Financing Your Education

Estimated Tuition

The estimated cost of the Biotechnology program is $1,695 per unit for the 2025-2026 academic year. Students typically take an average of 18 units in the first academic year and 18 units in the second academic year. A total of 36 units are required for the degree. Program fees are subject to adjustment annually, and the number of required units may vary based on enrollment status. Please contact Luwei Xie (lxie3@usfca.edu) to discuss the specifics of the program.

Scholarships

Double Dons Scholarship

USF Alumni and current students can be awarded the USF Double Dons Scholarship upon admission. The scholarship covers 20% of the program tuition, and may not be stacked with other USF scholarship awards. Exceptions may apply.

Double Dons on MyUSF

Dean's Scholarship

The Dean’s Scholarship grants recipients compensation for research and for conference travel. Additional benefits include the Dean's Scholar kickoff and reception, connection with other Dean's Scholars and with leaders across the college, and the chance to serve as program representatives to USF donors and Development initiatives.

To be considered for the $15,000 Dean's Scholarship towards their first year of tuition, students must apply by the program's priority deadline.

Diversity Scholarships

Eligibility for this scholarship includes membership in an underrepresented group in biotechnology and a clear intention to become a biotechnologist who will contribute to increasing diversity and cultural competence in the field (as articulated by the applicant’s essays). 

To apply for this scholarship, applicants should submit the following essay along with other application materials: 

• A one-page essay (up to 400 words) demonstrating how diversity impacts your long-term career goal(s).

Environmental Biotechnology Scholarship

This scholarship is awarded to students with research or career interests in climate change and energy, environmental biotechnology, or ecological agriculture. One example is a student interested in working at a synthetic biology-based company developing biofuels or genetically modified crops.

The application is open to admitted students only in mid-June.

Merit-Based Scholarships

The biotechnology program offers a limited number of scholarships to new students. These program scholarships are merit-based, vary in amount, and cover part of tuition costs. All applicants, both U.S. and international students, are considered for these scholarships during the admission decision process; a separate application is not required. If a scholarship is awarded, it will be indicated in the admission letter.

Internships

The biotechnology program has an internship requirement. Whether the internships are paid or unpaid is determined by the external companies or organizations that offer them.

Learn more about internships