MSP Resources
For When You're Feeling Lost or Overwhelmed
Words of Encouragement
You are the first.
You are representing.
You are doing enough.
You are exactly where you need to be.
You are going at your own pace; life isn't linear.
You will succeed no matter what the outcome is.
Definitions
Higher Ed comes with its own language. Here are some common terms broken down to offer support and confidence in navigating such spaces.
Social & Support Concepts
First-Gen (First-Generation Student)
Generally, a student whose parent(s) or guardian(s) didn't complete a four-year college degree. Definitions can vary slightly by institution or program. The link provided offers more information on this term.
Imposer Syndrome
The feeling that you don't belong or aren't "smart enough" to be here, despite evidence that you've earned your place. Extremely common among first-gen students — you aren't alone in feeling this way.
Sense of Belonging
The feeling of being accepted, valued, and included as part of a community. Here on campus, that may include your classes, your major, and campus life.
Mentor/Mentorship
A current student, staff member, faculty member, or alum who offers guidance, encouragement, and advice based on their own experience navigating college, work, and/or life.
Peer Support
Encouragement, advice, and community from other students — especially other first-gen students — who understand what you're going through firsthand.
Academic Terms
Credit/Unit
A numeric value assigned to a course based on the hours of instruction. Full-time undergraduate status typically requires 12+ units per semester.
GPA (Grade Point Average)
A number, usually on the 4.0 scale, that represents your average academic performance across all your courses.
Syllabus
A document your professor provides at the start of a course outlining expectations, assignments, grading, and deadlines. Save it; you'll be referencing it all semester!
Office Hours
Scheduled times when a professor or teacher assistant is available outside of class for questions, extra help, or just to talk about the course. You are encouraged and welcome to attend —this is what they're there for.
Prerequisite
A course or requirement you must complete before enrolling in a more advanced course.
Major/Minor
Your major is your primary field of study; a minor is a secondary, smaller area of focus. Not every student has (or needs) a minor.
Academic Advisor/Faculty Advisor
A staff or faculty member who helps you plan your course schedule, understand degree requirements, and stay on track to graduate.
Academic Probation
A formal warning that your GPA or academic progress has fallen below university standards. It's a signal to get support, not a final judgment — CASA's Back on Track program exists specifically to help.
Transcript
The official record of every course you've taken and grade you've received at USF.
Logistical and Policy Terms
FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act)
A federal law that protects the privacy of your academic records. It means USF generally cannot share your grades, financial aid, or academic standing with your parents' family without your written consent — even if they're paying for school.
Registrar
The office responsible for registration, transcripts, enrollment verification, and the academic calendar.
Add/Drop Period
The window at the start of each semester when you can add or drop classes without a grade or financial penalty.
Waitlist
A queue for a class that's already full; you're automatically enrolled if a spot opens before the term starts.
Academic Calendar
The official schedule of semester start/end dates, add/drop deadlines, holidays, and finals week.
Enrollment Week
A block placed on your account (often for unpaid balances, missing documents, or advising requirements) that prevents you from registering for classes until it's resolved.
Student Hub/Self-Service
USF's online portal where you register for classes, view your schedule, check grades, and manage your financial aid.
Financial Aid & Money Terms
FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Financial Aid)
The form used to apply for federal and most state/institutional aid, including grants, work-study, and loans.
CA Dream Act Application
California's financial aid application for eligible AB 540 students who are not eligible to file the FAFSA.
Cost of Attendance (COA)
The full estimated cost of a year at USF — not just tuition, but also fees, housing, meals, books, and travel.
Student Aid Index (SAI)
A number generated from your FAFSA that financial aid offices use to determine your eligibility for need-based aid (this replaced the older term "EFC," or Expected Family Contribution).
Grants and Scholarships
Financial aid you don't have to pay back, typically awarded based on financial need (grants) or merit/achievement (scholarships).
Federal Work-Study (FWS)
A program that lets you earn money through an on- or off-campus job as part of your financial aid package, paid directly to you like a regular paycheck.
Loans
Borrowed money that must be repaid, usually with interest, after you graduate or drop full-time enrollment below
Verification
A review process the Office of Financial Aid may require to confirm the information on your FAFSA; you may be asked for additional documents like tax transcripts.
Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)
The minimum GPA and course-completion standards you must maintain to keep your financial aid. If you're notified you're not meeting SAP, USF's Office of Financial Aid can walk you through how to appeal to regain eligibility.