Undergraduate

International Transfer How to Apply

A row of ¹ú²ú¶ÌÊÓƵinternational transfer students holding up the bulls sign.

You can apply using USF’s online application, but before you dive in, watch our application tutorial or review our tutorial guide. We’ll walk you through the entire process!

  

 

Apply in a Few Easy Steps

Ready to get started? Select your transfer type to see all the steps required to complete your application package. Also be sure to review your specific major requirements

If you aren't sure what type of transfer student you are, check out our  of our website.

Lower-Level Applicants (Secondary school graduates with 12-59 transferrable credits)

1. Submit Your Application

Complete the .


2. Pay Your Application Fee

Pay the nonrefundable, $30 application fee.

Students who need to pay via International Wire Transfer are encouraged to use our Flywire system.


3. Submit Your Official Transcripts

Send original or certified copies of secondary transcripts/academic records and all post-secondary transcripts/academic records.

  • Include a certified English translation for all documents not written in English. If you need assistance translating your documents into English, we recommend using the  to find a certified translator. 
  • We can accept digital copies of these secondary and post-secondary school records emailed directly from an appropriate official at your school to international@usf.edu. Alternatively, mail your transcripts via post to: 

¹ú²ú¶ÌÊÓƵ
Office of Admissions
4202 E. Fowler Avenue, SVC 1036
Tampa, FL 33620
United States


4. Submit Official SAT, ACT or CLT Scores

If you are submitting ACT scores, you are required to submit scores for the Writing section, per Florida Board of Governors requirements.

  •  directly from the College Board. Our school code is 5828.
  •  directly from ACT, Inc. Our school code is 0761.
  • directly from CLT. You will select ¹ú²ú¶ÌÊÓƵ from the school dropdown when completing submission.

5. Send Official IELTS, TOEFL or Duolingo Scores

This step is only required for students from non-English speaking countries. Scores are valid for two years from the original date of examination.

  •  directly from ETS. Our school code is 5828.
  •  directly from the testing agency.

If these English-proficiency tests are required, applicants must attain the following minimum scores:

  • TOEFL – 79
  • IELTS - 6.5
  • Duolingo – 110
  • SAT – 24 (Reading), 25 (Writing and Language)
  • ACT – 17 (English), 19 (Reading)

The English-proficiency test requirement may be waived if the applicant has successfully met another proof of English proficiency requirement as outlined in the .

Upper-Level Applicants (Secondary school graduates with 60+ transferrable credits)

1. Submit Your Application

Complete the .


2. Pay Your Application Fee

Pay the nonrefundable, $30 application fee.


3. Submit Your Official Transcripts 

Send original or certified copies of all post-secondary transcripts/academic records.

  • Include a certified English translation for all documents not written in English. If you need assistance translating your documents into English, we recommend using the  to find a certified translator. 
  • We can accept digital copies of these secondary and post-secondary school records emailed directly from an appropriate official at your school to international@usf.edu. Alternatively, mail your transcripts via post to:

¹ú²ú¶ÌÊÓƵ
Office of Admissions
4202 E. Fowler Avenue, SVC 1036
Tampa, FL 33620
United States 


4. Send Official TOEFL or Duolingo Scores

This step is only required for students from non-English speaking countries. Scores are valid for two years from the original date of examination.

  •  directly from ETS. Our school code is 5828.
  •  directly from the testing agency.

If these English-proficiency tests are required, applicants must attain the following minimum scores:

  • TOEFL – 79
  • Duolingo – 105
  • SAT – 24 (Reading), 25 (Writing and Language)
  • ACT – 17 (English), 19 (Reading)

The English-proficiency test requirement may be waived if the applicant has successfully met another proof of English proficiency requirement as outlined in the ¹ú²ú¶ÌÊÓƵacademic catalog.

Second Baccalaureate Applicants (College graduates seeking to earn a second bachelor’s degree)

1. Submit Your Application

Complete the .


2. Pay Your Application Fee

Pay the nonrefundable, $30 application fee.


3. Submit Your Official Transcripts

Send original or certified copies of all post-secondary transcripts/academic records.

  • Include a certified English translation for all documents not written in English. If you need assistance translating your documents into English, we recommend using the  to find a certified translator.
  • We can accept digital copies of these secondary and post-secondary school records emailed directly from an appropriate official at your school to international@usf.edu. Alternatively, mail your transcripts via post to:

¹ú²ú¶ÌÊÓƵ
Office of Admissions
4202 E. Fowler Avenue, SVC 1036
Tampa, FL 33620
United States


4. Send Official TOEFL or Duolingo Scores

This step is only required for students from non-English speaking countries. Scores are valid for two years from the original date of examination.

  •  directly from ETS. Our school code is 5828.
  •  directly from the testing agency.

If these English-proficiency tests are required, applicants must attain the following minimum scores:

  • TOEFL – 79
  • Duolingo – 105
  • SAT – 24 (Reading), 25 (Writing and Language)
  • ACT – 17 (English), 19 (Reading)

The English-proficiency test requirement may be waived if the applicant has successfully met another proof of English proficiency requirement as outlined in the ¹ú²ú¶ÌÊÓƵacademic catalog.

That’s it! Once you’ve completed all the required steps, the admissions team will take some time to review your file and render a decision.


When to Apply

Here is a good rule of thumb on when to apply as a transfer student:

  • If you are currently enrolled at another college or university: apply no more than 90 days before your final grades will be posted for the current semester. (e.g., if your final semester grades will be posted on June 1, apply after March 1 for transfer admission to USF.)
  • If you are not currently enrolled at another college or university: apply as soon as you are ready with  for an admissions decision.

IMPORTANT APPLICATION NOTES:

Get to Know the Applicant Portal

You’ll use  to complete most remaining application tasks. From here, you can see any missing items, upload documents, complete requested forms, check your application status and more. Access the portal any time by logging in with your NetID and password. 

You should receive an email from ¹ú²ú¶ÌÊÓƵInformation Technology after you submit your application with information on how to activate your NetID. If you have any NetID issues, please contact ¹ú²ú¶ÌÊÓƵInformation Technology at help@usf.edu


Learn About Immigration Requirements
 

Most international students come to ¹ú²ú¶ÌÊÓƵon F-1 or J-1 student visas. To apply for these, you need eligibility documents (I-20s for F-1 visas or DS-2019s for J-1 visas) from USF. Learn more about each visa type and the process for obtaining it.

Immigration Requirements


Understand the Residency Process

When you apply to USF, the Office of Admissions uses information on your application to determine whether you are an in-state Florida resident or out-of-state resident Florida resident. This classification is important because it sets your tuition rates.

If we don’t receive enough information on your application to determine residency, you will be classified as a non-Florida resident for tuition purposes. It’s very important to respond to requests for information about your residency as soon as possible. Learn more about how residency is determined and how to ensure you’re classified correctly. 

Please note: students are informed of their residency status once admitted to the university.

Residency Information


Submit Your Final Transcripts

If admitted, your admission is contingent upon submitting final high school transcripts and any college transcripts showing dual enrollment coursework you’ve completed. Learn more about how to submit your final transcripts

Submit Transcripts