Admission Information
Transfer Admission Requirements
Admissions at USF is more competitive than ever, but we've kept the process of applying simple. Unless otherwise noted, our transfer requirements and deadlines are consistent across our campuses.
Learn About Transfer Student Types
When you apply to USF, our admissions team will determine your transfer level based on the information you submit information. Here's how we define each transfer level:
- Lower-Level: You have completed 12-59 credit hours as determined by the USF Office of Admissions.
- Upper-Level: You have completed 60+ credit hours as determined by the USF Office of Admissions.
- Second Bachelor’s Degree: You have already completed and received a bachelor's degree.
- Former USF Student Returning: You have previously completed for-credit courses as a degree-seeking student at the University of South Florida.
Please note: To be considered a transfer applicant, you must have completed at least 12 hours of post-secondary work after your high school graduation. If your college hours were completed during high school, apply as a first-time-in-college (FTIC) student.
If you're unsure of how courses may transfer from your institution to USF, use our Course Equivalency tool to get an estimate.
| Lower-Level | Upper-Level | Second Bachelor's Degree | Former USF Student Returning | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Application for Admission |
Yes | Yes |
Yes
|
Yes
|
| Application fee or NACAC application fee waiver |
Yes | Yes |
Yes
|
Yes
|
| Official high school transcript(s) or official GED |
Yes | Encouraged |
No
|
Encouraged
|
| Official SAT, ACT or CLT |
Yes* | No |
No
|
No
|
| Official transcripts from each college or university attended |
Yes | Yes |
Yes
|
Yes
|
*Applicants with 30+ completed hours (excluding in-progress courses) and a C or better in college-level English and math may have the test score requirement waived if they meet all general admissions requirements.
Transfer Academic Requirements
Lower-Level Transfer Applicants
You must have successfully completed at least 67% of all credit hours attempted at your current and previously enrolled institutions. You must also meet the Florida Board of Governors minimums. A 2.50 transfer or postsecondary transferrable GPA (3.60 for nursing) is required.
- Transfer post-secondary GPA ≥ 2.5
- High school GPA ≥ 2.5
- High school units: 4 English, 4 math, 3 natural science, 3 social science, 2 foreign language
- Test score requirements:
- SAT
-
Evidence-Based Reading & Writing ≥ 490
- Mathematics ≥ 480
-
- ACT
- ACT Reading ≥ 19, ACT English ≥ 17, ACT Math ≥ 19
- CLT
- Verbal Reasoning + Grammar/Writing ≥ 38
- Quantitative Reasoning ≥ 16
- SAT
You will need to submit:
- Application to USF
- Application fee
- Official high school transcripts
- Official college transcripts
- Official SAT, ACT or CLT scores
Find full details on how to apply to USF on our How to Apply page.
Upper-Level Transfer Applicants
You are considered an upper-level transfer applicant if you have graduated from high school and obtained 60+ transferrable credits. You must have successfully completed at least 67% of all credit hours attempted at your current and previously enrolled institutions.
Please note:
- For each credit hour beyond 132 (for students in a 120-hour degree program), students will be charged double the tuition rate.
- For each credit hour exceeding 110% of the credit hours required for their degree program, students will be charged double the tuition rate.
- Students who have attempted 180 credit hours are no longer eligible for financial aid as an undergraduate (including federal student loans).
GPA requirements:
- C or better in college-level English composition course
- C or better in college-level math course
- With an Associate of Arts (AA) from a Florida College System institution
- Transfer GPA ≥ 2.0
- Without an Associate of Arts (AA) from a Florida College System institution
- Transfer GPA ≥ 2.3
You will need to submit:
- Application to USF
- Application fee
- Official college transcripts
Find full details on how to apply to USF on our How to Apply page.
Second Bachelor’s Degree Applicants
You are considered a second bachelor’s degree applicant if you have already completed and been awarded a bachelor’s degree. You are expected to take only those courses necessary to complete a degree within three terms.
Please note:
- For each credit hour beyond 132 (for students in a 120-hour degree program), students will be charged double the tuition rate.
- For each credit hour exceeding 110% of the credit hours required for their degree program, students will be charged double the tuition rate.
- Students who have attempted 180 credit hours are no longer eligible for financial aid as an undergraduate (including federal student loans).
GPA requirements:
- With a USF bachelor’s degree
- Bachelor’s GPA ≥ 2.0
- Without a USF bachelor’s degree
- Bachelors GPA ≥ 2.5
You will need to submit:
- Application to USF
- Application fee
- Official college transcripts
Find full details on how to apply to USF as a second bachelor's degree-seeking student on our How to Apply page.
Former USF Student Returning (FSR) Applicants
You are considered a Former Student Returning (FSR) applicant if you have previously completed degree-seeking coursework for credit at the University of South Florida.
Requirements:
- USF GPA ≥ 2.0
- Overall GPA ≥ 2.0
- In good standing and eligible to return to the last institution attended
- Minimum GPA for the declared major; prerequisites met, if applicable
You will need to submit:
- Application to USF
- Application fee
- Official college transcripts
- ARC Petition
Find full details on how to apply as a returning USF student on our How to Apply page.
Priority Admission Consideration
Transfer applicants who have received an Associate of Arts (A.A.) degree from a Florida public institution immediately prior to transferring receive priority consideration for transfer admissions to USF, provided the transfer application and all required application materials are received by the Office of Admissions by the transfer deadline. Applicants applying for Selective Majors must meet additional requirements for their intended major.
Please note: All high school students, including those earning an A.A. degree through dual enrollment, must submit a freshman (first-year) application to USF by the freshman deadline. For more information about applying as a freshman with a Florida A.A. degree, please click here.
Additional Requirements for Selective Majors
Even if you meet the general admissions requirements for your applicant type, your admission into specific academic programs may depend on meeting additional requirements, such as:
- Prerequisites
- Higher GPA
- Audition
- Portfolio
- Any other supplemental materials
Please look at your intended academic college and major to see if they have any additional admissions requirements.
Additional requirements are also outlined in the Undergraduate Catalog.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Foreign Language Entrance Requirement (FLENT)?
To graduate from USF, students must have two academic units of the same foreign language in high school or two semesters of the same foreign language or American Sign Language (ASL) in college.
- If you've already completed the requirement before attending USF: Submit official transcripts showing your completed foreign language or ASL courses.
- If you haven't completed the requirement before attending USF: You must take foreign language coursework while at USF to graduate.
How to Meet FLENT Requirements Before Attending:
If you do not plan on taking foreign language coursework at USF, you must demonstrate completion or in-progress work for one of the options below to pass the FLENT requirement:
- Two academic units (years) of the same foreign language or American sign language in high school (9th-12th grades), or one academic unit (year) at level 2
- Two passing semesters of the same foreign language (e.g., SPN 1120 and SPN 1121) or sign language in college, earning no less than eight credit hours
- Successfully passing the USF Language Placement Test by placing into the third course or higher
- Passing College Level Examination Program (CLEP) Foreign Language subject test level 2
- One year of an Advanced Placement (AP) foreign language class in high school.
- Advanced Placement (AP) Credit for two semesters (AP score = 4)
- Passing the Brigham Young University (BYU) Foreign Language Achievement Testing Services (FLATS) test
What if I'm fluent in another language?
To be considered for admission to USF, you must have completed two units (years) of instruction in a foreign language. However, you may meet this requirement instead by documenting your proficiency in a second language.
- In Florida, the course number that is designated to indicate a foreign language waiver is 0791920 with the course title "Bright Futures Foreign Language Proficiency Waiver."
- Refer to the Florida Counseling for Future Education Handbook for a list of ways to document proficiency in a second language in order to qualify for a foreign language waiver.
If you meet the waiver requirements, work with your guidance counselor to document the waiver on your transcript, or via a letter to the Office of Admissions.
Does USF have an essay requirement?
No. We do not request an essay or personal statement to be evaluated for admission to USF. Any essay or personal statement that you submit will not be opened or reviewed.
What if I completed dual enrollment courses?
All high school students, including those earning an A.A. degree through dual enrollment, must submit a freshman (first-year) application to USF by the freshman deadline. They are not considered transfer students. Only students who have earned 12 or more credits after high school graduation are considered transfer students.