USF Pearls

Pearls Checklist

911±¬ÁÏÍø’ve created a personalized checklist just for you to help make sure you have everything you need before arriving on campus—your smooth start matters to us!

1. Activate Student Accounts

    • After applying, students receive a USF NetID and U Number (U#)
    • Set up:

2. Submit the FAFSA

    • USF School Code: 001537
    • Email TuitionWaiver@usf.edu.  Please attach your paperwork in PDF format and include your USF ID in the subject line

3. Financial Aid Cost Calculator

The is an interactive tool that helps students estimate their full Cost of Attendance; including tuition, housing, food, books, transportation, and personal expenses, all in one place.

Learn more about how to use the calculator

Open the Calculator
Navigate to the Cost Calculator on the dashboard or via the cost‑calculator link.

Enter Your Personal Details
Provide your enrollment status (e.g., undergraduate/graduate), residency (in‑state/out‑of‑state), campus plan, and whether you'll live on‑campus, off‑campus, or with family.

Select Your Housing & Meals
Choose your housing plan (on‑campus, off‑campus, living at home).

Indicate if and how you'll use a meal plan.

Adjust Other Expenses

Items like books, transportation, supplies, and personal costs can usually be adjusted from the present estimates.

View Your Results
The tool displays:
 - Total Direct Costs: billed expenses (tuition, fees, housing).
 - Total Indirect Costs: non-billed but real expenses (books, food, travel).
 - Estimated Funding: financial aid and scholarships

Interpret Your Summary
See a final dashboard summarizing:
 - Total Cost of Attendance = Direct + Indirect Costs.
 - Estimated Net Cost = Total Cost minus your aid.

 
Why It Matters
 - Budgeting Clarity: Understand all costs before your term begins.
 - Aid Planning: Compare projected aid against total costs to anticipate out‑of‑pocket expenses.
 - ¶Ù±ð³¦¾±²õ¾±´Ç²Ô′Ѳ¹°ì¾±²Ô²µ: Explore different scenarios (e.g., on‑ vs. off‑campus) to find the best financial fit.
 
Tips for 911±¬ÁÏÍø
 - Use real numbers where possible (personal expenses, travel).
 - Run different scenarios: Try on‑campus vs. living at home, or different meal plans.
 - Save screenshots of different calculations to reference when applying for aid or loans.
 - Ask the Office of Financial Aid if results surprise you:  Financial Aid advisors can clarify or update entries for accuracy.

 

4. Complete Admissions Requirements

Submit: 

    • Final high school transcript
    • SAT/ACT scores (optional)
    • AP/IB/CLEP or dual enrollment transcripts

5. Apply for On-Campus Housing

6. Submit Required Health & Residency Documents

7. Register for Orientation

    • Reserve your orientation spot! All freshmen must attend.
      • Student fee $35
      • Family/Guest $50 per person (reduced rates apply for children 10 and under)
      • Orientation fee waivers - the university is unable to waive this charge. However, students can request to have the fee added to their student account, allowing them to use any available funds to cover the cost. If you would like the Office of Orientation to apply this charge to (students name) account, please email myOrientation@usf.edu with a request.

8. Register for Classes

    • After orientation, students will meet with academic advisors to enroll in courses

9. Review Financial Aid Package

    • Monitor Student Self-Service for award updates
    • Florida Tuition Waiver (FS 1009.25) applies to homeless/unaccompanied youth