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Info for Prospective Students

Prospective students

What is Financial Aid?

Financial aid is defined as money provided to students and their families as either “gift aid” or “self-help” to assist in paying college costs. “Gift aid,” as the name implies, is free money such as scholarships and grants, which students do not have to repay. “Self-help” programs include loans and employment and are so named because students must repay loans and work for money offered through employment programs. Financial aid to students consists of scholarships, grants, loans, and employment—singly or in combination.

Financial Aid Deadlines

Although you must be accepted for enrollment at UF before you are considered for financial aid, you should apply for aid before being admitted. Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at studentaid.gov. You can file a 2024-25 FAFSA on or before  early as December, 2023. You can file a 2025-26 FAFSA on or before December 1, 2024. Apply as early as possible. In order for UF Student Financial Aid and Scholarships (SFA) to consider you for a financial aid package, you must be a degree-seeking admitted student.

How to Apply for Financial Aid

Complete a 2025-26 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) in December 2024. On the 2025-26 FAFSA, students and parents will report their 2023 income and tax information. Apply each year — financial aid is not renewed automatically. Most people complete the FAFSA in less than 1 hour. We strongly recommend students start the FAFSA and complete their section first to save time and prevent errors.

  • Create your FSA ID / StudentAid.gov account at studentaid.gov.
  • Gather your documents! You will need your parents’ social security numbers (if they have social security numbers) if you’re a dependent student.
  • Start your 2025-26 FAFSA at fafsa.gov.
  • List the University of Florida as a school of choice.
  • If you’re a dependent student, provide contact information for your parent contributors.
  • Submit your application.
  • Follow up to ensure your parents complete their portion. Check the status under the “My Activity” section after you sign in at studentaid.gov.

Get free assistance and answers to your FAFSA questions at studentaid.gov or 1-800-433-3243.

How Need is Determined

The financial information you and your family provide on your FAFSA is used to determine your student aid index (SAI)— how much you and your family are expected to contribute toward your educational expenses. Once your SAI has been determined, the financial aid office will calculate your financial need. Financial need is the cost of attendance minus your SAI.

Your Financial Aid Offer

When UF receives your application information from the federal processor and you have been admitted to UF, SFA will send you an aid offer based on your eligibility. Students who complete a FAFSA and list UF as a “college of choice” are considered for all aid programs administered by SFA. One or more of the four types of aid (grants, scholarships, part-time employment, loans) are usually offered to eligible students to make up their financial aid package. By March 2025, admitted freshmen who have filed the FAFSA will receive an email that their official financial aid offer is available online at ONE.UF. The Notification of Financial Aid Offer states the terms and conditions of aid programs awarded to you. Read it carefully, and follow any instructions that pertain to you.

Florida Bright Futures, Other Scholarships and the Florida Prepaid College Plan

The Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program, funded by the State of Florida, provides scholarships based on high school academic achievement. www.sfa.ufl.edu/programs/bright-futures.

The Machen Florida Opportunity Scholarship (MFOS) assists historically low-income, first-generation college students in meeting their college costs. This distinguished scholarship provides funding up to the full cost of attendance for four (4) years of undergraduate study. In addition, MFOS students will receive mentorship and comprehensive support programming to provide them with a positive and successful student experience at the University of Florida. Potentially eligible students must complete a FAFSA and meet other requirements. www.sfa.ufl.edu/mfos

Other scholarships are awarded by various organizations such as the university, the state, individual colleges and departments, and private entities. UF’s Scholarship Search Engine is a searchable database of both college-awarded and private scholarships. www.sfa.ufl.edu/search

The State of Florida automatically notifies UF of all students participating in the Florida Prepaid College Plan. For participating Prepaid students, the University Bursar bills the Florida Prepaid Program for tuition amounts covered according to their plan(s) and automatically credits their tuition accounts. www.myfloridaprepaid.com

Review your Financial Aid Status

Follow up on your aid application. It may be selected for Federal Verification.

  • You are responsible for following up on your aid application.
  • Check the status of your aid application and award at ONE.UF
  • Do not wait until school begins to submit required documents. Ask questions if you are unsure about any part of the application process.
  • If your application is selected for Federal Verification, you will be required to provide verifying documentation before aid can be disbursed to you. Respond promptly to requests for information or documentation.

Financial Aid Questions

Get free assistance and answers to your FAFSA questions at studentaid.gov or 1-800-433-3243. The quickest way to get assistance about financial aid from a UF financial aid adviser is through the OneStop or via phone at 352-392-2244.