How to Apply
How to Apply for Aid in 08-09
Step 1
Complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) on or after January 1, 2008.
Apply each year! Financial aid is not renewed automatically.
APPLY Online at www.fafsa.ed.gov
- Go to FAFSA on the Web at: www.fafsa.ed.gov.
- Request a federal PIN (see "Your Federal PIN" below).
- Follow the instructions on the site. Be sure you read "Before Beginning a FAFSA."
- Read "Common Mistakes on the FAFSA", also located in the Gator Aid Application Guide on page 8.
- List "University of Florida" and the UF Federal School Code (001535) a a school choice in Step Six of the FAFSA.
- Sign your FAFSA. Students can sign the FAFSA electronically using their federal PIN (see "Your Federal PIN" on p. 5). Parents of dependent students can also sign electronically but must either request their own PIN, or print, sign, and mail the signature page to the processor.
- After applying, you can check the status of your application and/or make corrections online at www.fafsa.ed.gov.
OR, File a Paper FAFSA
- Get a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA):
- Request one from the Federal Student Aid Information Center at 1-800-433-3243; OR
- Download and print one from the Federal Student Aid Web site at www.federalstudentaid.ed.gov.
- List "University of Florida" and the UF Federal School Code (001535) as a school choice in Step Six of the FAFSA.
- Read "Common Mistakes on the FAFSA", also located in the Gator Aid Application Guide on page 8.
Renewal Applications
- You must reapply for aid each year. The Renewal Application at FAFSA on the Web has part of your information from the previous year already filled in to make the process easier. Go to www.fafsa.ed.gov and select "Fill out a Renewal FAFSA."
Step 2
You will receive a Federal Student Aid Report (SAR) from the federal processor after you submit your FAFSA. The SAR indicates your Expected Family Contribution (EFC), which is used to determine your eligibility for financial aid. It also lists information you recorded on your FAFSA, so you can check your information for accuracy.
- If you provide your email address on your FAFSA, you will get an online SAR as soon as 24 hours after your FAFSA is processed. If no corrections are needed, keep the SAR with your financial aid records.
- If you want to be considered for aid at UF and UF is not listed in the SAR's "College Release Section," you must call the federal processor at 1 (800) 433-3243. Or you can use your Federal PIN to make a correction at: www.fafsa.ed.gov.
- If your email or mailing address changes, update it with the federal processor to make sure you get your Student Aid Report, electronic PIN, Renewal Reminder, and other correspondence. You can make these updates at www.fafsa.ed.gov or on your SAR.
Step 3
Follow up on your application. It may be selected for Verification/ Quality Assurance.
- You are responsible for following up on your aid application.
- Check the status of your aid application and award on ISIS at www.isis.ufl.edu .
- Do not wait until school begins to submit required documents and ask questions if you are unsure about any part of the application process.
- If your application is selected for Verification or Quality Assurance, you will be required to provide verifying documentation before aid can be disbursed to you (see "Verification/ Quality Assurance," also located on p. 9 of the Gator Aid Application Guide). Respond promptly to requests for information or documentation. Most forms for this process are available to print from your "financial aid status" page on ISIS, or on SFA's Web site (see p. 10).
Step 4
You will receive a Notification of Financial Aid Award from us.
- When UF receives your application information from the federal processor and you have been admitted to UF, SFA will award you an aid package based on your eligibility.
- You will receive a Notification of Financial Aid Award by email stating the terms and conditions of aid programs awarded to you. Read it carefully, and follow any instructions that pertain to you.