Scholars

Required Funding

Scholar Funding  

Scholars must show adequate financial support for all living expenses, including additional financial support for any accompanying family members.  The primary source of funding should be from an institutional, government, or organizational source. Personal funds may be used only as supplemental funding and cannot be the sole source of funding. 
Scholars may be funded through a university position. The most common positions are visiting professor, visiting researcher, postdoctoral researcher, and visiting scholar. If the department offers the scholar a position at USF, the position duties must correspond with the planned academic activity.   

Scholars must show adequate financial support for all living expenses, including additional financial support for any accompanying family members.  The primary source of funding should be from an institutional, government, or organizational source. Personal funds may be used only as supplemental funding and cannot be the sole source of funding.

Department Invitation Letter

Department faculty hosts should send the scholar an official invitation letter that outlines the planned academic activity, expected outcomes for the visit, and dates of participation.  This letter must be signed by the supervising faculty member and the department chair or equivalent.  Here is a sample invitation letter.  

Estimated Expenses for One Year
Category Estimated Cost
Housing & Meals $18,656
Health Insurance $3,518
Other Expenses** $4,850
TOTAL $27,024
  • Plus $5000 per year per dependent.
  • *includes utilities (electricity, water, gas, phone, internet, cable TV) $100 - $200 per month.  Often part of rent.
  • **other expenses include transportation and miscellaneous personal expenses (such as laundry, toiletries, clothing, & entertainment.)

Sample Costs

  • Personal Care Products/Toiletries - $35 per month
  • Laundry costs $1.00 to wash and $1.00 to dry at most laundromats.
  • Taxi rates in Tampa are $2.50 plus $2.40 per mile.
  • Uber/Lyft rates in Tampa are $1.25 plus 13 cents per mile 

USF Costs

The university charges no direct fees. Some services at the university are funded through enrolled student fees.  Therefore, the following university services have costs: