Frequently Asked Questions
Can families and guests attend Orientation?
The Transfer student program is designed specifically for students. Families and guests are always welcome to attend Orientation; however it is not essential for them to attend the Orientation session with students. Due to facility size, it is strongly recommended that you register your guest in advance. This can be done online when you register.
Admissions | admissions@poly.usf.edu | 863.667.7000
How are USF Polytechnic Scholarships awarded?
They are awarded every Fall and Spring term. Students are required to meet specific guidelines.
Shavonda Harris, Financial Aid Specialist | sharris@poly.usf.edu | 863.667.7082
How do I apply for a Stafford loan?
You will need to complete and submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) Please visit www.fafsa.ed.gov.
Shavonda Harris, Financial Aid Specialist | sharris@poly.usf.edu | 863.667.7082
How do I apply for scholarships?
Please visit http://usfweb2.usf.edu/finaid/scholarships
Shavonda Harris, Financial Aid Specialist | sharris@poly.usf.edu | 863.667.7082
How do I change my home campus if it does not state “Polytechnic”?
It’s simple! Just complete an Update form (http://usfweb2.usf.edu/admissions/pdf/termofentry_update.pdf), fill in the Change of Campus information and submit it to the Tampa Office of Admissions.
Admissions | admissions@poly.usf.edu | 863.667.7000
How do I drop a class?
To drop classes, log in to OASIS and click on the Registration Menu, then select Registration/Add/Drop Classes. Click the Action pull-down menu next to the reference number of the course you wish to drop, select drop, then click Submit Changes. Make sure you have gone all the way to the last entry before you drop your class!
Stacy Lung, Enrollment Management Specialist | slung@poly.usf.edu | 863.667.7021
How do I find my registration appointment time?
Appointment times are assigned by total number of hours completed and other criteria. Current term credit hours are excluded. You can register any time on or after your scheduled time. To find your individual appointment, log in to OASIS and click on the Registration Menu, then click on Check Your Registration Status.
Stacy Lung, Enrollment Management Specialist | slung@poly.usf.edu | 863.667.7021
How do I find what tuition and fees I owe?
Schedule/Fee Statements are not mailed to students. To confirm the total amount due, log in to OASIS, click on Registration Menu, then select View Fee Assessment.
Stacy Lung, Enrollment Management Specialist | slung@poly.usf.edu | 863.667.7021
How do I get a printout of my schedule?
If you have a printer at home, you may log in to OASIS, click on the Registration Menu, then print either your Student Detail Schedule or your Schedule by Day & Time. If you cannot print, you may bring a photo ID to the Registrar’s Office to request a printout of your schedule.
Stacy Lung, Enrollment Management Specialist | slung@poly.usf.edu | 863.667.7021
How do I get to USF and where is my Orientation located?
Once on campus, proceed to the LTB building (the one with all of the palm trees!) Once inside you will see the auditorium and sign-in tables to your left.
Admissions | admissions@poly.usf.edu | 863.667.7000
How do I know if new course sections are available if the one I want is closed or cancelled?
Use the online Schedule Search by clicking on the Class Schedule link on the main OASIS homepage’s Secured Access Menu.
Stacy Lung, Enrollment Management Specialist | slung@poly.usf.edu | 863.667.7021
How do I pay for my classes?
To avoid the $100 late payment fee, you should make full payment by the 5th day of the term. Payment by check, cash or money order can be made at the Cashier’s Office. Payment by debit/credit card (Visa, MasterCard or Discovery) are made through the OASIS system.
Stacy Lung, Enrollment Management Specialist | slung@poly.usf.edu | 863.667.7021
How is financial need determined?
Need Analysis
The process of analyzing a student's financial need, known as need analysis, focuses on determining how much the family reasonably can be expected to contribute towards the student's education. Traditionally, determination of an applicant's need is achieved by collecting information about the family's income, assets, and living expenses. For the federal student aid programs, the law specifies a need analysis formula that produces the Expected Family Contribution (EFC). The EFC and the college's cost of attendance are used by the postsecondary school to establish the student's need as well as to award grants, campus-based aid, and subsidized loans. The college might ask you to complete other paperwork to determine your need for non-federal aid.
Shavonda Harris, Financial Aid Specialist | sharris@poly.usf.edu | 863.667.7082
I need to make travel arrangements for Orientation. When should I make plans?
Do not make travel arrangements until you receive your confirmation. If you register online, you will receive an email confirmation within two business days.
Admissions | admissions@poly.usf.edu | 863.667.7000
I registered for Orientation at the Tampa Campus by mistake, how should I change my reservation?
You will need to contact the Tampa New Student Orientation Office at (813) 974-3060 to cancel your reservation and ask for a refund. You’ll then need to fill out a reservation form for USF Polytechnic New Student Orientation.
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I registered for Orientation at the Tampa Campus. Can I attend that orientation instead?
You must attend New Student Orientation at your Home Campus.
Admissions | admissions@poly.usf.edu | 863.667.7000
If I attend a later Orientation session, will it be harder for me to register and obtain the classes I want?
Once you have attended Orientation, met with your advisor and understand your program's requirements, you may register for classes. However, there may be fewer classes to choose from due to continuing students registering for courses. For these reasons, we recommend that you register for an early Orientation session as soon as possible.
Admissions | admissions@poly.usf.edu | 863.667.7000
If I receive an outside scholarship, should I disclose this information to the Office of Financial Aid?
Yes. To avoid being over awarded please complete and submit the following form http://usfweb2.usf.edu/FinaidPDF/Internet/0708/0708_adrsc.pdf accordingly.
Shavonda Harris, Financial Aid Specialist | sharris@poly.usf.edu | 863.667.7082
I'm a student who needs special accommodations. When do I request them?
Please call Disabillity Student Services at least 1 day prior to your Orientation session.
Sonja Hayes, Talent Management Agent | sonja@poly.usf.edu | 863.667.7027
Is there a deadline to accept my loans?
Loans must be accepted and outstanding requirements completed no later than four weeks before the end of the term.
Shavonda Harris, Financial Aid Specialist | sharris@poly.usf.edu | 863.667.7082
Do I need to submit high school transcripts?
High school transcripts are not required for admissions if you will transfer to USFP with more than sixty (60) semester credits. However, if you completed two years of foreign language in high school your transcripts will be needed to meet the foreign language entrance requirement.
High school transcripts are also useful in meeting the immunization requirements for registration. Often the dates you received your measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccinations are printed on your high school transcripts.
Admissions Office | admissions@poly.usf.edu | 863.667.7000
I have an “AR” or an admissions hold on my registration. What does that mean?
This is an admissions hold that has been placed on your record because you have not submitted all necessary documents to the admissions office. Please contact the Office of Admissions via e-mail at admissions@poly.usf.edu or by calling 863-667-7000.
Admissions Office | admissions@poly.usf.edu | 863.667.7000
I attended more than one school but they are all listed on my last transcripts. Is that good enough?
Unfortunately no, your most recent transcript is not enough. USF Polytechnic requires official transcripts from any school where you completed college level courses for an undergraduate degree.
For graduate students, USFP requires official transcripts from any institution where a bachelor’s degree or higher was completed (including any prior graduate coursework.)
Admissions Office | admissions@poly.usf.edu | 863.667.7000
I went to college outside of the US. Do I need to have those transcripts evaluated?
Yes, any college that is not located in the United States requires a third party evaluation. You will need a course-by-course evaluation completed before USFP can make an admissions decision for you.
Admissions Office | admissions@poly.usf.edu | 863.667.7000
Where should I send my official transcripts?
Official transcripts should be mailed directly to:
Office of Admissions
USF Polytechnic
3433 Winter Lake Road
Lakeland, FL 33803
Transcripts in their original sealed envelope may also be delivered to this office in the Lakeland Technology Building (LTB).
Admissions Office | admissions@poly.usf.edu | 863.667.7000
I was in the military. How do I send in those records to be evaluated for credit?
You may be eligible for college credit based on the military training you completed. In order to have this evaluated, we will need a copy of your military transcripts:
- If you were in the Navy or the Marines, you will need to submit your SMART transcript. This can be accessed online at https://smart.navy.mil.
- If you were in the Army, you will need to submit your ARTS transcript. This can be accessed online at https://aartstranscript.army.mil/getdata_ms4.asp.
- Air Force training may be recorded on a Community College of the Air Force (CCAF) which can be obtained online at http://www.au.af.mil/au/ccaf/transcripts.asp.
Admissions Office | admissions@poly.usf.edu | 863.667.7000
The registrar’s office at my institution is asking for a recipient e-mail address to send my transcripts. What is that?
Some colleges have begun using an electronic transcript delivery system using secure pdf files. If your institution uses this method, please have transcripts e-mailed to admissions@poly.usf.edu.
Admissions Office | admissions@poly.usf.edu | 863.667.7000
How do I get my USF transcripts?
USF transcripts may be requested on campus at the cashier’s office or online.
Admissions Office | admissions@poly.usf.edu | 863.667.7000
My transcripts were sent electronically. What does that mean?
If you are currently attending classes at a public state college or university in Florida you may be able to have your transcripts sent electronically to USF. We do not receive a paper copy of your transcripts, just a listing of the courses that you have completed.
Admissions Office | admissions@poly.usf.edu | 863.667.7000
I had the official transcript sent via e-mail to my personal e-mail address. Can you use that? If so, how?
This may be able to be used by the Office of Admissions. You need to provide both the original e-mail and an unused access code to admissions@poly.usf.edu.
Admissions Office | admissions@poly.usf.edu | 863.667.7000
How do I know if my transcripts were received?
You can monitor your transcript status online through OASIS when you log in using your Net ID and password.
Admissions Office | admissions@poly.usf.edu | 863.667.7000
I am currently taking classes. Should I wait until I finish to send my transcripts?
No, USFP can review your current transcripts to make a decision on your application. If we are unable to make a final decision based on the credits you have already completed, we may require that you send us an updated transcript but please send in all of your official transcripts as soon as possible.
Admissions Office | admissions@poly.usf.edu | 863.667.7000
I only have the choice of choosing the University of South Florida with an address in Tampa, not USF Polytechnic. Is this okay?
Yes, this is okay. If you have the choice of entering an address, your transcripts will be processed faster by sending them directly to our campus. However, USF shares one system so your transcripts sent to any admissions office in the USF System will reach our office.
Admissions Office | admissions@poly.usf.edu | 863.667.7000
Can you make an admissions decision using unofficial transcripts?
Undergraduate students are required to submit all official transcripts before an admissions decision can be made.
Graduate students may use unofficial transcripts for a provisional admissions decision, however official transcripts must be received prior to the start of the second semester.
Admissions Office | admissions@poly.usf.edu | 863.667.7000
Do I need to send in USF transcripts if I previously attended classes in the USF System?
No, USF transcripts are not needed.
Admissions Office | admissions@poly.usf.edu | 863.667.7000
What are prerequisites?
Prerequisites are courses or test scores recorded as satisfactorily completed to indicate you are academically prepared to comprehend and complete subsequent course materials. When registering for a future term, OASIS may allow you to add subsequent courses while currently enrolled in their prerequisites; however, if your completion of those prerequisites is not recorded as satisfactory, you will be dropped prior to the start of that future term.
Stacy Lung, Enrollment Management Specialist | slung@poly.usf.edu | 863.667.7021
What are the deadlines for the Undergraduate Admissions Transfer scholarships?
The deadline for Summer/Fall is April 1st and the deadline for Spring is November 1st.
Shavonda Harris, Financial Aid Specialist | sharris@poly.usf.edu | 863.667.7082
What are the different types of financial aid?
Grants, loans, scholarships and work-study
Shavonda Harris, Financial Aid Specialist | sharris@poly.usf.edu | 863.667.7082
What are the medical requirements to attend USF?
For the medical and immunization requirements of the University, please go to http://www.shs.usf.edu/ for the updated Immunization policy for all incoming students. The Medical/Immunization History forms are due before you will be allowed to register for classes. Please call (813) 974-4056 for more information.
Admissions | admissions@poly.usf.edu | 863.667.7000
What are USF Polytechnic Scholarships?
These scholarships are only designated for USF Polytechnic students.
Shavonda Harris, Financial Aid Specialist | sharris@poly.usf.edu | 863.667.7082
What if I can no longer attend the session for which I registered? How do I change my Orientation session?
If an emergency situation occurs, please contact the Office of Admissions and Financial Aid. Orientation sessions cannot be changed online. Please note that if you are switching from the online version to the face-to-face session that space is limited and we cannot always guarantee a slot.
Admissions | admissions@poly.usf.edu | 863.667.7000
What if I can't attend any of the Orientation sessions?
Orientation is State and University mandated, but if you cannot attend the face-to-face session, we also offer an online version. If, by chance, your Admissions does not go through until the first week of classes, please contact your Academic Advisor immediately for further assistance.
Admissions | admissions@poly.usf.edu | 863.667.7000
What if I need to change my major?
You will need to speak with your Academic Advisor in order to affect this change.
Academic Advising | | 863.667.7813
What is a course reference number (CRN)?
That is a five-digit identifier unique to each course section that changes each term. The correct reference number for each course section you request is critical to the registration process.
Stacy Lung, Enrollment Management Specialist | slung@poly.usf.edu | 863.667.7021
What is a permit and how do I get one?
Many college/department courses require students to meet specific eligibility criteria or to secure individual permits from them prior to registration. Course requiring special permission — either individual permits or certain eligibility criteria — are noted in our printed schedule immediately below the course information line, but should decisions to require permits be made by college/departments post publication, the online Schedule Search is your best resource. Permits are secured from the college/department offering the course, and are issued electronically to affect your individual permission granted to register upon satisfying college/departmental criteria for eligibility to take their course. Permits are either for a specific course section or for any section of a particular course, providing space is available.
Some courses require specific eligibility criteria, such as student status or test scores. Criteria includes student standing (junior, senior, etc.), declared major and/or college, scores on placement or admission tests, or admission to a doctoral candidacy. When your USF computerized record matches the status/test score criteria, you are automatically eligible to register for the course. If you do not meet the criteria, you may request a electronic override from the college/department. If your request is granted you may register via OASIS, providing space is available.
You can view permits or overrides that you’ve been given using OASIS web. Enter OASIS, click on Registration Menu, then select View My Registration Status.
Stacy Lung, Enrollment Management Specialist | slung@poly.usf.edu | 863.667.7021
What is an Administrative Hold?
If you have an obligation to a University office, you may have an “Administrative Hold” placed on your registration. In order to register, you must satisfy these obligations and secure clearance from the office(s) placing the hold(s). To view your holds, enter OASIS and click on the Registration Menu, then click on Check Your Registration Status
Stacy Lung, Enrollment Management Specialist | slung@poly.usf.edu | 863.667.7021
What is my first step in the financial aid application process?
Go to http://www.fafsa4caster.ed.gov/what011.htm . This link will provide you with information on how to apply and what is federal student aid.
Shavonda Harris, Financial Aid Specialist | sharris@poly.usf.edu | 863.667.7082
What is the difference between a subsidized and unsubsidized loan?
Subsidized: Eligibility based on financial need. Loan interest is paid on your behalf by the government while you are enrolled at least half-time and during grace or deferment periods.
Unsubsidized: Eligibility is not based on financial need. Loan interest accrues within sixty days of disbursement and can be paid while you are in school, or deferred until you begin repayment. Interest is capitalized and added to the principal amount outstanding, if you choose the deferred option.
Shavonda Harris, Financial Aid Specialist | sharris@poly.usf.edu | 863.667.7082
What is the difference between dropping and withdrawing?
If you wish to drop ALL of your courses for a semester, you should withdraw rather than drop. If you are only registered for one course and wish to drop it, you must withdraw. The Withdrawal Application form is available for download through the Office of the Registrar at http://poly.usf.edu/Apply-USFP/Records-Registration/RegistrationForms.html.
Stacy Lung, Enrollment Management Specialist | slung@poly.usf.edu | 863.667.7021
What is the process of receiving a Stafford loan?
Accept loans in OASIS
Complete Entrance Interview- required for all first time borrows
Actively enrolled with at least half time status
Meeting Satisfactory Academic Progress
Complete Master Promissory Note
Shavonda Harris, Financial Aid Specialist | sharris@poly.usf.edu | 863.667.7082
I’m taking an online course, what will I need?
You will need a USF Net ID, which requires obtaining a USFCard photo ID prior to the start of classes. Photo ID cards are generated at the Student Services counter an cost $10 in the form of a check or money order.
Stacy Lung, Enrollment Management Specialist | slung@poly.usf.edu | 863.667.7021
What will occur during my Orientation session?
The sessions usually last about two hours. Conclusion time will vary depending on your particular advising needs.
At Orientation, you will:
• Meet other new USF Bulls
• Be educated on how to realistically and effectively transition to life at USF
• Learn about essential academic resources
• Prepare to become involved
• Meet with an advisor so you can register for your first classes at USF!
Remember that Orientation is required by the State of Florida and attendance for the duration of the program is mandatory. Attendance will be taken at check-in for the Orientation program as well as afterwards by way of your signed Orientation Pass.
Admissions | admissions@poly.usf.edu | 863.667.7000
When can I renew my FAFSA?
After January 1st of each calendar year.
Shavonda Harris, Financial Aid Specialist | sharris@poly.usf.edu | 863.667.7082
When is the priority processing deadline for the FAFSA?
March 1st of each year.
Shavonda Harris, Financial Aid Specialist | sharris@poly.usf.edu | 863.667.7082
Where can I find the Financial Aid forms?
Forms can be located at http://usfweb2.usf.edu/finaid/forms.html
Shavonda Harris, Financial Aid Specialist | sharris@poly.usf.edu | 863.667.7082
Where can I take the forms when I complete them?
Please submit forms to the Office of Financial Aid, Lakeland Technology Building 1139.
Admissions | admissions@poly.usf.edu | 863.667.7000