<p>Hey, I've been accepted into USF and the honors college, and have been offered the 48,000 tradition of excellence award. I am wondering who else has gotten this offer and if they are planning to go to USF or not? Also, in addition to bright futures, with this scholarship, it seems to me that I would have tons of pocket money every semester. ( 6 grand per semester, deduct any money for books) Does the University allow you to keep this excess Scholarship money, or am I just dreaming here? lol.
Also is the laptop benefit in addition to the 48 grand or part of it? How about the study abroad scholarships?
Thanks a ton for any help, I really am stressing because I am not sure if I should go to USF and stay close to home, or go to UF, or even out of state.</p>
<p>About a week after classes begin for semester, any money from your awards left over after paying school expenses (tuition and fees, room and board, advances for books, etc.) will be deposited in your designated personal checking or savings account. Money disappears fast in college, unless you maybe commute from home and save the housing and food expenses, you’ll spend every penny you receive. I got over $17,000 in scholarships and awards from USF last year and used all of it up last year. I’m sure NMF awardees at USF get the laptop in addition to the financial award. Not sure about answers for your other questions; I’m not in Honors College. Good luck!</p>
<p>Thanks Lizard, I actually will be commuting from home so I will save on those expenses. I’m curious however, did you have the bright futures, and how much tuition did it cover. Also, approximately how much did you spend on books in the semester?</p>
<p>Over 90% of USF’s new state resident freshmen have Bright Futures. I’ve got the lesser one that used to pay 75% of tuition but has been watered down by the state–I don’t remember off the top of my head the formula used now–I’m just glad I get it! Books for semester are going to vary in expense for each student. New textbooks can easily exceed $150 or more each. If you take 5 courses requiring 5 books@ $150…figure it out. Some semesters I might only have to spend $200, other semesters $500 for books. You should budget maybe $500 for books your first semester knowing it could be more or less.</p>
<p>Umm, I wanted to know how did you get this award? do they provide it to you automatically, or do have to be registered (or pay the admission fee) to get it?</p>
<p>Hi, I don’t know if you’re still looking for the answer to this, but I’m currently a junior at USF who received this award. I’m so glad I did and went here instead of UF. The first two years most of it got used up because I lived on campus and had meal plans, but since moving off campus and paying less than half the price for a nicer place, and started buying books online so that I only pay at most 50% of the price for books, I’ve been able to save a lot of the money.
The laptop and study abroad benefits are on top of the 48K. It’s really a fantastic offer, and congratulations on receiving it. :)</p>