CHANGE LIVES, ONE STUDENT AT A TIME.
At the University of San Diego, we equip students to face humanity’s most pressing issues with compassion. They shed light into darkness – Changemakers ready to prepare for the next pandemic, brave the journey to the Moon and Mars, and stand up for human dignity. They illuminate the world by fostering peace, working for justice and leading with love.
As a Catholic university dedicated to academic excellence, our mission calls us to explore diverse perspectives through the transformational power of learning, teaching and scholarship. The incoming class of 2023 is a testament to this commitment: 22% are first-generation college students, and USD continues to enroll an increasing number of students from underrepresented backgrounds.
For many, especially those who are the first in their families to attend college, the dream of studying at USD only becomes a reality through philanthropic generosity. Ensuring equitable access to education is possible thanks to the continued support of our Torero community.
YOUR SUPPORT. THEIR SUCCESS.
Scholarships are not just financial transactions, they are gifts of discovery. They enhance students’ academic pursuits and personal passions. They reduce debt and mitigate economic hardships for families. This type of philanthropic support is one of the most personal and impactful ways to alter the course of a student’s life.
TIM
BA, Psychology
I served in the Marine Corps and as a wildland firefighter before coming to USD. I’m now pursuing my actual passion and learning about the human mind. With the support of scholarships, I can focus more on achieving that goal without overly worrying about burdens outside of school.
GISELLE
DNP, Nursing
Scholarship support helps me attend the University of San Diego, a place that embodies compassion and commitment to social service — so I can make a meaningful difference in people’s lives.
AARON
BA, Real Estate & BA, Finance
Scholarships significantly reduced the strain of educational expenses and allowed me to dedicate more time to my coursework and professional development in the real estate industry.
DANIEL
BS/BA, Electrical Engineering
Donor generosity has allowed me to focus on the things that matter most to me, including my schoolwork and my work as an artist and actor, without the burden of extra financial stress.
MAKIDA
BA, Environmental Studies
Finding the funds to be able to afford a college education has always been stressful for me. So, when I found out that I was awarded a renewable full-ride scholarship, I felt like a huge weight had been lifted off my and my family’s shoulders.
BILLY
PhD, Leadership Studies
Because of scholarship support I was able to attend USD and publish my academic research, something I never thought I’d be able to do.
When I retired from the military, I had a lot of fears, anxieties and reservations about returning to school.
Without my scholarship, I wouldn’t have been able to attend classes or participate in lectures. The support helped me and my family tremendously.
– ANGELA, BA, Political Science
I chose USD for its values of Changemaking and sustainability and its emphasis on intellectual development.
These values have been showcased to me in my 2.5 years on this campus, through an incredible community of professors, students and faculty. Scholarship support has eased the financial burden of education and provided me with more financial flexibility for my future pathway. Medicine has ignited my passion by allowing me to serve others and pursue knowledge in a subject I have always had a deep love for: science. Through scholarships, the community shows faith and believes in my future impact as a doctor.
– BRIDGET, BA, Spanish & BS, Biology (Pre-Med)
Named Scholarships
Create a meaningful legacy at the University of San Diego. Honor a loved one, elevate a brand or business, or leave your mark on the university with a named scholarship. These scholarships are critical in recruiting and retaining outstanding students who can build a vibrant campus community and produce a meaningful impact on the world.
SCHOLARSHIPS BY THE NUMBERS
79% of fall full-time undergraduates received financial aid.
63%
52%
21%
increase in the number of students seeking financial aid since 2014.
70%
$26K of undergraduate students applied for financial aid. of graduate students applied for financial aid. of law school students applied for financial aid.
Average amount of USD undergraduate student loan debt at graduation in 2022-23.
Every scholarship opens doors and creates opportunities that can propel a lifetime of achievement.
IN VESTING IN STUDENT THRIVING
Your generosity is critical in helping us build our current level of student support. Both current use and endowed scholarships allow us to invest in student success and reduce economic stress for students and their families.
With increased philanthropic support, we can ease the financial strain that particularly impacts low- and middle-income families. We can also help students reduce or avoid the need for loans that would place them in debt, potentially reducing their ability to follow their passions and transform communities.
Through donor generosity and community support, USD has built an impressive endowment for its relatively young age. However, it is notably smaller than older peer institutions. To continue attracting exceptional students from around the globe, we need to enhance our resources to compete with colleges and universities that offer higher levels of scholarship support.
Scholarships send a powerful message to our students:
You are valuable members of the larger Torero community — a community committed to your future success.
Illuminate the Full Experience
Your scholarship support also allows students to pursue internships, study globally and participate in undergraduate research opportunities.
These high-impact activities significantly enhance a student’s education and improve future career prospects. Students who participate in these programs have higher GPAs and rates of retention and graduation. While all students benefit from this support, the impact is even greater for students from historically marginalized communities.
Help us advance our mission by investing directly in our students’ lives through scholarships.
“It is not enough for Catholic universities to award academic degrees; it is necessary to awaken and cherish in each person the desire to “be;” to inspire pathways of authentic existence and to integrate the contribution of each individual within the creative dynamics of the larger community.”
– POPE FRANCIS
“The
value of an education in a liberal arts college is not the learning of many facts but the training of the mind to think.”
– ALBERT EINSTEIN
Living our Mission. Lighting the Way.
We are called by our deeply held mission and our Catholic identity to not only prepare students for rewarding careers, but to be innovative Changemakers, ready to live meaningful and inspired lives. A USD education helps them expand their capacity to think critically, solve complex problems and express informed insights with courage and conviction.
TAKE YOUR LEGACY FORWARD
Through the impact of philanthropic giving, you help generations of students pursue an education that empowers them to not only find meaningful careers, but to lead inspired and meaningful lives. Your contributions to scholarships are investments in their bright futures. We invite you to become a part of this proud tradition and help us light the way forward together.
Sandra Ciallella ’87
Associate Vice President, Development
Email: sciallella@sandiego.edu
Phone: (619) 260-2720