Apply for Financial Aid

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Steps to Apply

STEP 1: SUBMIT THE REQUIRED APPLICATION FORMS BY THE PRIORITY DEADLINES.

Students applying for financial aid at USF should complete the FAFSA. The FAFSA is used to determine federal and/or state aid eligibility.

California residents who are not able to complete the FAFSA based on citizenship status should complete the California Dream Act application.

To receive full consideration, students need to meet the priority financial aid deadlines listed below. Please review the deadlines carefully and do not wait to be admitted to the University before applying for financial aid.

The FAFSA opens each year on October 1.

  FAFSA
School Code: 001325		 California DREAM Act
Early Action/Early Decision November 1 November 1
First-year January 15 January 15
Transfer March 1 March 1
Continuing USF Students March 1 March 1
To access the application, click the application name above.

You can still file a FAFSA after the priority deadline has passed. We want to be able to consider you for any financial aid funds available at the time you apply.

 
STEP 2: PROVIDE YOUR SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER (SSN) ON YOUR ADMISSION APPLICATION (If applicable)

  • Your SSN is the identification number you will provide on the FAFSA and is used by USF to match your aid applications with your student record.
  • Your SSN will not be disclosed by the University without your consent except as allowed by federal and state law.
     

STEP 3: COMPLETE INCOME VERIFICATION

  • Federal regulations and University policy require verification of information used to determine a student's eligibility for financial aid.
  • Verification requirements will be listed under "unsatisfied requirements" on your myUSF student self-service portal, on the financial aid status page.
  • Students selected by the Department of Education for the Federal Verification process must provide verification of income and household information used on their FAFSA.
     

STEP 4: WHAT HAPPENS AFTER I APPLY FOR FINANCIAL AID?

  • Initial financial aid awards will be sent by mail to your home address and available in myUSF Self-Service. Any subsequent financial aid award notices will be sent to your myUSF email account.
  • It is important to complete all unsatisfied requirements before the date listed below to ensure your student bill reflects your authorized financial aid. Unsatisfied requirements will be found on myUSF Self-Service once you receive your initial financial aid award.
  • Your first student bill will be posted online to your myUSF View and Pay portal on the schedule listed below.
  • Financial aid disbursements begin no earlier than 10 days before the semester begins if all requirements have been completed.
  FALL ADMITS SPRING ADMITS
Financial Aid Award Letter On or before April 1 On or before November 15, or as admission happens
Income Verification and Unsatisfied Requirements Preferred Deadline June 1 November 1
First Student Bill Sent First week of July First week of December
First Student Bill Due Date August 1 First week of January
Financial Aid Disbursement 10 days prior to Fall semester 10 days prior to Spring semester


Financial Aid Appeal Process

At USF, we understand that life happens. Some families face unfortunate circumstances that are not currently reflected on their financial aid application. Such circumstances may include, loss of income, loss of other resources, unusually high medical costs, death of a parent, among other unfortunate circumstances. Contact the financial aid office to discuss the right appeal option and supporting documentation.