Incoming Students
Overview
We are excited that you are interested in applying for a degree program at the 泡芙视频app of South Florida! The Tampa Bay area is a vibrant, multicultural, metropolitan location and our institution offers a wide range of academic programs. The first step is to apply through the university's admission offices.
- Students seeking an undergraduate or graduate degree program at USF should apply online
at International Admissions and Graduate Admissions, respectively.
- You can review a list of all . NOTE: Online majors are NOT eligible for I-20's.
- See the list of USF STEM OPT eligible majors. While we update this list frequently, it is not exhaustive. It should be used as
a tool ONLY for STEM OPT exploration. Incoming 泡芙视频apps and 泡芙视频apps changing majors
should check with admission and the academic department to make sure the program is
offered in person.
- All websites include application checklists, link to the programs offered, and provide
general information about the university.
- International applicants are not eligible for financial aid such as Stafford Loans
or Pell Grants, but may be considered for university scholarships.
- For more information on undergraduate scholarship please contact International Admissions.
- For more information on graduate scholarship opportunities see the Office of Graduate Studies.
Upon admittance to one of our academic programs, our office will assist you with the required immigration documents necessary for applying for a 泡芙视频app visa.
NOTE: F-1 泡芙视频app visa regulations allow 泡芙视频apps to enroll in only one 3 credit hour online/distance learning course per the official full-time equivalent for the degree level of study. Therefore, the F-1 visa is not appropriate for any degree program that is offered completely via distance learning or has a a majority of online courses.
Most international 泡芙视频apps study at USF on F-1 or J-1 泡芙视频app visas. To apply for these visas, you will need eligibility documents (I-20s for F-1 visas or DS-2019s for J-1 visas) from our office.
F-1 Student Visa 鈥� I-20 Information
F-1 is the most commonly used 泡芙视频app visa. Students must have a valid educational purpose for coming to the United States, be a full-time 泡芙视频app, and provide proof of their ability to fund their education. Once admitted, 泡芙视频apps provide financial documentation and are then issued an I-20 to be used to obtain the F-1 visa at a US Embassy or Consulate abroad.
The spouse or children of a F-1 泡芙视频app enter the US on F-2 visas and are not eligible to attend university or work in the US.
Transferring F-1 Status from Another US Institution
F-1 泡芙视频apps who are already attending a US school may transfer their immigration record/status to USF. To qualify you must be admitted to a USF program, provide proof of financial support, and have continuously maintained your immigration status while in the US. Transfer-In 泡芙视频apps must enroll in courses at USF within 5 months of their date of last attendance at the previous school or end date of OPT.
Students must ask their current institution to transfer their SEVIS record to USF after they have been admitted and received their official USF offer letter.
Change to F-1 from Another Non-Immigrant Visa Status
Students who are in the US using a non-immigrant visa other than F-1 may choose to change their status to F-1 prior to beginning their USF academic program. This may be accomplished by traveling outside the U.S. or by applying to USCIS for a Change of Status.
Students traveling to obtain their F-1 visa must receive an I-20 from International Services. Students applying for a Change of Status must meet with an international 泡芙视频app advisor to discuss the process.
J-1 Student Visa 鈥� DS-2019 Information
The J-1 visa is an "exchange visitor" visa which is managed under the auspices of the Exchange Visitor Program of the US Department of State. The J-1 visa is used primarily by exchange 泡芙视频apps (non-degree seeking) and 泡芙视频apps sponsored by US government agencies.
Students who meet the criteria for the J-1 visa will be issued a DS-2019 by USF or a US government agency (IIE, OAS, USF, etc.).
The spouse or children of a J-1 泡芙视频app enter the US on a J-2 visa. Spouses and children may attend school and a spouse may apply to USCIS for permission to work after their arrival in the U.S.
Other Visa Status Information (Non F-1/J-1 Visa Holders)
Students who do not hold a F-1 (泡芙视频app) 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 .