Scholars

Temporary housing may be necessary while searching for a place to live. Different from off-campus housing or university housing, this is a short-term option.

Many scholars arrive in the US and stay at a hotel temporarily while they are deciding on a place to live. Here is a list of some hotels near the Tampa Campus compiled by USF's Department of Student Success.   

Many hotels and motels offer extended stay options. While not an exhaustive list, you can use the links below to search for extended stay hotels near each campus.

• Tampa
• St. Petersburg
• Sarasota-Manatee

In addition to traditional hotels/motels, it may be more economical to obtain short-term accommodations through websites* like AirBnB and VRBO. You can also use travel aggregator sites, such as OneTravel, which list numerous accommodations in your specified area and timeframe. 

*These websites are not controlled, operated, or endorsed by the university.

USF has a website dedicated to helping you find some near-campus housing options.

This website also has some additional community resources that you may find helpful. 

It can be challenging to find a place near the university. Sometimes scholars ask their academic departments for specific recommendations.

Other housing websites* you may find useful are:

• Hotpads (Tampa, St. Petersburg, Sarasota-Manatee)
• Trulia.com (Tampa, St. Petersburg, Sarasota-Manatee)
• Zillow.com (Tampa, St. Petersburg, Sarasota-Manatee)
• ApartmentGuide.com (Tampa, St. Petersburg, Sarasota-Manatee)
• Redfin.com (Tampa, St. Petersburg, Sarasota-Manatee)

*These websites are not controlled, operated, or endorsed by the university.

There are very few spots for scholars in on-campus housing. To inquire, contact the Office of Housing & Residential Education for current cost and availability.

Security deposits are common in many home and apartment rentals, typically in the amount for the first and last month's rent, or a similar amount. This deposit covers any potential damages that may occur during the tenant's stay in the residence, but can often be returned to you if no damages are present. It is important to read any potential lease thoroughly to understand these and other responsibilities before you sign.  

Every housing situation is different, but here are a few more tips to help you expect the unexpected:

• No two rental homes or apartments are the same. Some may be furnished or unfurnished, some with or without washers and dryers (or have a communal laundry room), and efficiencies will have only 1 large room with a separate closet and bathroom. Be sure to ask about any amenities or in-unit additions.
  
  
• When renting an apartment, landlords/rental companies will often look for a monthly income of at least 3 times the monthly rent, but this could vary throughout the city.
  
  
• Requesting a tour of the unit or house you want to rent is beneficial because the photos you see may not be an accurate portrayal of the unit, complex, or neighborhood.

As you search for a home or apartment to rent, be aware that the posted monthly rental price often does not include utilities (gas, water, electric) and may also require other fees (trash pick-up, pet fee, upkeep fee for pool, gym, etc.). However, some apartments may include one or more of these, so make sure you ask! If you pay for utilities separate from your apartment, failure to pay could result in termination of your utility services, so don't forget to pay on time. Again, read any rental agreement thoroughly to understand utility expectations beforehand.

Rental homes and apartments often require a certain amount of renter's insurance, so please plan on factoring this amount into your monthly rental budget. Renter's insurance helps cover the cost of major damages and also protects your belongings in case of fire, theft, or damage.