Scholarships, Grants & Loans

Full-Time Undergrads
1 %

Received Financial Assistance

Scholarships & Grants
1

Awarded to USF
Students

Million Dollars
$ 1

Awarded Through Scholarships & Grants

Explore Scholarships, Grants & Loans

WHAT SHOULD I HAVE READY WHEN I APPLY?

  • Do your research. Check out free scholarship websites to find scholarships that match your profile. The more you apply, the better your chances or receiving one.
  • Start writing essays now. Common themes include: future plans, career goals and heroes that have been an influence in your life.
  • Learn from previous winners. Review past winning applications, essays and other materials.
  • Organize scholarships by deadline date. An organized list of awards will help you plan which awards to apply for first.
  • Create activity profile. Keep a list of activities that you can refer to; include the responsibilities you had while involved.

WHAT KINDS OF SCHOLARSHIPS MIGHT I BE ELIGIBLE FOR?

  • State agencies – Look for opportunities through the higher education agency in your state or for your chosen degree program such as the Illinois Board of Higher Education or the Illinois Department of Public Health.
  • Ethnic background – Awards are given to students of certain ethnic or minority groups. You may be able to receive an award even if your ethnicity is only partial.
  • Disability – You may be eligible for additional aid if you are physically challenged, have a learning disability or suffer from a long-term illness.
  • Professional associations – Many professional associations offer scholarships to encourage students in their field.
  • The religious community – Churches and other places of worship often sponsor scholarships. You may not have to be a member to qualify.
  • Your parents’ employers – Check with your parents’ employers or labor unions to see if they offer awards to children of their employees.
  • Community service – Some providers offer awards based on the amount of community service you have performed.

SHOULD I BE AWARE OF SCHOLARSHIPS SCAMS?

Yes—if you have to pay money to get money, it’s probably a scam. Every year, several hundred thousand students and parents are defrauded by scholarship scams. The victims of these scams lose more than $100 million annually. Scam operations often imitate legitimate government agencies, grant-giving foundations, education lenders and scholarship matching services, using official-sounding names containing words like “National,” “Federal,” “Foundation,” or “Administration.” In general, be wary of scholarships with an application fee, scholarship matching services who guarantee success, advance-fee loan scams and sales pitches disguised as “financial aid seminars.”

First-Year Students

Transfer Students

Create a Scholarship

Donor-funded scholarships are a great and lasting statement of your belief in a University of St. Francis education and our mission to prepare students for lives of leadership and service. Two types of scholarships—annual and endowed—can be established at the University of St. Francis.

Endowed Scholarships: Endowed scholarships are designed to be permanent and live in perpetuity. They can be created with gifts totaling a minimum amount of $25,000. The principal of the fund is invested to produce income, and an annual award is made to a student or students. The principal remains untouched, so the endowment can last into perpetuity.

Annual Scholarships: Annual scholarships can be established with a commitment of $5,000 over five years. Annual scholarships are not a permanent fund and is awarded only as long as funds are available.

Click here to explore other scholarships that have been established by generous USF donors.

To learn more about establishing a scholarship that would benefit USF students, please contact Clarissa Barkley ’20, Scholarship & Stewardship Manager (University Advancement), at 815-740-3596 or cbarkley@stfrancis.edu

We can help with financial aid!
Financial aid questions? Please use this form to get help with general questions, to get information, or to request additional loan amounts if you have been instructed to do so. We will make every attempt to respond to this request within one business day.
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