (USF), there are various scholarships available for international students to make your study abroad journey more affordable. This blog will give you a clear idea about the available scholarships, who is eligible, and how you can apply.

Types of Scholarships at USF for International Students

• Merit-based: The Green and Gold Presidential, Director’s, and Scholar’s Waiver Awards are merit-based scholarship schemes offered to first-year international students.

• Out-of-State Waivers: International students with good academic performance can get their out-of-state fees waived. But only the out-of-state fee will be reduced and it totally depends on the course credits you are taking.

• Program-Specific Scholarships: At USF, every department provides financial assistance and awards to the students who meet the eligibility criteria. Departments like Psychology and Education usually provide program-specific scholarships for students pursuing courses like Response to Intervention (RTI).

• Fellowships: Research scholars can enroll for fellowships like USF Presidential Fellowship, USF Signature Research Doctoral Fellowship, and Tharp Research Fellowship. Through these fellowships, students will get a stipend, along with health insurance, a tuition waiver, and a travel allowance.

• Assistantships: USF provides its master’s students with assistantship opportunities like Graduate Teaching Assistantships (GTAs), Graduate Research Assistantships (GRAs), and Graduate Assistants (GAs).

Eligibility Criteria

• General Requirements: Before applying for a scholarship, you need to be admitted to a USF undergraduate or graduate program. Also, make sure you have a required GPA which is above 3.75.

• Tests: To secure scholarships at USF, have a minimum SAT score of 1240-1370 or an ACT score between 27 and 30. Your language proficiency will be evaluated based on

IELTS, TOEFL, GRE Verbal, and Duolingo scores.

• Document: Be ready with all the documents, such as high school transcripts, LOR, personal statements, or essays, and upload all required documents.

• Department Criteria: For department-based awards and scholarships, the criteria and eligibility may vary. So, prepare documents accordingly and submit them on time.

How to Apply for Scholarships at USF

1. Check Eligibility: When you complete the USF financial aid questionnaire, you will find scholarships based on merit, financial need, special talents, and extracurricular activities like scouts and robotics.

2. Online Application: Visit the Office of Financial Aid website and you will find the scholarship portal. You need to activate your USF NetID and email as well.

3. Browse and Apply for Specific Scholarships: Use filters to find scholarships based on your major, student status, or department.

4. Upload Required Documents: Many scholarships require a personal statement, resume, LOR, and other certifications. Department-based scholarships like RTI-related courses may require additional documents.

5. Track Deadlines: At USF, scholarship applications usually open in December and close around March or May. Some scholarships may have different opening and closing times, so stay updated and track deadlines carefully.

7. Accept Your Awards: Selected students can log into their my USF portal. In that portal, look for the Financial Aid section and accept your scholarship. Make sure you read all the terms and conditions before accepting.

USF Health Students: If you are a student in Medicine, Pharmacy, Physician Assistant, or Physical Therapy programs, you need to contact your department directly for scholarship details.

Tips to Strengthen Your Scholarship Application

• Personal Statement: Draft a perfect personal statement that showcases your talent, skills, goals, and strengths.

• Beyond Academics: Mention the role you have played outside your classroom, such as volunteering, community involvement with leadership roles, or other achievements.

• Start early: It will take more time to collect all the documents, so plan ahead and start early to avoid last-minute confusion.

Scholarships are not only financial support; they help you focus on your studies without any stress and boost your career prospects by adding credibility to your profile. Conduct thorough research and make sure to apply for external funds too. Grab the right scholarship and ease your expenses with the help of HelloUni.

Researching various financial aid options and understanding the policies can be overwhelming. Reach out to HelloUni, and we’ll handle the research, help you prepare the required documents, and ensure you get the support you deserve without the stress.

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