Next Steps

International Freshman Student Next Steps

Three international USF students studying together.

Congrats on your admission to the 91社区! We are so excited to welcome you to our dynamic, metropolitan Tampa campus.

Here are the next steps you will take as an international freshman student. You can explore all required needs to enroll at USF or jump to the section relevant to you:

Check your application status

Access the USF Application Portal

The USF Applicant Portal is a central location where you can track your application progress, access required forms and see what documents you still need to submit.

We post updates about your application status directly into the USF Applicant Portal. Remember to check it often!

More Details

If you are admitted to USF, you will receive a notification via email and/or postal mail. Check your email often for updates to your USF application!

Log in to USF鈥檚 Applicant Portal using your NetID and password to easily upload required documents, review your submissions and check your status:

If you don't have a NetID, you can  using your  or the email address that you used to submit your application.

Pay Your Admission Deposit

Required for all Freshman Students

This is the first official step to secure your spot at USF. You will need to submit your admission deposit to start on your next steps, like reserving an Orientation date and confirming your on-campus room assignment. 

More Details

Freshmen are required to pay a nonrefundable admission deposit of $200. The deposit will be applied toward your first semester鈥檚 tuition charge. The deposit is due by May 1 for students admitted for the summer or fall term.

This nonrefundable deposit will both confirm and reserve your place in the class and is separate from the housing prepayment. Failure to pay the deposit by the deadline may result in the cancellation of your admission offer and admissions scholarships.

how to deposit:

To submit your admission deposit, visit  and use your NetID and password to log in. 

  1. Sign into the 
  2. On the Admissions Checklist under the $200 Admission Deposit tile, click the Submit your $200 admissions deposit link.
  3. Pay nonrefundable $200 deposit.

WHEN TO DEPOSIT:

ACCEPT YOUR SCHOLARSHIP

Have you received an admissions scholarship? Congratulations!

Your scholarship amounts are automatically accepted. However, you must still submit the terms and conditions for each award. Follow these steps:

  1. Log into the  using your USF NetID and password. 
  2. Click on 鈥淢y Resources鈥� on the top bar and select 鈥淪tudent Self-Service鈥�
  3. From the main menu, select the option for 鈥淔inancial Aid鈥� 
  4. Select 鈥淎ward Offer鈥� and click "Award Year 2025-2026"
  5. Click the "Submit" button to view the terms and conditions.
  6. Carefully review the terms.
  7. At the bottom of the page, acknowledge that you have read the terms by selecting the appropriate checkbox.
  8. Click "Accept Award" to finalize the process.

Please note: You must accept your scholarship(s) in order to receive it. You will need to repeat this process for each scholarship award you have.

More Details

Accepting your scholarship(s) is not a binding commitment to attend USF.

Have questions about your scholarship? Check out our Frequently Asked Questions.

Verify Your Residency Status

If you are receiving the USF Presidential, USF Directors or USF Scholars Award, you must be classified as a 91社区 resident for tuition purposes. Check your application status on Student Self-Service (previously known as OASIS) to ensure that your residency status is accurate and submit any additional paperwork that is needed.

If you were awarded a Green and Gold Waiver and your residency status changes to 91社区 resident, you must process all paperwork prior to the first day of classes in order to be considered for one of our 91社区 resident scholarships.

Check Residency Status

Other next STEPS

Navigate USF Systems and Prepare for Your Arrival

As a new or incoming student, getting acquainted with our virtual systems and preparing for your arrival is essential to start your semester strong.

All newly admitted international students must use iStart to complete the Glo-Bull Start checklist. The Glo-Bull Start checklist is designed to guide students through all of the immigration tasks they must complete as a new international student at USF. Once all required documentation is collected, your I-20 will be created.

All students must also prepare for your arrival by completing your next steps through our onboarding guide below:

onboarding checklist

Determine Your Student Visa Type

Most international students come to USF on F-1 or J-1 student visas. Eligibility documents 鈥� 1-20s or DS 2019s 鈥� are required to apply for an F-1 visa or J-1 visa respectively.

The 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.

The 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.

Please note that individuals in F-2 and B-1/B-2 (visitor) status are PROHIBITED from studying in a degree-seeking program. 

For more information about non-immigrant visas, visit the  website.