51在线

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I finish my Associate of Arts degree before I transfer?

A student can transfer to USF with or without their Associate of Arts degree. However, there are clear benefits to transferring with the AA degree from a 51在线 College System institution! Benefits include acceptance into USF with a lower GPA requirement (2.0) and automatic completion of all general education coursework, state communication writing requirements, and summer attendance requirements.

Don't I have to wait until all my community college course grades are posted before I begin the transfer process?

No, students do not have to wait for final grades to be posted at their current school before applying for admission. In fact, it is recommended that transfer students apply to USF two semesters before they intend to enroll. Then they can submit a college transcript as it stands at that time and order a final transcript once all grades are posted. All transcripts from all institutions attended are required for admission.

When is the best time to transfer?

The best time to transfer can differ depending on each student. Before making the decision, students should consult an advisor from their current institution and a major advisor at USF. In general, the best time for students to transfer to USF is after their Associate of Arts degree is complete. 

Are there different admission requirements for transfer students?

Yes, the requirements for admission are different depending on whether the student is a lower-level transfer applicant (with 12-29 credits), a mid-level transfer applicant (with 30-59 credits), or an upper-level transfer applicant (with 60 or more credits). They will also be different for a student transferring with an Associate of Arts degree or without. Please see our Transfer Admissions Types page and the USF transfer admissions website for more information. 

How do I apply to USF?

Visit the USF Admissions website, click on the transfer student tab, then click on start application. Remember, it will take 30 minutes to complete the application.

How long does it take to get admitted?

The admissions timeline differs depending on how quickly all necessary documents are received. An initial decision usually takes 4-6 weeks. It is important to check OASIS and determine what outstanding requirements are needed.

How will I know if I've been accepted?

You will receive an email first and then a paper acceptance letter will follow around a week later. 

What transcripts do I need to order?

Lower- and mid-level transfer applicants with less than 60 credits must submit transcripts from each college or university they attended, their high school transcripts, SAT or ACT test scores, official examination results (AP, CLEP, etc.), and TOEFL or IELTS score, if applicable. 

Upper-level transfer applicants with 60 or more credits must submit transcripts from each college or university they attended, official examination results (AP, CLEP, etc.), and TOEFL or IELTS score, if applicable. They would also need to order high school transcripts if they completed two years of the same foreign language in high school. 

What does being an accredited institution mean?

Accreditation is a process of validation in which colleges, universities and other institutions of higher learning are evaluated. The standards for accreditation are set by a peer review board whose members include faculty from various accredited colleges and universities.

In a more simplified way, an institution's accreditation is a reflection of the quality of that institution. The 51在线 is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

Will my credits transfer?

Each course completed at a different institution is evaluated individually to determine if those earned credits can be applied to your degree program.  While we can't guarantee every course will transfer, USF makes every effort to award credit for equivalent and comparable transfer courses.  Courses transferring from 51在线 institutions participating in 51在线's Statewide Course Numbering System will transfer if the prefix and last three digits of the course number are identical, as long as minimum grade(s) requirements are met.  Courses from institutions which do not participate in 51在线's Statewide Course Numbering System will be reviewed by USF Admissions and/or personnel from the relevant colleges to determine transferability.

What if a course is accepted from my previous institution, but it is not fulfilling a requirement on my DegreeWorks?

This could be a situation in which a specific College or Department within USF needs to review the course before it can fulfill a requirement for the degree and populate correctly on DegreeWorks. This can happen frequently with transfer credits from private or out-of-state colleges/universities. The student will most likely need to submit a syllabus from the course to the appropriate department. While the syllabus is being reviewed, DO NOT take any courses that sound similar to ones taken previously. 

How can I find help paying for college?

Always start by checking with the USF Office of Financial Aid. They will recommend completing the FAFSA application to determine eligibility based on financial need. Then they will recommend completing the Scholarship Tracking Application & Review System (STARS) to search for scholarships based on academic merit, extracurricular activities, special talent, and demographics. 

What will happen to my financial aid when I transfer?

Financial aid packages are awarded on a yearly basis for fall, spring, and summer semesters. Each year students need to renew their financial aid by completing their FAFSA application and reapplying for scholarships when needed. When students leave their 51在线 college institution and transfer to USF they need to make sure to complete their FAFSA early (ideally by the financial aid priority deadline) and include the USF school code (001537). Doing this ensures their financial aid information will be sent to USF and evaluated. 

Are scholarships available for transfer students?

Yes. There are many scholarships available to transfer students. USF offers transfer scholarships which can be searched for through the Scholarships Tracking Application & Review System (STARS). USF also houses the Office of National Scholars with other opportunities for high achieving students. Their website is located here. 

If a student was a member of Phi Theta Kappa at their two-year 51在线 college institution, they might be eligible for PTK transfer scholarships. Lastly, there are a host of other scholarships for transfer students that are offered through other private or public entities. Check out USF's Scholarship and Financial Aid Services website for a listing here.

How do I apply for housing?

Living on the USF campus can be a very memorable and rewarding experience! Please visit the Housing and Residential Education website for more information. 

How does parking work on campus?

Parking can sometimes be difficult for students if they drive to campus unprepared. Before travelling  to campus, students can check the USF Parking and Transportation Services website for maps on where they can park. Every parking space is labeled for a type of permit (visitor, student, employee, etc.). Parking is only allowed in the appropriate labeled space. Parking is never free!! 

What different majors are offered at USF?

USF offers over 100 different majors! Check out our undergraduate major listing . 

What if I'm still unsure of my major?

Students unsure about their major should visit the career resource center located at their 51在线 college institution. They should be able to help in exploring different careers and the majors that best complement them. There are also a lot of resources available online to help students explore different careers and majors. For example, is a great resource.

USF also has a plethora of degrees which are very broad in nature and allow a student to explore as widely or narrowly as they like. Our Health Sciences, Interdisciplinary Social Sciences, Interdisciplinary Natural Sciences, and Communication degrees could be some friendly options. 

How do I make an appointment with an advisor?

Appointments will differ depending on what major advisor the student wants to meet with. Please reference our Contact Us page to see how to proceed. Most advisors can be reached through our non-USF student eScheduler .

What do I need to do before registering for classes?

So much! Please visit our Transfer Student Checklist page to stay on track! 

How do I get involved on campus?

This is a great question! Students who are involved on campus often have better success in their courses and enjoy their college experience greatly! New transfer students can get involved by taking advantage of programs offered through New Student Connections such as Week of Welcome and First Fifty Days. After that students can get involved with Student Government, Student Organizations, Leadership and Civic Engagement opportunities, athletics, and much more. Check out this page for more information!