Deadlines 

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There are two deadlines for submission of USF Incoming Exchange Application Materials.

• For students beginning classes in the Fall Semester, completed applications must be submitted by April 1st.
• For students beginning classes in the Spring Semester, complete applications by September 15th.

 The USF Inbound Exchange Coordinator will:

• Receive and review nominated student applications.
• Review course requests with academic departments, as needed.
• Send an acceptance notification or request further details from the applicant.
• Work with students to confirm their course schedule.

The International Student Support Team will:

• Work with students to complete the housing, Meal Plan, Insurance, and Immunization process.
• Continue to assist the student with pre-arrival requirements.  

The Office of International Services will:

• Process DS2019 Form for the student to apply for the J-1 visa.

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Course Selection

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Exchange students on a J-1 visa are required to take a full-time course load at USF. Undergraduate full-time course load is 12 credit hours and graduate full -time course load is 9 credit hours.

Course Search: 

Select "Tampa" as your campus, and the intended semester of study to review course options. 

It is the student's responsibility to seek approval from their home university to ensure that credit can later be accepted toward their degree. 
A copy of your most recent transcript of grades must also be submitted with your course request list. Undergraduate students cannot take graduate-level coursework. 

Fall class options become available in early March.
Spring class options become available in early November.

Levels 1000-1999 are considered first-year courses
Levels 2000-2999 are considered second-year courses
Levels 3000-3999 are considered third-year courses
Levels 4000-4999 are considered fourth-year courses and typically are the most demanding courses. 
Levels 5000-7999 are graduate courses
 

Graduate Exchange Students 
Education Abroad must first confirm that the department/college can accommodate a graduate exchange student based on space and academic history. Graduate students must have a separate motivation statement, a CV in English, and an undergraduate transcript as requested by the department. 

Restricted Courses: Nursing, Pharmacy, Honors College, Real Estate, Licensure Coursework, and Accounting

Departmental review required: Chemistry, Finance, Economics, Engineering, Music, Education, and all Graduate Coursework

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Health Insurance

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USF requires MANDATORY health coverage for Exchange students studying at USF. 
Students under an F or J visa are required to carry health insurance that meets the minimum coverage requirements per Florida Board of Governor's Regulation 6.009 and USF Regulation 6.0162. All international students studying at USF are required to have adequate health insurance coverage. Students must complete and submit the Student Health Insurance Agreement form to remove the SI Hold and to indicate how they will comply with USF Regulation 6.0162.

For Fall 2026: The Health Insurance REQUIREMENTS HAVE CHANGED. Do not buy an alternative policy for the 26/27 academic year until after July 15 and you have read the updated insurance regulations. USF Student Health webpage will be updated by July 15, 2026. 

Webinars, individual consultations, and email communications will be available through the International Student Support Team, when needed, to support students in understanding and completing these processes.
 

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Housing & Meal Plan

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Housing 
Students will receive information about housing options and application procedures after admission. On-campus housing is not guaranteed, and students are strongly encouraged to apply as early as possible. While USF Housing and International Student Support work together to provide guidance, students are responsible for submitting housing applications, paying all required fees, and completing any assignment steps outlined by USF Housing. Webinars, individual consultations, and email communications will be available, when needed, to support students in understanding and completing these processes.

To learn more about opportunities to live on campus click here: Housing Options 
 
Dining
Meal plans are available to all students, whether living on-campus or off campus. Students living on campus may select a meal plan as part of their housing application. Students living off campus can enroll in a meal plan at any time once meal plans for the upcoming semester become available.

To learn more about dining on campus and meal plan options click here: Dining Options 

Immigration Information 

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Undergraduate estimated expenses per semester: $13,077*
Graduate estimated expenses per semester: $13,077*

* Please note that this cost estimate is the amount we need to see in order to create the DS2019. Actual expenses may vary by student.

If you need a visa to come to the US after you are admitted you will receive an automatic email through the iStart system with instructions. You will need to log in to the iStart system to upload your passport and financial documentation. Then, the Office of International Services at USF will create a DS2019 document for you. You will need the DS2019 to apply for a J-1 visa at a US embassy.
 
You will continue to use the iStart system for your J student program at USF. Be sure to follow the instructions you see there to start uploading your immigration documents in advance as you prepare to travel to the US.
 
After you arrive in the US and finish uploading your entry documents in iStart, you will have a Document Check meeting with the Office of International Services. In this meeting, your SEVIS record will be validated to make your J status active.
 

Contact

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If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our inbound team:
 

E-mails: EA-Exchanges@usf.edu
 

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