University of San Francisco offers 25+ scholarships, of which 18+ are accessible to Indian applicants.
Undergraduate merit awards start at USD 10,000 per year and rise to USD 25,000 for the Presidential Scholarship.
- Standard tuition (2026-27): USD 60,000+ per year (INR 56.70+ Lakhs)
- Cost with top merit waiver: USD 35,000 net (INR 33.07 Lakhs)
- Cost with merit plus assistantship stack (grad): USD 20,000 net (INR 18.90 Lakhs)
- Next major deadline: January 15, 2027 (Fall 2027 UG priority)
Currency Note: All INR conversions use the live rate of 1 USD = INR 94.5 as of September 2026. Amounts are indicative and shift with FX movement.
Table of Contents
- University of San Francisco Scholarships for UG Students
- University of San Francisco Scholarships for PG / Master’s Students
- India-Specific Scholarships at University of San Francisco
- University of San Francisco PhD Scholarships
- External Government Scholarships for University of San Francisco Students
- University of San Francisco Scholarships: Frequently Asked Questions
University of San Francisco Scholarships for UG Students
USF awards merit scholarships automatically to first-year international applicants on the basis of academic record.
| Scholarship | Amount / Year | Amount in INR | Eligibility | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Presidential Scholarship | USD 25,000 | INR 23.62 Lakhs | Top academic band among first-year admits | Nov 1, 2026 (EA); Jan 15, 2027 (Regular) |
| Dean’s Scholarship | USD 22,000 | INR 20.79 Lakhs | High GPA plus standardised score | Nov 1, 2026 (EA); Jan 15, 2027 (Regular) |
| University Scholarship | USD 18,000 | INR 17.01 Lakhs | Strong academic record | Nov 1, 2026 (EA); Jan 15, 2027 (Regular) |
| USF Scholarship | USD 14,000 | INR 13.23 Lakhs | Solid academic profile | Nov 1, 2026 (EA); Jan 15, 2027 (Regular) |
| Yellow and Green Award | USD 10,000 | INR 9.45 Lakhs | Awarded on committee review | Nov 1, 2026 (EA); Jan 15, 2027 (Regular) |
| Magis Grant | USD 5,000 to USD 10,000 | INR 4.72 to 9.45 Lakhs | Jesuit school graduates or service leaders | January 15, 2027 |
Every merit award renews for four years if the student maintains a 3.0 GPA at USF. Indian applicants do not submit a separate scholarship form; the Common Application triggers automatic consideration for all five bands.
Explore More: USF Admissions Silo | USF Programs List
University of San Francisco Scholarships for PG / Master’s Students
USF distributes graduate scholarships through each school, not centrally, so amounts and named awards vary by program.
| Scholarship | School / Program | Amount | Amount in INR | Eligibility |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| School of Management Merit Award | MBA, MS Analytics, MS Finance | USD 10,000 to USD 40,000 total | INR 9.45 to 37.80 Lakhs | Automatic on admission; GMAT/GRE or work profile |
| MS Data Science Merit Grant | MS Data Science | USD 5,000 to USD 20,000 | INR 4.72 to 18.90 Lakhs | Quant background plus competitive GPA |
| School of Nursing Scholarship | MSN, DNP | USD 5,000 to USD 15,000 | INR 4.72 to 14.17 Lakhs | Licensed nurses with academic merit |
| College of Arts and Sciences Grant | MA / MS programs in CAS | USD 5,000 to USD 12,000 | INR 4.72 to 11.34 Lakhs | Departmental review at admission |
| School of Education Award | MA Education, MA Counseling | USD 3,000 to USD 10,000 | INR 2.83 to 9.45 Lakhs | Prior teaching or field experience preferred |
| Graduate Assistantship | Multiple departments | USD 7,500 to USD 15,000 stipend | INR 7.08 to 14.17 Lakhs | Second-year students matched by department need |
The School of Management confirms merit scholarship value in the offer letter itself, so applicants know the funding position before accepting.
Reddit Insight: An MSDS 2025 cohort thread reports that most admitted Indian students receive a USD 10,000 to USD 15,000 merit award, with USD 20,000 offers reserved for candidates carrying 8.5+ CGPA and prior data work experience.
Explore More: USF Acceptance Rate | USF Ranking
India-Specific Scholarships at University of San Francisco
USF does not publish a scholarship reserved only for Indian passport holders, so Indian applicants stack international merit awards with external India-based funding.
| Scholarship Route | Amount | Amount in INR | Eligibility for Indians | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| International Student Merit Scholarship | USD 10,000 to USD 25,000 | INR 9.45 to 23.62 Lakhs | All non-US applicants including Indians; automatic | Jan 15, 2027 (UG); rolling for grad |
| Global Ambassador Award | USD 3,000 to USD 5,000 | INR 2.83 to 4.72 Lakhs | International UG students showing cross-cultural leadership | March 15, 2027 (tentative, annual cycle) |
| Departmental Assistantship | Tuition remission plus stipend | Varies by department | Second-year Indian PG students in good standing | Rolling; tentative April 30, 2027 |
Indian applicants planning to fund the balance often layer the JN Tata Endowment loan scholarship with a USF merit award. This route cuts effective tuition to below INR 25 Lakhs per year for a two-year MS.
The staged funding sequence Indian admits typically follow:
- Step 1: Apply to USF and secure the automatic international merit award of USD 10,000 to USD 25,000.
- Step 2: Submit the JN Tata Endowment application by March 2027 for a loan scholarship of up to INR 10 Lakhs.
- Step 3: File the Inlaks or Aga Khan Foundation grant application if academic profile fits the trust’s mandate.
- Step 4: Target an on-campus job in the first semester and a graduate assistantship from second semester onward.
Explore More: USF Overview | USA Cost of Living Guide
University of San Francisco PhD Scholarships
USF’s doctoral funding runs through three routes: full tuition remission, teaching assistantships, and research assistantships tied to a faculty grant.
| Funding Route | Amount | Amount in INR | Eligibility | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PhD Tuition Remission | Up to USD 45,000 per year | Up to INR 42.52 Lakhs | Admitted doctoral students; automatic on admission | December 15, 2026 (Fall 2027 intake) |
| Teaching Assistantship | USD 15,000 to USD 22,000 stipend | INR 14.17 to 20.79 Lakhs | Coursework cleared; teaching load 10 to 20 hours weekly | Rolling; tentative March 31, 2027 |
| Research Assistantship | USD 20,000 to USD 30,000 stipend | INR 18.90 to 28.35 Lakhs | Matched to a funded faculty project | Rolling; project-dependent |
| Dissertation Year Fellowship | USD 20,000 lump sum | INR 18.90 Lakhs | PhD candidates in the dissertation-writing year | Tentative February 15, 2027 |
The Clinical Psychology PsyD and Computer Science PhD are the two doctoral tracks that most consistently fund every admitted Indian applicant. Both bundle a tuition remission with a working stipend from year one.
External Government Scholarships for University of San Francisco Students
Indian students at USF regularly stack the university’s own merit award with a government or trust scholarship from India, since USF does not offer full-tuition awards at the master’s level.
| Scholarship | Awarding Body | Amount | Amount in INR | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fulbright-Nehru Master’s Fellowship | USIEF, US Government | Full tuition plus stipend plus travel | Up to INR 55 Lakhs total | May 15, 2027 (tentative, annual cycle) |
| JN Tata Endowment Loan Scholarship | Tata Trusts | INR 1 to 10 Lakhs (gift plus loan) | INR 1 to 10 Lakhs | March 24, 2027 (tentative) |
| Inlaks Shivdasani Scholarship | Inlaks Foundation | Up to USD 100,000 total | Up to INR 94.50 Lakhs | Tentative April 8, 2027 |
| K.C. Mahindra Scholarship | K.C. Mahindra Education Trust | INR 8 Lakhs (interest-free loan) | INR 8 Lakhs | March 31, 2027 (tentative) |
| Aga Khan Foundation ISP | Aga Khan Foundation | 50% grant plus 50% loan (need-based) | Varies; up to INR 30 Lakhs | March 31, 2027 (tentative) |
| Narotam Sekhsaria Scholarship | Narotam Sekhsaria Foundation | INR 20 Lakhs (interest-free loan) | INR 20 Lakhs | Tentative March 31, 2027 |
Reddit Insight: Indian MS admits at USF routinely pair a USD 15,000 School of Management merit award with a JN Tata loan of INR 8 to 10 Lakhs, pulling first-year out-of-pocket cost down to about INR 22 Lakhs including rent.
Fulbright-Nehru remains the only route to a fully paid USF master’s for an Indian applicant. It carries a two-year home-country residency clause after graduation, which some candidates find limiting.
Explore More: US F-1 Visa Guide | Study in USA
University of San Francisco Scholarships: Frequently Asked Questions
Ques. What is the maximum funding stack an Indian student can build at USF?
Ans. An Indian PG applicant can combine a School of Management merit scholarship of USD 40,000 (INR 37.80 Lakhs) with a JN Tata loan of INR 10 Lakhs plus a second-year graduate assistantship worth USD 15,000 (INR 14.17 Lakhs). This blend brings two-year out-of-pocket cost below INR 30 Lakhs including living expenses. Full-ride packages appear only for PhD admits and Fulbright-Nehru recipients.
Ques. When should Indian applicants apply to lock in the best USF scholarship?
Ans. UG applicants must submit the Common Application by November 1, 2026 for Early Action, which gives first pick of Presidential and Dean’s bands. Regular decision closes January 15, 2027 with award letters arriving by late March. PG applicants should target the priority deadline of January 15, 2027 for Fall 2027 intake, since scholarship budget shrinks after Round 1.
Ques. Do Indian students need a separate application for USF scholarships?
Ans. No, USF does not run a standalone scholarship application for merit awards. The admission form itself triggers automatic review and the award value appears inside the offer letter. External India-based scholarships from Tata, Inlaks and K.C. Mahindra do require separate forms, essays and interviews submitted directly to the awarding trust.
Ques. What GPA or test score do Indians need for the Presidential Scholarship?
Ans. USF does not publish a fixed cutoff, but admitted Indian recipients typically show a 90 percent Class XII score or 8.5+ CGPA. Standardised scores tend to fall above SAT 1350 or ACT 30. Test-optional applicants are considered on academic record alone. Strong extracurricular leadership plus a specific USF fit essay tilt borderline cases toward the top band.
Ques. How much does the School of Management merit scholarship actually cover?
Ans. The School of Management merit awards range from USD 10,000 to USD 40,000 spread across the entire MBA or MS program, not per academic year. A USD 40,000 (INR 37.80 Lakhs) award covers roughly 30 percent of total tuition for the two-year MBA. Amount depends on GMAT or GRE score, work experience and undergraduate GPA, with the decision confirmed inside the initial offer letter.
Ques. Does a USF scholarship cover living costs in San Francisco?
Ans. No, USF merit awards apply strictly to tuition and never to housing or food. San Francisco living expenses run USD 22,000 to USD 28,000 per year (INR 20.79 to 26.46 Lakhs) covering rent, food, transit, health insurance and books. Indian students bridge this gap through on-campus jobs of 20 hours weekly during term, summer CPT internships and second-year assistantships that add USD 15,000 to USD 22,000 in stipend.
Scholarships offered
QS Connect Master’s Scholarship
- International Student Eligible: Yes
- Amount: $5,000
- Type: Merit-Based
- Level of Study: Master
- Number of Scholarships: 1
BL Mandhana Scholarships
- International Student Eligible: Yes
- Amount: $10,000
- Type: Merit-Based
- Level of Study: Bachelor
- Number of Scholarships: 1
Go Clean Scholarship
- International Student Eligible: Yes
- Amount: $3,500
- Type: Merit-Based
- Level of Study: Bachelor
- Number of Scholarships: 1
Business Administration Scholarships
- International Student Eligible: No
- Amount: Variable Amount
- Type: Merit-Based
- Level of Study: Bachelor
- Number of Scholarships: N/A
Novus Biological Scholarship Program
- International Student Eligible: Yes
- Amount: $1,500
- Type: Merit-Based
- Level of Study: Associate
- Number of Scholarships: 1
Washington DC Scholarships
- International Student Eligible: Yes
- Amount: Variable Amount
- Type: Merit-Based
- Level of Study: Bachelor
- Number of Scholarships: N/A
Reviews
Most Popular Tags
9 Reviews Found
Likes
- It has small cohort of 10-15 students
- Professors are really helpful and reachable
- Provides us many industrial opportunities
Dislikes
- It is private so high tuition fees
- Limited electives available to choose
- It can improve in terms of facilities
- I had a few friends and relatives living around so they helped me sort out my accommodation part. I personally didn’t face challenges because they took care of that. But here people find from Facebook Marketplace and online platforms too.
- They get it from apartments.com or zillow.com to search for houses. But the authenticity of that house needs to be checked. You cannot trust anyone online.
Likes
- Location of the campus is in the heart of San Francisco downtown
- Class size is pretty decent with 15-20 students in each class
- Diversity of people from all around the globe
Dislikes
- Not as many career fairs as I expected
- Job fairs not conducted at the downtown campus
- Expected more workshops, seminars, webinars to prepare students for the job market
Scholarship
- Yes, there are scholarships available for my course. Yes, I received a scholarship during my course. The name of my scholarship was SOM MSIS (SJ) Scholarship and Frank D. Matousek Endowed Scholarship
- SOM MSIS (SJ) Scholarship - $3,500
- Frank D. Matousek Endowed Scholarship - $3,000
- Yes, my batchmates also received scholarship and other forms of financial aid.
- I opted for off-campus accommodation. I got in touch with a few students from my university and we started looking for places together. We used online platform like Zillow to look for places.
- We asked our family and friend already in the US to help us look for places. They guided us in our house hunt and we found something very close to our campus.
Likes
- Good faculty, Proper course based on what I wanted plus it was a STEM course.
Scholarship
Yes, it was offered to all the students as it was a new course. Don't remember the name but the amount was 5000$.
Quite good, met a lot of new people, good faculty, good course.
Likes
- It was in San Francisco which is a hub for many tech companies and start ups. The program gave an exposure of the US market to work on various projects with clients.
Scholarship
Yes, $5,000.
Overall a good experience and I got a good exposure too but living in San Francisco is expensive and I would rather choose a university in Texas or some other state and pay less when I have to work by myself for getting a job.
Likes
- The location and data science program. I like the small school size and the fact that it's in the middle of San Francisco. It has a good reputation because it's a private university.
Scholarship
I got federal financial aid from FAFSA.
My experience has been decent at USF. I've been in several classes where I know the professor is well versed in the content, which makes the learning process a lot less daunting. Social groups are similar to high school culture, so it can be difficult to find new people who are welcoming into friend groups. The university offers lots of events and the sports games are filled with energy.
Scholarship
I got a merit scholarship which was $3000 per year.
I chose this program because of the exposure it was offering. Also, having the same set of people traveling with you all around the world strengthens your network. Moreover, i am an entrepreneur so wanted to have academic strong in that field.
I opted for USF because it had the direct-entry nursing program that I had been aiming for as well as being one of the tops in the nation. There are only a few direct-entry nursing programs in California so USF was a top choice for me. As a low-income student, I was able to apply to a majority of my colleges without fees and USF had already given me an application fee exemption due to my GPA and test scores. In the end, I chose USF from other schools like UC Santa Barbara and Azusa Pacific University because I felt that USF provided me the best of everything and provided me with enough financial assistance to be able to afford the education.
I wanted to get into a school in California so I applied for almost all the major universities in California. I have a mentor who helped me pay for all the application fees. Almost all of them accepted me. I choose USFCA because I have heard that employers pay a lot in silicon valley. I grew up in a middle-class family so I had a lot of access to education resources growing up. I was always at the top of my classes because I want my parents to be proud of me.
Scholarship
yes. The Schmidt Foundation Fellowship 5000$, You need to submit an SOP
It was a good program earlier. now it is not good. all good professors left
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