Next Steps
Freshman Next Steps | Tampa Campus
Congratulations on your admission to USF! We are so excited to welcome you to our dynamic, metropolitan Tampa campus. Follow these steps to enroll as an official USF student and prepare for the first day of classes.
You can explore all required needs to enroll at USF or jump to the section relevant to you:
IMMEDIATELY UPON ADMISSION
You will be able to complete the following steps immediately after admission to USF.
Please note that activating your NetID is the first step to enrolling at USF, if you have not done so yet.
You may complete the next steps in any order—but we recommend paying your admission deposit as soon as possible to secure your spot at USF. In this section, you’ll:
- Pay Your Admissions Deposit
- Verify/Update Personal Information
- Submit Medical History and Immunization Form
- Apply for On-Campus Housing
Pay Your Admissions Deposit | Required for all freshman students
This is the first official step to secure your spot at USF. You will need to submit your admission deposit to start on your next steps, like reserving an Orientation date and confirming your on-campus room assignment.
More Details
Freshmen are required to pay a nonrefundable admission deposit of $200. The deposit will be applied toward your first semester’s tuition charge. The deposit is due by May 1 for students admitted for the summer or fall term.
This nonrefundable deposit will both confirm and reserve your place in the class and is separate from the housing prepayment. Failure to pay the deposit by the deadline may result in the cancellation of your admission offer and admissions scholarships.
Deposit Waiver Request
If you think you qualify for an admission deposit waiver due to financial hardship, please email admissions@usf.edu to place your request with the appropriate justification.
After your waiver is applied, you will need to log into myBullsPath, click on the “Pay Admission Deposit” tile and then click on “Commit to Attending USF”.
Fill Out Your FAFSA Form | Recommended for all students
Make sure to fill out your FAFSA as soon as possible to qualify for the most aid possible. If you have questions about the FAFSA, check out our site here.
Verify/Update Information | Recommended for all students
Verify or Update Residency Status
- To view your classification, log into the applicant portal and your residency status should display under your “Applicant Info.”
- To update your classification as a Florida resident for tuition purposes, log in to the applicant portal, select “Forms”, complete a Residency Declaration Form, and upload any requested documentation.
- Please note: All admissions scholarship disbursements are based on residency status. If your residency status changes, your award allocation will be updated.
For full information on determining residency, check out our Residency webpage.
Verify Personal Information
- To view/update your mailing address, telephone number and email address, log in to myUSF and navigate to My Resources > Student Self-Service > Student Record > View & Update My Personal Information
Accept Admissions Scholarship (Optional - As Needed)
If you were awarded an automatic admissions scholarship, please make sure to accept the Terms and Conditions of the scholarship to ensure aid disbursement.
- Portal: Student Self-Service
- Navigation: myUSF > My Resources > Student Self-Service > Financial Aid > Award Offer > Select “Accept” to verify that you understand the terms and conditions associated with your award
Update Campus, Term of Entry or Major (Optional - As Needed)
- To change your campus, term of entry or major, visit the applicant portal, select “Forms” and complete an Application Update Form.
- If your campus or term of entry was changed by USF during the application process, you are not eligible to update back to the original campus or term of entry requested on your application.
Submit Medical History and Immunization Form | Required for all students
You cannot register for courses until your completed Medical History and Immunizations Form has been received, so be sure to submit it in a timely fashion.
Please note: This form requires formal authorization from a healthcare provider, so please ensure you leave time to complete this task for enrollment.
How to Upload Completed Form
There are two methods to upload your completed form:
- myBullsPath: You can log into myBullsPath using your NetID and password. After clicking on the “Submit Required Health Documents” card, you may submit your form directly through the portal. Click “Submit Medical History & Immunization Form” at the top of the page, and you will be prompted to upload your documents from your device to myBullsPath.
- Web Submission: You may submit your form directly to Student Health Services through the web submission option.
Please do not send in the form to the Office of Admissions directly. Submit the form only through the approved options above.
Apply for Housing and Meal Plan | Recommended for all freshman students
Living on campus is not required for freshmen but we recommend any student interested
in on-campus housing apply early. Spaces for on-campus housing will fill up quickly and are not guaranteed to incoming
students, so start the housing application process as soon as possible.
Start by reviewing your housing options and available meal plans on the Tampa campus. Then apply for housing and a meal plan. Housing applications open during the following
months each year based on entry term:
- Spring Semester: October 1
- Fall Semester: Upon admission to the university
- Summer Semester: March 2025
Please note: You will not be able to select a room through Housing until you submit an admission deposit and reserve an Orientation date.
AFTER SUBMITTING ADMISSIONs DEPOSIT
Submitting your admission deposit informs us of your intention to attend USF. You can complete the following steps concurrently after submitting your deposit.
You may complete the next steps in any order—but we recommend applying for housing and reserving an Orientation date as soon as they each become available as space fills up quickly. In this section, you’ll:
- Apply for Housing and Dining - If Not Already Completed
- Reserve an Orientation Date
- Take the Math Placement Test
- Access the USF Parent & Family Portal
If Not Completed - Apply for Housing and Meal Plan | Recommended for all freshman students
Living on campus is not required for freshmen but we recommend any student interested
in on-campus housing apply early. Spaces for on-campus housing will fill up quickly and are not guaranteed to incoming
students, so start the housing application process as soon as possible.
Start by reviewing your housing options and available meal plans on the Tampa campus. Then apply for housing and a meal plan. Housing applications open during the following
months each year based on entry term:
- Spring Semester: October 1
- Fall Semester: Upon admission to the university
- Summer Semester: March 2025
Please note: You will not be able to select a room through Housing until you reserve an Orientation date.
Reserve an Orientation Date | Required for all freshman students
Admitted freshmen must register for, attend and complete all Orientation requirements. At Orientation, you’ll register for courses, so be sure to sign up for the earliest Orientation date possible to benefit from increased class availability. Orientation reservations open during the following months each year based on entry term:
- Spring Semester - October
- Summer and Fall Semesters - February
If you fail to reserve and complete Orientation, your admission to USF may be canceled.
Please note: If you received an Admission Deposit Waiver, you will need to click “Commit to Attending USF” through the “Pay Admission Deposit” tile on myBullsPath to reserve an Orientation date.
Access the USF Parent & Family Portal | Recommended for all freshman families
In order to stay up-to-date on all things USF, we recommend that parents and families sign up for the USF Parent & Family Portal. This invaluable tool will help you ensure your Bull stays on top of upcoming deadlines, housing information and additional USF resources.
Access the USF Parent & Family Portal
AFTER HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION
Submit Final High School Transcript - Required for all freshman students
Immediately after your high school graduation date is reflected on your transcript, you must submit a final high school transcript and any college transcripts from dual enrollment courses. Your admission is contingent upon submitting final transcripts, and we may rescind your admission offer and financial aid (including Bright Futures) will not disburse if they are not received by the first day of class.
Submit Dual Enrollment, AP, IB, AICE, etc., Scores - Optional/as needed for freshman students
Scores from any examination that may grant college credit, including Advanced Placement or International Baccalaureate, should be sent to the Office of Admissions as soon as they are available. Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate scores must be sent electronically. All eligible credit-by-exam equivalents will be listed on the USF catalog for reference.
Credit-By-Exam Equivalent Information
AFTER ATTENDING ORIENTATION
You may complete the next steps in any order—along with the steps in the “Before the First Day of Classes” section. In this section, you’ll:
- Purchase a USFCard
- Purchase a Parking Permit
Purchase a USFCard - Required for all students
Your USFCard will be used while you are on campus, including at dining locations and to verify your identity. Request a USFCard before you start at USF through the online process below and pick up your card in-person at SVC 1032.
Purchase a Parking Permit - Required for students parking on campus
Parking permits are required on campus 24/7. Make sure to register your vehicle and pay for your decal before the semester begins.
BEFORE FIRST DAY OF CLASSES
You may complete the next steps in any order.
Complete Required Course Modules
AlcoholEDU and Sexual Assault Prevention for Undergraduates (SAPU)
Within the first few weeks of the semester starting, you should receive an email from Vector Solutions (@safecolleges.com) in your USF Outlook email. The email will provide you with your personal link and instructions for completing these courses.
Each course consists of two parts. Part 2 of each course will open 30 days after you complete Part 1.
For more information, visit the Life Skills for Student Success website.
Complete Unsatisfied Requirements and Accept Financial Aid Awards
Verify if you have any unsatisfied Financial Aid requirements in Student Self-Service prior to your first day of classes.
- Portal: Student Self-Service
- Navigation: MyUSF > My Resources > Student Self-Service > Financial Aid > Complete Unsatisfied Requirements
Sign Up for eDeposit
The University of South Florida offers the electronic deposit process called eDeposit to all of our customers. eDeposit allows your net financial aid and student refunds to be directly deposited into your personal bank account.
- Portal: Student Self-Service
- Navigation: MyUSF > My Resources > Student Self-Service > Tutition & Fees > Sign Up for eDeposit
Moving Into Housing
If you’re living on campus at USF, you will need to consult the Move-In guide for your entry term to make sure you complete each step prior to move-in.
Check out USF’s move-in checklist for everything you should bring with you or leave at home.
Familiarize Yourself with USF Tools and Information
Familiarize yourself with:
- CANVAS and review your course syllabi.
- USF important dates.
- USF’s bill due date schedule.
- Key USF policies, including the Code of Conduct.
- BullsConnect, USF’s student engagement portal for finding events and clubs on campus.
Purchase and Organize Supplies for Courses
- The Tampa campus bookstore has a large selection of textbooks, course materials and supplies, or you can purchase from another vendor. Your course syllabi will often recommend supplies you may need for the course but a good rule of thumb is to have: note-taking supplies (pen and paper or a laptop), required textbooks and a planner to keep yourself organized.
- The Tampa campus offers computer lab usage for students, which also provides free printing and handicap-accessible computers.
- We have highlighted specific college apps you might find useful for classes on our Admit-a-Bull blog.
Accessibility Accommodations (Optional - As Needed)
First-year students may apply for accommodations once admitted to the University of South Florida. Students are responsible for identifying themselves to Student Accessibility Services and presenting proper medical documentation to receive academic accommodations.
Examples of accommodations can include but are not limited to:
- Alternative Text
- Class Notes and Note Takers
- Test Taking Accommodations
- Hearing Impairment Accommodations
For a full list of accommodations and how to apply, visit the Student Accessibility Services website.
Pay Tuition and Fees (Due by First Friday of Semester, 5 p.m. ET)
- Portal: Student Self-Service
- Navigation: MyUSF > My Resources > Student Self-Service > Tuition & Fees > Pay My Bill
Please note: If you received a scholarship award and need assistance on Tuition Deferment, visit the Office of Financial Aid website.
OTHER HELPFUL RESOURCES
Check out our blog for articles on how to successfully navigate the start of your college experience:
- 5 Tips to Meet New People at College
- What to Expect When You Start College
- 5 Things College Students Want Their Parents to Know
- How to Succeed During Your First Year at College
- 5 Tips to De-Stress for New College Students
- Money 101: The College Student Budget
- Going to College Tips from a College Student
USF strives to make our websites and digital content available to persons with disabilities by assuring compatibility with assistive technologies. If you are having difficulty viewing or interacting with any digital resource, you may report it by completing the Digital Access Barrier Report form.