For Students
New Students
This page serves as a great to-do and how-to checklist for before you arrive and after your arrival on campus.
STUDENT TECHNOLOGY & SERVICES RESOURCE GUIDES
- Check out the USF IT New Student Guide for information about the USF NetID, MyUSF, and other IT related solutions.
- Check out the USF St. Petersburg Student Technology Support Services Guide for information about the USF St. Petersburg virtual computer lab, open-use computer labs, free student printing, student ID cards, and where to find help and student support services.
BEFORE YOU ARRIVE ON CAMPUS
ACTIVATE YOUR USF NETID
Your USF NetID is your unique logon name and password that you will use to access most of the USF online services. It serves as a Single Sign-On (SSO) logon to allow you to log into multiple university systems with a single username and password. Your USF NetID is also the first part of your official USF email address. Learn more about your USF NetID.
During the admissions process, you will use your USF NetID to access various online applications.
- Prospective Students – A USF NetID is required to check your application status in OASIS.
- Admitted Students – A USF NetID is used to access OASIS, register for Orientation, purchase your parking permit, and to access other online applications.
To activate your USF NetID, visit the University Network Access webpage and select “Activate your USF NetID”. Follow the on-screen instructions. Important: You will need to know your USF ID Number in order to activate your USF NetID. You can lookup your USF ID Number on the University Network Access webpage. During your NetID activation (and subsequent password resets), you will be asked to opt-in or opt-out of receiving emergency alerts through the AlertUSF system.
CHECK YOUR USF EMAIL
All admitted students will be given an email account. Your email address is in the form of yournetid@usf.edu.
SECURE YOUR PERSONAL COMPUTER
If your computer or mobile device is infected with viruses or malware, you may not be able to connect to the USF network.
Make sure you:
- Update your computer’s software and operating system. Enable Automatic Updates to receive the latest security patches.
- Install Anti-Virus software and then run a full scan of your computer and remove any threats or infections found.
DOWNLOAD FREE SOFTWARE
Microsoft Office Pro Plus is available for free to all students on up to five devices for both Windows and Mac operating systems. Access download instructions for MS Office Pro Plus (Login with your USF NetID).
EXPLORE THE MYUSF PORTAL
The MyUSF Portal brings together, in one central location, many of the online university applications you will use as a student. Here you will find links to access applications such as Email, OASIS, CANVAS, and the Application Gateway.
AFTER YOU ARRIVE ON CAMPUS
CONNECT TO THE WIRELESS NETWORK
Wireless Internet is available all over the USF St. Petersburg campus. Students must register their mobile devices (laptops, tablets, mobile phones, etc.) in order to connect to the Internet.
Register your device on one of the wireless networks
RESIDENTS: CONNECT TO THE RESIDENTIAL NETWORK
Students living on campus in the residence halls will have access to the wireless USF Residential Network in their rooms. The registration process is the same as it is on the wireless networks. All devices (laptops, desktops, gaming consoles, etc.) must first be registered before they can access the Internet.
Technology services available in the residence halls
CHECKOUT A COMPUTER LAB
Open-use computer labs provide students access to computers with university licensed software and the ability to print. Your USF NetID may be required to log into the lab computers. Computer labs are intended only for currently enrolled students. Open-use computer labs.
PRINT ON CAMPUS
Student printing stations are located in the open-use computer labs. In order to print, students must have their Student ID Card.
Free printing is available in select locations. Students are given an allocation of $2.50 per day in free printing. After that allocation has been used, students can continue to print by adding money to their Bull Buck$ account which is linked to their Student ID Card.
Learn more about printing on campus.
ACCESS APPLICATIONS AND STORAGE IN THE CLOUD
USF St. Petersburg Virtual Computer Lab provides access to university licensed applications from virtual desktops running “in the cloud”. These virtual desktops will run on your personal computers or devices from on or off campus. A VMware Horizon client is required to connect to the virtual desktops.
USF Application Gateway gives you access to university licensed applications that you can access on your personal computer or device from on or off campus. A Citrix Receiver client is required to connect to these virtual applications.
UStoreFiles is a central file storage location for students. Using your USF NetID, students have access to a centralized file storage system that is also used by MyWeb, the Application Gateway, and CIRCE. Learn how to access UStoreFiles from your personal computer.