Undergraduate

Scholarships and Co-Op Education

Scholarships

  • USF Scholarships: 
  • COE Scholarships: College of engineering scholarships are made available to students by the generosity of many donors. Several are open to all engineering majors and some are specifically for students with interests in chemical/materials/biological engineering.
  • ChBME Scholarship: To ensure academic success of high achieving undergraduate students, the department can sometimes provide competitive scholarships depending on the availability funds. Contact the department office in June for fall semester and in November for spring semester.

Co-op Education Program for Chemical engineering students

What is Co-op? It's an educational program that combines classroom studies with paid, productive work experience in a field related to your major or career goals.

Student Benefits

  • Enhances classroom learning by integrating academic curriculum and real-world work experience.
  • Enhances affordability of college through employer-paid wages. This is a means of financial assistance that is available to all students, regardless of family income levels or other financial aid arrangements.
  • Improves job opportunities after graduation by giving students valuable work experience and contact with potential future employers.
  • Teaches valuable job-search skills such as career assessment, resume writing and interviewing techniques.
  • Students working under the Co-op program can register for one unit of Co-op study. For more information about coop program benefits click here.

For details and information regarding enrolling in a Co-op program visit the USF Center for Career & Professional Development website.

Eligibility Requirements:

Complete requirements are available at USF Center for Career & Professional Development website.

Typically, undergraduates must be enrolled at USF in a degree program, have completed at least 45 hours credit hours, and possess a GPA of 2.5 or better. Graduate students may apply the first year of their academic program and must have a GPA of 3.0.

Cooperative Education Training Plans:

Alternating Plan - alternates full-time semesters of work with full time semesters of study.
Parallel Plan - allows you to take classes and work part-time during the same semester. 

Why is gaining experience before graduation so important? Experience in your field of study is not only important it's critical. Students who gain experience before graduation have clearer job targets, more defined career goals and are more marketable because of the knowledge, skills and abilities developed and refined in a real world work setting (and therefore are more successful obtaining offers upon graduation).

Can international students participate in the Co-op program? Yes. Co-op is considered co-curricular training. If you have questions or are unsure of your eligibility to Co-op it is important that you speak with someone in the Office of International Services (OIS). OIS must verify eligibility and grant clearance, for all international students, who wish to participate. 

Are all Co-op positions paid? How much will I make? Co-op positions are paid and the hiring employer determines the specific wage.

What do I need to do to apply for acceptance in the Cooperative Education Program? Follow the steps outlined in the application process and submit the necessary documentation requested to the Career Center on the Tampa campus.