Next Steps

Admitted International Students Next Steps

Three international USF students hanging out together in a dorm room.

Congrats on your acceptance to the University of South Florida’s St. Petersburg campus! We are so excited to welcome you to our stunning waterfront location and close-knit community.   

Follow these steps to enroll and prepare for the first day of classes.

Step 1: Determine Your Student Visa Type

Most international students come to USF on F-1 or J-1 student visas. Eligibility documents — 1-20s or DS 2019s — are required to apply for an F-1 visa or J-1 visa respectively. 

The F-1 Visa

The F-1 is the most common student visa. Students must have a valid educational purpose for coming to the U. S., be a full-time student and provide proof of their ability to fund their education. Upon admission to a USF program and receipt of financial documentation, the student is issued an I-20 to be used to obtain the F-1 visa at a U.S. embassy or consulate. The spouse or children of an F-1 student enter the U.S. on F-2 visas and are not eligible to attend university or work in the U.S.

The J-1 Visa

The J-1 visa is an “exchange visitor” visa that is managed under the auspices of the Exchange Visitor Program of the U.S. Department of State. The J-1 visa is used primarily by exchange students (nondegree-seeking) and students sponsored by U.S. government agencies. Students who meet the criteria for the J-1 visa will be issued a DS-2019 by USF or by a U. S. government agency. The spouse or children of a J-1 student enter the U.S. on a J-2 visa. Spouses in J-2 status may apply to USCIS for permission to work after their arrival in the U.S. Spouses and children may also attend school.

Students who do not hold an F-1 (student) or J-1 visa status may study at USF if their current visa status permits study in a degree-seeking program.

Please note that individuals in F-2 and B-1/B-2 (visitor) status are PROHIBITED from studying in a degree-seeking program. 

For more information about non-immigrant visas, visit the U.S. Department of State website.

Step 2: Activate Your NetID and USF Email Address

If you have not already, make sure to activate your NetID and USF email address to access the necessary portals to complete your onboarding tasks.

You should have received an email from USF Information Technology after you applied with information on how to activate your NetID. The link to activate expires after 7 days, so if you need help with activation, email USF Information Technology at help@usf.edu. 

Step 3: Review Your Admission Checklist and OASIS (Student Self-Service after Fall 2024) information

To stay on track, be sure to complete these critical tasks. Use your NetID to log in to your Admission Checklist to view a personalized list of initial steps you need to complete. 

In the Admission Checklist, you will be able to complete the following tasks:

  1. Verify your contact information.
  2. See missing items attached to your record for admission.
  3. Upload requested information, like residency documentation.
  4. Complete any student forms, such as the International Student Health Insurance Agreement Form, Immunization History Form and others.  
  5. Pay your admission deposit (first-year students only).
    1. First-Year Students: Please note that submitting your admission deposit is your way of committing to USF. By doing so, you will be able to start on other important next steps, like reserving Housing, Orientation and more. This step is critical to unlock next steps toward enrollment.

If you are receiving an admissions scholarship, learn more about how to accept your award.

Please note that the St. Petersburg campus provides additional scholarship opportunities to international students:

International Students (Non-Latin America and Caribbean):

International students are eligible to receive a $500 housing scholarship for each semester* that they elect to live on the St. Petersburg campus.

Latin America and Caribbean-Eligible Students:

Students from Latin American or Caribbean countries and residents of the U.S. Virgin Islands or Puerto Rico are eligible to receive a $500 housing scholarship for each semester* that they elect to live on the St. Petersburg campus. This scholarship also qualifies recipients for in-state tuition rates for as long as they live on campus and maintain their housing award.

*Please note: Break stay and subsequent summer semester housing may not apply.

LATAMC eligible countries and territories: Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Aruba, Bahamas, Barbados, Bermuda, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, British Virgin Islands, Caribbean Netherlands, Cayman Islands, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Curacao, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Falkland Islands, French Guiana, Grenada, Guadeloupe, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Martinique, Mexico, Montserrat, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Puerto Rico, St. Barthelemy, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Maarten/St. Martin, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, Turks and Caicos Islands, Uruguay, U.S. Virgin Islands and Venezuela.

Scholarships will be applied automatically. For questions, email admissions@usf.edu.

Step 4: Log In to myBullsPath

Once you’re admitted to USF, we encourage you to move on to the next phase of your journey. Use your NetID to log in to myBullsPath to view a personalized list of steps you need to complete to enroll at USF. In myBullsPath, you will be able to:

  1. Reserve your seat at Orientation.
  2. Purchase a USF ID card.
  3. Apply for housing and select your on-campus room.
  4. Submit your immunization records, medical history and proof of health insurance.

Step 4: Complete Orientation

Your Orientation is an introduction to life as a USF Bull. You will have an opportunity to meet your peers, learn about the USF community and receive tips on reaching your academic goals and finding support. During orientation, you will learn about academic program requirements from your academic college/academic advising department, and upon completing Orientation, you will be able to register for courses and/or adjust course schedules. If you have any questions about Orientation, please email OrientationStPete@usf.edu.

Step 5: Complete Immunization Forms

If you haven’t already, complete the Student Health Services (SHS) and insurance requirements and provide necessary paperwork. This will include having any existing holds cleared before you are able to register for classes. Failure to comply with the USF Immunization policy by the first day of class could result in the cancellation of your classes. Visit the myBullsPath portal to determine what’s outstanding.

Step 6: Apply for Housing

Apply for housing via your myBullsPath portal. You must also fill out this survey to indicate your housing preference.

Step 7: Log Into iStart for Pre-Arrival Tasks

All new international students must use iStart to complete the Glo-Bull Start checklist. This checklist is designed to guide you through all the tasks you must complete as a new international student. After the Office of International Services is notified of your admission, you will receive an email asking you to begin your Glo-Bull Start checklist. See an overview of iStart.

Step 8: Prepare to Start Classes

After attending Orientation, it’s time to prepare for the start of your collegiate experience! Check out details on how to complete these steps prior to the first day of class. You will need your NetID/USF email address and password to complete some of these steps.

1. Complete the required Life Skills modules (availability of modules subject to change).

    • Portal: USF Canvas; Navigation: Once logged in, click on the course titled Life Skills Module.

2. View your course schedule (once you’ve met with your academic program).

    • Portal: OASIS (Student Self-Service after Fall 2024) ; Navigation: MyUSF > My Resources > OASIS (Student Self-Service after Fall 2024) > Student > Registration > Week at a Glance OR Student Detail Schedule
      • Week at a Glance = calendar view of times/days of the week
      • Student Detail Schedule = list of courses

3. Review and pay your tuition, fees and charges.

4. Subscribe to eDeposit.

5. Complete any unsatisfied requirements and accept financial aid awards.

6. Connect to campus:

7. Familiarize yourself with:

8. Purchase your course supplies and textbooks.

9. Apply for accommodations for which you are eligible.

10. Purchase your parking permit (if you plan to have a car on campus).

11. Review St. Petersburg campus resources.

Note that students who can obtain necessary immigration paperwork should arrive to campus no later than the first week of the semester (add/drop week). Students must complete their Immigration Document Check and enroll in courses. Failure to do so will result in cancellation of the admissions application.

Step 9: Don’t Be Afraid to Ask for Help

If you have questions, we have answers! Check out our FAQs for international students or contact us for personalized support.