5 Hidden Opportunities a Scholarship Can Create

Supporting student scholarships remains a top priority at USF. During the 2024-25 academic year, 98 percent of degree-seeking undergraduates received some form of scholarship or financial aid support. More than $96 million in scholarships and grants were awarded to undergraduate, graduate, or professional students.

Here are five ways in which scholarships create opportunities at USF:

1. Networking and Community: Scholarships open doors to high-profile opportunities like competitive internships at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C. In 2025, three master's students received scholarships from the Ann Getty Endowed Chair in Art History and Museum Studies and the Ann Getty Institute of Art and Design.
2. Career Development: Scholarships support students’ academic and professional growth by expanding access to experiential learning. With support from philanthropist Craig Newmark, founder of Craigslist, and a growing network of donors, more than 130 USF students received Newmark Scholarships over the past five years, helping students launch careers and strengthen pathways into the tech industry.
3. Study Abroad: Scholarships make global learning experiences possible. Through the Center for Global Education’s annual global health immersion program, USF students gain firsthand insight into health care systems in resource-limited countries. Nursing student Alyssa Nguyen ’24 traveled to Lesotho, where her scholarship allowed her to learn in clinical settings and immersion programs before entering her first nursing role.
4. Financial Relief: By reducing financial pressure and debt, scholarships create space for students to grow. Students can reduce their working hours, focus more on their academics, and participate in extracurricular activities thanks to scholarships. Isaiah Hawthorne ’24 is one of many students who attended USF on a donor-funded scholarship. His athletic scholarship has opened doors on the court and in the classroom.
5. Promoting Education Equity: Scholarships ensure that access to a high-quality USF education is not limited by socioeconomic background. Through the Changemakers Initiative, Career Services provides financial support to undergraduates completing unpaid internships, including $1,000 taxable stipends. Last year, psychology majors Ariana Zhao ’25 and Jade Fakuade ’26 received support while serving as volunteer lab interns at the Smith-Kettlewell Eye Research Institute, gaining experience in vision science, neurolinguistics, and accessible literacy.

Scholarships do more than ease the cost of tuition. They empower USF students to pursue their goals with confidence and prepare to make a meaningful impact beyond graduation.

Scholarships remain essential at USF. Join us today in supporting students who are ready to change the world.