Moving In

Spring 2025

Spring 2025 Opening Information

WELCOME TO USF!

We can't wait for you to join us on campus where it is the Best place to Live, the Best place to Work, and the Best place to Learn. Spring opening is right around the corner on Friday, January 10, 2025.  

Steps for Spring Arrival (New Students)

1. Order/Bring your USF ID Card 

Residents MUST have their USF ID Card to check-in for housing.

New Students
New students should request their initial USFCard through MyBullsPath, or directly at the USFCard Request Site. Your Student Self-Service account will be charged $10 for your initial ID card. Please e-mail the USF ID Card office with any questions.

Picking Up Your USF ID Card
If you are signed up to arrive BEFORE the January 9 Orientation, you will pick up your USF ID Card from the USFCard Center.

If you are not signed up to check-in before Orientation on January 9, you will pick up your USF ID Card during your in-person Orientation session or at the USFCard Center. 

For more information, please contact the USFCard Center:
Location: SVC1032
Hours: Monday - Friday: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Email: idcard@usf.edu
Phone: (813) 974-2357

2. Check-in

Please review the below check-in locations for new students arriving to campus:

Students arriving on Friday, January 10 between 10 a.m. - 7 p.m.

Students arriving after Friday, January 10 will check-in at their service desk:

  • Juniper-Poplar Hall: Juniper, Poplar, and Magnolia residents
  • Holly M: Beta, Castor, Cypress, Holly, Kosove, Greek Village, and Maple
  • The HUB: Village residents (Beacon, Endeavor, Horizon, Pinnacle, and Summit)

3. Move in!

Limited carts for move-in will be available for check-out. However, we recommend bringing your own cart if possible.

On Friday, January 10, a limited number of carts will be available in Holly J and Juniper-Poplar Hall Lobby from 10 a.m. - 7 p.m. The last cart checkout will be at 6 p.m. 

If you have a pre-approved early arrival or will be arriving after January 10, a limited number of carts will be available at your respective service desk. 

 Check this page often for updates and let us know if you need any assistance!

Steps for Spring Arrival (Returning Students)

1. Bring your USF ID Card & Keys!

Returning Students
Returning students, please remember your room keys and USF ID. If you need a card replacement, you will need to request a replacement for an existing card on the USFCard Request Site.  Your Student Self-Service account will be charged $15 for your replacement ID card.

Picking Up a Replacement USF ID Card
USF ID Cards can be picked up at the USFCard Center:

Location: SVC1032
Hours: Monday - Friday: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Email: idcard@usf.edu
For more information, please call (813) 974-2357

2. Move-in!

Returning students will have access back into their rooms beginning at 9 a.m. on Friday, January 10, 2025. Limited carts will be available, but we recommend bringing your own if you need one to move your items back into your room.

Check this page often for updates and let us know if you need any assistance!

WHAT IF I CAN'T ARRIVE DURING SPRING OPENING?

If you are arriving before January 10, you must be pre-approved for early arrival (see section below). If you are delayed or planning to arrive after January 13 at noon, please e-mail housing as soon as you are aware of your delay.

Pre-Approved to Arrive Early?

If you would like to arrive early, please log on to the Housing Portal and complete the Early Arrival Request form. If approved, your confirmation e-mail will include your earliest approved arrival date.

For those students pre-approved to move in early, the nightly rate for the assigned room will apply (total will be billed to Student Self-Service). 

Please note: Residents attending in-person spring orientation sessions are approved to arrive early. However, they still must submit the early arrival request form in the housing portal.

PARKING INFORMATION: During Move-in


General

  • Parking regulations are in place and enforced on the USF Tampa campus 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Please review the Parking Rules & Regulations.
  • Please do not park in the unloading zones longer than 30 minutes. Our team will help direct you to a nearby parking lot.
  • Please do not park in any "Disabled Parking" space unless displaying a proper state-issued Disabled Parking placard, hangtag, or license plate.
  • Please do not park in Numbered, Reserved, or Labeled parking spaces.
  • Please note that the Publix parking lot is not a USF parking lot and non-customers parked in the lot will be addressed by Publix Management.

Residents 

  • Make sure to purchase your "R" parking permit in advance. Please note: Parking and Transportation Services has transitioned to virtual parking permits.
  • With no physical permit, you can easily purchase your virtual parking permit online!
  • There are no additional processing fees when purchasing your permit online.
  • Once complete, the license plate and vehicle you associate with your purchase will have immediate access to your parking privileges.
  • Click here to learn more and purchase your virtual parking permit.

Vehicles with trailers, or vehicles that can't fit in one parking space 
Oversize vehicles and vehicles with trailers should park in lots 18, 43 and 47. Oversize rental trucks, vehicles with trailers and motorhomes after unloading at designated locations are to be directed to the lots identified above. Please note: we do not recommend packing bulky furniture or items that prevent a speedy move-in/move-out process.   

Parking Information: After You Move In

  • Parking permits are required to park on the USF Tampa campus 24 hours per day, 7 day per week.  
  • Only residents with "R" permits are allowed to park in "R" lots. 
  • After 5:30 p.m. and on weekends, resident students with R permits may park in E, S, GZ, Y, or D designated areas. Park-n-Ride (Y) permits are required to park in "Y" designated lots from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m., Monday through Thursday, and 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Friday. 

DINING INFORMATION

How do I sign up for a meal plan?
You can chose your meal plan through your housing application or by visiting www.usfdining.com and signing up online. You can upgrade your meal plan at any time during the semester by visiting our website and signing up for the higher meal plan. To downgrade, students must visit The Meal Plan Office during the first week of classes each semester to determine if you are eligible.

How do I pay for a meal plan?
Once a meal plan is selected, your plan will be billed to your student Student Self-Service account. Your meal plan payment is due the same time your tuition payment is due.

Will my financial aid cover the cost of the meal plan?
Because all meal plans are billed to your student Student Self-Service account, if you are receiving any scholarships, loans, grants, etc., these funds may help cover part of your meal plan charge. Financial Aid will apply to tuition/fees, housing and THEN meal plan charges. Funds remaining after tuition, fees, and housing have been paid will apply to the meal plan charge.

Where is the best place to learn more about dining?
Visit the USF Dining website to learn about all the benefits that come with having a meal plan on campus! You can also review the terms and conditions in the “meal plans” section. If you have additional questions, please contact Dining Services at 813-974-4499, via email at dining@usf.edu, or visit The Meal Plan Office in person at the Marshall Student Center, 1st floor, Room 1502, Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm.

RESIDENTIAL MAIL

Your mailbox information is visible on the same screen as your housing assignment in the Housing Portal. If you would like to ship anything prior to move-in, please wait until January 7, 2025. All packages can be picked up in your area's Mail Center (Holly H for north Campus, JPH lobby for south campus). Learn more and lookup your mailing address!

Mail Room Hours

Monday-Friday: 10 a.m. - 7 p.m.
Saturday: Noon - 3 p.m.

ACCOMMODATIONS

USF is an Equal Opportunity/Equal Access Institution. If you would like to request an accommodation for move-in, we ask that you contact our office at 813-974-0001 or housing@usf.edu five days before your arrival. 

MOVE-IN CHECKLIST

  1. Know your housing assignment.
    Log in to the Housing Portal, select "My Account," then "My Assignments," then “View Assignments, Roommates, and Suitemates” to view your fall/spring housing assignment. This is also where your roommates/suite-mates/apartment-mates are listed. If you don't have an assignment, contact us for assistance.
  2. Request your USFCard online (new students only)
    You must have your USF ID Card with you to check-in for housing. Please follow the instructions listed here to order your USF ID Card as soon as possible.
  3. Pack efficiently!
    Review the move-in checklist on our website for a packing list!
  4. Connect with your roommates, suite-mates, or apartment-mates.
    Communicate and coordinate what you will bring to campus. Things like printers, microwaves, refrigerators, and TVs can be shared!
  5. Choose the height of your bed.
    Submit an online request for your desired bed height before you arrive. Lofting assistance may be delayed after the rooms are occupied. Click here to learn more.
  6. Check your insurance.
    Please review your student housing agreement regarding loss liability. Look into your homeowner's/renter's insurance to see if it covers your belongings on campus.
  7. Connect with your fellow Bulls!
    Get in touch with other incoming students and stay up-to-date on important university announcements through your class Facebook group.

HELPFUL INFORMATION

Card Center (Student IDs) - 813-974-2357 - SVC 1032
Dining Services/Meal Plans - 813-974-4499 - MSC 1502
Financial Aid - 813-974-4700 - SVC 1102
New Student Connections - 813-974-2896 - MSC 3200
Parent & Family Engagement – 813-974-2896 – MSC 3200
Parking & Transportation Services - 813-974-3990 - PSB 101
Students Accessibility Services - 813-974-4309 - SVC 1133
Undergraduate Admissions - 813-974-3350 - SVC 1036
USF Campus Police - 813-974-2628 (non-emergency) 911 (emergency)

HEALTHY BULL TIPS

Moving can be stressful. Fight off stress by establishing a healthy routine of sleep, diet, and exercise. On campus, get a great workout at the Campus Recreation Center and find tips on managing your stress at the Wellness Center in the MSC.