Student Resources
FAQ
Are only Honors students eligible to apply?All USF students on all USF campuses are eligible to apply.
Does ONS offer scholarships only for undergraduate students?
Competitive scholarships are open to undergraduate and graduate students. There are
also a few opportunities for which recent graduates may apply.
Do you offer financial aid?
ONS assists exclusively with the application process for nationally competitive scholarships;
however, there are a few scholarships which require eligibility based on financial
need.
What can I do to build a competitive resume?
- Maintain a high GPA
- Develop relationships with faculty. Letters of recommendation from faculty are necessary for most competitive scholarships.
- Get connected in research through Undergraduate Research
- Research study abroad opportunities with Education Abroad
- Explore leadership opportunities with The Center for Leadership and Civic Engagement (CLCE)
What are some examples of leadership which will make me competitive?
- Officer positions for clubs and organizations
- Presenting research at a conference
- Identifying and taking action on a present problem
- Beginning a new club
Why do I need to schedule an appointment with an ONS advisor?
Many scholarships require a letter of support from our office or only allow each University
to nominate a limited number of applicants. Even for scholarships which do not require
our involvement, having one of our advisors review your essay (or speak with your
recommenders) may strengthen your applications for competitive scholarships. ONS may
recommend additional opportunities to students after obtaining information regarding
goals and interests.
Why should I create a profile?
By creating a profile, ONS gets to know you before coming in for an interview. This
information will allow both advisor and student to have more time talking about ambitions
and scholarships which would best fit your academic and extra-curricular pursuits.
Are all scholarships for studying abroad?
We have both domestic and study abroad opportunities. We encourage students to apply
for study abroad scholarships. Doing so increases cultural understanding and competitiveness
when applying for future scholarships, graduate programs and jobs.
Do my high school accomplishments count when I apply for these scholarships?
There are a few scholarships which require a high school transcript. Some applications
may request a list of high school accomplishments. Most competitive scholarships are
interested only in college career accomplishments.
Do your scholarships have a service requirement?
Some scholarships require at least 1-2 years of service in a paid job after graduation. Service opportunities are significant opportunities to build your academic resume. See a scholarship advisor for further details.
How do I get nominated for a scholarship for which I want to apply?
Schedule an appointment with a scholarship advisor. If there are a limited number
of students that USF can nominate, then our office will administer an internal competition
among all of the interested USF students. USF faculty members review and select the
best applications, and then the finalists are endorsed by the university.
Do any of these scholarships require interviews? If so, how do I prepare for an interview?
Some scholarships may require an interview. For example, the Truman scholarship requires
an interview only if you are chosen as a finalist. Regardless of whether you are chosen
for an interview, we administer and film a mock, or "pretend," interview with USF
faculty members for each scholarship. The faculty members provide feedback after your
interview. You will receive a copy of the film to review so that you can improve your
interview skills and prepare for the scholarship interview.
Where do I find more tips on applying for specific scholarships?
Aside from visiting the Office of National Scholars, we recommend visiting the website
for your desired scholarship.
There are numerous other resources under Useful Resources above and once you've logged
in to your account there are more on your profile page as well.
Please email the Office of National Scholars with questions: nationalscholarships@usf.edu