Current Students

Frequently Asked Questions

If your question does not appear below, please refer to the Office of Graduate Studies Contact Us for a list of contacts based on area.

How do I add a course after the add/drop deadline?

Graduate Students who need to add a course(s) after the add/drop deadline (first week of classes) may petition to Late Add a course using the Graduate Studies Petition. Students requesting a Late Add will be responsible for a $100 Late Registration Fee.

This request should be submitted as soon as the student recognizes the need to add a course.

  1. Clear any holds and/or pay any outstanding balances in OASIS.
  2. Complete the Graduate Studies Petition Form.
  3. Submit form and student statement to your program. A list of contacts by major can be found here.
  4. Your program will initiate the final approvals in your College and in the Office of Graduate Studies.
  5. Monitor your OASIS account regularly to confirm changes in your registration under Student > Registration > Active Registration.

Student registration changes are defined under USF Policy 10-006 Student Registration Changes, Initial, Drop/Add, Withdrawal, and Auditing.

How do I withdraw for a course after the add/drop deadline?

Graduate Students may withdraw from a course(s) in OASIS by the published deadline in the Academic Calendar. Under exceptional circumstances, graduate students may use the Graduate Studies Petition to petition for a withdrawal from one or more course(s) following the published deadline up to the last week of classes.

This action should be initiated as soon as the student recognizes the need to withdraw from a course.

Student registration changes are defined under USF Policy 10-006 Student Registration Changes, Initial, Drop/Add, Withdrawal, and Auditing. Withdrawals to avoid fee or academic penalty will not be permitted.

Prior to the Withdrawal Deadline

  1. Log into OASIS.
  2. Navigate to the Student tab and select Registration > Register, Add or Drop Classes.
  3. Choose Drop in the drop-down menu under Action for the course you would like to drop.

Fee liability applies – refer to the Fee Adjustment Process to see if you qualify for a fee-adjustment.

Following the Withdrawal Deadline and Prior to the Last Week of Classes

  1. Clear any holds and/or pay any outstanding balances in OASIS.
  2. Complete the Graduate Studies Petition Form.
  3. A withdrawal for medical reasons should be accompanied by a Graduate Medical Form.
  4. Submit form and student statement documenting exceptional circumstances to your program. A list of contacts by major can be found here.
  5. Your program will initiate the final approvals in your College and in the Office of Graduate Studies.
  6. Monitor your OASIS account regularly to confirm changes in your registration under Student > Registration > Active Registration.

Fee liability applies – refer to the Fee Adjustment Process to see if you qualify for a fee-adjustment.

Following the Last Week of Classes

Graduate Students who wish to withdraw from ALL courses following the last week of classes may do so under exceptional circumstances within the first 6 months from the end of the semester. Retroactive reduced course load requests will not be considered to address academic liability.

  1. Clear any holds and/or pay any outstanding balances in OASIS.
  2. Complete the Graduate Studies Petition Form.
  3. A withdrawal for medical reasons should be accompanied by a Graduate Medical Form.
  4. Submit form and student statement documenting exceptional circumstances to your program. A list of contacts by major can be found here.
  5. Your program will initiate the final approvals in your College and in the Office of Graduate Studies.
  6. Monitor your OASIS account regularly to confirm changes in your registration.

Fee liability applies – refer to the Fee Adjustment Process to see if you qualify for a fee-adjustment.

Am I eligible for a fee adjustment if I withdrew from a course?

Students who can provide proof of withdrawal under certain State-defined conditions within six (6) months of the end of the term may apply for consideration of a 100% refund of tuition and fees. These conditions are defined under USF Regulation 4.0101 Student Registration section V subsection C.

To submit a Fee Adjustment Request, complete the Fee Adjustment Request Form and submit to aa-far@usf.edu. For additional information, refer to the Fee Adjustment Process.

The Graduate Medical Form must accompany any Fee Adjustment Request submitted for a medical withdrawal.

This process is independent of the Office of Graduate Studies. All questions regarding this process should be directed to aa-far@usf.edu.

What is a Leave of Absence and how do I take one?

Students experiencing exceptional and unavoidable circumstances may request a Leave of Absence (LOA). The LOA will suspend the time limit requirement for the graduate major. Students requesting a LOA must request a minimum of three (3) consecutive semesters up to a maximum of six (6) consecutive semesters (2 years). To request a LOA, students must:

  1. Complete the Graduate Leave of Absence Request Form
  2. Submit the completed form and student statement requesting the leave to your program. A list of contacts by major can be found here.
  3. Your program will initiate the final approvals in your College and in the Office of Graduate Studies.
  4. Monitor your OASIS account to confirm changes in your student status under Student > Registration > Registration Status.

After 3 semesters of no enrollment, you will become inactive and lose access to University resources. These resources will be restored when you return from your LOA.

How do I return from an approved Leave of Absence?

Students returning from an approved Leave of Absence will need to request reactivation of their student status by the Office of the Registrar.

Masters, Specialist, and Doctoral Students

  1. Email the Registrar’s Office at asktheregistrar@usf.edu no less than two months prior to your returning semester. In the email:
    1. Indicate that you have been on an approved leave of absence and you would like to be reactivated. Include your name and USF ID# (DO NOT use your Social Security number).
    2. Indicate the semester that you would like to return and request a registration appointment.

  2. Check OASIS for your registration appointment time under Student > Registration > Registration Status and register for classes when applicable.

Doctoral Candidates

Doctoral Candidates must request readmission to doctoral candidacy to register in dissertation hours. Candidates have an additional step to return from an approved LOA.

Once your status has been reactivated and you have been assigned a registration appointment.

  1. Submit the Readmission to Doctoral Candidacy Form to your program. A list of contacts by major can be found here.
  2. Your program will initiate the final approvals in your College and in the Office of Graduate Studies
  3. Monitor your OASIS account to confirm changes in your student status under Student > Registration > Registration Status.
  4. When your status reflects Doctoral Candidate you may register in dissertation hours.

Is there DegreeWorks for Graduate Students?

There are no degree works for graduate students at this time. You should meet with your program coordinator to discuss your program of study for your degree major.

Where can I find Research or Teaching Assistant Positions?

Research and teaching assistant positions are available through your respective programs.

Visit the Graduate Assistantships Resource Center

Apply and search through Careers@USF