Master of Public Administration (MPA)

Graduate Funding

MPA GRADUATE ASSISTANTSHIP

To qualify for a graduate assistantship, students must first be admitted to the MPA program and enroll full-time (9 credit hours per semester) to qualify for the tuition waiver that accompanies the stipend. We only have one highly competitive GA position in the MPA program, primarily during the Fall terms, since appointments are for an entire academic year (Fall and Spring). If an opportunity were to arise for the Spring term, students will be informed—regardless, you are encouraged to apply during any time of the year.

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SCHOLARSHIPS

Jamil Jreisat Scholarship

Named after (and established by) the late Professor Emeritus Dr. Jamil Jreisat, this scholarship rewards outstanding academic performances by graduate students in USF's MPA and GCPM programs. The $1,000 scholarship is awarded annually to 1 or 2 deserving students who either submit an outstanding research paper in public administration, or have completed at least 24 credit hours with a perfect grade point average (GPA) of 4.0. The application, process, and deadline is announced via email to current students only.

Joan Pynes Memorial Scholarship

In memory of the late Professor Dr. Joan Pynes, this scholarship rewards outstanding academic performances by graduate students in USF's MPA and GCNM programs. The $1,000 scholarship is awarded annually to 1 deserving student who is interested in pursuing a career in nonprofit administration or NGO's, and submits an outstanding project paper in nonprofit management. The application, process, and deadline is announced via email to current students only.

James E. Blanton III Veterans Scholarship

In memory of James E. Blanton III, this scholarship provides support to MPA graduate student veterans who honorably served in a branch of the U.S. military (Army, Navy, Air Force, Space Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard) or the National Guard. The $1,000 scholarship is awarded annually to 1 deserving student who submits a personal statement relating how their military service has led them to pursue a graduate degree in public service. The application, process, and deadline is announced via email to current students only.

usf sources FOR GRADUATE FUNDING

Graduate Assistantships and Scholarships at USF:
Financial Aid Services at USF:

The Office of Financial Aid is the hub for scholarships and fellowships, grants, loans, and work study.

  • Submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to be considered for federal, state, and university financial aid programs.
  • To apply for certain scholarships (i.e., College of Arts & Sciences Student Success Scholarship, BLN/Lisa Anne Mifflin Public Policy Scholarship, etc.), you will need to create an AwardSpring account and set up your profile. Each year, AwardSpring opens in November and closes in February (for new graduate students) or May (for continuing graduate students).
USF Employment (Careers@USF)

Part-time employment on campus is often a convenient way to help finance your education and gain valuable work experience.

  • International students (with F-1 and J-1 visas) who are enrolled in classes full-time are only allowed to accept part-time employment at USF for 20 hours per week during the regular semester (Fall and Spring). You can be employed full-time on-campus for 40 hours per week during official breaks, such as the winter break in December and the Summer term.

USF Career Services

Career Services helps you assess your skills and interests, improve your career research, identify experiences leading to transferable skills, and search for internships and full- or part-time employment.