Student Support Services
Frequently Asked Questions
DOES PARTICIPATION IN THE SUMMER SESSION ENSURE ADMISSION IN THE FALL?
Successful completion of the summer program ensures continued enrollment eligibility for the fall semester. Students must complete program requirements, and end the summer term in good academic standing (GPA equal to or greater than 2.0) in order to continue fall semester.
WHO WILL PROVIDE MY ACADEMIC AND PERSONAL COUNSELING?
You will be assigned a counselor with the SSS program upon acceptance. Our goal is to ensure you succeed and ultimately graduate. In addition to your SSS Counselor, you will also have a major academic advisor to help guide your progression to graduation. USF also offers professional counseling services at the USF Counseling Center and these services are free to students and included in the cost of attendance.
WHAT CLASSES WILL I TAKE, AND WILL I EARN COLLEGE CREDIT?
Your class schedule is based on standardized test scores, high school transcript, and intended major. You will have the opportunity to earn 9 credit hours during the summer term.
HOW DO I REGISTER FOR MY SUMMER CLASSES AND KNOW WHAT MY SCHEDULE WILL BE?
The Student Support Services staff will register you for summer classes and guarantee class placement. During your orientation you will discuss your Fall courses with your acadmic advisor and learn the registration process.
HOW DO I APPLY FOR FINANCIAL AID?
Please visit https://studentaid.gov/ to complete the FAFSA in order to receive financial aid. Complete BOTH the 2024-25 FAFSA and the 2025-26 FAFSA. This will allow you to receive aid for summer 2025 (using 2024-25 FAFSA) and receive aid for the 2025-26 school year (beginning August 2025). Both FAFSAs must be completed as soon as possible to be eligible for SSS. For more financial aid information, go to the USF Financial Aid website: http://www.usf.edu/finaid, or call (813) 974-4700.
HOW AND WHEN DO I PAY MY BILL FOR SUMMER SESSION B?
Students eligible for financial aid will have their fees paid from their financial aid award when it disburses through the student account. Financial aid is typically disbursed during the second week of classes each term.
For students who do not have a tuition deferment, tuition is due on the fifth day of the term. To confirm the total amount due, you can view your fees on OASIS via the USF website. For more information regarding tuition and fees please visit: http://www.usf.edu/business-finance/controller/student-services/tuition-rates.aspx. SSS counselors will provide more details during the summer program.
WHERE CAN I BUY MY BOOKS FOR THE SUMMER?
The USF Bookstore is located beside the Marshall Student Center on the USF Tampa Campus. Bookstore website: USF Tampa Bookstore
CAN I PURCHASE BOOKS USING MY FINANCIAL AID AWARDS?
If you are eligible to receive financial aid, you will qualify for a bookstore authorization to defer payment on the books and supplies purchased at the USF Bookstore, Summer Session B. This program is known as the Bookstore Advanced Purchase Program (BAPP). The amount that you charge for books and supplies will be posted to your student account and deducted from the financial aid funds.
HOW DO I PURCHASE MY MEAL PLAN USING MY FINANCIAL AID AWARD?
When you select your annual SSS housing contract (summer housing location TBD and Beta Hall for fall/spring), you will select your dining options.
Summer 2025 Meal Plan
All summer students who meet low-income requirements will have unlimited entry to the dining hall and $200 Dining Dollars to use for eating anywhere on campus. You will select the “Open Access” Meal Plan and that amount will be deducted from your financial aid proceeds.
Fall 2025 Meal Plan
We recommend that you select the “Any 15” Meal Plan which will allow you to eat three meals a day; however, it is your choice. Failure to select a meal plan as soon as possible will delay your housing assignment for the fall semester.
AM I REQUIRED TO LIVE IN THE RESIDENCE HALLS?
YES. All SSS students must live in the residence halls for one year during the summer, fall and spring semesters even if you reside in the Tampa area. There is a great demand for on-campus housing – it is extremely important that you apply for housing in Beta Hall for summer 2025, fall 2025/spring 2026. Complete your online annual SSS housing contract for 2025 summer/fall semesters and spring 2026. Student Support Services is a Residential Learning Community (SSS RLC). All SSS students are required to live on campus for one year. You will live in Beta Hall (Summer/Fall 2025 and Spring 2026) to facilitate SSS programming and increase student persistence and student success. During the summer all SSS students will live on campus. The SSS residential location also ensures cost remains at a minimal level because financial aid does not increase based on housing selection.
HOW IS MY HOUSING PAID?
Students eligible for financial aid will have their housing charges paid from their financial aid award when it distributes through the student account.
HOW AM I ASSIGNED A ROOMMATE AND WHEN CAN I MOVE INTO MY DORM ROOM?
Roommates are randomly assigned. After check-in, SSS participants will move into the residence halls on Sunday, June 22, 2025 for summer semester. Following move-in there will be a week of orientation activities that are required for all SSS students to attend.
CAN I HAVE A CAR ON CAMPUS?
It is recommended that students do not bring their car on campus during the summer semester. However, if you opt to do so, you must purchase a parking permit from Parking Services in order to park your car on the campus premises. Parking lots are restricted according to permit type. You will be responsible for all parking citations. See the USF Parking Services website for more information concerning parking and transportation and purchasing your permit at: https://www.usf.edu/administrative-services/parking/.
HOW DO I OBTAIN A USF ID CARD?
Your USF ID Card provides you access to your residence hall and your meal plan, as well as several other services on campus. Please obtain your ID card from the USF ID Card Center as soon as possible. To be sure it is ready on time, request your USF ID card at least 2 weeks before SSS Move-In Day by clicking USF Card Center. There will be a $10 charge to your online Oasis account for the USF ID Card.
WHAT ABOUT IMMUNIZATIONS?
Immunizations: Per USF Policy 33-002, it is mandatory for USF students to submit all required immunization documentation and/or the completed USF Medical History Form prior to course registration. Course registration will be restricted until you have fulfilled this requirement. Submit immunzations forms directly to Student Health Services. Please visit https://www.usf.edu/student-affairs/student-health-services/immunizations/index.aspx for more details.
WHAT ABOUT TRANSCRIPTS?
All final transcripts must be received by the USF Admissions Office before the first day of fall classes. Students may be dropped from classes and/or not receive their financial aid if final transcripts are not received in a timely manner.
Dual Enrollment: Do you have dual enrollment credit? If so, it is important that you call and request to have transcripts sent to USF by the Registrar’s office of the college you attended. This will ensure completion of your admissions and your financial aid funds can be released. Please check your USF OASIS account in order to confirm that USF has received your dual enrollment transcript. Dual Enrollment grades listed on high school transcript will not be accepted. The dual enrollment transcript must be sent from the college where classes were taken.
High School: Request to have your final high school transcript sent to USF electronically to avoid your classes being dropped.
WHAT IF I HAVE FURTHER QUESTIONS?
Students or families/caregivers with further questions may contact the Student Support Services program at ugs-asksss@usf.edu.