Tuition and Fees

USF Sponsored Programs

Student pays for USF credit, in which courses and credits will appear directly on his/her USF official transcript; therefore, student pays USF tuition rate to USF as any normal semester. As a result, all USF financial aid such as USF grants and scholarships, and federal and state aid (except Federal Work Study) automatically apply to the student's term abroad.

  • Student is required to be full-time enrolled (minimum 12 units) while studying abroad. Falling below full-time enrollment can negatively affect government financial aid.
  • Student does not have to complete a Leave of Absence Form because he/she is technically still enrolled as a USF student.
  • Spring semester students must remember to take care of USF Financial Aid renewals for the next academic year.
  • Remember to apply for financial aid via the Free Application for Student Aid (FAFSA) in January-March for the next academic year.
  • Student is advised to meet with a Student Enrollment Services Financial Aid Counselor prior to departure to discuss financial aid matters while abroad.

*Contact the CGE regarding Room and Board concerns.

External Programs

Student pays program/institution tuition and fees directly to third-party provider (e.g., Semester at Sea, New York University, CIEE etc.) Tuition and fees vary per program and include different things.

  • Student must complete a Leave of Absence form for the semester(s) he/she will be studying abroad. He/she is not enrolled as a USF student, and is not eligible for USF financial aid during his/her semester(s) abroad.
  • There are funding opportunities such as merit or need based aid, grants and scholarships provided by various third-party organizations. If the host program cannot provide financial assistance, USF's Student Enrollment Services can assist in finding private loans.
  • Grades are not calculated into USF GPA. Student receives transfer credit from an accredited institution, and can still fulfill major, minor, core, and elective requirements.
  • If student receives Federal and/or State financial aid (Cal Grant, Federal Subsidized and Unsubsidized loans, etc.) from USF, it is advisable to see a financial aid counselor to discuss important steps to reserve a Cal grant for the return semester, or to put Federal loans into deferment or forbearance, which allows these loans to remain in a non-payment status while the student is on leave.
  • Federal Stafford student loans will enter repayment in six months from the last day of a student’s half-time (or more) enrollment status at USF. In order to defer repayment, you must file an In-School Deferment with the host school (if host school participates in aid programs), or Forbearance if host school does not have an OPE-ID. For more information, and to download deferment forms, visit the Federal Direct Loan Service’s web site, (click on “forms” to get a list of Deferment and Forbearance forms). Please consult a Financial Aid Loans officer for assistance.