INFORMATION FOR TRANSIENT STUDENTS
You are considered a “transient” student if UF is your home institution and you are taking one or more courses at another institution, which is referred to as your host institution. All potential and current transient students are strongly encouraged to read ALL the below information. Students are responsible for meeting all deadlines and submitting required documentation. Please contact our office if you have questions about your status.
If you will only be taking classes as part of a study abroad program with another school, please see our Study Abroad website and checklist for more information on how your aid will be processed.
Approved transient courses and course numbers must match your actual enrollment to be eligible for financial aid. If you enroll in a different course than what was approved, you must complete a new transient application listing the correct course to be reviewed for financial aid. Each student is responsible for ensuring that they register for the correct, approved course(s).
Important Dates and Deadlines
You must complete the ENTIRE application process as described below by the following deadlines to be eligible to receive financial aid for your transient coursework. Financial aid awards after the below dates are not guaranteed.
| Term of Transient Study | Deadline for Document Receipt |
| Fall 2024 | 5:00 PM ET on November 22, 2024 |
| Spring 2025 | 5:00 PM ET on April 11, 2025 |
| Summer (A, B, & C) 2025 | 5:00 PM ET on August 1, 2025 |
Please note: You are responsible for meeting registration and fee payment deadlines at your host institution. The host institution is not required to offer you the option of deferred payment even if you have financial aid.
Application Process for Florida Public Institutions
If you plan to attend a Florida public institution, you must complete a Transient Student Admission Application on the Florida Shines website.
You must answer “Yes” to the following questions on the Florida Shines Transient Student Admission Application for the application to be sent to our office. If you answer “No”, then your application cannot be approved for any financial aid, including Bright Futures Scholarships.
- 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?
If you realize that you answered “No” in error, then you simply need to complete a new Florida Shines Transient Student Admission Application and answer “Yes” to the financial aid questions. Our office will receive and process the new application accordingly.
IMPORTANT: Your academic advisor and the Registrar must approve your Florida Shines Transient Student Admission Application before it can be reviewed by our office. You will receive email notifications at each step of the review process. You are responsible for following up with the relevant offices as appropriate to ensure that your application is processed in time to meet the above deadlines.
In general, your transient enrollment information will be transmitted to us electronically by the host institution after the semester has begun. We calculate and disburse financial aid based on the enrollment information provided by the host institution.
If electronic enrollment information is not received and/or is incorrect, you must provide the following documents to our office:
- An official certification of enrollment from your host institution’s Registrar OR a copy of your tuition statement.
- A copy of your class schedule, which must include course number, number of credits per course, and course start/end dates. A screenshot of your student portal is acceptable.
All forms and documents must be dated after the drop/add period of your host institution.
Documents may be submitted in any of the following methods: by email to SFA-Help@mail.ufl.edu (subject line – Attn: Transient Coordinator) or by mail to 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 are attending a Florida private institution and/or an out-of-state institution, you are required to submit the following documents:
- A completed UF Transient Form. Please note: This form includes sections that must be completed by your academic advisor and the Registrar.
- An official certification of enrollment from your host institution’s Registrar.
- A copy of your class schedule, which must include course number, number of credits per course, and course start/end dates. A screenshot of your student portal is acceptable.
- A completed UF Consortium Agreement. Please note: This form must be completed by the financial aid office at your host institution.
Other documents, such as proof of payment and tuition statements, are not required nor accepted. All forms and documents must be dated after the drop/add period of your host institution.
Documents may be submitted in any of the following methods: by email to SFA-Help@ufl.edu (subject line – Attn: Transient Coordinator) or by mail to 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.
Enrollment Requirements – All Institutions
In order to receive financial aid as a transient student, you must be enrolled at least half-time at an approved university or college. Your UF and transient credit hours are combined to determine your overall enrollment status.
Per federal regulations, financial aid can be used only for coursework that is required for your degree program. Your academic advisor must make the determination of whether your desired transient coursework is required. The academic advisor’s decision is noted on your Florida Shines Transient Student Admission Application.
Please note: Approved transient courses and course numbers must match your actual enrollment exactly to be eligible for financial aid. If you enroll in a different course than what was approved on your Florida Shines application, you must complete a new Florida Shines application listing the course to receive financial aid for it. Each student is responsible for ensuring that they register for the correct, approved course(s).
Financial Aid Disbursement
You must meet all standard financial aid eligibility requirements for financial aid to be disbursed. You are strongly encouraged to monitor your status in ONE.UF regularly to ensure that all requirements are met.
After all transient documentation has been received and processed, your financial aid will be awarded and then disbursed. More information on the disbursement process. You are responsible for ensuring that all charges are paid at your host institution. UF cannot disburse aid to another institution.
For Florida Prepaid questions, you should 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 the transient coursework has been received AND the coursework has been posted to your UF transcript.
If you attended a Florida public institution, the University of Florida will automatically request an official transcript from the institution at the end of the term. Should UF not receive a response to the automatic request, you will need to request an official transcript from your host institution yourself. The official transcript may be sent electronically via the state transcript system, or by mail to: University of Florida, Transfer Credit Evaluation, PO Box 114000, Gainesville, FL 32611-4000.
If you attended a private Florida or an out-of-state institution, you must request for an official transcript to be sent to UF after completion of your coursework. Official transcripts should be mailed to: University of Florida, Transfer Credit Evaluation, PO Box 114000, Gainesville, FL 32611-4000.
If you have questions regarding the status of your official transcript, please contact the UF Office of Admissions at 352-392-1365 or TransferEvaluation@admissions.ufl.edu. Questions regarding the status of your transcript hold may be directed to our office.
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 the financial aid disbursed for your transient coursework.