Steps to Apply
To help guide you through the financial aid process, follow these steps when applying for financial aid.
Step 1. Apply for Admission
Please complete your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) while you are applying for admission; however, financial aid is offered only to admitted students. Once you are admitted to UWF, you may move forward with completing any outstanding financial aid requirements (if applicable).
Step 2. Complete the FAFSA
The FAFSA form you will need to complete will depend on the term(s) you attend UWF. For the strongest aid consideration, complete the FAFSA and any verification steps by your term priority date.
Attending Term | FAFSA Aid Year | FAFSA Status |
---|---|---|
Fall 2024 | 2024-2025 | Open |
Spring 2025 | 2024-2025 | Open |
Summer 2025 | 2024-2025 | Open |
Fall 2025 | 2025-2026 | Set to fully open December 2024 |
UWF's school code is 003955. If you have already submitted the FAFSA but did not include UWF in your school list, you can correct this at the FAFSA website.
Step 3. Review your FAFSA Submission Summary
Step 4. Review your Student Aid Index (SAI)
SAI succeeds what was formerly known as Expected Family Contribution (EFC) and is reported on your FAFSA Submission Summary when successfully processed. The SAI is a formula-based index number ranging from -1500 to 999999 and is calculated from the information you and your contributors (if applicable) provide on the FAFSA. The SAI is the basis for creating a financial aid offer. Your SAI is not a dollar amount of aid you will receive, what your family is expected to provide, or your final financial aid offer.
Step 5. Determine Your Scholarship Eligibility
For new students, the process for awarding academic scholarships is directly linked to admission. A number of academic scholarship programs are available to students who have demonstrated high academic achievement. The Financial Aid Office also awards a limited number of need/merit-based scholarships. For more information, visit Scholarships.
The Cost Calculator is designed to help you estimate your UWF financial aid options. The average time to complete a full estimate is 3-5 minutes. When you need help, feel free to speak to your admissions counselor or contact Undergraduate Admissions at admissions@uwf.edu or 850.474.2230.
Step 6. Review Your Offer Letter
Review Aid Notification and Review timelines for checking your Financial Aid Status in MyUWF to determine if you have been awarded. Your financial aid package may be a combination of scholarships, loans, grants, and Federal Work-Study funds. Find out how we determine your financial aid offers.
When you receive your offer letter, please review the offer letter and attachments carefully. Make sure your enrollment status, residency, and housing status are correct. If any of these factors are incorrect, please notify the Financial Aid Office in writing.
Step 7. Sign Your Master Promissory Note
If you are a first-time borrower and your award includes a Federal Direct Loan, you will be required to sign a master promissory note and complete entrance loan counseling before disbursement of the loan.