Next Steps

USF-Verto Study Abroad Program

Three USF students sitting together outside.

Program Overview

The USF-Verto Study Abroad Program offers students a fully transferable, globally-focused semester designed to give them a more rewarding start to college. This invitation-only program and curriculum offered through a partnership with Verto Education provides unforgettable life experiences and prepare students for academic success as they explore the world with other students bound for USF and other institutions.

Our partnership with Verto Education is a natural extension of USF's longstanding commitment to prepare students for success in an increasingly global marketplace. After attending this one-semester program, students will set themselves up to be on track to graduate from USF*.

  • Attend one of several international Verto locations to have a more rewarding first year of college*.
    • Buenos Aires, Argentina
    • Turrialba, Costa Rica
    • London, England
    • Florence, Italy
    • Prague, Czech Republic
    • Seville, Spain
  • Enroll in a curriculum (12-16 credits) that sets students up for unforgettable experiences and academic success in an increasingly global marketplace.

*Your major may limit your location choice and affect your graduation timeline. Some majors require students to complete pre-requisites to maintain their offer of admission to USF under their chosen major. Please visit the Verto Locations & Coursework section for important details regarding your major and course requirements.

If you are interested in attending an information session to learn if this program is right for you, you can sign up on Verto's website.

You can explore the entire program or jump to the section that addresses your questions:

You can always reach out and contact us anytime if you have a question.


Verto Locations & Coursework

Locations

  • Buenos Aires, Argentina
  • Turrialba, Costa Rica
  • London, England
  • Florence, Italy
  • Prague, Czech Republic
  • Seville, Spain

Some majors only offer coursework in specific locations - check to see if your major has limited location availability:

Selective Major Locations (Subject to Change)

Major Location
Biology/Biomedical Sciences/Marine Biology/Microbiology Florence or Prague
Chemistry BA Florence or Prague
Environmental Science & Policy London, Florence, Prague or Seville
Geology Florence, London, Prague or Seville
Hospitality Management Costa Rica or Seville
Interdisciplinary Natural Sciences Florence or Prague
Mathematics/Statistics London, Florence, Prague or Seville
Muma College of Business Majors (excluding Hospitality Management)

Costa Rica, Florence or Seville - no Calculus 

Costa Rica, Florence, London, Prague or Seville - if ready to take Calculus

Chemical/Civil/Electrical/
Environmental/ Industrial/
Mechanical Engineering
Florence or Prague
Computer Science/Engineering Florence or Prague
CyberSecurity/Information Technology Costa Rica, Florence, Prague or Seville

If your chosen major is selective, please review the pre-requisite courses that are required for your particular major. Please note that not all courses offered during the Verto semester are pre-requisites, even if they appear to be (e.g., Introduction to Business is not a pre-requisite for Muma College of Business majors).

Additionally, some courses do not articulate to program requirements (e.g. Biology I: Molecular Basis of Life w/Lab does not fulfill the Biology I with lab requirement for STEM majors).

Please note: some selective majors are not recommended for participation in the USF-Verto Study Abroad program (subject to change). These majors include:

  • Nursing
  • Exercise Science
  • Chemistry BS
  • Physics
  • Physical Science
  • Biomedical Engineering
  • Majors with the College of the Arts

Coursework

Please review the Course Registration Guide provided by Verto Education, as well as the information provided below to assist you in selecting your courses for your Verto semester.

Majors and Available Locations (Subject to Change)

Major Course

Muma College of Business majors (except Hospitality Management)

  • Costa Rica – Elementary Statistics & Microeconomics
  • London – Calculus I
  • Florence – Elementary Statistics & Calculus I
  • Prague – Calculus I
  • Seville – Microeconomics & Calculus I

Hospitality Management

  • Costa Rica – Microeconomics
  • Seville – Microeconomics
Biology/Biomedical Sciences/Marine Biology/Microbiology
  • Florence – General Chemistry I w/ Lab, Calculus I, & Elementary Statistics
  • Prague – General Chemistry I w/ Lab, Calculus I, & General Physics I w/ Lab
Chemistry BA
  • Florence – General Chemistry I w/ Lab & Calculus I
  • Prague – General Chemistry I w/ Lab, Calculus I, & General Physics I w/ Lab
Environmental Science & Policy
  • London – Calculus I
  • Florence – General Chemistry I w/ Lab & Calculus I
  • Prague – General Chemistry I w/ Lab & Calculus I
  • Seville – Calculus I
Geology
  • London - Calculus I & Geology
  • Florence - General Chemistry I w/ Lab & Calculus I
  • Prague - General Chemistry I w/ Lab, General Physics I w/ Lab, Geology, & Calculus I
  • Seville - General Physics I w/ Lab & Calculus I
Interdisciplinary Natural Sciences
  • Florence - Biology I w/ Lab, General Chemistry w/ Lab, & Calculus I
  • Prague - General Chemistry I w/ Lab, General Physics I w/ Lab, Geology, & Calculus I
Mathematics
  • London – Calculus I
  • Florence – Calculus I & General Chemistry I w/ Lab
  • Prague – Calculus I, General Chemistry I w/ Lab, & General Physics I w/ Lab
  • Seville – Calculus I & General Physics I w/ Lab

Statistics

  • London – Calculus I
  • Florence – Calculus I
  • Prague – Calculus I
  • Seville – Calculus I

Biomedical/Chemical/Civil/Electrical/
Environmental/Industrial/
Mechanical Engineering

  • Florence – General Chemistry I w/ Lab & Calculus I
  • Prague – General Chemistry I w/ Lab & Calculus I
Computer Science/Engineering
  • Florence – General Chemistry I w/ Lab & Calculus I
  • Prague – General Chemistry I w/ Lab & Calculus I
CyberSecurity/Information Technology
  • Costa Rica – Elementary Statistics
  • Florence – Elementary Statistics
  • Prague – General Physics I w/ Lab
  • Seville – General Physics I w/ Lab

COST AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Verto-Specific

Financial Support - You can read more about the financial support offered by Verto Education here.

Scholarships - Verto Education is offering two USF-Verto scholarships to any USF-Verto Study Abroad Program participant based on their residency status with USF as of May 1. Florida residents are eligible to receive $5,000 and non-Florida residents are eligible to receive $3,000.

Florida resident students need to verify and confirm their residency status with USF by May 1st to be eligible for the $5,000 USF-Verto Florida resident scholarship.

How to Check or Change Residency Status

  • To view your residency classification, log into the admissions portal and your residency status is displayed under your "Applicant Info".
  • To update your classification as a Florida resident for tuition purposes, navigate to the “Forms” section of your admissions portal, complete the “Undergraduate Residency Declaration” form, and upload any requested documentation.
    • Review the Residency Information for Freshmen page for more information regarding what qualifies you as a Florida resident and a record of items you can provide to show proof of residency.

NOTE: USF-Verto scholarships are scholarships offered directly from Verto Education to assist in funding your Verto semester(s) only. These scholarships do not transfer to USF and cannot be applied to your cost of attendance at USF.

USF-Specific

Students can learn more about cost savings and cost of attendance at USF on the following webpages:

NOTE: USF-Verto scholarships are scholarships offered directly from Verto Education to assist in funding your Verto semester(s) only. These scholarships do not transfer to USF and cannot be applied to your cost of attendance at USF.


Next Steps to Enroll

Step 1: Activate Your NetID and USF Email Address - Required

If you haven’t already, activate your NetID and check your USF email address regularly. Your USF email is used by university offices for official communication.

NOTE: If you’re unsure what your NetID is, you can look it up here.

Activate NetID


Step 2: Update/Confirm your USF Residency Status - Required

  • To view your residency classification, log into the admissions portal and your residency status is displayed under your "Applicant Info".
  • To update your classification as a Florida resident for tuition purposes, navigate to the “Forms” section of your admissions portal, complete the “Undergraduate Residency Declaration” form, and upload any requested documentation.
    • Review the Residency Information for Freshmen page for more information regarding what qualifies you as a Florida resident and a record of items you can provide to show proof of residency.

Admissions Portal


Step 3: Submit your FAFSA - Recommended

We encourage all students to apply for financial aid through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) website.

NOTE: You must add the University of South Florida (School Code: 001537) on your school list, as well as Verto’s academic provider (University of New Haven). If you’re unsure how to add a college to your FAFSA, review this page.

Submit FAFSA


Step 4: Verify Your Contact Information - Recommended

Review your contact information to ensure you receive critical information from USF.

  • Sign in to myUSF and navigate to My Resources > OASIS Student > Personal Information
  • Verify that your listed address, telephone number, and email address are current.
    • If you will no longer have access to the listed email address after you graduate high school, please change it to a more permanent email.

OASIS


Step 5: Submit Your USF Intent to Enroll (ITE) Form - Required

The ITE form replaces your USF admissions deposit as a first-year student. You can access this form from your Verto portal. You will also receive this form via email from VertoEducation@usf.edu after USF receives confirmation that you have submitted your deposit with Verto Education.

NOTE: You must have access to your USF email to successfully complete the ITE form.

Step 6: Submit Final Transcripts & Scores - Required

  • Transcripts: Once your high school graduation date is added to your high school transcript, you must submit your final high school transcript and any official college transcripts from dual enrollment courses you completed while in high school.
    • NOTE: Your admission is contingent upon submitting final transcripts. Please ensure they’re received by the Office of Admissions in a timely manner as it can cause issues with financial aid disbursement (including Bright Futures) if they are not received by the first day of class for the Spring term.
  • Credit-by-Exam (as needed): Scores from any examination that may grant college credit, including AP, IB, or AICE, should be sent to the Office of Admissions as soon as they are available. AP, IB and AICE scores must be sent electronically. All eligible credit-by-exam equivalents are listed on the USF catalog.

Step 7: Submit Your Medical History & Immunization Form - Required

You cannot register for courses until USF receives your completed Medical History and Immunizations Form.

NOTE: this form requires formal authorization from a healthcare provider, so please leave sufficient time to complete this task.

How to Upload Completed Form

There are two methods to upload 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. Web Submission: You may submit your form directly to Student Health Services through the web submission option.

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


Step 8: Apply for On-Campus Housing & Meal Plan - Recommended

Living on campus is not required, but we recommend that any student interested in on-campus housing apply early. On-campus housing availability is limited and not guaranteed, so start the housing application process early.

Tampa Campus Steps

  • Start by reviewing your housing options and available meal plans on the Tampa campus. Then apply for housing and a meal plan. Housing applications open on September 1 for the Spring semester.
  • NOTE: you cannot select a room through Housing until you reserve a Transfer Orientation date.

St. Petersburg Campus Steps

  • 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 on September 1 for the Spring semester.
  • NOTE: you cannot select a room through Housing until you reserve a Transfer Orientation date.


Step 9: Reserve an Orientation Date - Required

Admitted students must register for, attend and complete all Transfer Orientation requirements. Orientation reservations generally open in October for the Spring semester.

If you fail to reserve and complete a Transfer Orientation, your admission to USF may be cancelled.

Reserve Orientation


Step 10: Review Transfer Next Steps Website - Recommended


FAQs

General

Who is the academic provider for the courses completed in the USF-Verto Study Abroad Program?

The University of New Haven

Are the courses completed through this program transferable to USF?

  • All courses typically map towards general education or elective class requirements, with some course mapping directly to degree program requirements.
  • It is important for you to review the pre-requisite requirements needed for admission to selective programs at USF prior to selecting your courses to ensure you’re meeting those requirements.

Registration Tips for the Verto Program

Please visit the Verto Locations & Coursework section for helpful tips regarding course registration for your Verto semester.

 

Verto Locations

Which Verto locations can I choose?

  • Buenos Aires, Argentina
  • Turrialba, Costa Rica
  • London, England
  • Florence, Italy
  • Prague, Czech Republic
  • Seville, Spain

Am I limited to certain locations based on the major I plan to enroll in at USF?

  • Yes, certain majors are considered selective and require the completion of pre-requisites to maintain your admission to USF under your desired major.
  • Some selective majors are not conducive to participation in the USF-Verto Study Program. These majors include: Nursing, Exercise Science, Chemistry BS, Physics, Physical Science, Biomedical Engineering, or majors within the College of the Arts.

If I’m interested in a selective major, which location is my best choice?

Major Location

Muma College of Business majors (excluding Hospitality Management)

Costa Rica, Florence, Seville. London or Prague (if you're ready to take Calculus)

Biology/Biomedical Sciences/Marine Biology/Microbiology

Florence or Prague

Chemistry BA

Florence or Prague

Environmental Science & Policy

London, Florence, Prague, or Seville

Geology

Florence, London, Prague, or Seville

Hospitality Management

Costa Rica or Seville

Interdisciplinary Natural Sciences

Florence or Prague

Mathematics/Statistics

London, Florence, Prague or Seville

Biomedical/Chemical/Civil/Electrical/ Environmental/Industrial/Mechanical Engineering

Florence or Prague

Computer Science/Engineering

Florence or Prague

CyberSecurity/Information Technology

Costa Rica, Florence, Prague, or Seville

If I’m interested in a non-selective major, which location is my best choice?

Non-selective majors are not limited by location, as they do not require the completion of certain pre-requisites to enter the major. Please feel free to select any of the Verto locations.

 

Verto Semester Requirements While Abroad

What is the minimum GPA I need to earn during the Fall term to successfully matriculate at USF in Spring?

2.5 GPA

NOTE: if you completed dual enrollment coursework during high school, you will need to have an overall cumulative GPA of 2.5 to enroll at USF.

What is the minimum number of credits I must complete during the Fall term?

Students must maintain full-time status, which is 12 credit hours, or about 4 courses. (While USF requires students complete 12 credits, 15 credits is highly suggested.)

Can I study abroad with Verto Education for a year and then go to USF the following Fall?

Pending an academic review and with approval, students may study abroad with Verto for two semesters (one year). Students must connect with USF’s Office of Admissions and their Verto College Counselor to discuss the transfer requirements and necessary course selection to ensure successful transfer and course applicability to their desired major.

What happens if I do not meet the academic requirements outlined above?

A student cannot enroll at USF unless they attain a 2.5 GPA and earn at least 12 credit hours in the USF-Verto Study Abroad Program.

Some majors at USF have additional requirements students need to complete to be admitted directly into the major. What happens if I meet the general academic requirements (i.e., 2.5 GPA and 12+ credits), but do not meet the specific requirements for my major?

If a student does not meet their major requirements, they will need to select a new major.

 

USF Action Items Prior to Going Abroad

Do I need to submit anything to confirm my enrollment with USF?

Students must submit their "Intent to Enroll" (ITE) form by September 15th to secure their place with USF.

My applicant portal is still showing unchecked items. How can I rectify this? Is there a deadline?

Students need to ensure all their missing materials (i.e., official final high school transcript, AP/IB/AICE exam scores, official dual enrollment transcripts) are sent to the Office of Admissions by September 15th.

  • Please note: official transcripts can only be sent by the credit-issuing institution; transcripts sent directly by students cannot be utilized by USF and will not complete their applications.

How will I receive communication from USF about my next steps for enrollment?

  • The Office of Admissions and our campus partners will utilize both your personal and USF emails to communicate with you about your outstanding enrollment requirements.
  • Please review your contact information that USF has on file to ensure you receive this critical enrollment information.
    • Sign in to myUSF and navigate to My Resources > OASIS Student.
    • Navigate to “Personal Information.”
    • Verify that your email address is current and you will have access to it after you graduate from high school.
      • If you do not utilize or no longer have access the listed email address, please change it.

USF Action Items to Complete While Abroad

Are there any majors at USF that are not a good fit for the USF-Verto Study Abroad program?

Yes, these majors include:

  • Nursing
  • Exercise Science
  • Chemistry BS
  • Physics
  • Physical Science
  • Biomedical Engineering
  • Majors within the College of the Arts

Do I need to submit anything to confirm my enrollment with USF?

Students must submit their "Intent to Enroll" (ITE) form by September 15th to secure their place with USF.

Do I need to send USF my mid-semester report?

No. Verto Education will provide USF with mid-semester progress reports showing in-progress courses and grades.

  • If you have below a 2.5 overall GPA mid-semester, your admission to USF for the Spring may be rescinded.

Do I need to take any additional actions during the USF-Verto Study Abroad Program to ensure my matriculation to USF?

Yes, please continue to monitor both your personal and USF emails to ensure you’re completing all of your outstanding enrollment requirements (e.g., application completion, orientation, housing, immunizations) in a timely manner.

Do I need to send my official University of New Haven transcript to USF after my Verto semester ends?

No, Verto Education and the University of New Haven will send all official transcripts directly to the USF Office of Admissions.

 

USF Programs of Study

Are there any majors at USF that require me to complete specific classes before I am eligible to be admitted?

Some majors at USF have additional requirements that students need to complete to be admitted directly into the major.

What happens if I meet the general academic requirements (i.e., 2.5 GPA and 12+ credits) to enroll with USF, but do not meet the specific requirements for my major?

If a student does not meet their specific major requirements, they will need to select a new major.

I am interested in changing my major at USF. How do I go about doing that?

Please request to change your major on your "Intent to Enroll" Form.

NOTE: Major change requests will only be honored if a student meets the criteria to be enrolled in their desired major.

 

USF Enrollment Steps

What are the admissions deposit requirements for USF?

No admissions deposit is required at USF as the student is entering as a transfer student following the completion of their Verto semester.

Is there a deadline to enroll at USF?

  • Students must submit their "Intent to Enroll" (ITE) form by September 15th to secure their place with USF.
  • Students should also complete their USF application by submitting all missing materials (i.e., official final high school transcript, AP/IB/AICE exam scores, official dual enrollment transcripts) by September 15th.

Is there a single place where I can view all of the items I need to complete for USF Spring enrollment?

Yes, this is called your myBullsPath portal. myBullsPath is one-stop student on-boarding portal that allows you to complete your enrollment tasks all in one place.

Do I need to attend USF Orientation?

Yes, all students are required to attend a USF Transfer Orientation Session. This orientation session will occur after the completion of the Verto semester.

Please see the Office of Orientation website for your respective campus and review the USF Orientation section of this FAQ for more information regarding orientation.

I have not sent USF my immunization records, will this cause any issues?

You cannot register for courses until USF receives your completed Medical History and Immunizations Form.

NOTE: this form requires formal authorization from a healthcare provider, so please leave sufficient time to complete this task.

 

USF Housing

Is on-campus housing required at USF?

Students are not required to live on campus.

Is on-campus housing guaranteed at USF?

Spring housing availability is extremely limited and not guaranteed. Students who are interested in living on campus, need to apply for housing as soon as the housing application opens.

When does the housing application open?

When should I reserve my on-campus housing for the USF Spring term? What does that process entail?

  • Students need to submit the housing application as soon as it opens and pay their $50 housing application fee.
  • Room selection generally opens in mid-November.
    • Students cannot select their rooms until they complete their housing application, submit their housing application fee ($50), and register for orientation.
  • Review Housing & Residential Education’s website for more information about the housing application process.

I have additional questions about USF on-campus housing, who should I reach out to?

  • Each campus has their own Housing & Residential Education that handles all aspects of on-campus housing for their respective campus. Please contact Housing & Residential Education for your home campus.
    • Tampa Campus: 813-974-0001 / housing@usf.edu
    • St. Petersburg Campus: 727-873-5101 / stp-housing@usf.edu

USF Orientation

Do I need to attend USF orientation?

Yes, all students are required to attend a USF Transfer Orientation Session. This orientation session will occur after the completion of the Verto semester.

When can I register for orientation?

  • Orientation registration will open in October for students starting at USF in the spring semester.
  • Students can register on the Office of Orientation’s website or on their myBullsPath portal.
  • If you are interested in living on-campus, you should register for orientation as soon as possible. It is one of the steps in the on-campus housing room selection process.

When will I choose my classes for my USF Spring term?

Students will meet with their academic advisor during the orientation process, which begins after they register for orientation.

I have additional questions about orientation, who should I reach out to?

Each campus has their own Office of Orientation that handles all aspects of orientation for their respective campus. Please contact the Office of Orientation for your home campus.


Contact Us

Thank you for your interest in the USF-Verto Study Abroad Program. Our team at USF and our partners at Verto Education are happy to assist with any questions you may have about this great program.

  • For questions specifically related to your semester abroad with Verto, please direct all of your questions to usfadmissions@vertoeducation.org or +1 617-356-0681.
  • For questions specifically related to your admission to USF, please contact the USF Office of Admissions at vertoeducation@usf.edu.

To request more information about the USF-Verto Study Abroad Program, please complete an interest form and our partners with Verto Education will be in contact in 1-3 business days.

Interest Form