University of South Florida

Graduate Student Success (GSS) Fellowship Application

Overview

Consistent with the USF strategic plan, the Graduate School “endeavors to make academic excellence inclusive” and build a “diverse campus environment.” To sustain a diverse student body and provide opportunities for those students with financial need, the USF Foundation and Graduate School offer a variety of fellowships. The fellowships represented in the GSS Application include:

  • Graduate Student Success Diversity Fellowship
  • Genshaft Family Doctoral Fellowship
  • Kreplick Fellowship
  • SUS/USF Summer Program
  • Delores Auzenne Fellowship
  • McNair Doctoral Fellowship
  • Pan American Fellowship

Eligibility
Applicants should evaluate the specific eligibility requirements for each fellowship before applying. In general, applicants for the GSS Fellowships should be those individuals who contribute to a diverse graduate student population that supports the strategic mission of USF and its various programs. This includes, but is not limited to, academically talented domestic students who have been historically underrepresented in specific disciplines along the dimensions of ethnicity and gender. In addition, consideration is given to newly enrolled, first-generation, multi-lingual (particularly English &Spanish speaking) students who demonstrate financial need and have overcome considerable obstacles and financial hardships to attain post-secondary educational achievement. Individuals that have come from programs such as the Ronald E. McNair, FGLSAMP, and FAMU Feeder programs are also eligible to apply. Finally, In fields where males are underrepresented (i.e. Nursing and Special education), consideration will be given to male applicants. Newly admitted students as well as continuing students are eligible to apply for GSS Fellowships unless stipulated by a particular award. Please note that students applying to or enrolled in USF’s M.D. and Physical Therapy programs are not eligible for consideration for these fellowships.

Selection Process
A campus-wide faculty committee will rank the candidates and make recommendations to the Graduate School. Applicants receiving awards will be notified by April 1st.

Description and Application There is a single application that covers all of the different GSS Fellowships. Applicants can apply for any of the eligible fellowships during the online application process. The deadline for completing the online application is February 1, 2010. Students who wish to be considered for any of the GSS Fellowships are required to:

  • Apply to a USF Graduate Program no later than January 15, 2010*
  • Apply for the FAFSA no later than February 1, 2010 (Free Application for Federal Student Aid)
  • Submit a 500-word personal statement
  • Provide a self-report of GRE or GMAT test scores (when applicable)
  • An electronic letter of reference to the Graduate School (fellowships@grad.usf.edu)

*Students that have participated McNair, RISE, FGLSAMP, FAMU Feeder, USTAR-Marc, or (TRS)Traveling Scholar programs may be eligible for an application fee waiver.

Absolutely no incomplete or applications completed after the deadline will be accepted. The level of support for each of the Fellowships varies, but each provides a stipend and many provide tuition waivers. Students can receive the Fellowships concurrent with loans or a graduate assistantship (GA); however this award cannot be received concurrent with other university-based or national fellowships or scholarships. Note that loan eligibility will be affected by receipt of USF fellowships. All applications are to be submitted online (below).
GSS Fellowship FAQs:

  • When should I apply for Fellowships? The Fall semester is generally the time that institutional and national fellowship applications become available. Awards for these are made in Summer and Fall semesters of the following year.
  • Can I apply for the Fellowships even though I haven’t been accepted in my graduate program? Yes, however you must have a USF graduate school application on file by the February 1, 2010 deadline.
  • Can I receive an award as a non-degree seeking student, a student pursuing a Graduate Certificate, an international student, or a part-time student? No. the awards are for domestic students or permanent residents seeking full-time (at least nine graduate hours per Fall/Spring semesters, six graduate hours in the Summer semester).
  • Can I receive the award during the Summer? No. The awards are for Fall/Spring. The exception is the Summer Program award, available only during the first summer of the entering student.
  • When do I receive notification that I have been chosen to receive the award? Notification will be made no later than April 1, 2010.
  • Do I have to work for my fellowship? No. But you will be required to attend workshop sessions as deemed necessary by the Graduate School.
  • What are the tax considerations for receiving the award? For information on financial aid and taxes request IRS Publication 520 by calling 1-800-829-3676.
  • How do I continue to receive the award each year that I’m eligible? Awards are made automatically for the duration period stipulated by the award as long as you remain in good academic standing in your graduate program.
  • If the graduate program I am applying to doesn’t require the GRE or GMAT for admission do I have to take the exam to be eligible to apply for the Fellowship? No.

If you have other questions regarding the GSS Fellowships contact Rod Hale

Link to the online GSS Fellowship Application