FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
How Will My Scholarship Be Disbursed?
If your scholarship check is being sent to UF for disbursement, your donor should mail the check to: University of Florida, Office of Student Financial Aid and Scholarships, Scholarship Section, P. O. Box 114025, Gainesville, FL 32611-4025.
Your scholarship will be disbursed to you according to standard University of Florida disbursement procedures for financial aid and scholarships, unless the donor has provided other, specific disbursement stipulations. More information can be found on SFA’s Aid Disbursement page.
If you are receiving any other type of need-based financial aid and you receive the scholarship funds directly from the donor in cash or made payable to only you, you must notify UF’s Office of Student Financial Aid and Scholarships. SFA may be required under Federal regulations to adjust your financial aid package.
You may want to let your donor know when your semester tuition/fees are due so your scholarship checks can arrive before the fee payment deadline. Funds are not disbursed until classes begin each semester and you are enrolled full time, but early receipt of the scholarship funds ensures that they will be available to meet fee payment deadlines.
Will an additional outside scholarship affect my award?
Possibly. Each student who applies for aid is eligible for a certain amount according to their financial circumstances and educational costs.
If an outside scholarship results in your receiving more aid than the federal processor indicates you are eligible to receive, you may lose other aid. This will depend upon the type of other aid you are receiving.
If you receive an outside scholarship, check with a financial aid adviser in the OneStop to find out how or if it will affect your total package.
How will I receive my private scholarship money from UF?
Your scholarship donor may provide instructions in a cover letter on how the scholarship funds are to be disbursed to you. If no specific instructions are provided, the University of Florida (UF) pays your scholarship funds to you according to the disbursement procedure for financial aid and scholarships. Also, see Student Financial Affairs page on disbursement information.
If you are receiving any other type of need-based financial aid and receive the scholarship funds directly from the donor in cash or made payable to only you, you must notify UF’s Office of Student Financial Aid and Scholarships (SFA). SFA may be required under federal regulations to adjust your financial aid package.
You may want to let your donor know when your semester tuition/fees are due so your scholarship checks can arrive before the fee payment deadline. Funds are not disbursed until classes begin each semester and you are enrolled full time, but early receipt of the scholarship funds from donors ensures that they will be available to meet fee payment deadlines.
If your donor is mailing your scholarship check to UF for disbursement, the check should be mailed to: University of Florida, Office of Student Financial Aid and Scholarships, Scholarship Section, P. O. Box 114025, Gainesville, FL 32611-4025.
Where can I look for scholarships?
The Office of Student Financial Aid and Scholarships publishes an annual listing of all scholarship opportunities at UF on the Scholarship Search Engine, a searchable database of college-awarded and non-UF scholarships. Additional Scholarship Resources
What is the mailing address to send a private donor scholarship check to UF?
Private donor scholarship checks may be dropped off in person by the student (be sure to endorse if a joint check) or mailed to: University of Florida, Office of Student Financial Aid and Scholarships, ATTN: Disbursements, PO Box 114025, Gainesville, FL 32611-4025. If your donor needs a physical address for FedEx or other overnight delivery service, delete the PO box number and insert our physical address of S-204 Criser Hall, 1478 Union Road.
When and how will I get my financial aid funds?
Students generally receive financial aid by direct deposit from the University Bursar‘s office (UB) in S-113 Criser Hall. Most financial aid refunds begin to disburse the week after drop/add ends.
Due to UF’s continuing support for sustainable practices, as well as the costs associated with producing, mailing, and tracking undelivered checks, direct deposit is required for the delivery of financial aid refunds.
To sign up for direct deposit, go to ONE.UF and login with your username and password. Select “Campus Finances (Bursar). Under “Related Links” select “Sign up for Direct Deposit” and follow the instructions on the screen.
Direct Deposit is the quickest and safest way to receive your financial aid refunds.
Please direct any questions about direct deposit to (352) 392-0737.
For more information:
How do I find a student job at UF?
To search and apply for “on-campus” jobs, including all Federal Work-Study (FWS), Federal Community Service, and OPS positions, go to GatorJobs. Search for off-campus jobs through the Career Resource Center.
More information:
What is Federal Work-Study?
Federal Work-Study is a need-based financial aid award made to enrolled, degree-seeking students. Work-study employers pay only a portion of the student’s earnings, and financial aid funds pay the other portion. Consequently, work-study students are desirable to employers.
What is the annual tuition for a beginning freshmen?
The University Bursar keeps a current listing of cost per credit hour for both Florida residents and Non-Florida residents.
Undergraduate students normally take 12-15 credit hours per term, with two terms per year.
What is a “Standard Student Budget,” or “Average Cost of Attendance?”
The “Average Cost of Attendance” is the amount the University estimates it costs to attend college for the academic year. Costs include: tuition/fees, computer costs, books and supplies, housing, meals, transportation, clothing maintenance, health insurance, and personal expenses. Budgets are calculated for undergraduates, graduate students, and professional students, living on- and off-campus.
When are admitted students notified of their financial aid award or of any merit scholarships they will receive?
When UF has received your electronic FAFSA information from the federal processor, and you have been admitted to UF, if you are eligible for aid, the Office of Student Financial Aid and Scholarships (SFA) will award you an aid package based on your demonstrated need. SFA will begin the award notification process in March for newly admitted students and in June for students that are currently enrolled at UF. Award offers and financial aid packages are available at ONE.UF. In order for UF Student Financial Aid and Scholarships to consider you for a financial aid package, you must be a degree-seeking, admitted student.
Most UF merit scholarships are awarded by SFA. Students are notified by the various offices or departments that are responsible for recipient selection.
For more information see SFA’s Aid Programs page.