ADMISSIONS AND RELATED MATTERS

     Admission to USF St. Petersburg requires evidence of academic ability, creative thinking skills, and strong motivation.  The minimum admission requirements are designed to help identify applicants whose academic background indicates potential for success at USF St. Petersburg; however, satisfaction of minimum admission requirements does not guarantee acceptance. The admission of new students at all levels is made on a selective basis within curricular, space, and fiscal limitations. The selection process may include such factors as grades, test scores, pattern of courses completed, class rank, educational objectives, past conduct, school recommendations, personal recommendations, and portfolios. Preference for admission in any term will be given to those applicants whose credentials indicate the greatest promise of academic success.

     The University encourages applications from qualified applicants of both sexes and from all cultural, racial, religious, ethnic, and age groups.  In the admission process, there is no discrimination on the basis of these factors or on the basis of disability.  Applicants who do not meet minimum admission requirements will be considered for admission when there is sufficient evidence to suggest ability to do satisfactory work at USF St. Petersburg.  These policies are further described under “Applying for Admission” and “Requirements for Admission.”

     The University supports equal educational opportunity for disadvantaged students.  Requests for waiver of the $30.00 application fee are considered by the Director of Records & Registration if payment of this fee creates severe financial hardship and serves as a deterrent to application.

     Students are admitted to USF St. Petersburg in accordance with the mission and goals of the University and within enrollment limitations established by the Board of Education and the Florida Legislature.

Records and Registration

Location/phone:  BAY 102 – (727) 873-4645

140 Seventh Avenue S., St. Petersburg, FL  33701

Web address: http://www.stpt.usf.edu/records

     The Office of Records & Registration at USF St. Petersburg provides a wealth of student, academic, and administrative services.  In cooperation with the Office of Admissions and the Registrar’s Office at the Tampa campus, this office is responsible for maintaining each student’s academic record from the time of admission to degree.  Therefore, virtually every USF St. Petersburg student is a consumer of services provided by the Office of Records & Registration.

     The Office of Records & Registration staff coordinate registration and drop/add activities, process and distribute grade information each semester, prepare transcripts and diplomas, as well as certify student enrollment status.  Records & Registration staff also review and act upon student requests for reclassification of residency and process changes to specific aspects of the student record.     Students interested in petitioning the St. Petersburg Academic Regulations Committee (SPARC), requesting late registration, late drop or posting of grade forgiveness will find information and forms in the Office of Records & Registration.    These forms can also be found on the Records & Registration web-page.  Students wishing to keep their directory information private can find the necessary form at the Office of Records & Registration.

     The Office of Records & Registration provides information and services to students via OASIS, the University’s Online Access Student Information System. Online technology services are also available over the telephone and on the Web.  Using their self-declared personal identification number (PIN), students can register and drop/add, access registration appointment and hold information, and view their grades.  Students can also browse the University Schedule of Classes.  Information and services are continually being added for students.

     Although technology is being used to provide service that is available 24 hours a day, Records & Registration staff provides in-person information and services on campus as well as over the telephone. 

Applying for Admission

Obtaining an Application

     The online application is hosted on the FACTS (Florida Academic Counseling and Tracking for Students) website: http://www.facts.org.  FACTS.org is a central web resource for students to plan and manage their higher education experience.  FACTS.org includes Florida community colleges and private and public universities and is described as “Florida’s online gateway for college information.”

Online application instructions:

·    Click the Apply Online link below to go to the FACTS.org site.

·    Click the “Admissions” link in the left hand column.

·    Review the Admissions Application instructions.

·    Create your FACTS login.

·    Choose to apply to the University of South Florida.

·    Complete the online application by selecting USF St. Petersburg; then print and follow the Final Application Steps listed on the Confirmation Page.

Apply online at http://www.facts.org .

When to Apply

Applications for admission are accepted as early as 12 months before the requested entry term.  Applications for admission and the $30.00 non-refundable application fee should be submitted by the priority date (see academic calendar) for the requested entry term or by the application deadline for the requested degree program (see specific program in this catalog), whichever is earlier. Applications for admission and application fees from international students (non-resident aliens) must be received at least five months prior to the requested entry term. Applications submitted after the priority date will be accepted, but processing for the requested term of entry cannot be guaranteed.

Who Should Apply

An application for admission must be submitted by all students who have not been admitted to and enrolled in a USF degree program within the last three terms.  Former or continuing USF degree-seeking students must file another application for admission when applying for a second degree program, another level of study or readmission (see Readmission). 

     The Director of Records & Registration may waive payment of the application fee for disadvantaged applicants if the fee serves as a deterrent to application.

Changing Requested Term of Entry

  Applicants may update their application for admission for up to one year from the originally requested semester of admission.  All requests for changes of entry term must specify any academic work attempted that was not reflected on the original application and must be received by the appropriate published application deadline for the new term of entry or degree program specified whichever is earlier.  Additionally, any issues related to criminal or academic misconduct that were not reflected on the initial application must be reported in writing to the Office of Records & Registration.  A new application and fee must be submitted when applicants wish to be considered for admission for a term that begins more than 12 months after the originally requested entry term.

An applicant who requests a new entry term must meet the admissions requirements in effect for the new term requested.  Entry for some programs is limited to specified terms.