Student Financial Affairs
S-107 Criser Hall
Phone: (352) 392-1275
Fax: (352) 392-2861
www.ufsa.ufl.edu
What type of aid is available?
- Grants: A grant by definition is a source of funding that is non-repayable based upon financial need. Sources of grants can either be federal, state, or institutional.
- Loans: A loan is a repayable source of funding that can either be based upon financial need, or simply cost of attendance. Sources of loans are generally either federal institutional or private.
- Employment: Students can either work through a need-based program such as Federal Work Study, or obtain employment through on-campus employers that do not require federal funding in order to employ students.
- Scholarships: A scholarship is a non-repayable source of funding that has an academic requirement and/or financial need requirement to be awarded. Sources of scholarships include college, state, or private agencies.
How do I apply?
Applying correctly for financial aid is critical in order to maximize all potential avenues of funding. At the University of Florida, the filing of a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is the starting point in the Financial Aid process. These applications can be obtained within Criser Hall or can also be accessed via the Internet at www.fafsa.ed.gov.
When should I apply?
Most grant programs and certain loans are limited in their funding. In order to have the best opportunity in receiving these, a prospective student should have the results of the FAFSA transmitted to the University of Florida by March 15. By doing so, one would be considered to be “On-Time” and therefore be given the best opportunity at accessing these funds.
How is aid awarded?
Once UF has collected sufficient records of applicants, the school will typically begin packaging preliminary financial aid awards. These awards are based upon the accuracy of the data given on the FAFSA and the school’s projection of available funding. Award letters are then sent to the financial aid applicant for their review. It is at this point that the student has the ability to decline or amend the offer that has been given to them. It is extremely important to notify the Financial Aid Office if you are expecting to receive monies that are not currently listed on the award letter. This can be done via the Additional Aid form that is included with every award notification. Examples of other monies include scholarships, tuition waivers, Florida Prepaid Programs, etc. The result of not notifying the Financial Aid Office will be possible delays in disbursing funds, or requests to repay monies to the University.
If you are a Florida Bright Futures recipient, it is required that you update the Florida Department of Education with the fact that you are now attending the University of Florida, school code 011. This can be accomplished by either contacting them at 1-888-827-2004 or by updating your status online at www.firn.edu/doe/brfutures/.
What happens now?
Once awarding of aid is complete, UF will then begin verifying the validity of the information that the applicant has placed on the application. The verification process can involve the request of tax documents, investment information, and other financial documents to be brought into the financial aid office. These documents are then compared to the information initially placed on the application. If errors are found, they will be corrected and the preliminary award will then be adjusted.
When is aid disbursed?
Financial aid is not disbursed until after school begins. Students need to make sure that they have adequate “start up money” available in order to purchase books, pay rent, etc. Assuming that the student has completed all necessary paperwork and orientations, funds that do not require full-time enrollment will begin disbursement by the end of the first week of class. Students that are on Florida Prepaid or on tuition waiver are NOT disbursed financial aid until these programs have been applied. Unless otherwise requested by the student, all current debts will be removed from the financial aid disbursement prior to the issuing of funds.