Next Steps
Admitted International Students Next Steps
Note: Below, you'll find next steps for freshman, transfer, and graduate international students. Graduate students should skip the steps "Submit Your Deposit" and "Complete Your Onboarding Checklist" and transfer students should skip only "Submit Your Deposit." Read each step carefully to make sure you understand how you will be affected.
Before Registration
Don't forget to celebrate! Share your good news on social media and download your digital admit pack to commemorate this special achievement.
Next Steps for International Applicants
If you applied to USF for the Summer 2026 term, Fall 2026 term, or later, to get important updates about your application, including any missing items. Graduate students can for application-related updates.
Note: If you've applied to USF for the Spring 2026 term, you can check your application status, submit documents and receive important updates in our .
Freshman students only: Submitting the $200, nonrefundable admissions deposit confirms your intent to enroll at USF and reserves your space for the semester you were admitted to. This deposit will be credited to your student account and applied toward your tuition.
Note: You will not be able to register for Orientation until you submit your $200 admissions deposit.
馃こ Share Your Pride on Social Media
Tag in your posts announcing your admission to USF and browse the to find fellow new USF Bulls online.
Undergraduate students only: It's time to get started on your onboarding checklist! Paying close attention to each checklist item will help you have a smooth onboarding experience. You can access your Onboarding Checklist by visiting your .
Graduate students: As soon as you receive an email from USF IT prompting you to create your NetID, follow those instructions, and then proceed to your Glo-Bull Start Checklist.
Before You Begin: Setting Up Your NetID
How to get it: Around 24 hours after admission, USF IT will send an email prompting you to create your NetID. Create your NetID, then wait up to 48 hours for activation. After your NetID is activated, undergraduate students can use it to log in to their onboarding checklist, myBullsPath. All international students will use their NetID to sign into the Glo-Bull Start Checklist.
馃毃Early Action Admits馃毃 Due to system constraints, you should receive your NetID activation email on December 15. While you wait, you can still submit your admissions deposit, register for an Admitted Students Day event, and share your Bull pride on social media!
Also, international students will have access to iStart, USF鈥檚 international student portal. All new international students must use iStart to complete the Glo-Bull Start checklist, which is designed to guide students through all of their immigration-related tasks as a new international student at USF.
The Office of International Services will contact international students via email about completing their Glo-Bull Start tasks once they have been notified of their admission to USF.
Make sure to set up your NetID as soon as possible, as this will allow you to sign into iStart.
Most international students come to USF on F-1 or J-1 student visas. Eligibility documents, like 1-20s or DS 2019s, are required to apply for an F-1 visa or J-1 visa respectively. Review and compare these visas to determine the best type for your situation.
Remember, you can, and should, complete other important steps while you work on getting your visa.
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.
J-1 Visa
The J-1 visa is an 鈥渆xchange visitor鈥� 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. Individuals in F-2 and B-1/B-2 (visitor) status are prohibited from studying in a degree-seeking program.
If you've been assigned in-state residency status or offered an out-of-state tuition waiver, you may need to verify your residency status. To view or change your classification, log into the and your residency status should display under your Applicant Info.
Living on campus is not required, but if you want to live on campus, we suggest you submit a housing application for your campus as soon as you're admitted. If you live on campus, you'll also need to select .
馃捀 Apply for Scholarships
Don't miss out on scholarships! Browse USF scholarships and apply as soon as you can. If you're not sure where to start, check out our scholarship portal!
If you were awarded an admissions scholarship, please make sure to review the Terms and Conditions.
Admitted freshmen and transfer students must register for, attend and complete all Orientation requirements. Graduate students should attend any orientation or onboarding sessions required by their department, but should not attend undergraduate Orientation.
At Orientation, first-year students will get their class schedule, have the opportunity to speak to an advisor from their college, and get all the information they need about important topics like housing and financial aid. Transfer students will have the opportunity to meet with their advising team after registering for Orientation.
Orientation reservations open during the following months each year based on entry term:
Note: Students returning to USF for a second bachelor's degree are not required to attend Orientation.
Immediately after your high school graduation date is reflected on your transcript, you must submit a final high school transcript and any college transcripts. Your admission is contingent upon submitting final transcripts, and processing can take time, so we recommend getting started on this step as early as possible after graduation. If we do not receive your transcript by the first day of class, your admission may be rescinded.
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. You'll need formal authorization from a healthcare provider to complete the form, so start this process as soon as possible. International students also have other medical requirements, such as tuberculosis screening.
Review Health Insurance Requirements
It's time to travel to USF! As you pack your bags and review your travel itinerary, save these resources somewhere you can easily access them, along with your Glo-Bull Start checklist.
If you decided to live on campus, it's time to move into your residence hall! Get the answers to all questions about moving into your residence hall on campus by reviewing the links below.
Review the move-in resources for your campus to stay up to date.
Wondering what to bring? Check out the move-in checklist for your campus!
馃彟 Sign Up for eDeposit
Say goodbye to checks! Sign up for eDeposit so your net financial aid and student refunds can be directly deposited into your personal bank account. Here's how:
- Navigate to
- Select Tuition & Fees
- Select Sign Up for eDeposit
- Enter your banking information
Then, make sure to submit all unsatisfied requirements for financial aid before the first day of class. Verify if you have any unsatisfied Financial Aid requirements in Student Self-Service prior to your first day of classes.
- Navigate to
- Select Financial Aid
- Select Complete Unsatisfied Requirements
- Follow the instructions listed in your portal
While tuition and fees are due at 5 p.m. ET on the fifth day of classes, we recommend arranging to pay your bill early to avoid being dropped from classes. To pay your tuition and fees, follow these steps:
- Navigate to
- Click My Resources to expand the dropdown at the top of the page
- Select Student Self-Service
- Follow the prompts to log in
- Locate the Tuition & Fees Menu
- Select Pay My Bill
Note: If you received a scholarship award and need assistance or a Tuition Deferment, visit the Office of Financial Aid website.
Orientation is here! Attending Orientation is required for undergraduate students, but we'd recommend it, anyway! Get your questions answered, meet new friends, and take the next step to become a Bull.
Your USFCard, AKA your student identification card, will help you navigate campus. Use it to access your residence hall, make dining purchases, and verify your identity. The process is simple: request your card online and pick it up on campus.
Bringing a car to campus? Parking permits are required on campus 24/7. Make sure to register your vehicle and pay for your decal before the semester begins.
If you aren't planning to bring a car to campus, we recommend learning about the BullRunner, USF Tampa's bus system that will allow you to travel around the Tampa campus and surrounding area.
If you think you'll need classroom accommodations to succeed in your classes, you can apply as soon as you're admitted to USF. Students are responsible for contacting 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
If you're not sure if you qualify but think you may need accommodations, inquire with Student Accessibility Services.
Note: In this case, accommodations refer to tools or arrangements meant to aid students who may have a disability or impairment, not your living arrangements. For more information about living on campus, check out our information on applying for housing or moving into your residence hall.
Visit Student Accessibility Services
馃摎 Get Textbooks and Resources
To get organized ahead of your first day of class, familiarize yourself with:
Ready to purchase textbooks or other supplies? Check out the USF Bookstore:
Pro-tip: USF's bookstores offer a large selection of textbooks, course materials and supplies, or you can purchase them from another vendor. Your instructors may recommend supplies you may need for the course but we suggest note-taking supplies (pen and paper or a laptop), required textbooks, and a planner to keep yourself organized.
Your wellness education is just as important as academics, so you'll need to complete a few Life Skills course modules during your first semester. In the first month of your first semester, 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 the AlcoholEDU and Sexual Assault Prevention for Undergraduates courses.
Learn About Life Skills Modules
猬囷笍 Download Your Digital Admit Pack
Download one (or all!) of our celebratory designs exclusively for our newest Bulls. Whether you decorate your phone, your room, or your front lawn, 颈迟鈥檚 your time to shine.
Android Wallpapers
iPhone Wallpapers
Desktop Wallpapers
Signs and Posters