Spring Admission

Start in the spring, graduate on time.

Spring admission is open to new applicants starting August 1 of the prior year or to students offered spring admission through the waitlist process. No matter how you start, we will help you graduate on time.

Spring Admission Offer with Waitlist Placement: If you’ve been offered admission to the spring 2026 semester, please review the information below and respond to the “Reply to Waitlist Offer” form in your Dons Status Page by April 1. Completing the form does not indicate your commitment to enroll at USF. Instead, it allows us to process your application and prepare a financial aid offer for you to review. If you decide to join us in the spring, submit your enrollment deposit and confirm your spot at USF by June 3.

Want to graduate in May? If you want to accelerate your timeline and graduate in May 2029 with the rest of the first year students who start in the fall term, you can take classes at a community college this fall.

In this scenario, you should plan to enroll in at least 12 units of coursework at a community college. If you are enrolling at a California community college, we have a list of credit acknowledgements to help you choose courses that will satisfy USF’s core requirements. For students outside of California, your USF admission counselor can work with you on selecting courses at your local community college.

You can enroll at a four-year institution this fall instead of a community college. However, your agreement with most four-year institutions precludes you from committing to more than one college or university. It is advised that you not move forward with attendance as a full-time degree-seeking student at another four-year college or university, as that violates your enrollment commitment at that institution.

Your USF admission counselor can help you choose the classes to stay on track. You do not have to take classes this fall, and you would still graduate in December 2029. The option to take classes this fall is available to help you stay on track for a May 2029 graduation if that’s your preference.

In order to receive a financial aid offer, you must have submitted a FAFSA — so please make sure you’ve submitted one if you haven’t already. If you have indicated your interest in spring 2026 admission, you will receive a financial aid offer by the end of May. The offer will include any merit scholarship(s) and need-based aid you are eligible for.

USF has reserved a limited number of spaces for first-year spring 2026 admits. These spaces are available on a first-come, first-served basis and guaranteed for one semester only. You’ll apply for housing starting in October 2025 (you’ll get more info via email when it’s time to apply). You’ll find out if you were offered a housing assignment by mid-December. If you were not offered an assignment immediately, you’ll be placed on a waitlist. Should spaces become available, you will be notified via email and have three days to accept the room offer. If you are not assigned on-campus housing, or if you’d prefer to live off campus, you can connect with USF’s Off-Campus Living team. They can support you with finding an apartment, roommate searches, and moving in.