Admission Information

Transfer How to Apply

USF transfer students taking a campus tour.

You’ll apply using USF’s online application, but before diving in, watch our transfer application tutorial video or review our tutorial guide. We’ll walk you through the entire process!

  

PDF Guide

 

APPLY IN A FEW EASY STEPS

Ready to get started? Select your transfer type to see all the steps required to complete your application package. You can also download our Transfer Application Steps Guide if you need it later.

If you aren't sure what type of transfer student you are, check out our General Requirements for All Majors section of our website.

Lower-Level Applicants (High school graduates with 12-29 transferrable credits)

1. Submit Your Application 

Complete the USF online application.


2. Pay Your Application Fee

Pay the nonrefundable, $30 application fee or submit an ACT or SAT application fee waiver* to transfer@usf.edu.


3. Submit Your Official High School Transcripts


4. Submit Official College Transcript(s)

Ask every school you’ve attended to send transcripts to USF electronically. Electronic transcripts transmitted to USF from the Florida College System do not include courses from other colleges/universities. It is highly recommended you have transcripts from any prior schools sent electronically to USF.


5. Submit Your SAT, ACT or CLT Scores

You will need to submit test scores directly from the testing service to be considered for admission.

  • SAT Code for USF: 5828
  • ACT Code for USF: 0761
  • CLT: Please select University of South Florida from dropdown on CLT website
    • Note: USF is accepting test scores from CLT tests taken on or after July 1, 2023.

 

Mid-Level Applicants (High school graduates with 30-59 transferrable credits)

1. Submit Your Application 

Complete the USF online application.


2. Pay Your Application Fee

Pay the nonrefundable, $30 application fee or submit an ACT or SAT application fee waiver* to transfer@usf.edu.


3. Submit Your Official High School Transcripts


4. Submit Official College Transcript(s)

Ask every school you’ve attended to send transcripts to USF electronically. Electronic transcripts transmitted to USF from the Florida College System do not include courses from other colleges/universities. It is highly recommended you have transcripts from any prior schools sent electronically to USF.

Upper-Level Applicants (High school graduates with 60+ transferrable credits)

1. Submit Your Application 

Complete the USF online application.


2. Pay Your Application Fee

Pay the nonrefundable, $30 application fee.


3. Submit Official College Transcript(s)

Ask every school you’ve attended to send transcripts to USF electronically. Electronic transcripts transmitted to USF from the Florida College System do not include courses from other colleges/universities. It is highly recommended you have transcripts from any prior schools sent electronically to USF.

Second Baccalaureate (College graduates seeking to earn a second bachelor’s degree)

1. Submit Your Application 

Complete the USF online application.


2. Pay Your Application Fee

Pay the nonrefundable, $30 application fee.


3. Submit Official College Transcript(s)

Ask every school you’ve attended to send transcripts to USF electronically. Electronic transcripts transmitted to USF from the Florida College System do not include courses from other colleges/universities. It is highly recommended you have transcripts from any prior schools sent electronically to USF.

Former Students Returning (High school graduates with some credits earned at USF seeking to return)

1. Submit Your Application 

Complete the USF online application.


2. Pay Your Application Fee

Pay the nonrefundable, $30 application fee.


3. Submit Official College Transcript(s)

Ask every school you’ve attended to send transcripts to USF electronically. Electronic transcripts transmitted to USF from the Florida College System do not include courses from other colleges/universities. It is highly recommended you have transcripts from any prior schools sent electronically to USF.


4. Submit an Academic Regulations Committee (ARC) Petition 

If you were academically dismissed from USF, were on academic probation or have a cumulative USF GPA less than 2.0, please complete and submit an ARC Petition.

That’s it! Once you’ve completed all the required steps, the admissions team will take some time to review your file and render a decision.


When to Apply

Regardless of your transfer type, follow this general rule to determine when to apply as a transfer student:

  • If you are currently enrolled at another college or university: apply no more than 90 days before your final grades will be posted for the current semester. (e.g., if your final semester grades will be posted on June 1, apply after March 1 for transfer admission to USF.)
  • If you are not currently enrolled at another college or university: apply as soon as you are ready with all required documents needed for an admissions decision.

GET TO KNOW THE APPLICANT PORTAL

Once you apply, you’ll use USF's Applicant Portal to complete most remaining application tasks. From here, you can see any missing items, upload documents, complete requested forms, check your application status and more. Access the portal any time by logging in with your NetID and password. 

You should receive an email from USF Information Technology after you submit your application with information on how to activate your NetID. If you have any NetID issues, please contact USF Information Technology at help@usf.edu.

Applicant Portal


CHECK YOUR RESIDENCY STATUS 

When you apply to USF, the Office of Admissions uses information on your application to determine whether you are an in-state or out-of-state resident. This classification is important because it sets your tuition rates.

If we don’t receive enough information on your application to determine residency, you will be classified as a non-Florida resident for tuition purposes. It’s very important to respond to requests for information about your residency as soon as possible. Learn more about how residency is determined and how to ensure you’re classified correctly. 

Residency Information


SUBMIT YOUR FINAL TRANSCRIPTS

Please note: If admitted, your admission is contingent upon submitting final high school transcripts and college transcripts before the first day of classes. Learn more about how to submit your final transcripts.  

Submit Transcripts


HAVE QUESTIONS?  

We’re here to help! Check out our blog post, Your Admissions Questions Answered, for information on the most common inquiries, or reach out to an admissions recruiter at any time.

*We will waive your admissions application fee if you can show evidence that the fee creates severe financial hardship and serves as a deterrent to your ability to seek admission to USF. Please submit an original ACT or SAT Request for Deferral/Waiver of College Admission Application Fee Waiver Form. Typically, you may secure this via your high school guidance counselor who will send it to USF on your behalf. Although this is the easiest way to ensure the waiver of an application fee, the Director of Admissions also will consider requests for a waiver.