Subsidized Loans End for Graduate Students

The Budget Control Act, which was passed in August 2011, eliminates the in-school interest subsidy on Federal Direct Loans for graduate and professional students beginning July 1, 2012. Graduate and professional students will only be eligible for unsubsidized Federal Direct Loans beginning fall 2012. For affected students, this means that interest will begin accruing when loans are paid to your account, and borrowers will have to cover the cost of interest while in school. Repayment is still deferred as long as students are enrolled at least half-time.

DECEMBER 20th: Check your Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) Status

Check your SAP status in late December to be sure you qualify for financial aid for spring 2012.

1. Log into OASIS and use "check my eligibility".
2. If your status is ineligible, you will not qualify for a tuition deferment.

Enrollment Requirements
New regulations affecting repeat courses!

Beginning fall 2011, you can repeat a course you've passed ONE TIME and have it count in your hours enrolled for financial aid purposes. If you repeat a course you've passed more than one time, the hours will not be considered in your enrollment and could affect your eligibility for federal student aid (including loans) and USF grants. Keep in mind, however, that USF's academic policy counts repeated courses differently. Please review the section Repeat Course Work at http://www.ugs.usf.edu/pdf/cat1112/08acapol.pdf (Adobe PDF)

All financial aid, including student loans, require that you be enrolled as a degree seeking student.

Undergraduate Students

Full-time status is a minimum of 12 undergraduate USF credit hours.
Half-time status is a minimum of 6 undergraduate USF credit hours.

Graduate Students

Full-time status is a minimum of 9 graduate USF credit hours.
Half-time status is a minimum of 5 graduate USF credit hours.

Make Purchasing Your Textbooks Easier

Check your BAPP eligibility beginning December 19, 2011 for the spring semester. If you don't qualify, it may be because:

• Your spring bill exceeds your spring financial aid;
• You have an ineligible Satisfactory Academic Progress status in OASIS;
• You have loans offered, but not accepted for spring in OASIS;
• You have a missing Master Promissory Note and/or Entrance Counseling for loans you have accepted for spring;
• You have an insufficient number of credit hours to receive financial aid;
• You have unsatisfied requirements in OASIS;
• Your spring bill is more than your fall bill (this may explain why you had a BAPP for fall and not spring).

You will be notified by email once you become eligible for the BAPP.

Apply Now for USF Scholarships

USFAS has made it easy for you to apply for scholarships for the 2012-2013 school year. Use the USF Scholarship Search and enter basic information about yourself to see what's available for you. It's quick and easy!

In addition, the USF Foundation is accepting applications for scholarships.

MARCH 1 PRIORITY DEADLINE!
COMPLETE YOUR 2012-2013 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)

Don't be late! Many financial aid programs, including grants and work study, are
limited to on time applicants. After January 1, complete your 2012-2013 FAFSA or Renewal FAFSA on-line to be considered for all funds.

We recommend that you download your federal tax return data directly from the IRS into the FAFSA, saving time and improving accuracy! Electronically filed tax return information is available from the IRS in 1-2 weeks; data from paper tax returns will be available 6-8 weeks after filing.

REMEMBER: Use estimated figures if your and/or your parents' 2011 taxes aren't filed by the FAFSA priority deadline.

Keep Your Addresses Up To Date

Always ensure that your most current e-mail address and local mailing address are updated in OASIS.

1. Login to OASIS.
2. Select "Personal Information".
3. Select "Update E-mail Addresses".
4. Make sure your preferred e-mail address is listed for financial aid.

USF Scholarship Renewal Criteria

Please check OASIS to ensure that you will have earned enough USF credit hours and achieved the required grade point average at the end of spring 2012 to renew your USF scholarship(s).

Be prepared to enroll at USF during summer 2012, if necessary, to renew your scholarships for fall 2012.

You may review your scholarship terms & conditions in OASIS.

Bright Futures Renewal Criteria

Check out the Renewal Requirements for Bright Futures Scholarships page for more info.

Report Funds From Outside Sources To Avoid Late Surprises

Federal regulations prohibit you from receiving more financial aid than your cost of attendance. If you have not previously reported funds from other sources, let us know immediately using the Additional Resources tab in OASIS.

• Choose 'My Award and Loan Information';
• Choose 'Award for Aid Year';
• Select the appropriate aid year;
• Click on the 'Resources/Additional Information' tab
• Enter the award information and click submit

Additional aid sources may include Scholarships, Tuition Waivers, Fellowships, etc.

Your awards may be revised to reflect any changes.

Tuition Payment Deferments

Check OASIS prior to the start of classes to see if you have a tuition deferment. A deferment allows you to keep your classes from being cancelled for nonpayment and temporarily postpone payment.

Bookstore Advance Purchase Program (BAPP)

Students who are eligible for a BAPP may purchase books and supplies from the USF Bookstore until 5 p.m., January 12, 2012.

Check OASIS to see if you have a BAPP for spring.

Subscribe to E-Deposit in OASIS

eDeposit allows USF to electronically deposit funds directly to your personal bank. account.

Paper checks are bad because they may at risk of being:

1. stolen - you are responsible for the funds.
2. returned to the government - checks may not be reissued.
3. delivered to a wrong address or lost - it takes 15 working days to reissue a lost check.

Sign up for eDeposit by signing into OASIS:

• Click "Student"
• Click "Tuition & Fees"
• Click "Subscribe to eDeposit"

Need Help With OASIS?

Check out financial aid "How To's" that demonstrate how you navigate OASIS, how you can sign your promissory note electronically and more!

Check OASIS Regularly...

Check OASIS now for unsatisfied requirements, revisions to your award offer, and
deferments.Check OASIS again just before classes start.

Your award may be revised:

• If you receive funds such as scholarships, tuition waivers, etc., or
• If there are changes to your FAFSA, budget (residency changes, living arrangments, etc.), and/or enrollment status.

Questions?

Search our online database for immediate answers to your questions or e-mail your financial aid counselor.

EEO & Diversity

USF is an Equal Opportunity/Equal Access/Affirmative Action Institution.