New and returning students who want to live in USF Sarasota-Manatee's new residence hall when it opens this fall, are eligible for up to $4,000 in scholarships to take their place in USF history as “trailblazers” who will help shape the campus’s first residential community. USF has been accepting applications to live in the building since last fall, and on Jan. 22 began accepting applications for the scholarships, which will be for up to $4,000 over two semesters in 2024-25. The scholarships are made possible by the generosity of community donors. The priority deadline to apply for the scholarships is Feb. 14. To ask questions about the housing scholarships, email sar-housingscholarship@usf.edu. USF announced the scholarships during a celebratory event on Jan. 22 marking the progress in the construction of the six-story student center and residence hall overlooking Sarasota Bay, the first major expansion of the Sarasota-Manatee campus since it opened in 2006. The first two stories of the 100,000-square-foot building will be a student center that will include a ballroom, dining facilities, a bookstore, a game room and study lounges, as well as offices for USF World, student government and other student organizations. The top four floors will be comprised of suites and apartment-style residents. Some students will be members of an interdisciplinary Living Learning Community with peers who share similar academic, career and co-curricular interests. Residents of the new building are scheduled to move in on Aug. 23. Kemker also touted what the student center will bring to campus.