How to Apply for Aid
Aid Basics
For many students, financial aid can greatly affect their decision about whether or not to attend college, or which institution they attend. Because of its importance, the decision to apply for financial aid, and which programs to accept, should be made only with a complete understanding of the process, requirements, benefits, and responsibilities.
Financial aid is any loan, part-time employment, grant, or scholarship offered for the express purpose of helping a student pay educationally related expenses. Such aid is usually provided by federal, state, institutional, or private agencies. If you qualify, you may be offered combinations of these types of aid, depending on your financial need and the funds available. Scholarships may also depend upon achievement.
Who Should Apply for Aid?
All students who think they need financial assistance should apply.
The only way to tell if you’re eligible to receive aid is to apply.
Many factors are taken into account when awarding aid. Currently, more
than seventy percent of students at UF receive some form
of financial assistance.
Who is Eligible to Apply?
Eligibility requirements for most financial aid programs at UF are listed below. You must:
- Be a U. S. citizen, national, or permanent resident alien.
- Be enrolled or accepted for enrollment at least half time in a degree program. Exception: Federal Pell Grants. For complete information on enrollment go to: www.sfa.ufl.edu/receiving/enroll.html .
- Make satisfactory academic
progress toward a degree. See “How Long Can You Get Aid”
on this page.
- Register with the Selective Service Administration, if required to do so.
- Not be in default on a federal or institutional loan or owe a repayment on a previous financial aid award received at UF or other institution.
Some programs will list additional eligibility requirements.
How Long Can You Receive Aid?
In general, undergraduate students may receive up to ten full-time terms of aid. Students receiving financial aid must be in good standing at UF and maintain satisfactory academic progress. The maximum number of terms students transferring to UF may receive aid is prorated based on their entering enrollment status. UF's financial aid academic progress require may be read here, and is also available in the Gator Aid Handbook, and as a handout at our customer service counters in S-107 Criser Hall.
Summer Attendance Requirement
An academic year at UF includes fall, spring, and summer semesters. Freshmen and sophomores entering the State University System must complete at least nine credit hours during a summer session to graduate (for exemptions, see www.registrar.ufl.edu/catalog/policies/regulationgraduation.html ).
SFA supports this requirement and will award summer money if:
- funds are available for summer awards after fall/spring semester needs have been met,
- a student chooses to use aid originally awarded for fall or spring term during the summer.
To apply for Summer 2008 financial aid: Use a 2007-08 FAFSA.
To apply for Summer 2009 financial aid: Use a 2008-09 FAFSA.
OR
Other Sources of Aid
The following are additional sources of aid other than SFA. Students who receive funds through these sources and also apply for aid through SFA must notify us they will receive this assistance as soon as they are notified.
- UF Admissions Office.
The Admissions Office awards academic achievement scholarships, primarily to incoming freshmen and transfers. - Florida Prepaid College Plan.
The Florida Prepaid College Plan allows parents, grandparents, and others to lock in the cost of college today. For more info, see the Prepaid Web site at: www.floridaprepaidcollege.com. - Individual UF Colleges.
Aid available through individual colleges within the university is listed in the Gator Aid Handbook and on our Web site . - The State of Florida.
The Florida Department of Education Office of Student Financial Assistance (OSFA) sponsors many programs, such as the Florida Bright Futures Scholarship, the Florida Student Assistance Grant, the Jose Marti Scholarship Challenge Grant, and the Rosewood Family Scholarship. For more information, go to the OSFA Web site, at: www.floridastudentfinancialaid.org. - Outside Scholarships/Loans.
SFA includes a chapter on outside aid in our Gator Aid Handbook and offers free scholarship searches and an electronic scholarship bulletin board through our home page on the Web at: www.sfa.ufl.edu/programs/otheraid.html.
Students with Disabilities
Student Financial Affairs (SFA) in S-107 Criser Hall and the Dean of Student Offices (DSO) in P-202 Peabody Hall work together to assist students with disabilities. Criser Hall and Peabody Hall are both accessible by wheelchair. Students who need special help to apply for aid can contact SFA at 392-1272 (V/TDD) for an appointment. When applying for aid through SFA, students with disabilities may qualify for an increase in their educational budgets to cover disability-related expenses. DSO helps determine disability-related expenses not offered or provided by other agencies. DSO's phone numbers are (352) 392-1261 (V) and (352) 392-3008 (TDD). Students with speech or hearing impairments who need to contact an agency on campus which does not list a TDD number may use the Free Florida 1-800-955-8771 (TDD), or by dialing 711.