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Frequently Asked Questions
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.
Imani Harris, Financial Aid Specialist | iharris@poly.usf.edu | 863.667.7028
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 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, Academic Program 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, Academic Program 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, Academic Program 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, Academic Program Specialist | slung@poly.usf.edu | 863.667.7021
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, Academic Program 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, Academic Program 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.
Imani Harris, Financial Aid Specialist | iharris@poly.usf.edu | 863.667.7028
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
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.
Imani Harris, Financial Aid Specialist | iharris@poly.usf.edu | 863.667.7028
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, Academic Program 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.
Imani Harris, Financial Aid Specialist | iharris@poly.usf.edu | 863.667.7028
What are the different types of financial aid?
Grants, loans, scholarships and work-study
Imani Harris, Financial Aid Specialist | iharris@poly.usf.edu | 863.667.7028
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 forget my PIN?
If PIN is forgotten, student should provide their student U number and then click on “Forgot PIN” button. The student-created security question will then be called up. When this is answered correctly, the PIN will automatically reset and request student to enter a new six-digit PIN.
Stacy Lung, Academic Program Specialist | slung@poly.usf.edu | 863.667.7021
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 | | 863.667.7000
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, Academic Program 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, Academic Program 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, Academic Program 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.
Imani Harris, Financial Aid Specialist | iharris@poly.usf.edu | 863.667.7028
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.
Imani Harris, Financial Aid Specialist | iharris@poly.usf.edu | 863.667.7028
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://www.registrar.usf.edu.
Stacy Lung, Academic Program 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
Imani Harris, Financial Aid Specialist | iharris@poly.usf.edu | 863.667.7028
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, Academic Program Specialist | slung@poly.usf.edu | 863.667.7021
When can I renew my FAFSA?
After January 1st of each calendar year.
Imani Harris, Financial Aid Specialist | iharris@poly.usf.edu | 863.667.7028
When is the priority processing deadline for the FAFSA?
March 1st of each year.
Imani Harris, Financial Aid Specialist | iharris@poly.usf.edu | 863.667.7028
Where can I find the Financial Aid forms?
Forms can be located at http://usfweb2.usf.edu/finaid/forms.html
Imani Harris, Financial Aid Specialist | iharris@poly.usf.edu | 863.667.7028
Where can I take the forms when I complete them?
Please submit forms to the Office of Financial Aid, Lakeland Technology Building 1139.
Office of Admissions and Financial Aid | admissions@poly.usf.edu | 863.667.7000