Understanding Your University of South Florida Diploma

The University of South Florida (USF) is a public research university with a main campus in Tampa, Florida, and additional campuses in St. Petersburg and Sarasota-Manatee. Established in 1956, USF is a member of the State University System of Florida. This article provides information about your USF diploma, from graduation applications to diploma frames.

Applying for Graduation

Applying for graduation is a requirement to complete your degree at USF. A separate application is required for each degree if you are pursuing more than one in the same term.Check Degree Works for specific requirements to qualify for institutional honors at graduation.

If you are unable to log in as a student, contact your academic advising team to request temporary access to Student Self-Service.If you have questions, contact your academic advisor.

Important Dates

You can apply for graduation through Student Self-Service (formerly Student OASIS) by February 20 for the term in which you participate in the Commencement ceremony.The Commencement registration link will be available on Friday, February 27. Apply by the priority deadline.The Commencement registration link will be available after the ETD deadline has passed. Please note that participation in Commencement is optional.

Commencement Ceremony

As you approach the momentous USF commencement and prepare to walk the stage in your USF cap and gown, don't forget to reminisce on the memories made.

Participation

Participation in Commencement is optional.During the ceremony, graduates may wear a medallion.Graduates may wear their sash at the ceremony. Those who registered and did not attend the sash ceremony will not be given a sash.

Diploma Specifics

The graduate's diploma is awarded after earning the degree, not necessarily on the day of Commencement.

Diploma Availability

Diplomas are typically available six to eight weeks after final grades officially post for the degree term.Before a diploma can be released, all financial obligations and administrative holds must be resolved. Check for any holds that prevent transcript release.

Name on Diploma

If you are a foreign national student, International Services must pre-approve a Name Change Request before you complete the graduation application.Your legal name must be used on the diploma.

eDiploma

USF offers legal electronic documents (eDiplomas).The eDiploma is for easy diploma verification purposes and costs $5.You can share your eDiploma as often as you need.To order an eDiploma, a diploma order must first exist.

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Accessing Your Diploma Information

You may access our diploma vendor via Michael Sutter Company.Enter your Student ID number, your last name, and select "Search My Diploma." This service is available for diplomas issued December 2009, or St.

Diploma Replacement and Notarization

If your diploma is damaged, you will need to place an order for a new diploma.Replacement diplomas can be notarized. Provide your original diploma and a signed letter affirming your desire to have your diploma notarized.

Showcasing Your Achievement: USF Diploma Frames

A USF degree is a symbol of years of hard work and hundreds of hours devoted to your education. USF diploma frames are the best way to protect and display your USF alumni‘s important documents. These frames are designed to fit the exact measurement specifications of any USF certificates. Each frame is built by skilled professionals.

Frequently Asked Questions About USF Gifts

Do I need to know my USF diploma size to order a frame?No, the measurements of your diploma size are already known. When you order your USF degree frame, simply enter your graduation year at checkout and the frame will be built to match the size of your degree!
Do you sell a frame where I can store my regalia?Showcase your USF stole in a Graduation Stole Shadow Box Frame so you can recall the fond memories of walking across the stage and receiving your diploma!
What unique University of South Florida graduation gifts do you offer?There are a variety of options, from custom diploma and USF certificate frames to “Class Of” Photo Frames featuring your year of commencement.
How do I hang my USF frame?Each of our USF diploma frames are packaged with materials to set you up for success when displaying your degree. In our SMARTbox packaging, you'll find a Level-Lock Hanging System that makes the hanging process a breeze. There are also step-by-step instructions that are easy to follow.
Do you offer any University of South Florida diploma frames with expedited shipping?Yes! Fast-Ship diploma frames are available for University of South Florida graduates, ready to ship within 2-3 business days of your order.

Additional Information about USF

General Information

The University of South Florida's motto is "Truth and Wisdom". It was established December 18, 1956.The University's endowment is $768 million (FY 2025). The budget is $2.80 billion (2025-2026). The school's colors are Green and gold. The nickname is Bulls.

Academics and Rankings

USF is accredited by SACS.The Fall 2022 Freshman class of approximately 4,000 students earned admission to the university with an average SAT score of 1309 out of 1600, ACT score of 29 out of 36, and high school GPA of 4.21. 41% of the members of the incoming class graduated in the top 10% of their high school class.U.S. News & World Report’s 2025 "Best Medical Schools: Research" ranked USF’s Morsani College of Medicine in Tier 1-the only Florida school so ranked-making it the state’s highest-ranked medical school for research. USF was ranked #103 on the list of all universities, and #46 among public universities in 2020, and #181 among all national and #100 among public universities in 2010. This ranking also put USF as #4 in Florida overall and #3 in Florida among public universities. News, USF was the only Florida university in the Top 10 Best Value Colleges, at #8 among public universities. News ranking of top National Universities for Social Mobility. Niche ranked USF #19 for top public universities in America and #67 for best colleges in America 2023.In the 2026 edition of Best Colleges, University of South Florida is ranked No. #88 in National Universities. It's also ranked No. #21 in Top Performers on Social Mobility.

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Student Life

USF offers a vibrant campus life across its three locations. The Tampa campus, with over 19,000 trees, has been named a Tree Campus USA by the Arbor Day Foundation every year since 2011. Nearly all streets on campus are named after trees, as are six of the 14 dorms.

Tampa Campus Resources

The USF Tampa campus provides multiple services and resources necessary for students to succeed both in the classroom and in their personal lives. In 2008 the university opened a new student union called the Marshall Student Center. The name pays homage to Phyllis P.

Traditions and Landmarks

The university has a total of 9 life size bronze bull statues across the three campuses. The original three statues (the ones outside the MSC, dubbed the "Running of the Bulls") plus the topiary bull represent the four years a student spends in college, with the topiary bull representing a student's senior year as it symbolizes the student's growth over the past four years and faces one of the main entrances to campus (Palm Drive) as it will soon run off into the world.

One of the most popular gathering spots on the Tampa campus is Martin Luther King, Jr. Plaza, which is located between the John and Grace Allen Building and the Marshall Student Center, marked by a small bust of the civil rights activist.

Castor Beach is an artificial beach on campus by the lake outside of Betty Castor Hall, one of the largest dorms on the Tampa campus. The beach is complete with white sand taken from the nearby Clearwater Beach.

Sustainability Efforts

USF was given a gold rating by the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education for building an environmentally-conscious campus.The nearly 20,000 trees on the Tampa campus provide an estimated $1.8 million yearly benefit to the university through energy conserved, stormwater management, and carbon dioxide removal.

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