The University of South Florida in Tampa combines a large public research university with a residential system built around Grand Opening Day, its all-hands move-in weekend each August.
Enrollment
50,000
Total Students
Freshman Class
5,100
Approx.
Move-In Dates
Aug 17-20, 2026
Fall 2026
Acceptance Rate
44%
Most recent cycle
Move-In
Fall 2026 Move-In Details
Move-in assistance (volunteers, courtesy carts) is only available on Grand Opening Day, Aug. 20. Residents may move in earlier in the week without assistance. All residents, regardless of arrival date, must complete the Fall Move-In Sign Up form in the Housing Portal before arriving. Activate your USFCard before moving in - you'll need it to receive your keys at check-in.
Check your assignment in the housing portal for your specific date and time - your exact move-in date is shown above in the Overview.
- Arrival window
- Grand Opening Day itself runs 9 a.m.-4 p.m.; residents checking in outside this window (e.g. Aug. 16-19) use their assigned time slot instead, checking in 8 a.m.-11 p.m.
- Check-in location
- Juniper and Poplar Hall residents check in at the Juniper-Poplar Lobby Service Desk (JPH). Other halls (Beta, Castor, Cypress, Greek Village, Holly, Kosove, Maple, and The Village) check in at Holly L (HAL).
- Parking
- Proceed to your designated 30-minute unloading zone, then move your vehicle to a long-term parking lot after unloading.
- What you'll receive
- Your keys at the check-in location for your building. On Grand Opening Day specifically, about 200 courtesy carts are available first come, first served, each accompanied by a Bull Haul volunteer - bring your own cart if you have one, since not every resident is guaranteed one.
Move-in day tips
- Arrive during your assigned move-in window - arriving early may mean waiting until your time slot.
- Bring a rolling cart or hand truck - campus carts can run out quickly during busy move-in periods.
- Have a parking backup plan - spaces near residence halls can fill up quickly, so know where you can unload if your preferred area is full.
- Watch the loading-zone time limit - many campuses require you to move your vehicle to longer-term parking after unloading.
Housing & Dorms
- Photo coming soon
Poplar Hall
Suite-style · Coed
First-year only - Photo coming soon
Juniper Hall
Suite-style · Coed
First-year only - Photo coming soon
Beacon Hall
Suite-style · Coed
Housing Links
Each available link goes directly to University of South Florida's own specific page, not just its general homepage.
Orientation
New Student Orientation (register starting Feb. 2026)
All new students are required to attend one orientation session.
February 1 - August 1, 2026
Orientation tips
- Register as early as your class allows - popular session dates fill up first.
- Bring a parent/guardian if separate family programming is offered.
- Check whether placement testing or advising sign-ups happen the same day.
Costs
Room & Board
$14,440
Estimated / Year
Nearby Essentials
Nearby data coming soon.
More Links
Transportation›
- Uber - coming soon
- Public Transportation - coming soon
- University Transportation - coming soon
Checklists
Get the Ultimate College Move-In Checklist
A free, printable packing checklist covering everything from bedding to important documents - built for any freshman, including yours at University of South Florida.
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