Scholarships

     Scholarships are administered by a number of different offices within the University.  Links to all scholarships can be found on the USF Ste. Petersburg Office of Financial Aid webpage http://www.stpt.usf.edu/finaid/scholarships).

Admissions Scholarships

     Every student who applies for admission to the University of South Florida St. Petersburg is automatically considered for admissions scholarships; no separate application is necessary.

The Office of Admissions in Tampa administers a variety of different scholarships for first-time-in-college students as well as for transfer students.  Contact the Scholarship Resource Office for specific questions regarding these scholarships: scholarships@admin.usf.edu.

Financial Aid Scholarships

     The USF St. Petersburg Office of Financial Aid also administers a variety of scholarships based on Academic Merit and Financial Need.  The 2008-2009 USF St. Petersburg Scholarship Application, deadline, and listing is available on our webpage.

Departmental Scholarships

     The individual colleges of USF (the College of Arts & Sciences, the College of Business, and the College of Education) administer some scholarships directly through the Dean’s Office in each college.  Links to these departments can be found on the Office of Financial Aid webpage.

Veterans Services

Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Benefits

     USF St. Petersburg is approved for the education of veterans, eligible dependents, members of the selected reserve, and active-duty personnel who are eligible for benefits under public laws now in effect. All degree programs currently offered at USF St. Petersburg are approved by the state approving agency.

     Students who may be eligible for benefits are urged to contact Veteran Services, which is co-located in the Financial Aid Office in BAY 105. Necessary forms are available on the Office of Financial Aid and Veterans Services webpage: http://www.stpt.usf.edu/finaid.

     To be eligible for full-time VA benefits at USF St. Petersburg, undergraduate students must enroll for 12 or more semester hours, and graduate students must enroll for 9 or more semester hours each normal academic term.

     VA regulations require that students take only courses that are applicable to their degree program or other approved program and make satisfactory progress toward their degree.  Students should consult the “Handbook for VA Students” by logging on to USF St. Petersburg Veterans Services web site:  http://usfweb.usf.edu/vetserve for information on various programs/services, and VA rules and regulations. Under no circumstances will the VA pay benefits to a student taking a course by audit. It is the student’s responsibility to inquire concerning all VA rules and regulations and to report any change in number of registered hours, change of majors, or adding a double major and/or minor which affects his/her benefits. Additionally, VA benefits will be terminated for students who are dismissed for academic or disciplinary reasons and can only be reinstated after academic counseling.

     Veterans with a service-connected disability approved for benefits under Chapter 31 may contact the Cashier's Office, BAY 132 no earlier than one week prior to the start of classes for a book and supplies voucher. Other VA benefits include additional amounts of compensation and pension, which may be payable to eligible veterans and widows or widowers of veterans for the enrollment of dependent children. The students, parents, or guardians are responsible for notifying the VA Regional Office directly of enrollment and termination of enrollment. The VA toll-free number is 1-800-827-1000.

*See “Resident Status,” above

University Police

     The USF St. Petersburg Police Department provides a full range of public safety services to the campus community 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.  All University Police officers are certified by the State of Florida. 

     General services provided by the University Police include car patrol, foot patrol, bicycle patrol, criminal investigation of all misdemeanors and felonies, traffic law enforcement, traffic crash investigation, special events management, and crime prevention programs.

     The University Police Department has an excellent working relationship with all local law enforcement agencies.  The University Police maintain 24-hour contact with local, national, and international law enforcement agencies via computer networks such as the Florida Crime Information Center and the National Crime Information Center.  The Florida Department of Law Enforcement and other local, state, and federal agencies are available to assist the University Police upon request.

University Police Department Location:

     The USF St. Petersburg Police Department is located near the intersection of Fifth Avenue South and Second Street South.  The emergency number is “9-1-1” and the non-emergency number is (727) 873-4140.

Victims’ Advocacy Program

Location: BAY 117 Hours:  8 am – 5 pm Monday - Friday.  After hours (727) 698-2079.

     This service is coordinated by the Center for Counseling, Health & Wellness at USF St. Petersburg.  The service is available to assist all USF students or employees who are victims of actual or threatened violence, including but not limited to battery, assault, sexual battery (date, acquaintance or stranger rape), attempted sexual battery, stalking, or sexual harassment.  The victim advocate provides information, support and guidance including short-term crisis intervention, assistance through the campus judicial process, referral to community-based victim assistance programs, help in resolving academic problems resulting from victimization, and referral for necessary counseling, medical, legal and social service assistance.

     Advocates are available to provide crisis intervention, options, assistance and referrals.  Police reports are not necessary to receive services from an advocate, and services are free and confidential.

     Important numbers: