

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.
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.
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.
Merit Scholarships for Transfer Students
USF automatically considers all transfer applicants for merit scholarships up to $16,000 to be applied toward the cost of tuition. These merit scholarships are determined by your transfer GPA at the time of application, which is a calculated cumulative GPA of all college courses you’ve taken.
USF GPA Range | Amount per year |
---|---|
≥ 3.75 | $16,000 |
3.50 - 3.74 | $14,000 |
3.20 - 3.49 | $10,000 |
2.90 - 3.19 | $7,000 |
Merit scholarships are not available for students applying to USF’s Sacramento nursing program.
Merit Scholarships for International 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.
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 | 3.5 - 3.69 | $18,000 |
Dons Scholarship | 3.2 - 3.49 | $16,000 |
USF GPA Range | Amount per year |
---|---|
≥ 3.75 | $16,000 |
3.50 - 3.74 | $14,000 |
3.20 - 3.49 | $10,000 |
2.90 - 3.19 | $7,000 |
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.
For more information, please contact your admission counselor.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
Office of Financial Aid
2800 Turk Street
San Francisco, CA 94118
Monday – Friday:
8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Fax (415) 422-6084