From January 4–18, SFA’s beginning-of-term office hours will be 8:15 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. M-F. Switchboard hours will be 8 a.m. to 4:45 p.m.If you are unable to find the answer to your financial aid questions through ISIS (www.isis.ufl.edu), come to SFA in person. All financial aid advisers will be at the front service counters. Please try to identify your exact questions before coming to the office. Staff will try to return emergency out-of-town calls within 72 hours. The telephone line for students with disabilities is (352) 392-1272 (V/TDD).

Students should check their Spring “Aid Status” on ISIS under “Financial Aid” to be sure they have completed all steps to ensure proper disbursement of aid, including loans. On ISIS under “Financial Aid” select “Aid Status” or “Awards and Disbursements.”

2008-09 Gator Aid Application Guides will be available on January 3 in our lobby in S107 Criser Hall. SFA encourages students to apply online at www.fafsa.ed.gov. For assistance, come to our Student Resource Center in S-107 Criser Hall. FAFSAs can also be obtained directly from the federal government by calling the following toll-free number: 1-800-433-3243.

UF’s “On-Time” 2008-09 financial aid application deadline is March 15, 2008. SFA must receive the results of your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) with a valid “Estimated Family Contribution” from the federal need analysis processor by this date for you to be considered “On-Time.” Apply several weeks early to be sure the federal processor has time to get us your results. Financial aid is awarded first-come, first-served. Late applicants are considered for aid that remains when their application file is complete.

If you have been awarded financial aid and qualify for a fee deferment, University Financial Services automatically defers your fees until the deferred fee payment deadline. The Spring deferred fee payment deadline is March 21st, 2007 at 3:30 p.m.

SFA sends important financial aid business emails directly to your GatorLink email address. Check your email for these often. Make sure your GatorLink email address is correctly configured to receive UF business correspondence. To check your GatorLink configurations, go to: www.gatorlink.ufl.edu.

Financial aid is disbursed beginning the first two weeks of classes. Students generally receive their financial aid by direct deposit or mail from University Financial Services in S-108 Criser Hall. University Financial Services applies students’ financial aid to their university financial obligations (fees, tuition, and other money owed to the university) and issues the balance to the student. If students have signed up for direct deposit, their financial aid funds are deposited directly into their bank account. Students can sign up for DIRECT DEPOSIT on ISIS. Under “Financial Services,” select “EFT Sign-Up.”

If you are awarded a Federal Direct Stafford or PLUS Loan, you must complete up to three steps through ISIS at isis.ufl.edu to receive it. One, you must complete a federal Master Promissory Note under “Financial Aid” under “Aid Status.” Two, you must “accept” your loan under “Financial Aid” under “Awards and Disbursements.” Three, students borrowing for the first time must complete Loan Entrance Counseling under “Financial Services.”

Federal Perkins Loan borrowers must complete a Disclosure/Confirmation before their loan can be disbursed. On ISIS under “Financial Aid,” select “Aid Status” and “Awards and Disbursements” and follow the prompts. First-time Perkins Loan borrowers are mailed Entrance Interview materials by University Financial Services.

If student employment is part of your financial aid, check GatorJobs at jobs.ufl.edu . GatorJobs lists on-campus Federal Work-Study and OPS positions. Students applying for Federal Work-Study or OPS jobs must go to SFA’s Student Employment counter in S-107 Criser Hall to get a UF Work Permit; or call 392-0296 to request one. The SFA Off-Campus Job Board lists non-need-based jobs posted by off-campus community agencies. Go to the SFA Web site at www.sfa.ufl.edu and select Student Jobs.

Short-term Loans for emergency educational expenses are available from our service counter to qualified students with a valid repayment source, for either the amount of in-state tuition or up to $1,000. Processing normally takes about 48 hours. University Financial Services mails short-term loan checks to students’ local addresses. The Fall Short-Term Loan Repayment Deadline is April 1st.

You are responsible for keeping your mailing addresses and phone numbers current in the UF Directory at all times. Important UF business correspondence is normally mailed to local mailing addresses. Most financial aid awards can be completed using Direct Deposit, but some awards must be mailed through the US Postal System, requiring a valid local address.

To be sure that your addresses are correct in the UF Directory, go to my.ufl.edu and sign in with your GatorLink ID and password, choose “My Account,” then “Update My Directory Profile.”