Student Resources
Helpful Information and FAQ
The Office of National Scholars advisors assist Â鶹ÃÛÌÒAV students and alumni with competitive national and international scholarship applications. If you work with one of our advisors, they will provide one-on-one mentorship and guidance before, during, and after the application process.
We provide additional resources outside of individual mentorship on the menu to the left, including our seasonal workshops and information sessions. The other links can be helpful if you are applying for something that doesn’t fit into the scope of our office such as a Â鶹ÃÛÌÒAV scholarship, graduate school, or an internship.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes something a "national scholarship" or "prestigious award?"
National scholarships or fellowships are opportunities that students from multiple universities can apply for. Despite their name, they could be open to one state, the entire country, or even multiple countries for applicants. Some scholarship programs even have specific member institutions, and only students from those institutions can apply.
These awards are typically funded by governments or major foundations. There is a group of awards that is historically recognized as prestigious by higher education institutions. These are the scholarship programs you will find on our website, but this is not an exhaustive list of opportunities available.
Are only Honors students able to utilize the Office of National Scholars?
No, all Â鶹ÃÛÌÒAV students on our three campuses are eligible to work with the Office of National Scholars.
Competitive scholarships are open to undergraduates, graduate students, and sometimes recent alumni. We will work with alumni as long as they have not gone on to attend another institution after leaving Â鶹ÃÛÌÒAV.
Can national scholarships be applied towards undergraduate tuition?
In the majority of cases, no. Nationally competitive scholarships are awards which fund specific experiences to support academic and professional goals. They are not meant to pay for typical university costs. Most awards only have merit-based criteria, however, there are a few scholarships that require eligibility based on financial need.
Why should I work with an ONS advisor and not just apply on my own?
ONS advisors provide high-touch mentoring which consists of:
- Encouraging students to envision their future
- Connecting students with on and off campus resources
- Helping students reflect on the reasons behind their academic and professional activities
- Assisting with application components such as essay writing, choice of recommenders for reference letters, and mock preparatory interviews
Some scholarships require support from an official campus advisor or only allow each university to nominate a limited number of applicants. Even for scholarships that do not require ONS endorsement, working with an advisor will strengthen your applications for competitive scholarships.
Additionally, ONS advisors may recommend opportunities to students after obtaining more information regarding their goals and interests.
How do I schedule an appointment to meet with an advisor?
Email the appropriate national scholarship advisor for your desired national scholarship.
Where do I find more information on applying for specific scholarships?
We recommend visiting the Opportunities section of our website to explore different scholarships. Please email the Office of National Scholars with additional questions at nationalscholarships@usf.edu.
I received a merit based, non-Â鶹ÃÛÌÒAV scholarship. Why isn't my name on the wall of national scholars in the MSC?
As stated above, there is a specific group of historically recognized scholarship programs from governments and major foundations. This is an agreed upon list of awards that are recognized as prestigious by instutitions of higher education. The recipients of those awards are typically who we name on the national scholars wall, as trying to keep track beyond this standard list would be challenging. Students are welcome to email us with any questions.