The Alumni Association offers ten scholarships to USD undergraduate and graduate students, awarded based on a combination of merit and financial need. Three of these scholarships, listed below, are administered by the Office of Alumni Relations. The remaining seven scholarships are administered by the Office of Financial Aid.
Approximately 30-35 awards are given annually to current and returning students. Financial awards can range from $500 to $14,000, with an average of $2,000. Recipients will be notified of awards in the summer, and funds will be distributed for the following academic year.
Applicants must be undergraduate or graduate students returning for the following academic year, with the exception of December graduates, and must be enrolled in one of the following schools or colleges:
- College of Arts and Sciences - All Programs
- Professional and Continuing Education - All Programs
- School of Business - All Programs
- School of Engineering - All Programs
- School of Law- All Programs
- School of Leadership and Education Sciences - All Programs
- School of Nursing - All Programs
- School of Peace Studies - All Programs
Essay (500+ words): Describe your involvement and service to USD and/or the community, and how you will continue this service as an alumnus/a.
Additional requirements: Minimum 3.0 GPA and a 2026/2027 FAFSA on file by May 2026. We strongly encourage you to complete your essay before starting the application process.
Applicants must be returning undergraduate students for the following academic year, with the exception of December graduates, be active members of a recognized social Greek chapter, and be enrolled in one of the following schools or colleges:
- College of Arts and Sciences - All Programs
- School of Business - All Programs
- School of Engineering - All Programs
Essay (750+ words): Describe how you have benefited the life of someone else through personal experience, Greek life (see list below), or campus involvement. Share your plans for continued service as an active USD alumnus/a.
Additional requirements: Minimum 3.0 GPA and a 2026/2027 FAFSA on file by May 2026. We strongly encourage you to complete your essay before starting the application process.
SORORITY -
- Alpha Chi Omega - College Panhellenic Association
- Alpha Delta Pi - College Panhellenic Association
- Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. - Multicultural Greek Council
- Alpha Pi Sigma Sorority, Incorporated. - Multicultural Greek Council
- Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. - Multicultural Greek Council
- Gamma Phi Beta - College Panhellenic Association
- Kappa Alpha Theta - College Panhellenic Association
- Kappa Delta - College Panhellenic Association
- Kappa Kappa Gamma - College Panhellenic Association
- Pi Beta Phi - College Panhellenic Association
- Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. - Multicultural Greek Council
- Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. - Multicultural Greek Council
- Alpha Tau Omega - Interfraternity Council
- Beta Theta Pi - Interfraternity Council
- Delta Tau Delta - Interfraternity Council
- Lambda Upsilon Lambda Fraternity, Inc.
- Phi Gamma Delta - Interfraternity Council
- Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. - Multicultural Greek Council
- Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. - Multicultural Greek Council
- Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. - Multicultural Greek Council
- Phi Kappa Theta - Interfraternity Council
- Pi Kappa Phi - Interfraternity Council
- Sigma Phi Epsilon - Interfraternity Council
The Kyle O'Connell memorial scholarship was created in honor of Kyle O'Connell, the son of Michael '87 and Julie '88 (Belfiore) O'Connell. On February 6, 2005, Kyle passed away just shy of his 10th birthday. Kyle's brave fight against brain cancer inspired a group of USD alumni to establish this scholarship in 2008 with the purpose to inspire students to find a cure for cancer, to provide comfort and hope for patients and their families, and to advocate and motivate others to become active in the fight against cancer. It will benefit graduate and/or undergraduate junior or senior students enrolled in the sciences or healing arts including nursing, marriage and family therapy.
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:
- Must be a rising Junior or Senior undergraduate student OR a graduate student in good standing (not eligible for graduating students).
- Maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or above.
- Enroll in the study of the healing arts including nursing, marriage & family therapy or the sciences.
- Demonstrate a passion for their chosen area of study and how their education will facilitate 1) discover and/or improve treatments or find a cure for cancer, 2) provide comfort and hope for patients and families struggling with cancer, 3) be an advocate and motivate others to be active in the fight against cancer.
ESSAY PROMPT:
Describe in 750 words or less why you chose your academic major, and how you will use your education to do one or a combination of the following:
- Discover/improve treatments and/or find a cure for cancer;
- Provide comfort and hope for patients and their families struggling with cancer.
- Be an advocate and motivate others to become active in the fight against cancer.