INFORMATION FOR TRANSIENT STUDENTS
You are considered a “transient” student if UF is your home institution and you plan to take one or more courses at another institution, known as your host institution.
Please review all information below before beginning the transient application process. You are responsible for meeting all applicable deadlines, completing required approvals, and submitting required documentation. Contact the UF OneStop if you have questions about your financial aid eligibility or application status.
If you will only be taking classes as part of a study abroad program with another school, please visit our Study Abroad website and review the checklist for information about how your financial aid will be processed.
Important: Your actual enrollment must match the courses approved for financial aid, including the course numbers. If you enroll in a different course than the one approved, you must submit a new transient application listing the correct course for financial aid review eligibility to be reviewed.
Important Dates and Deadlines
You must complete the entire transient application process, including all required institutional approvals and submission of required documentation, by the applicable deadline to be considered for financial aid. Financial aid eligibility and awards are not guaranteed.
| UF Term of Transient Study | Application Opens | Application Closes |
| Fall | March 1 | December 15 |
| Spring | October 1 | May 15 |
| Summer (A, B & C) | March 1 | August 15 |
You are also responsible for meeting registration and tuition payment deadlines at your host institution. Your host institution is not required to offer deferred payment, even if you are eligible for financial aid. UF cannot disburse financial aid directly to another institution.
Application Process for Florida Public Institutions
If you plan to attend a Florida public institution, you must complete a Transient Student Admission Application (TSAA) through the FloridaShines website.
Using the Transient Student Admissions Application
When completing your application:
- Select the institution where you intend to take your transient coursework.
- Select the appropriate term and year.
- Enter the requested course information and identify how each course will apply toward your degree.
- Answer the financial aid questions and review the required student acknowledgments.
- Electronically sign and submit your application.
After submitting your application, use the My Applications section of TSAA to monitor your application status and review institutional decisions.
Approval of your transient application does not register you for courses at your host institution. You must complete the host institution’s registration and payment requirements separately.
Important for Financial Aid Processing
You must answer “Yes” to both of the following questions on the FloridaShines Transient Application for your application to be considered for financial aid review.
- Have you been approved to receive financial aid, and do you intend to use it for the requested course(s)?
- Do you want to proceed with the Transient Student Admission Application if you or any of the requested courses are not approved for financial aid?
Answering “Yes” allows your application to be considered for financial aid review. It does not guarantee that your application or requested courses will be approved for financial aid.
If you answer “No” to either question, your application cannot be approved for financial aid, including Bright Futures Scholarships.
If you answered “No” in error, you must complete a new FloridaShines Transient Student Admission Application and answer “Yes” to both financial aid questions. SFA will receive and process the new application accordingly.
Application Review and Enrollment Information
Your FloridaShines Transient Application must receive the required academic authorization from UF before it can be reviewed by SFA for financial aid eligibility.
You will receive email notifications as your application progresses through the review process. You are responsible for monitoring your application status and following up with the appropriate offices to ensure that all required approvals and documentation are completed by the applicable deadline.
In general, your transient enrollment information will be transmitted electronically to UF by the host institution after the semester begins. Financial aid is calculated and disbursed based on the enrollment information provided by the host institution.
If your enrollment information is not received electronically or is incorrect, you must provide the following documents to SFA:
- An official certification of enrollment from your host institution’s Registrar OR a copy of your tuition statement.
- A copy of your class schedule that includes the course number, credit hours for each course, and course start and end dates. A screenshot of your student portal is acceptable.
All forms and documents must be dated after the drop/add period at your host institution.
Submitting Documents
Documents may be submitted by either of the following methods:
- Email: SFA-Help@mail.ufl.edu
Subject line: Attn: Transient Coordinator
- Mail:
University of Florida
Office of Student Financial Aid and Scholarships
Attn: Transient Coordinator
PO Box 114025
Gainesville, FL 32611-4025
All documents must include your UFID.
Application Process for Florida Private and Out-of-State Institutions
If you plan to attend a Florida private institution or an out-of-state institution, you must submit the following documents:
- A completed UF Transient Form. This form includes sections that must be completed by the UF Office of the Registrar.
- An official certification of enrollment from your host institution’s Registrar.
- A copy of your class schedule, including course numbers, credit hours, and course start and end dates. A screenshot of your student portal is acceptable.
- A completed UF Consortium Agreement. This form must be completed by the financial aid office at your host institution.
Proof of payment and tuition statements are not required or accepted for this process.
All forms and documents must be dated after the drop/add period at your host institution.
Enrollment Requirements – All Institutions
To receive financial aid as a transient student, you must be enrolled at least half-time at an approved college or university. Your UF and transient credit hours are combined to determine your overall enrollment status.
Financial aid may only be used for coursework that is applicable to your degree program. You are responsible for reviewing your degree requirements and confirming that your requested transient coursework supports your academic progress and goals.
Approval of a transient application does not guarantee that the requested courses will:
- Satisfy specific degree, certificate, or program requirements.
- Meet prerequisite requirements.
- Be eligible for financial aid.
- Have seats available at the time of registration.
Your actual enrollment must match the courses approved for financial aid, including the course numbers. If you enroll in a different course than the one approved on your FloridaShines application, you must submit a new application listing the correct course for financial aid review.
All coursework, whether degree-applicable or not, may affect academic and financial calculations at UF, including GPA, admission to select programs, academic or degree honors, financial aid eligibility, Satisfactory Academic Progress, third-repeat course surcharges, excess hours surcharges, and other applicable requirements.
Student Acknowledgment
By submitting a transient application, you acknowledge and accept the following responsibilities:
- Academic requirements: Approval of your transient application confirms only your authorization to enroll as a transient student. It does not guarantee that the requested courses will satisfy specific degree, certificate, or program requirements, meet prerequisite requirements, be eligible for financial aid, or have seats available at the time of registration.
- Degree applicability: You are responsible for reviewing your academic program requirements and confirming how the requested coursework may apply toward your degree, certificate, or academic goals.
- Academic and financial impact: All coursework, whether degree-applicable or not, may affect academic and financial calculations at UF, including GPA, admission to select programs, academic or degree honors, financial aid eligibility, Satisfactory Academic Progress, third-repeat course surcharges, excess hours, and other applicable requirements.
- Registration and payment: You are responsible for meeting registration and tuition payment deadlines at your host institution. UF is not responsible for paying the host institution directly. You must coordinate when and how your financial aid will be disbursed to you to pay your host institution.
- Financial aid eligibility: Some transient courses may not be eligible for financial aid. If you enroll in a course that is not eligible for financial aid, you are responsible for all associated tuition and fees charged by the host institution. Financial aid will be disbursed by UF to you, not directly to the host institution.
- Enrollment decisions: Approval of a transient application does not require you to enroll in the requested courses. You are responsible for determining whether the approved coursework supports your academic progress and deciding whether to enroll.
- Approved coursework: You are responsible for ensuring that your actual enrollment matches the courses approved for financial aid.
By proceeding with a transient application, you acknowledge that you understand these requirements and accept responsibility for meeting all applicable deadlines and enrollment requirements.
Financial Aid Disbursement
You must meet all standard financial aid eligibility requirements for financial aid to be disbursed. Monitor your financial aid status in ONE.UF regularly to ensure that all requirements are met.
After all required transient documentation has been received and processed, your financial aid will be awarded and then disbursed, provided you meet all applicable financial aid eligibility requirements.
Financial aid processing and disbursement may take additional time after your transient application has been approved. You are responsible for ensuring that all charges are paid at your host institution. UF cannot disburse financial aid directly to another institution.
For Florida Prepaid questions, contact your host institution’s bursar or financial services office.
After Transient Study Is Completed
A transcript hold will be assigned to all transient students, regardless of institution type, in the semester after their transient study is completed. This hold will prevent disbursement of financial aid.
The hold will be lifted after an official transcript for your transient coursework has been received by UF and the coursework has been posted to your UF transcript.
Florida Public Institutions
If you attended a Florida public institution, UF will automatically request an official transcript from the institution at the end of the term.
If UF does not receive a response to the automatic request, you must request an official transcript from your host institution. The transcript may be sent electronically through the state transcript system or by mail to:
University of Florida
Transfer Credit Evaluation
PO Box 114000
Gainesville, FL 32611-4000
Florida Private and Out-of-State Institutions
If you attended a Florida private or out-of-state institution, you must request an official transcript to be sent to UF after completing your coursework.
Official transcripts should be mailed to:
University of Florida
Transfer Credit Evaluation
PO Box 114000
Gainesville, FL 32611-4000
Transcript Questions
If you have questions about the status of your official transcript, contact the UF Office of Admissions:
Phone: 352-392-1365
Email: TransferEvaluation@admissions.ufl.edu
Questions regarding the status of your transcript hold may be directed to SFA.
Please note: If an official transcript showing your transient coursework is not received by the end of the term following your term of transient study, you may be asked to repay some or all of the financial aid disbursed for your transient coursework.