By Daphne Kotschessa Almodovar, University Communications and Marketing
Florida is the most affordable state in the nation for in-state students to earn a bachelor鈥檚 degree. The College Board ranks it No. 1 for lowest tuition and fees. In order to help make it even more affordable, USF has added a new resource that connects students and families with a wide variety of financial resources and benefits.
USF has partnered with Single Stop 鈥� a national database that screens students and their families for eligibility to receive federal and state benefits, including grants, housing and health care.
鈥淔amilies may be surprised to learn they qualify for need-based aid, such as Pell Grants, food assistance or tax-preparation assistance,鈥� said Tony Delgado, assistant dean of academic inclusion in Undergraduate Studies. 鈥淭he Single Stop benefits screener is one of the many ways we support our students with access to resources so they can attain higher education and ultimately achieve economic stability and mobility.鈥�
Once they create an account, Single Stop requests students to share limited personal information, such as birthdate, income and other household information at their discretion. Single Stop then lists their eligibility for the state and federal benefits, such as Marketplace Health Insurance, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Medicaid. Users then click on the digital toolkit that details how to apply. Single Stop also provides referrals to local community resources that can assist with childcare, transportation, employment and other needs.
Questions regarding Single Stop can be sent to UGS-SingleStop@usf.edu. Students should also consider visiting the Office of Financial Aid to explore all financial options and/or contacting Student Outreach and Support to discuss other resources available on and off-campus, including the campus food pantries.