Student Support Services
Services
The Student Support Services (SSS) Program provides a wide range of services tailored to the individual needs of each student, from personal counseling to financial aid assistance. Our services help students make a smooth and successful transition from high school to college. Students in our program can feel confident knowing that our staff will provide guidance, support, and connections to resources that promote their academic and personal success.
Summer Bridge Program
The primary goal of the seven-week residential summer program is to help students
develop the academic, personal, and life skills needed for a successful college experience.
This required seven-week experience includes:
- An extensive Week of Welcome
- Nine credit hours of summer coursework that count toward graduation
- A series of college success workshops designed to strengthen academic and personal development skills
- SSS participants serve as peer coaches who live in the residence halls and help incoming students become acclimated to USF and college life.
Housing
SSS students receive reserved on-campus housing for their first year of participation in the program (summer '27, fall '27 & spring '28). Florida residency is required for all SSS students. SSS participants are housed together for the year to promote community building within the cohort. Living on campus allows students to fully engage in the college experience, build relationships with peers, and take advantage of the many opportunities available at USF. Students are encouraged to participate in campus events, student organizations, clubs, and intramural sports.
Financial Aid Assistance
USF's Office of Financial Aid provides a designated financial aid analyst to assist Student Support Services participants. Additionally, the SSS team is specialized in helping students navigate complex financial aid situations in collaboration with campus partners.
Coaching
Student Support Services counselors help students identify and overcome challenges that may arise during their transition to university life. Such as:
- Personal Coaching- Students can receive support for personal concerns related to family, relationships, stress, anxiety, and decision-making. When appropriate, referrals are made to licensed counseling professionals.
- Academic Coaching- Counselors work with students on academic concerns, including time management, study strategies, test anxiety, and other issues related to academic success at USF.
- Career Coaching- Students can receive guidance regarding career exploration, major selection, job search concerns, and career decision-making. Staff members can also connect students with resources through USF Career Services.
Tutoring
USF's Academic Success Center offers free tutoring services through professional staff and peer tutors. Support
is available in mathematics, science, economics, foreign languages, and many other
subject areas.
Registration
Students in SSS are registered for summer courses prior to their arrival on campus by the SSS team. SSS students also have the opportunity to earn priority registration by participating in designated workshops and completing required appointments with their counselor. We encourage all students to enroll full-time each semester to support timely progress toward graduation.
College Success Workshops
SSS participants are exposed to a variety of topics and speakers to provide essential information related to being a successful college student.
Workshop topics include:
- Student rights and responsibilities
- Healthy relationships
- Financial aid overview
- Conflict resolution
- Economic & financial literacy
- Academic and campus resources
- Mental sell-being
- Academic success stratagies
- Campus resources
- Campus life engagement
- Resumes & cover letters
- Graduate & professional school application assistance