Speed up your financial aid process - Use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool

The IRS Data Retrieval Tool allows you to pull tax return data directly from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) onto your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). By doing this you speed up the financial aid process. If you filed your taxes online, you can use the IRS data retrieval process approximately two weeks after filing. If you filed a paper return, you can do so 6-8 weeks after filling. If you already completed your FAFSA and are selected for verification, you can avoid providing us with tax transcripts by going back to your FAFSA and using the data retrieval process.

Please note: If you use the IRS Data Retrieval process, do not make any changes to the answers that were transferred from the IRS or you will have to provide copies of tax transcripts.

Click here to view a tutorial video on how to use the IRS Data Retrieval Process.

Tuition Deferments Require Eligible Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) Status

Check OASIS to see your current SAP status. If your SAP status is ineligible, you must pay your tuition by the end of drop/add or your classes will be cancelled.

If your current status is final warning or probation, you will not be considered for a tuition deferment until after the next SAP calculation on May 10. This calculation includes spring grades and occurs just before the start of summer A and C sessions.

To check your Satisfactory Academic Progress in OASIS:

1. Login to OASIS
2. Choose "Financial Aid"
3. Choose "Check My Eligibility"
4. Choose "Check My Financial Aid Satisfactory Progress"

Same Enrollment Requirements for Summer Term

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.

Enrollment requirements for financial aid are the same for all semesters:

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.

The summer term has three sessions (A, B & C). If you attend session A or C, or a combination of A and B, you must enroll for the total required minimum hours before your funds will be released. NOTE: Pell grant funds require first day class attendance. You may not be paid in full until all of your courses actually begin.

If funds were disbursed based on enrollment in session B and you drop courses prior to the end of drop/add for session B, you may be required to repay funds if you don't have the required minimum hours for the aid you received.

Financial Aid Request for Summer

If you haven't already done so, file the 2011-2012 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by April 20th to ensure your funds are ready when classes begin.

Students admitted before spring 2012 also need to login to OASIS to complete a Summer Aid Request:

1. Choose "Financial Aid";
2. Choose "My Requirements, Deferments and Bookstore Authorizations";
   "Select Aid Year", then "1112(Fall 11, Spr 12, Sumr 12)";
3. On "Student Requirements for 1112(Fall 11, Spr 12, Sumr 12)" look under "Unsatisfied Requirements"; and
4. Click on "Summer Aid Request", then complete and submit the form online.

New Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Amounts

Scholarship amounts for the 2012-2013 academic year have been approved by the Florida Legislature and are awaiting enactment by Governor Scott. It is anticipated that the Bright Futures Academic Scholarship will pay $100 per credit hour, and Medallion awards are $75 per credit hour. For additional information regarding the Florida Bright Futures Program, please visit the OSFA web site.

Federal Direct Loan Disbursement

• Requires acceptance in OASIS
• Requires you to be enrolled as a degree-seeking student
• Requires at least half-time enrollment in USF courses.
• Requires you to sign a Master Promissory Note, and complete an Entrance Interview if not done previously

Click here to view the Federal Direct Loans page

Florida Prepaid for Summer

If you used Florida prepaid in spring 2012, the University Controllers Office will automatically credit your student account for summer.

Pell Grants - Maximum Semesters of Eligibility

Effective with the 2012-2013 aid year, eligibility is limited to the equivalent of 12 full-time paid semesters while seeking a first bachelor's degree. Students who reach the 12 semester limit will no longer be able to receive Pell grant funds.

Fall Awarding For Continuing Students

Fall awarding for continuing students will begin in mid-June. Please check your Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) status in OASIS after May 10th. Check OASIS to be sure you have no outstanding requirements.

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.

SAP Change for Grad Students

Effective fall 2012, the maximum time limit for graduate students is set by degree level, not degree program. You must earn your graduate degree within the following limits:

• MA/MS - 70 attempted hours
• EdS - 115 attempted hours
• PhD/EdD - 135 attempted hours

For more information review the SAP Policy for Financial Aid Recipients.

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.

EEO & Diversity

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