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Freshmen Applicant Next Steps

So, you applied to USF. Yay! 911±¬ÁÏÍø hope we can welcome you into the Herd, but in the meantime, you’ll need to complete a few key tasks. Here's your next steps checklist!

While we have a helpful guide below, your applicant portal is the best source of information, with next steps tailored to you. 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. 

If you applied for Summer or Fall 2026, you can see updates about your application status in the . Remember to check it often!

Pay the nonrefundable, $30 application fee. If you’re experiencing financial hardship, you can submit an application fee waiver to admissions@usf.edu.

Whether you take the SAT, ACT, or CLT, you need to submit your test scores to USF as part of your application package.

All freshman applicants must complete and submit the STARS (formerly SSAR/SRAR) as part of their application package.

Join a community of high-achievers and take advantage of exclusive study abroad opportunities with the Judy Genshaft Honors College — but first, submit your application!

Then, apply for the Genspiration Global Explorers Scholarship to be eligible for $10,000 in funding to take your ambitions beyond Tampa Bay. This scholarship funds travel for:

• Study Abroad
• Conferences
• Research Opportunities
• Internships

Don't miss your chance! Only incoming students can .

Pro-tip: Worried about the essay portion of the Judy Genshaft Honors College or Genspiration Global Explorers Scholarship applications? Check out our .

If you need to, log into your  to complete any necessary forms.

• Application Addendum Form: Use this if you need to update your academic information, such as previous institutions attended, or personal information, like an update to your citizenship status.

• Application Update Form: Complete this form if you want to update one of the following selections on your application:
  • Change of Term
  • Change of Major
  • Change of Campus
    
    
• Explanation of Activities: If we need you to submit this, it will appear as a checklist item in your Applicant Portal. If we ask for this, it's because we need more information about your educational history or unexpected gaps in your education.
  
  
• Home School Transcript: Submit this if you completed some or all of your education via homeschooling.
  
  
• Social Security Number (SSN) Update Form: Complete this if you need to modify your existing SSN on your student record.
  • If you need to add your SSN to your student record, please .
    
    
• Third Party Authorization Form: Submit this form if someone else will be communicating with the Office of Admissions on your behalf.
  
  
• Undergraduate Residency Declaration Form: After you're admitted to USF, you may need to submit this form to be considered for classification as a Florida resident for tuition purposes. You can learn more about residency on our website.

If you need a paper application for admission or a PDF version of any of the above forms, please reach out to admissions@usf.edu or call 813-974-3350 to let us know.

Please Note: Any update to your Application Checklist may not be reflected on your  until the Office of Admissions processes your forms. Please allow up to 4-6 weeks from the time the form is received for processing.

Discover the different types of aid available and how to apply using the . If you have questions about the FAFSA, check out our site here.

While you wait to hear about your application, drop by your campus of choice! If you’re not from the Tampa Bay area, .

Always interested in learning more? Our Admit-a-Bull blog is the resource for you. Our posts cover everything from to and everything in between.