Unlocking Opportunities: A Guide to USF Transfer Scholarships

For students aspiring to continue their academic journey at the University of Sioux Falls (USF) or the University of San Francisco (USF), understanding the available scholarship opportunities is crucial. These scholarships, designed to reward academic achievement and support students with financial need, can significantly reduce the cost of attendance. This guide provides a comprehensive overview of USF transfer scholarships requirements, eligibility criteria, and application processes, drawing upon the latest information available.

Merit-Based Scholarships at the University of Sioux Falls

USF provides merit-based, educational, and performance scholarships. For transfer students seeking their first bachelor's degree, several merit-based scholarships are available for the 2026-27 academic year:

Scholarship 1: Awards $7,000 annually / $3,500 per semester to full-time transfer students.
Scholarship 2: Awards $6,000 annually / $3,000 per semester to full-time transfer students.
Scholarship 3: Awards $5,000 annually / $2,500 per semester to full-time transfer students.
Scholarship 4: Awards $4,000 annually / $2,000 per semester to full-time transfer students.

These scholarships are specifically offered to full-time transfer students during the 2026-27 academic year who are seeking their first bachelor's degree and are based on academic achievement.

Additional Scholarship Opportunities at USF

Beyond the merit-based scholarships, USF offers a variety of scholarships that students can apply for. Some examples include:

Criminal Justice or Psychology Scholarship: Students must complete an application and major in Criminal Justice or Psychology. This scholarship provides $18,000 a year for tuition and fees. An ACT composite score of 26 or 1240 SAT score is required.
Art Scholarship: Scholarships are available to full-time students majoring or minoring in Art. To be considered, students must submit an art portfolio with the USF Art Department.
Athletic Scholarships: Full-time undergraduate students who are admitted to USF as degree-seeking and meet NCAA Division II eligibility criteria may be approved by the Head Coach based on talent and participation.
Avera Employee Scholarships: These scholarships are offered to full-time or part-time Avera employees and their dependent children and spouses who are enrolled in a degree-seeking program. Verification of employment must be completed each year. The scholarship awards $3,000 for undergraduate full-time students.
Citi Youth Leadership Award: Each year the Citi Youth Leadership award recognizes young people for their outstanding community service. Individuals must complete a minimum of 100 hours of service to be considered.
Cougar Grant: This scholarship is awarded to full-time, degree-seeking undergraduate students based on financial need, as determined by the FAFSA, housing status, and academic achievement. This scholarship may be reduced based on housing status and other scholarships and grants the student receives.

It's important to note that students who are offered Athletic Scholarships may be eligible for ONE Merit Scholarship but are ineligible for most other University Scholarships, like Cougar Grant.

Read also: Transfer Student Funding

Full Tuition Scholarship at USF

USF offers prospective students the opportunity to receive full tuition. To qualify, a student must meet all requirements:

Enroll as a first-time, full-time freshman
Be a resident of South Dakota or surrounding counties*
Have a high school cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher
Submit the FAFSA, qualify for Pell Grant, and have a Student Aid Index (SAI) of 7,000 or less
Live on campus & have a meal plan

*The following counties from Minnesota: Lincoln, Lyon, Pipestone, Murray, Rock and Nobles.

Understanding the Scholarship Philosophy

The overarching scholarship philosophy for the University of Sioux Falls is designed to provide a residential experience for all students. For that reason, institutional aid is awarded to assist with direct costs for tuition, fees, on-campus room and board.

Transfer Scholarships at the University of San Francisco

The University of San Francisco (USF) also offers significant scholarship opportunities for transfer students. USF automatically considers all transfer applicants for merit scholarships up to $20,000 to be applied toward the cost of tuition.

Additional Opportunities for International and PTK Students

International students are also eligible for these merit scholarships, which will be added on top of any other USF scholarship(s) received. Furthermore, USF offers up to 25 PTK (Phi Theta Kappa) scholarships per term to students who have been admitted to USF. This scholarship will also be added on top of any other USF scholarship(s) received. The scholarship increases to $6,000 in your second year.

Humanities Mellon Scholars Program

The Humanities Mellon Scholars Program at the University of San Francisco is a cohort-based scholarship designed for community college transfer students pursuing the humanities. Accepted scholars join a close-knit community and receive $10,000 per year for up to two years, along with guaranteed paid internships, personalized faculty and staff mentorship, and immersive travel and experiential learning opportunities.

General Scholarship Information Applicable to Both Universities

Key Principles

A scholarship is free money that you don't have to pay back.
Scholarships can be merit-based (based on your grades) or need-based (based on your family's financial situation).
At USF, there is no additional application needed for merit scholarships. Merit scholarships for first-year students are awarded based on your USF-calculated GPA in core academic subjects.

Application Process and Deadlines

Submit a complete admissions application by January 15.
Check the Applicant Portal to ensure your application is complete.
No essays or letters of recommendation are needed for scholarship consideration.

Eligibility and Awarding

Criteria for scholarships can be found on the Awarding page.
Meeting the posted criteria does not guarantee a scholarship.
Students are automatically considered for scholarships from October-January.
You will be notified of a scholarship via a separate letter sent after you are admitted and in your Student Self-Service account.
To be considered for a higher scholarship, ensure all information is submitted by the scholarship deadline.

Residency and Enrollment

Certain scholarships are awarded based on residency. To prove Florida residency, you must submit a Residency Affidavit and supporting documentation.
Scholarship eligibility is dependent upon receipt of the scholarship and full-time enrollment.
Scholarships cannot be retroactively applied if you decide to start in a different semester.

Scholarship Renewal

To continue receiving your scholarship, you must enroll full-time (Fall/Spring/Summer) and maintain a 3.0 USF GPA.
Merit scholarships can only be applied to tuition. Any remaining funds after all charges have been paid will be refunded to the student.

Study Abroad

Some admissions scholarships can be applied to certain study abroad trips.

Avoiding Scholarship Scams

It's crucial to be vigilant when searching for scholarships. Remember:

Don’t pay a search service to find scholarships for you!
Scholarships are available free of charge online.
Never provide your bank account or personal information to qualify for scholarships.
Legitimate scholarships can be obtained through reputable sources at no cost to you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What do I need to do to be considered for a scholarship?
- A: Submit a complete admissions application by January 15.
Q: Do I need to submit a scholarship application to be considered for admissions scholarships?
- A: No additional application is needed; simply submit an admissions application by the priority deadline.
Q: Is any additional information needed to be considered for a scholarship (e.g. letters of recommendation, etc.)?
- A: No essays or letters of recommendation are needed.
Q: What GPA is used for scholarship consideration?
- A: USF-calculated GPA in core academic subjects is used for scholarship purposes.
Q: How will I be notified if I receive a scholarship?
- A: You will receive a separate letter after you are admitted and can view your award in your Student Self-Service account.
Q: Can I receive multiple scholarships?
- A: This depends on the specific scholarships and financial aid available.
Q: How does residency impact my scholarship eligibility?
- A: Certain scholarships are awarded based on residency.
Q: Can my scholarship be used to cover study abroad courses?
- A: Some admissions scholarships can be applied to certain study abroad trips.

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