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Types of Aid

Grants

Grants listed on this page are programs administered and/or awarded through the UF Office of Student Financial Aid and Scholarships (SFA). Grants are gift aid (no repayment required) awarded to students who show financial need.

To be considered for most grants, including the Federal Pell Grant, the Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant, and the Florida Student Assistance Grant, students must complete a FAFSA.

Federal Pell Grant

The Federal Pell Grant program provides financial assistance to students who could not otherwise afford to pay for college as an undergraduate. The government awards grants according to each student’s financial need as determined by federal methodology, a congressionally established need analysis formula. Need for other aid is based upon and determined around the student’s eligibility for Federal Pell Grant.

Awards range from $740 to $7,395 (academic year 2024-25). Students completing their financial aid application are automatically considered for Pell Grant money.

Pell Grant awards are calculated at the end of drop/add. The amount of the award is based upon the student’s registration at that time.

The Pell Grant duration of eligibility has been set to 12 full-time semesters, or approximately six years. The limit will apply to all Pell recipients regardless of when the student first began receiving Pell Grant funds.

You can see your Pell Grant history by logging into your StudentAid.gov account. After logging in with your FSA ID user name and password, you can view your “Pell Lifetime Eligibility Used” under the Grants section.

To be eligible for a federal Pell Grant, you must:

  1. be a U.S. citizen, national, or permanent resident;
  2. show financial need according to the Federal Student Aid Report (SAR);
  3. be an undergraduate enrolled in a degree-seeking program;
  4. maintain satisfactory academic progress;
  5. not have defaulted on or owe a refund to any previous aid program.
  6. complete any Verification review, if selected.

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Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants

The Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant Programs (FSEOG) is a federally funded aid program awarded by SFA to undergraduates who demonstrate exceptional financial need. UF selects recipients and determines award amounts, based on greatest financial need. Awards at UF generally range from $100 to $2,000 per year. Applicants must:

  1. be a U.S. citizen, national, or permanent resident;
  2. have financial need as determined by an aid application;
  3. be an undergraduate enrolled for at least six credit hours;
  4. maintain satisfactory academic progress;
  5. not have defaulted on or owe a refund to any previous aid program
  6. be receiving a Federal Pell Grant.

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Florida Student Assistance Grants

The Florida Student Assistance Grant (FSAG) is a state-funded program awarded to qualified undergraduates who attend eligible Florida institutions and show financial need and academic promise and who have maintained Florida residency at least 12 months before the beginning of the term for which they are applying. Awards range from $200 to $2,610 per academic year.
To be eligible, you must:

  1. be a U.S. citizen, national, or permanent resident;
  2. be an undergraduate enrolled at least six credit hours in a degree-seeking program; students unable to enroll 12 hours due to their disabilities may qualify for financial assistance with part-time enrollment at a prorated award amount.
  3. be a Florida resident for 12 consecutive months before the beginning of the academic year;
  4. meet state academic progress standards for renewal of FSAG;
  5. have a minimum 2.0 GPA;
  6. meet Selective Service registration requirements;
  7. not have defaulted on or owe a refund to a state or federal aid program;
  8. to renew-have earned 12 credit hours each full-time semester, 9 credit hours for each three-quarter-time semester, and 6 hours for each half-time semester during which FSAG was received the previous academic year;
  9. have a family contribution less than the amount required by the Florida Office of Student Financial Assistance (OSFA).
  10. meet College-Level Academic Skills Test (CLAST) requirements.

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UF Graduate Grant

This UF-funded grant program is awarded by SFA to graduate students who demonstrate exceptional financial need. Awards range from $100 to $3,000 per academic year.

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Federal Iraq & Afghanistan Service Grant

If your parent or guardian died as a result of military service in Iraq or Afghanistan, you may be eligible for an Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant.
You may be eligible to receive the Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant if:

  • you are not eligible for a Federal Pell Grant on the basis of your Student Aid Index (SAI) but meet the remaining Federal Pell Grant eligibility requirements, and
  • your parent or guardian was a member of the U.S. armed forces and died as a result of military service performed in Iraq or Afghanistan after the events of 9/11, and
  • you were under 24 years old or enrolled in college at least part-time at the time of your parent’s or guardian’s death.

The grant award is equal to the amount of a maximum Federal Pell Grant for the award year but cannot exceed your cost of attendance for that award year.

More information regarding the Federal Iraq & Afghanistan Service Grant can be found on Federal Student Aid.

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Children of Fallen Heroes Scholarship

Under the Children of Fallen Heroes scholarship, beginning with the 2018-2019 award year, a Pell-eligible student whose parent or guardian died in the line of duty while performing as a public safety officer is eligible to receive a maximum Pell Grant for the award year for which the determination of eligibility is made. All Title IV aid awarded to such eligible students must be based on an EFC or SAI of zero without regard to the student’s calculated EFC or SAI.

To qualify for this scholarship, a student must be Pell-eligible and have a Pell-eligible EFC or SAI (up to $7,395 for the 2024-2025 award year), and be less than 24 years of age or enrolled at an institution of higher education at the time of his or her parent’s or guardian’s death. In subsequent award years, the student continues to be eligible for the scholarship, as long as the student has a Pell-eligible EFC or SAI and continues to be an eligible student.

If you feel you may be eligible for the Children of Fallen Heroes Scholarship, visit with a financial aid adviser, complete the Children of Fallen Heroes Scholarship form, or email sfa-help@mail.ufl.edu for additional instructions.

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UF Excellence Grant

The UF Excellence Grant is meant to recognize our first-time in college, high-achieving students. We offer this four-year grant as part of a no-loan aid package to students who meet eligibility criteria. The UF Excellence Grant is renewable for up to four years, or attainment of a bachelor’s degree, as long as the student continues to be Pell-eligible and make satisfactory academic progress.

To be considered for an Excellence Grant, a student must

  • be admitted as a first-time-in-college undergraduate student
  • be a Florida resident and graduate of a Florida high school
  • be Pell-eligible

UF Undergraduate Grant

The UF Undergraduate Grant is targeted to students with a Student Aid Index (SAI) of $7,500 or less. Award amounts are tiered based on the student’s SAI and the grant is available for up to 4 years.

UF Welcome Grant

The UF Welcome Grant, typically from $500- $1,000, is a one-time award, provided to incoming first-time in college students with a Student Aid Index (SAI) of $7,500 or less. The award is paid in advance of the start of the term to assist the student in covering expenses related to their start in college.

UF Orange & Blue Grant

The UF Orange & Blue Grant is awarded to transfer students with a Student Aid Index (SAI) of $7,500 or less. The award is tiered at two levels depending on the student’s SAI and is limited to two years of undergraduate funding.

Completion Grant

The Completion Grant is designed to assist undergraduate students who are experiencing difficulty funding their educational expenses. The Completion Grant targets at-risk students to help them remain enrolled and graduate. Students who are determined to be potential Completion Grant recipients and who have submitted a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) are evaluated for eligibility. Those who meet the eligibility criteria are issued a one-time Completion Grant to assist them with past due charges. Awards range from $200 to $2,500. For more information on Completion Grant, visit with a financial aid adviser in the UF OneStop.

Grad-A-Gator Grant

Think 30 graphic

The University of Florida is committed to enabling student completion of an undergraduate degree within four years. In order to accomplish this objective, students need to complete 30 credits each academic year.

While UF currently provides a full financial aid package based on 15 credits per term to students who apply by the financial aid deadline, special situations may arise that strain student financial resources. Full-time undergraduates (taking 12 or more credits) with financial need who would like to increase their course load to a minimum of 15 credit hours for a fall or spring term, but are limited by financial circumstances, are encouraged to meet with a financial aid adviser in the UF OneStop in S107 Criser Hall to discuss the Grad-A-Gator Grant. The financial aid adviser will review the student’s financial circumstances and if it is determined additional funding is needed, the student’s financial aid package will be adjusted using the Grad-A-Gator Grant.

To be considered for a Grad-A-Gator Grant, you must have an error-free, complete Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), and have need not met by other resources.

Perhaps the most practical reason for thinking about timely graduation is the money you and your family will save by not paying for an extra year of school. If you are using student loans for your educational expenses, you will go deeper into debt. You will have lost wages by starting your career later. It is simply more cost effective to graduate in four years.

Other Grants

Student Financial Aid and Scholarships may award additional grant aid as programs have available funding. Grants are typically based on financial need. Should your need change due to an increase in your Student Aid Index (SAI), your need-based grants may be reduced.

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Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education Grant (“TEACH” Grant)

The Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education Grant (“TEACH” Grant”) program was created by the College Cost Reduction and Access Act.

Student Eligibility Requirements

To receive a TEACH Grant, a UF student must:

  1. Complete the TEACH Grant Application
  2. Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
  3. Be a U.S. Citizen or eligible non-citizen.
  4. Be enrolled in the following UF College of Education program:
  • Pro Teach Elementary Education with Special Education Emphasis – Bachelor of Education plus Master of Education Program (must have AA degree if transfer student or be admitted after 60 UF hours; must continue beyond bachelor’s degree)

In addition, students must meet the following academic achievement requirements:

  • Score above the 75th percentile on one battery of a nationally-normed college admissions test such as the SAT, ACT, GRE, etc,
    Or
  • If a first semester, first time in college freshman – graduate from High School, with a Cumulative GPA of at least 3.25 on a 4.0 scale AND maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 3.25 throughout your academic program for which you receive a TEACH Grant
  • If a first semester graduate student – have an undergraduate Cumulative GPA of at least 3.25 on a 4.0 scale AND maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 3.25 throughout your academic program for which you receive a TEACH Grant
  • If a first semester transfer student – have a transfer Cumulative GPA of at least 3.25 on a 4.0 scale AND maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 3.25 throughout your academic program for which you receive a TEACH Grant
    Or
  • Be a TEACH grant recipient who is currently a teacher or retiree who is applying for a TEACH Grant to obtain a master’s degree in a TEACH Grant-eligible program

General Program Requirements

  • The grant must be repaid as Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loan if student does not fulfill ALL of the requirements of the program. Interest will accrue from date of original disbursement.
  • A student can receive up to $4,000 per year for an undergraduate degree ($16,000 aggregate for a 4 year program). A graduate student can receive $4,000 per year ($8,000 aggregate total)
  • Students in certificate programs are eligible. Undergraduate aggregate amounts apply.
  • Grant is prorated for less than half-time enrollment (3000 for 3/4 time; 2000 for 1/2 time; 1000 for less than half-time)

TEACH Grant Agreement to Serve

Each year to receive a TEACH Grant, the student must sign a TEACH Grant Agreement to Serve or Repay (Agreement) that will be available electronically on studentaid.gov. The TEACH Grant Agreement to Serve or Repay (Agreement) explains the terms and conditions for receiving a TEACH Grant. By signing the Agreement, the student agrees to these terms and conditions and acknowledges that if they do not fulfill the service obligation described in the Agreement, the TEACH Grant funds the student received will be converted to a Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan, with interest accrued from the date the grant funds were first disbursed.

Teaching Obligation

To avoid repaying the TEACH Grant as a loan with interest recipients must be a highly-qualified, full-time teacher in a high-need subject area for at least four years within eight years of finishing the program and must teach at a school serving low-income students. Specific definitions of terms are included below.

Highly-Qualified Teacher

The term highly-qualified teacher is defined in section 9101(23) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 or in section 602(10) of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.

Full-Time Teacher

Must meet the state’s definition of a full-time teacher and spend the majority (at least 51 percent) of time teaching one of the high-need subject areas. In order for teaching to count towards meeting the service obligation, the recipient must teach in a designated “high need” field AND at a designated school. These designations can change over time. Elementary school teachers who teach many subjects would not be able to fulfill their service agreement.

High-Need Subject Areas

Schools Serving Low-Income Students

Schools serving low-income students include any elementary or secondary school that is listed in the Department of Education’s Annual Directory of Designated Low-Income Schools for Teacher Cancellation Benefits.

Documentation

For each TEACH-eligible program for which TEACH Grant funds are received, recipients must provide documentation to the Department of Education that the teaching obligation was completed. TEACH Grant recipients must also confirm to the Federal Department of Education in writing within 120 days of completing or otherwise ceasing enrollment in the TEACH-eligible program that they are fulfilling (or planning to fulfill) the terms and conditions of the service agreement.

The elementary or secondary school’s chief administrative officer must certify documentation of the teaching service. This documentation must show that you were a full-time, highly-qualified teacher at a school serving low-income students, teaching a high-need subject area for at least four years.

IMPORTANT REMINDERS:

  • FAILURE TO COMPLETE THE TEACHING OBLIGATION OR PROPERLY DOCUMENT TEACHING SERVICE WILL CAUSE THE TEACH GRANT TO BE PERMANENTLY CONVERTED TO AN UNSUBSIDIZED FEDERAL DIRECT STAFFORD LOAN WITH INTEREST. Interest would accrue from the date of the original disbursement.
  • ONCE A GRANT IS CONVERTED TO A LOAN IT CAN’T BE CONVERTED BACK TO A GRANT!
  • Students must seriously consider the financial impact that converting these grants into loans will have on their future.

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