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. 

FAFSA - APPLY NOW

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.

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.

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.
• 1-3 AGENCY / COHORT SCHOLARSHIP: The 1 to 3 Agency Scholarship support students starting the MSN program (Please note: MSN for Registered Nurses, RN-MSN, only) with their friends and/or colleagues, coming from the same agency/hospital/employer. Three (3) students must start the program in the same semester and must be associated with one another, personally or professionally. Each student will receive a $3,000 scholarship, disbursed over six (6) semesters, contingent upon maintaining a 3.0 or higher GPA.
• NURSE PRACTITIONERS AND COMMUNITIES TOGETHER (NPCT) SCHOLARSHIPS: These federally-funded scholarships support DNP students interested in immersive NP primary care and accessible behavioral health care. The underlying grant is designed to increase the numbers of NPs in rural and medically under-served areas and strengthen their knowledge and skills in providing culturally competent, evidence-based integrated behavioral health in primary care using innovative methods (including telehealth). The scholarship funds focus on students from the Central Valley and northeastern counties of California and students who are committed to working in those areas after graduation. Awarded funds can range from $2,000 to $20,000. This funding is limited to the next three academic years. 
   
• HEALTH PROFESSIONS EDUCATION FOUNDATION (HPEF) SCHOLARSHIP: Established in 1987, the Health Professions Education Foundation (HPEF) is the state's only nonprofit foundation statutorily created to encourage students from underrepresented communities to become health professionals and increase access to health providers in medically underserved areas. Supported by grants, donations, licensing fees, and special funds, the foundation offers scholarship and loan repayment programs to students and graduates who agree to practice in California's medically underserved communities. Thanks to its track record of delivering health providers to areas of need, HPEF has garnered approximately 5,400 award, totaling more than $47 million for allied health, nursing, mental health, and medical students and recent graduates practicing 56 of California's 58 counties. Graduate Nursing and PsyD in Clinical Psychology (PsyD) students are eligible.
  
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• 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. Awards will be made on a first come, first-served basis.
  
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• STAUDENRAUS SCHOLARSHIP: Students in the Master's Entry - MSN are eligible to receive funding through this scholarship. First priority goes to students completing clinical rotations at La Clínica. Awarded funds can range from $2,000-$5,000.
• HELENE FULD TRUST SCHOLARSHIPS: Scholarship available for students in the Master's Entry - MSN program (Please note: Only applicable to the Master's Entry MSN option) for students interested in nursing leadership roles.

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)  The loan process takes up to 8 weeks. You can accept all, part, or none of the federal loan offered to you.

Loan Forgiveness Opportunities

HRSA Nurse Faculty Loan Program (NFLP)
The Nurse Faculty Loan Program (NFLP) is a loan forgiveness program that prepares and trains qualified nurse educators to fill faculty vacancies and raise the number of trained nurses entering the workforce. Students can receive up to $35,500 per year in funding for up to 5 years. This loan program can provide up to 85% loan forgiveness (plus interest thereon) upon completion of up to four years of full-time employment after graduation from an advanced education nursing degree program.

HRSA NURSE FACULTY LOAN PROGRAM

Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) Workforce Connector
Graduates can use the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) Workforce Connector to find jobs with loan repayment.

HRSA WORKFORCE CONNECTOR

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 please contact Bing Li, bli47@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 Scholarships

• Nurse Corps Scholarship Program - This Nurse Corps scholarship is for any future Psychiatric Nurse. The Nurse Corps SP’s purpose is to provide scholarships to nursing students in exchange for a minimum two-year full-time service commitment at a health care facility with a critical shortage of nurses.
• AACN Scholarship - Two scholarships in the amount of $2,500 will be awarded twice yearly to students pursuing professional nursing degrees. 
• Recovery Village HealthCare Scholarship - Nursing students interested in substance abuse or mental health may be eligible to receive $1,000
• HealthCare Leadership Scholarship - Any student currently enrolled in a healthcare related undergraduate, graduate or doctorate level program is eligible. Award amounts up to $1000.
• DiversityNursing Education Award - This $5000 award is available to students enrolled in an accredited School of Nursing in a professional registered nurse program (baccalaureate, graduate, associate degree or diploma) OR work Full-Time, Part-Time or Per Diem as a Registered Nurse, LPN, Nurse Practitioner or Nurse Leader/Administrator at a U.S. based organization. 
• Nursing License Map -  An extensive list of over 350 nursing scholarships, grants, and loan repayment programs.

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

* - deadlines may change yearly