Apply for Undergraduate Financial Aid

All undergraduate students are eligible to apply for financial aid, and most incoming first-year students (9 out of 10, in fact) are awarded some form of aid every year.

Complete your financial aid application
Submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) (use USF’s school code 001325). Undocumented/Dreamer students in California: Instead of the FAFSA, you should complete the California Dream Act application.

Provide your Social Security Number (if applicable) on your USF application
If you have a Social Security Number, please include it on your application to USF. This allows us to match your FAFSA with your USF application.

Deadlines to apply for financial aid:

  • First-year students: February 1
  • Transfer students: March 1

Don’t wait to be admitted to USF before applying for aid! The sooner you complete your application, the sooner we can prepare an offer for you. Though we strongly encourage you to submit your application by the deadline, we will continue to process applications that arrive after the deadline.

Start your Application

Create an account and start gathering the documents you’ll need. You can come back to your application at any time.

Frequently Asked Questions:

  • Once you submit a FAFSA or CA Dream Act application, USF will review your family’s financial need to determine your Expected Family Contribution (EFC). The EFC uses a formula to determine how much aid you are eligible to receive from the federal government and/or from the university. Learn more about EFC.

    Your final need-based financial aid offer takes into consideration your financial need, the current cost of attendance, other aid sources you may have received, and current federal, state, and university aid policies.

  • When you apply to USF, you’re automatically considered for merit-based scholarships based on your academic achievements, so you don’t need to apply separately for them. If you’re admitted to USF, your decision letter will state any merit-based scholarships you’ve received. When you submit your FAFSA or CA Dream Act application, you’ll also be considered for need-based scholarships from the university. Learn more about scholarships.

  •  
    Fall Admits:

    On or before April 1: You’ll receive an updated offer on your Dons Status Page and a paper offer mailed to your mailing address.

    June 1: Deadline to submit any missing documents or complete unsatisfied financial aid requirements. Make sure to complete the requirements so that your financial aid is correctly reflected on your first bill.

    First week of July: Your first student bill is posted to your account.

    August 1: Fall bill due

     
    Spring Admits:

    On or before November 15, or rolling: You’ll receive an updated offer on your Dons Status Page and a paper offer mailed to your mailing address.

    November 1: Deadline to submit any missing documents or complete unsatisfied financial aid requirements. Make sure to complete the requirements so that your financial aid is correctly reflected on your first bill.

    First week of December: Your first student bill is posted to your account.

    First week of January: Fall bill due

Office of Financial Aid

Lone Mountain Main 251
2800 Turk Street
San Francisco, CA 94118
Hours

Monday – Friday:
8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Fax (415) 422-6084