Pre-Arrival & New Student Resources

Center for Academic and Student Achievement (CASA)

Services Offered to International Students (undergrad only):

• One-on-one meetings to assist international students' transition to USF 
• Academic and personal support to assist international students' success
• Connect students to campus resources
• Class registration assistance
• Process academic forms

The Learning, Writing, and Speaking Centers (LWSC)

Services Offered to International Students

• Subject-specific Tutoring
• Peer Tutoring
• Supplemental Instructions
• Peer-Led Team Learning
• Writing Assistance
• Communications Support
• One-on-one Academic Skills Coaching
• Group Workshops
• Online Resources

Student Enrollment Services is an important campus office for all students and offers a wide range of services. This office is where you will pay tuition and other fees, register for classes, submit official updates to your student status (such as major changes), and a place to get proof of your student status and enrollment history.  The office is in Lone Mountain main but most services can be requested and completed online at their website.

Office of the Registrar
Email: registrar@usfca.edu  Phone: (415) 422-7260
Student Accounts
Email: StudentAccounts@usfca.edu Phone: (415) 422-2571
Student Employment
Email: StuEmp@usfca.edu Phone: (415) 422-6770

Services Offered to International Students

Office of the Registrar processes the following:

• Enrollment Verification Request
• Change of Academic Program
• Registration Add/Drop Form
• Change of Personal Data Form
• Leave of Absence Form
• Petition to Withdraw
• Student Consent to Release Information
• Transcript Requests

Student Accounts

• Questions about tuition payments and tuition payment deadlines.
• For a list of available methods of payment, visit their website
• Flywire (PeerTransfer) is the recommended form of international payment.
• Students with U.S. checking or savings accounts may enroll in the payment plan.

Student Employment

• Getting an on-campus job
• Submitting employment forms when hired on-campus
• Obtaining an on-campus work clearance form (bring your passport and I-94).

* Working on campus is a great way to get involved on campus and obtain work experience in the US. All F-1 degree seeking students may work on campus without prior approval from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Keep in mind there are work hour limitations for international student employees. Students may work part-time (up to 20 hours per week) on campus while classes are in session. During breaks, students may work on campus up to 35 hours per week.

International USF students who wish to work on campus must complete a three-part process in order to obtain employment and receive payments (earnings) in accordance with University and federal requirements:

1. Obtain a student employment position at USF and complete the onboarding process
2. Obtain a Social Security Number
3. Complete Sprintax Calculus (optional, but highly recommended

Detailed instructions for each step are listed on the Office of Student Employment’s International Student Employee Checklist and must be completed by all first-time employees.  ISSS also has an On-campus employment webpage that provides more information on this process.

* Getting Social Security Number or Tax IDs?

• Social Security Number (SSN):
  An SSN is an identification number primarily used for income & tax purposes. Only international students who have on-campus employment or authorized off-campus employment may apply for an SSN. Most students obtain an SSN by first getting an on-campus job. Once you have found employment on-campus, you should apply for an SSN number within 10 business days of your employment start date. You will need to bring your Social Security card to the Student Employment office within 45 business days to update your employment record. For detailed information about applying for a  Social Security Number, please visit the ISSS Applying for a Social Security webpage.
• Other Tax ID Numbers (ITIN):
  Students who don’t have an on-campus job and are not authorized for off-campus employment, but who still need a tax ID number to report non-wage based income (like a scholarship), can apply for an Individual Tax ID Number (ITIN). If you have a USF scholarship for room and board, living stipend, or scholarship from another United States based organization, you may need to apply for an ITIN. To learn about the ITIN application, please attend one of the ISSS Tax Filing Workshops. If you have further questions about the ITIN process, please contact ISSS to make an appointment with an advisor. Please note that ISSS will assist you as best as we can, but we are not tax experts. If you would like more assistance with your taxes, you should contact a professional tax accountant.

Health Promotion Services (HPS)

Important Points/Services Offered to International Students:

• Health Insurance
• Immunization Service
• Clinics Guide
• Wellness Workshop

Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS)

Important Points/Services Offered to International Students

• Teletherapy services are provided for Individual and group counseling via Phone or Video
• Individual counseling to support your adjustment as an international student
• Counselors who can speak Mandarin Chinese, Spanish and Hindi 
• Virtual Single Session Therapy—specific issue that can be resolved in one session and is offered by appointment
• Couples counseling for enrolled students
• Groups & Workshops on a variety of mental health topics

Student Disability Services (SDS)

Important Points/Services Offered to International Students

• How to register with SDS
  • Apply Online: Request services by visiting their website and completing our online application. 
  • Intake/Eligibility Appointment: Once your application is processed & qualifying documentation has been submitted, you will meet with your assigned specialist to discuss your eligibility for appropriate accommodations and academic adjustments.
  • Accommodations: Once reasonable accommodations have been determined, you will receive an eligibility letter. Students are responsible for requesting their accommodations each semester and notifying appropriate university personnel. Most accommodations can be arranged within 10 business days.

Cultural Centers: The Intercultural Center and the Gender & Sexuality Center

Important Points/Services Offered to International Students                                  

• The primary goal of the Cultural Centers' programming is to bring students together to increase their understanding, and to embrace their roles as members of a diverse community on the local and global levels.
• Programs are primarily planned by students for students, and welcome input on program ideas.
• Programs that provide education and awareness ABOUT issues, experiences, and histories of marginalized communities.   
• The Cultural Centers are great spaces to study, meet new friends, and learn more about different cultures.

Student Leadership and Engagement (SLE)

Important Points/Services Offered to International Students

• Help students get involved with student organizations including Senate, Greek Life, Culturally Focused Clubs, Performing Arts, Academic/Honorary/Professional Associations, and more!
• Provide leadership programs and opportunities including Magis Emerging Leadership Program, Student Leadership Conference, and Student Leadership Awards.
• Promote engagement in student events and campus life.
• Provide support for 100+ registered student organizations on campus, USF offers 20+ cultural/multicultural/international organizations. See a full list at https://myusf.usfca.edu/sle/student-orgs
• Check your email for The Phoenix, your weekly guide to student events, and follow @usfsle on Instagram.

University Ministry (UM)

Important Points/Services Offered to International Students

• All UM programs are available to international students, such as retreats, Arrupe Justice Immersion trips, Interfaith events, volunteering in San Francisco, and weekly Sunday student mass (Sundays at 7pm at St. Ignatius Church)
• Visit the University Ministry Facebook (www.facebook.com/USFUniversityMinistry), Instagram (@usf_um), and Twitter (@USF_UM).

Office of Student Conduct, Rights and Responsibilities (OSCRR)

Important Points/Services Offered to International Students

• Student Code of Conduct information and university policy clarification
• Personal and social development through student conduct process when policies may be violated
• Students must read the Fogcutter Student Handbook for important University Policies 
• Please note, NO smoking in any campus building or anywhere on campus (except for the 2 designated smoke areas), NO alcohol if you are under the age of 21, NO drug use, and NO marijuana or marijuana paraphernalia (supplies) may be used, possessed, or stored on campus 

Career Services Center (Main Campus)

Important Points/Services Offered to International Students

• Career Counseling
• Job & internship search, including Handshake and Internship Exchange
• Resume and Cover Letter 
• LinkedIn profile 
• Interview coaching, including mock interviews
• Networking best practices
• Career Workshops 
• Career Fairs and Employer Recruitment Events

 Note: The Career Services Center does not serve Graduate School of Management or School of Law students. These students  are encouraged to reach out to their specific departments, identified below.

School of Management Graduate Career Services Center (Downtown Campus)

Important Points/Services Offered to International Students

• Individual Career Planning and Search Advising
• Information and resources to learn about work in the US abroad
• Career workshops and events
• Basic information about CPT and OPT process
• Be proactive in your career planning throughout your program at USF—don’t wait until the end!

School of Law Career Services (Main Campus)

Important Points/Services Offered to International Students

• Individual career counseling
• Resume, cover letter, and social media review
• Connecting you with alumni and other potential employers
• Online jobs database
• On-campus recruiting
• Career skills workshops
• Mock interview program

One Card Office

Services Offered to International Students

• The USF One Card Program works to provide a positive experience on campus by centralizing several key University services and providing a convenient means with which USF community members may access them. These services include building access, entitlement verification, and on-campus debit accounts.
• Building Access:
  • The USF One Card is used to gain access to various University buildings and facilities. Access is typically issued with the ability to swipe into areas on campus, including, but not limited to: exterior doors of administrative buildings, Gleeson Library, Dorraine Zief Law Library, Koret Health, and Recreation Center, and computer labs. In addition, students living in University residence halls are given access to their buildings and rooms.
• Entitlement Verification:
  • Entitlement verification indicates USF community members are entitled to certain USF services and privileges. The One Card Program maintains this process, which is put to use each time you successfully swipe or use your personal One Card.
• Debit Accounts:
  • The University offers two debit accounts, both of which are linked to the One Card. The Flexi Meal Plan(s) and Don Dollars. Each has unique features and is designed for specific purposes serving to assist your purchasing needs whether you live on or off-campus

Student Housing and Residential Education (SHaRE)

Important Points/Services Offered to International Students

• On Campus housing 
  • Incoming, first-year, full-time, undergraduate students are guaranteed on-campus housing for their first three (3) semesters at the university. After your first year, you'll need to reapply for housing for the following two semesters, and your housing will be guaranteed for those two semesters. 
  • Your housing is guaranteed as long as you:
    • Submit an enrollment deposit before the deadline
    • Submit a completed housing application before the deadline
    • If you miss the deadlines, you'll be placed on a waitlist and assigned a space based on housing availability.
  • Continuing students are not guaranteed housing but are welcome to apply. Continuing students who are still on the waitlist by July are strongly encouraged to look into off-campus housing in the event that they do not receive an on-campus booking.
• Off-campus housing 
  • Visit the Off-Campus Living (OCL) website, where students may find many resources that will help with the housing search and living off campus. Students are encouraged to also visit the USF housing rental website. For more information, please email OCL at usfcaoffcampus@usfca.edu or call (415)-422-3432.

Information Technology Services (ITS)

Services Offered to International Students:

• Computer Troubleshooting
• Google Apps Suite, including Google email (DonsApps Mail)
• MyUSF Account/Canvas Account Access
• USF Wireless and USF Visitors for guests
• Computer Labs

Department of Public Safety Patrol and Dispatch Services

Services Offered to International Students:

• The goal of the Department of Public Safety is to provide a safe learning environment by working collaboratively with our campus community. This is accomplished by providing continuous campus patrol, campus shuttles, safety escorts, crime prevention programs, and parking services. Our department maintains a 24-hour communication center and uniformed public safety officers to respond to all reports of accidents, crimes, suspicious persons, hazards, and other emergencies.
• Parking On Campus:
  • USF has very limited parking and, as such, is unable to provide ample parking spaces for the majority of the USF community. Therefore, in accordance with San Francisco city planning, sustainability efforts, limited campus parking, and in order to reduce the amount of traffic in the residential neighborhood that surrounds the university, all students who live in any University housing facility are prohibited from bringing vehicles to campus and are ineligible to receive semester or annual parking permits.
  • During the fall and spring semesters, full time and 3-day part time permits are awarded through a lottery system to students living outside of a 3 mile radius from campus. During the summer, however, students may purchase any type of parking permit. 
• ADA Shuttle and Night Safety Program: 
  • The Department of Student Leadership and Engagement and the Department of Public Safety co-sponsor the USF Shuttle and the Night Safety Program. Its primary purpose is to provide reasonable transportation to classes, on campus locations, and off campus residences within the boundaries of the service. 

* Safety and Scam Information

The safety of all students attending University of San Francisco is our top priority. International students and visitors can be targets of crimes because they are less familiar with the area and what suspicious activity looks like. In San Francisco and the Bay Area, the most common incidents result in the loss of property but not physical harm. The most common incidents are crimes of opportunity such as robbery and car break-ins. These incidents are random and, with some knowledge and awareness, the risk can be greatly reduced or avoided. For more information on tips for staying safe, please visit our Safety and Scam webpage.