Checklist for getting started

A step-by-step guide to using your VA benefits

• Meet USF’s requirements for admission and apply
  
  • Freshman admission
  • Transfer admission
  • Graduate admission
• Obtain your military transcript and send to Admissions
  
  Evaluation of Military Credit

   

  As a member of the Servicepersons Opportunity College, Veterans Services can recommend credit to the USF Admissions Office for military experience. In order to be a school approved for VA educational assistance to students, it is required that all prior training (military included) be evaluated for possible credit. All veterans and reservists must have their military experience evaluated. Veterans Services needs either a copy of your DD Form 214 or DD Form 295 (evaluation of military experience). Credit may be awarded for Army, Coast Guard, Marine and Navy experience as well as for specific Department of Defense courses.

   

  Courses administered by the Air Force are all shown on an official copy of the Community College of the Air Force transcript. This college is an accredited school and transcripts should be submitted to the Office of Admissions for evaluation. Transcripts may also be acquired for the Army veteran (AARTS transcripts) and Marine\Navy veteran (SMART transcripts). Transcript orders for AARTS can be made at http://aarts.army.mil/. Transcript orders for SMART can be found at https://www.navycollege.navy.mil/transcript.html. Transcript orders for the Coast Guard can be found at http://www.uscg.mil/hq/cgi/. Consult Veterans Services office for assistance in acquiring the applications to obtain these forms. Courses taken from the War Colleges and Defense Language Institute are also accredited and transcripts are required. Courses taken by correspondence, such as those offered by the Marine Corps Institute, are accepted for credit under certain circumstances.

 

• Apply to Financial Aid for grants, loans and scholarships
  • Veterans and the FAFSA
  • Scholarship Search
     
• Contact USF’s Office of Veterans Services for assistance in filing the proper forms. Check dates to submit paperwork.
   
• Register for the earliest Orientation date possible to ensure your best chance of getting into the classes you need.