Admitted Students

Freshman Next Steps | St. Petersburg Campus

A group of students walking on campus.

Congratulations on your admission to the University of South Florida! We are so excited to welcome you to our stunning waterfront campus in St. Petersburg. Follow these steps to enroll as an official USF student and prepare for the first day of classes. 

You can explore all required needs to enroll at USF or jump to the section relevant to you:


Admitted Student Webinar Series

Have questions about enrolling at USF? Join us for our optional Admitted Student Webinar Series where we'll break down some of your most asked topics - like general next steps, orientation and financial aid. These webinars are hosted live online throughout the spring, so check out what's available now!

Explore Webinars


IMMEDIATELY UPON ADMISSION

You will be able to complete the following steps immediately after admission to USF.

Please note that activating your NetID is the first step to enrolling at USF, if you have not done so yet. 

You may complete the next steps in any order—but we recommend paying your admission deposit as soon as possible to secure your spot at USF. In this section, you’ll:

  • Pay Your Admission Deposit
  • Verify/Update Personal Information
  • Submit Medical History and Immunization Form
  • Apply for On-Campus Housing


Pay Your Admission Deposit
| Required for all freshman students

This is the first official step to secure your spot at USF. You will need to submit your admission deposit to start on your next steps, like reserving an Orientation date and confirming your on-campus room assignment. 

More Details

Freshmen are required to pay a nonrefundable admission deposit of $200. The deposit will be applied toward your first semester’s tuition charge. The deposit is due by May 15 for students admitted for the summer or fall term.

This nonrefundable deposit will both confirm and reserve your place in the class and is separate from the housing prepayment. Failure to pay the deposit by the deadline may result in the cancellation of your admission offer and admissions scholarships.

Deposit Waiver Request

If you think you qualify for an admission deposit waiver due to financial hardship, please email admissions@usf.edu to place your request with the appropriate justification.

After your waiver is applied, you will need to log into myBullsPath, click on the “Pay Admission Deposit” tile and then click on “Commit to Attending USF”. 

Pay Deposit


Fill Out Your FAFSA Form
| Recommended for all freshman students

The 2024-2025 FAFSA is now open. Make sure to fill it out as soon as possible to qualify for the most aid possible. If you have questions about the FAFSA, check out our site here.

FAFSA Updates


Verify/Update Information
| Recommended for all students

Verify or Update Residency Status

  • To view your classification, log into the admissions portal and your residency status should display under your “Applicant Info.“
  • To update your classification as a Florida resident for tuition purposes, log in to the admissions portal, select “Forms”, complete a Residency Declaration Form, and upload any requested documentation.
  • Please note: All admissions scholarship disbursements are based upon residency status. If your residency status changes, your award allocation will be updated.

For full information on determining residency, check out our Residency webpage.

Verify Personal Information

  • To view/update your mailing address, telephone number and email address, log in to myUSF and navigate to My Resources > OASIS.

Accept Admissions Scholarship (Optional - As Needed)

If you were awarded an automatic admissions scholarship, please make sure to accept the Terms and Conditions of the scholarship to ensure aid disbursement.

  • Portal: OASIS
  • Navigation: myUSF > My Resources > OASIS > Financial Aid > My Award and Loan Information > Select Aid Year from Dropdown Menu
    • Under the “Terms & Conditions” tab, carefully review the requirements of your scholarship
    • Select “Accept” to verify that you understand the terms and conditions associated with your award

Update Campus, Term of Entry or Major (Optional - As Needed)

  • To change your campus, term of entry or major, visit the admissions portal, select “Forms” and complete an Application Update Form.
    • If your campus or term of entry was changed by USF during the application process, you are not eligible to update back to the original campus or term of entry requested on your application.


Submit Medical History and Immunization Form | Required for all students

You cannot register for courses until your completed Medical History and Immunizations Form has been received, so be sure to submit it in a timely fashion. 

Please note: This form requires formal authorization from a health care provider, so please ensure to leave time to complete this task for enrollment.

How to Uploaded Completed Form

There are digital and mail-in methods to submit your completed form:

  1. myBullsPath: You can log into myBullsPath using your NetID and password. After clicking on the “Submit Required Health Documents” card, you may submit your form directly through the portal. Click “Submit Medical History & Immunization Form” at the top of the page, and you will be prompted to upload your documents from your device to myBullsPath.
  2. Admissions Portal: Log into the Admissions Portal using your NetID and password. Select “My Workspace”, followed by “My Documents” and upload your form.
  3. Web Submission: You may submit your form directly to Student Health Services through the web submission option.

If you cannot upload your form to any of the digital methods above, please mail in your form to the below address:

University of South Florida St. Petersburg
Wellness Center, SLC 2200
140 7th Ave. S., St. Petersburg, FL 33701

Please do not send in the form to the Office of Admissions directly. Submit the form only through the approved options above.

Access and Print Form


Apply for Housing and Meal Plan | Recommended for all freshman students

Living on campus is not required for freshmen but we recommend all students apply for housing at USF. Spaces for on-campus housing fill up quickly and are not guaranteed to incoming students, so start the housing application process early.

Start by reviewing your housing options and available meal plans on the St. Petersburg campus. Then apply for housing and a meal plan. Housing applications open during the following months each year based on entry term:

  • Spring Semester - September 1
  • Summer and Fall Semesters - December 12

Please note: You will not be able to select a room through Housing until you submit an admission deposit and reserve an Orientation date.

Housing Application


AFTER SUBMITTING ADMISSION DEPOSIT

Submitting your admission deposit informs us of your intention to attend USF. You can complete the following steps concurrently after submitting your deposit.

You may complete the next steps in any order—but we recommend applying for housing and reserving an Orientation date as soon as they each become available as space fills up quickly. In this section, you’ll:

  • Apply for Housing and Dining - If Not Already Completed
  • Reserve an Orientation Date
  • Take the Math Placement Test
  • Access the USF Parent & Family Portal


If Not Completed - Apply for Housing and Meal Plan | Recommended for all freshman students

Living on campus is not required for freshmen but we recommend all students apply for housing at USF. Spaces for on-campus housing fill up quickly and are not guaranteed to incoming students, so start the housing application process early.

Start by reviewing your housing options and available meal plans on the St. Petersburg campus. Then apply for housing and a meal plan. Housing applications open during the following months each year based on entry term:

  • Spring Semester - September 1
  • Summer and Fall Semesters - December 12

Please note: You will not be able to select a room through Housing until you reserve an Orientation date.

Housing Application


Reserve an Orientation Date |
Required for all freshman students

Admitted freshmen must register for, attend and complete all Orientation requirements. At Orientation, you’ll register for courses, so be sure to sign up for the earliest Orientation date possible to benefit from increased class availability. Orientation reservations open during the following months each year based on entry term:

  • Spring Semester - October
  • Summer and Fall Semesters - February

If you fail to reserve and complete Orientation, your admission to USF may be canceled.

Please note: If you received an Admission Deposit Waiver, you will need to click “Commit to Attending USF” through the “Pay Admission Deposit” tile on myBullsPath to reserve an Orientation date.

Reserve Orientation


Access the USF Parent & Family Portal | Recommended for all freshman families

In order to stay up-to-date on all things USF, we recommend that parents and families sign up for the USF Parent & Family Portal. This invaluable tool will help you ensure your Bull stays on top of upcoming deadlines, housing information and additional USF resources.

Access the USF Parent & Family Portal


AFTER HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION

Submit Final High School Transcript - Required for all freshman students

Immediately after your high school graduation is reflected on your transcript, you must submit a final high school transcript and any college transcripts from dual enrollment courses. Your admission is contingent upon submitting final transcripts, and we may rescind your admission offer and financial aid (including Bright Futures) will not disburse if they are not received by the first day of class.

Submit Final Transcript


Submit AP, IB, AICE, Etc. Scores - Optional/as needed for freshman students

Scores from any examination that may grant college credit, including Advanced Placement or International Baccalaureate, should be sent to the Office of Admissions as soon as they are available. Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate scores must be sent electronically. All eligible credit-by-exam equivalents will be listed on the USF catalog for reference.

Credit-By-Exam Equivalent Information


AFTER ATTENDING ORIENTATION 

You may complete the next steps in any order - along with the steps in the “Before the First Day of Classes” section.  In this section, you’ll:

  • Complete Required Courses and Modules 
  • Purchase a USFCard
  • Purchase a Parking Permit

Complete Required Courses and Modules - Required for all students

AlcoholEDU for College and Sexual Assault Prevention for Undergraduates (SAPU)

You will receive an email directly from EverFi after Orientation with instructions and links for accessing the modules. EverFi will email your USF email, so make sure you check it regularly! You must earn a score of 80 percent or higher in each module by the deadline to successfully fulfill this student requirement.

Life Skills Modules

  • Portal: USF Canvas
  • Navigation: Once logged in, click on the course titled Life Skills Module.

Career Readiness Module

  • Portal: USF Canvas
  • Navigation: Once logged in, click on the course titled Career Readiness Module.


Purchase a USFCard - Required for all students

Your USFCard will be used while you are on campus, including at dining locations and to verify your identity. Request a USFCard before you start at USF through the online process below and pick up your card in-person at Bayboro Hall, Room 223.

Request a USFCard


Purchase a Parking Permit - Required for students parking on campus

Parking permits are required on campus 24/7. Make sure to register your vehicle and pay for your decal before the semester begins.

Purchase Parking Permit


BEFORE FIRST DAY OF CLASSES

You may complete the next steps in any order. 

Complete Unsatisfied Requirements and Accept Financial Aid Awards

Verify if you have any unsatisfied Financial Aid requirements in OASIS prior to your first day of classes.

  • Portal: OASIS
  • Navigation: MyUSF > My Resources > Oasis > Financial Aid

Subscribe to eDeposit

The University of South Florida offers the electronic deposit process called eDeposit to all of our customers. eDeposit allows your net financial aid and student refunds to be directly deposited into your personal bank account.

  • Portal: OASIS
  • Navigation: MyUSF > My Resources > Oasis > Student > Tuition, Fees & Payment

Moving Into Housing

If you’re living on campus at USF, you will need to review the move-in information provided to you by Housing to ensure you sign up for the correct move-in appointment time and ensure your room assignment is correct.

Check out USF’s move-in checklist for everything you should bring with you or leave at home.

Familiarize Yourself with USF Tools and Information

Familiarize yourself with:

Purchase and Organize Supplies for Courses

  • The St. Petersburg campus bookstore has a large selection of textbooks, course materials and supplies, or you can purchase from another vendor. Your course syllabi will often recommend supplies you may need for the course but a good rule of thumb is to have: note-taking supplies (pen and paper or a laptop), required textbooks and a planner to keep yourself organized.  
  • The St. Petersburg campus offers computer lab usage for students.
  • We have highlighted specific college apps you might find useful for classes on our Admit-a-Bull blog.

Accessibility Accommodations (Optional - As Needed)

First-year students may apply for accommodations once admitted to the University of South Florida. Students are responsible for identifying themselves to Student Accessibility Services and presenting proper medical documentation to receive academic accommodations.

Examples of accommodations can include but are not limited to:

  • Alternative Text
  • Class Notes and Note Takers
  • Test Taking Accommodations
  • Hearing Impairment Accommodations

For a full list of accommodations and how to apply, visit the Student Accessibility Services website.

Student Accessibility Services

Pay Tuition and Fees (Due by First Friday of Semester, 5 p.m. ET)

  • Portal: OASIS
  • Navigation: MyUSF > My Resources > Oasis > Student > Tuition, Fees & Payment

Please note: if you received a scholarship award and need assistance on Tuition Deferment, visit the Office of Financial Aid website.


OTHER HELPFUL RESOURCES

Check out our blog for articles on how to successfully navigate the start of your college experience: