Next Steps

Transfer Next Steps | Tampa Campus

Students walking on campus by the Marshall Student Center.

Congratulations on your admission to USF! The University of South Florida is a leading transfer student destination in the state of Florida, and we’re 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. To track your progress as you work through the checklist, visit the myBullsPath student onboarding portal.

You can explore all required needs to enroll at USF or jump to the section relevant to you:

Immediately Upon Admission
After Last Semester Completion
After Attending Orientation
Before First Day of Classes
Other Helpful Resources
Getting Involved on Campus

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. In this section, you’ll:

  • Reserve an Orientation Date
  • Meet With Your Advisor
  • Submit FAFSA
  • Verify/Update Personal Information
  • Submit Medical History and Immunization Form
  • Explore Housing Options


Reserve an Orientation Date | Required for all transfer students

Admitted transfer students must register for, attend and complete all Orientation requirements. Once you register for Orientation, you’ll be able to meet with your advisor and begin the process to 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 - March

If you fail to reserve and complete Orientation, your admission to USF may be canceled.

After you have registered for Orientation, you'll receive an email from your academic advisor, and can take action to receive advising and register for classes. You can anticipate receiving the email from your advisor within 15 business days after registering for your USF orientation. Keep an eye on your USF email and be sure to follow the instructions from your advisor.

Please note: If you previously graduated from USF and are pursuing a second bachelor’s degree, you do not need to attend Orientation.

Register for Orientation

Meet With Your Advisor | Required for all transfer students

After you have registered for Orientation, you'll receive an email from your academic advisor, and can take action to receive advising and register for classes. You can anticipate receiving the email from your advisor within 15 business days after registering for your USF orientation. Keep an eye on your USF email and be sure to follow the instructions from your advisor.

Register for Orientation

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.

FAFSA Updates


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 upon 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

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 health care provider, so please ensure you leave time to complete this task for enrollment.

How to Upload Your Completed Form

There are three methods to upload your completed form:

  1. 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.
  2. Applicant Portal: Log into the Applicant Portal using your NetID and password. Select “My Workspace”, followed by “My Documents” and upload your form.
  3. 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.

Access and Print Form


Explore Available Housing and Meal Plans | Optional for all transfer students

Transfer students can explore on- or off-campus housing near USF. If you want to live on campus, you can submit a housing application as soon as you're admitted. To give everyone an equal opportunity, students will be assigned randomized room selection time slots as long as they apply by the priority deadline for each term. Check the USF Housing page for the most updated information. Additionally, there are many off-campus housing options available near the Tampa campus to explore.

On-campus housing applications open during the following months each year based on entry term:

  • Spring Semester - October 1
  • Fall Semester - Upon admission to USF
  • Summer Semester - March 2025

Please note: You will not be able to select a room through Housing until you reserve an Orientation date.

On-Campus Housing

Off-Campus Housing

Many students elect to purchase a meal plan on campus. With a wide variety of meal plan allowances and dining locations, explore the options available to you:

Meal Plan Options

AFTER LAST SEMESTER COMPLETION

Submit Final Transcripts | Required for all transfer students

Once you complete your final semester at your previous institution, you will need to submit your final transcripts from the last institution you attended. If you received an AA at your last institution, please wait until your degree is reflected on your transcript to send to USF.

Your admission is contingent on submitting final transcripts, and we may place a hold on your account to register for future courses if transcripts are not received prior to the first day of class. 

If you need to check on the status of your missing documents, visit the Applicant Portal.

Applicant Portal

If you need to submit your final transcripts, visit our Transcript Submission instructions page.

Submit Transcripts

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.

Request a USFCard


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.

Purchase Parking Permit

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.

If you are a transfer student who has completed AlcoholEdu at another institution, this requirement will be waived with proof of completion. You must submit a copy of the course completion screenshot and/or email you received directly to your campus contact before the deadline. Your name must be visible in the screenshot in order to receive credit. SAPU is required regardless!

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 > Tution & 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:

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)

Transfer 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.

Accessibility and Accommodations 

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:

GETTING INVOLVED AS A TRANSFER STUDENT

Making connections at a new college may seem overwhelming but there are tons of ways for you to get involved at the Tampa campus:

  • Transfer Engagement and Achievement Mentorship (T.E.A.M.) program - This program pairs transfer students who are seeking guidance with experienced transfer students who can assist in finding and accessing campus resources, answering questions about campus life and academics, and fostering a growth mindset, leadership skills and academic success skills.
  • On-Campus Clubs and Organizations - The Tampa campus has over 600 clubs and organizations for you to choose from, in categories ranging from academic interest to  sports to diversity and multicultural clubs.
  • Transfer Student Organization (TSO) - TSO helps connect transfer students to the institution as well as give them a way to connect with other transfer students.
  • On-Campus Job Opportunities - Convenient on-campus jobs provide numerous opportunities to earn money for college necessities and meet other students outside of the classroom. 
  • Student Events - With over 1,000 campus events held yearly on the Tampa campus, you can always find something to do. 
  • Athletics - With 17 varsity sports to watch on the Tampa campus, you will gain FREE admission to all games, including football hosted at Raymond James Stadium, the home of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.