Common Questions

• Q: I have been awarded a scholarship for the fall semester. If I decide to enroll in the spring instead, will I still be awarded the scholarship? Or, if I decide not to attend, enroll in another university and then reapply in the future as a transfer student, will I still be awarded this scholarship?
  
• A: No, a scholarship will not be held over or deferred to a later term.

• Q: I received a scholarship this past year funded by an agency other than the University of South Florida. They indicated that my scholarship will not be renewed next year. I then received a financial aid award from the University of South Florida St. Petersburg which included this outside scholarship resource. Should I assume that I will be receiving the scholarship?
  
• A: No. Please do not consider this a decision of renewability. For scholarships that are funded by outside agencies, we incorporate the value of these scholarships on a financial aid award for two reasons. The first reason is to make sure that it is included with any other form of need-based financial aid so that we do not have an over-award. The second reason is that these funds can sometimes be credited to your account. Since we are not always aware of whether a scholarship will be renewed, we make the assumption that it will be renewed. If you have documentation from the scholarship program to the contrary, please submit copies to the Office of Financial Assistance Services so that we can change our records and remove this award from your financial assistance award package.

• Q: I have already received a financial aid package from the University of South Florida. Now I have been informed that I will be receiving additional scholarships, either from USF or through another outside source.  How will this affect my previous financial aid package?
  
• A: The financial aid package that was originally sent to you was based on the best known information at that time. Because the office was unaware that you would be receiving these two scholarships, a revised financial aid package will be provided. Once you know that you are receiving a scholarship, you should report it through your OASIS account, under “My Award and Loan Information”, and click on the “Resources/Additional Information” tab. At that point, the Office of Financial Aid will provide a revised financial aid award notice to you. Please keep in mind that all resources must be taken into consideration to determine eligibility for need-based financial assistance.  Other aid may be adjusted due to receipt of scholarships.

• Q: How will scholarships or grants that I am awarded from outside agencies impact my University academic scholarship and total financial aid award?
  
• A: All general University scholarships are limited to the amount of a student’s tuition, or net tuition after the addition of other scholarship or grant aid that is also restricted in whole or in part to the payment of tuition. If University scholarships, in conjunction with other awards, exceed tuition, the University award is adjusted downward until the values equal tuition. Also, in the event that University scholarship funds, in addition to other scholarship, grant, and/or stipend resources, exceed the total cost of attendance, the University scholarships are adjusted downward to ensure that total aid does not exceed the cost of attendance. University need-based resources, in combination with other assistance, may not exceed the lesser of financial need or cost of attendance. In the event that a student’s total aid exceeds these restrictions, the University aid will be adjusted until the restrictions are met.

• Q: How much total financial aid from all sources can I receive per academic year?
  
• A: The total of all financial aid resources (including scholarships, loans, grants, etc.) cannot exceed the USF Cost of Attendance for that academic year. See our webpage under “College Costs” for the total Cost of Attendance for USF St. Petersburg.