Funding Opportunities & Awards
Teaching Assistantships
Each year the Department of Mathematics and Statistics awards, on a competitive basis, approximately 50 teaching assistantships (TAships) to selected current or newly-admitted graduate students. Students holding an assistantship perform instructional duties for an average of 20 hours per week. The assistantship provides the student with a competitive stipend, a tuition waiver, and the employer's health insurance contribution. Students holding TAships are required to be enrolled in 9 credit hours each semester (Fall/Spring) and to be in good academic standing. Summer funding may also be available.
Applicants to the program should submit the departmental Application form for Graduate Teaching Assistantship with their application. Current students who wish to become TA's should submit this form to the Graduate Coordinator. Students who have previously submitted this form need only express their continuing interest in support as the form remains on file. The application deadline for a teaching assistantship for the Fall semester is February 1st; for the Spring semester it is October 1st.
Research Assistantships
Research assistantships for summer research activities are available from professors who hold grants and have such funding available. Recipients of the funding will be determined by the grant-holding professor.
Travel support
Financial support for travel to professional conferences is available from the following sources:
- Department of Mathematics and Statistics: Application deadlines are the first Friday of each semester (Fall/Spring). An application form is available from the Graduate Program Coordinator. A presentation at a conference is encouraged.
- Graduate and Professional Student Council (GPSC): Apply to the GPSC directly. A presentation at a conference is required.
A number of conferences have funding available to support graduate students, particularly those with funding from the National Science Foundation.
Scholarships awarded by the Department
Teaching assistants who demonstrate outstanding progress toward their degree may be awarded a
- Fred L. and Helen M. Tharp Scholarship
Each year, outstanding graduate students selected by the department receive one of the following cash awards. For consideration, students must apply by November 1st through
USF Scholarships & Fellowships for consideration.
- Department Operating Fund Scholarship
- Dr. A.N.V. Rao Endowed Memorial Scholarship
- M.V. Johns Jr. Scholarship for Graduate Study in Statistics: FAFSA must be on file.
Fellowship Opportunity Information
The University of South Florida maintains links to information on external sources of graduate funding that can be used at USF. See
For general information about receiving financial aid and/or student loans, please visit
Fellowship Opportunity Information from Professional Societies
Most professional societies not only offer various fellowships themselves, but also maintain lists of other fellowship opportunities. For further information, please visit the following websites:
Highlighted University Sponsored Fellowships
The University of South Florida offers several highly competitive graduate fellowships. We highlight three which are available for new students who wish to begin a Doctoral program in the fall.
The Department may nominate one qualified applicant to each for further consideration. Due to early University deadlines, the departmental application deadline for consideration is January 7th. Students must also identify themselves to the Graduate Admissions Director at as meeting the requirements for consideration by this date.
Highlighted Federally Sponsored Fellowships
A number of federal agencies support graduate students working in areas relevant to their missions. We link to relevant webpages of some.
Highlighted External Awards
The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi
USF's Chapter 126 of the Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi annually awards a $1,000 scholarship to a current USF graduate student. Candidates for this award must have been inducted into PKP and have demonstrated outstanding achievement in scholarly activity and in community involvement. For further details, please contact Scott Rimbey.
The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi provides several funding opportunities. Some of these, but not all, require membership in Phi Kappa Phi. For further details, please visit the Phi Kappa Phi website.