Scholars

Pre & Post Arrival

After receiving your DS-2019 from ±«Óătv, it is time to prepare to come to the Tampa Bay area.   

Get Your J-1 Visa or Transfer J Status to ±«Óătv

If you are outside the US:

  • Pay the  
  • Make an appointment for a J-1 visa at a US Embassy or Consulate.
  • After receiving the visa stamp in your passport, make arrangements to arrive in Florida.  Tampa International Airport is the closest airport.
  • You and any J-2 dependents may enter the US up to thirty (30) days before program start date on the DS-2019.

If you are inside the US:

  • OIS will work with your J-1 program sponsor to arrange transfer of your SEVIS record to ±«Óătv. 
  • Your category, subject/field code, and program objective cannot change. 
  • ±«Óătv will not have access to the SEVIS record to produce the final DS-2019 until you arrive at ±«Óătv.

Plan Your Arrival to ±«Óătv

The university does not place scholars into housing. Make arrangements using the links below: 

Report to OIS for Document Check and Orientation 

Mandatory Document Check  

  • Once you have completed the required e-forms, please email j1visa@usf.edu to arrange a Document Check. We will then schedule a virtual meeting via Teams to review your uploaded documents. 
  • During Document Check, OIS will “activate” your SEVIS record.   
  • Two days (48 hours) after SEVIS activation, you can apply for an SSN number at the local SSA office. See the J Scholar Social Security Information handout for more information.
  • After Document Check and after applying for your SSN, you may complete Right Start with Human Resources if you are employed at ±«Óătv and any department on-boarding. 

Mandatory Orientation  

  • OIS conducts Scholar Orientation, normally on the second Tuesday of each month.   
  • Scholars are required to attend the next available session.   
  • Dependents are welcome to attend the orientation. 

 

Update your U Number in iStart

  • During your first week with your new ±«Óătv department you should be provided with your University ID Number (U Number) and a Net ID. Once you have your U Number, login to iStart and complete the Update your U Number E-Form to complete the scholar checklist. This step is mandatory in order to allow you to access iStart resources as a continuing scholar at ±«Óătv.

Get Involved

  • OIS offers a full range of activities for scholars and their families during their stay at ±«Óătv.  Scholars are notified via email. 
  • Departments are expected to include scholars in departmental meetings and events.
  • Please review the to the ±«Óătv.