Types of Financial Aid Cost of Education Satisfactory Progress Requirements Drop/Add Non-Degree Students Concurrent Enrollment Graduate Students Special Programs

Short Term Loan/Tuition Deferment UWF Contacts Federal Financial Aid Info State of Florida IRS Customer Service Selective Service

Types of Financial Aid

In most cases, you will be awarded a combination of financial aid from the types listed below. UWF awards both gift (non-repayable financial aid) and self-help (work or loan) aid. Most financial aid requires that you are enrolled in a minimum of 6 hours a semester at UWF. Pell Grant is the only aid awarded when enrolled for less than 6 hours.

Federal Pell Grants are available to undergraduate students working on a first bachelor's degree. Pell Grants are the primary need-based federal aid program and are awarded based on enrollment status. The maximum Pell Grant award for 2008-2009 is $4731.

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants are need-based funds administered through UWF. Awards up to $1500 per academic year (fall and spring) are available to a limited number of students enrolled at least half-time (6 undergraduate hours) and working on a first undergraduate degree.

Academic Competitiveness Grant is a federal grant available to first and second year undergraduate students who completed a rigorous  high school curriculum as defined by the Department of Education. This grant requires that the student be pell eligible and, as a sophomore, have a minimum 3.0 GPA. You must also be a full-time student and a U.S. citizen. Award amounts are up to $750 per academic year for freshmen and $1300 for sophomores.

National SMART Grant  is a federal grant available to third and fourth year undergraduate students who have declared, and are enrolled in, an eligible major as defined by the Department of Education. Additional criteria require that the student be eligible for a pell grant and maintain a GPA of 3.0 or greater.  You must also be a full-time student and a U.S. citizen. Students are awarded up to $4000 per academic year.

Florida Student Assistance Grant (FSAG) - Need-based state grant for Florida residents working on a first undergraduate degree. Awards up to $1800 per academic year (fall and spring) are available to a limited number of students. Renewal requirements dictate that a student who received FSAG during the 2007-2008 academic year must have completed a minimum number of credits and have a 2.0 UWF GPA by the end of Spring term 2008 in addition to the other eligibility criteria. FSAG can be awarded for a maximum of 9 semesters. FSAG has a priority deadline date of March 1, 2008, which represents the date your financial aid file must be complete.

First Generation Matching Grant is state grant available to a limited number of undergraduate students who are identified on the FAFSA as a first generation college student. Awards are up to $1000 per semester for those students who enroll at least half-time (6 undergraduate hours) and have financial need. These awards are contingent upon funds being available.

UWF Educational Enhancement Grant- Institutional grant awarded by the Financial Aid Office to students with documented need. Awards up to $2000 per academic year (fall and spring) are available to a limited number of students enrolled at least half-time (6 undergraduate hours) and working on a first undergraduate degree.

UWF Graduate Grant - Institutional grant awarded by the Financial Aid Office to graduate students with documented need. Awards up to $2000 per academic year (fall and spring) are available to a limited number of graduate students working on a first graduate degree and enrolled at least half-time (6 hours) in graduate level courses.

UWF Scholarships - Merit-based funds awarded to a limited number of incoming full-time students. The Financial Aid Office awards only need-based scholarships. Need-based scholarships require that you have a complete financial aid file by March 1, 2008. Award amounts range from $1000 - $2000 per academic year depending upon your entering GPA.

The Office of Admissions awards merit-based scholarships and non-Florida tuition grants to incoming undergraduate students. Contact that office directly for additional information. Some academic departments also award merit-based funds. Contact the Dean's Office for information.

Florida Bright Futures - Merit-based scholarship for Florida residents who graduate from a Florida high school. The value of these scholarships will either be 75% or 100% of tuition. Contact your high school guidance counselor to determine your eligibility.

Federal Work-Study (FWS) - Need-based program where a student is assigned an on-campus job. A small percentage of FWS funds are allocated to off-campus, non-profit community service organizations. Awards are available to a limited number of undergraduate and graduate students enrolled at least half-time (6 hours) working on a first degree. The average award is 15 hours /week at $7.25/hour. Students are paid by check every two weeks based upon the number of hours worked during that period.

Federal Perkins Loans are need-based, long-term, 5% interest loans awarded to a limited number of undergraduate and graduate students. Loans up to $3000 per academic year (fall and spring) are awarded to students enrolled at least half-time (6 hours) and working on a first degree. Repayment begins nine months after the student graduates or ceases at least half-time enrollment.

Federal Direct Loans - When you complete the FAFSA and the UWF Institutional Financial Aid Application, you are applying for all of the aid programs. You do not complete a separate application for the Federal Direct Loan.

There are two types of Direct Loans:
1. Subsidized - awarded on the basis of financial need. You will not be charged interest as long as you maintain half-time (6 hours) enrollment status, during your grace period or during authorized periods of deferment.
2. Unsubsidized - not awarded on the basis of need. You will be charged interest from the time the loan is disbursed until it is paid in full. If you allow the interest to accumulate, it will be capitalized. The interest will be added to the principal amount of the loan and additional interest will be based upon the higher amount. This will increase the amount of money to be repaid. You will repay less if the interest is paid as it accumulates.

Federal Direct PLUS Loan for Graduate Students  - The Grad PLUS loan allows a graduate student to borrow up to the total cost of education minus any other financial aid. The interest rate is fixed, and repayment is generally deferred while in school. Half-time (6 graduate hours) enrollment, satisfactory academic progress, and a credit check are required. Additional information and application procedures are available in the Loans section of this website

 

Federal Direct Parent (PLUS) Loans - The parent PLUS loan allows a parent to borrow on behalf of their dependent, undergraduate children who are enrolled at least half-time (6 hours). A PLUS loan may not exceed the cost of education minus other aid awarded. The PLUS application may be obtained from the Financial Aid Office or the financial aid website. Although you are not required to complete the financial aid application process to obtain a PLUS loan, you are encouraged to do so in order to determine eligibility for other types of aid. Effective July 1, 2008, repayment may be deferred until six months after the student ceases half-time enrollment; however, interest will accrue and be added to the principal balance of the loan.

 

Cost of Education

2008-2009 FULL-TIME STUDENT BUDGETS: These two-semester, undergraduate student budgets are used to determine financial aid awards.

Florida Resident
	Commuter (a)	On-Campus	Off-Campus
Tuition (b)	3168	3168	3168
Books & Supplies	1200	1200	1200
Room & Board	3000	6900	6900
Transportation	1600	900	1600
Personal	1900	2200	2200
TOTAL	10868	14368	15068

Non-Florida Resident
	Commuter (a)	On-Campus	Off-Campus
Tuition (b)	14332	14332	14332
Books & Supplies	1200	1200	1200
Room & Board	3000	6900	6900
Transportation	1600	900	1600
Personal	1900	2200	2200
TOTAL	22032	25532	26232

a.	Commuter - residing with parents, relatives, or friends without the responsibility of rent or mortgage.
b.	Tuition amount above is based on 13 hours per semester (an average course load) at the in-state rate of $121.84/hour; out-of-state tuition is $551.22/hour. If you are an in-state graduate student, assume an average course load of 10 hours per semester at $253.66/hour; tuition for an out-of-state graduate student is $913.31/hour.
c.	The Alabama differential tuition rate is $163.84/hour for undergraduate students; tuition is $295.66/hour for a graduate student.

Note: For a student with dependents, the Financial Aid Office may increase the cost of education for dependent care upon submission of documentation from the provider.

 

2007-2008 FULL-TIME STUDENT BUDGETS: These two-semester, undergraduate student budgets are used to determine financial aid awards.

Florida Resident
	Commuter (a)	On-Campus	Off-Campus
*Tuition (b)	2904	2904	2904
Books & Supplies	1200	1200	1200
Room & Board	3000	6900	6900
Transportation	1500	850	1500
Personal	1700	2000	2000
TOTAL	10304	13854	14504

Non-Florida Resident
	Commuter (a)	On-Campus	Off-Campus
*Tuition (b)	14069	14069	14069
Books & Supplies	1200	1200	1200
Room & Board	3000	6900	6900
Transportation	1500	850	1500
Personal	1700	2000	2000
TOTAL	21469	25019	25669

a.	Commuter - residing with parents, relatives, or friends without the responsibility of rent or mortgage.
b.	Tuition amount above is based on 13 hours per semester (an average course load) at the in-state rate of $111.71/hour; out-of-state tuition is at $541.10/hour. If you are an in-state graduate student, assume an average course load of 10 hours per semester at $252.27/hour; tuition for an out-of-state graduate student is $911.92/hour. * Effective Spring 2008 the in-state tuition rate will be $115.57 an hour for undergraduates and $544.96 an hour for non-Florida residents. Graduate student rates will remain the same.
c.	The Alabama differential tuition rate is $153.71/hour for undergraduate students; tuition is $294.27/hour for a graduate student. * Effective Spring 2008 the Alabama differential tuition rate will be $157.57 for undergraduate students. Graduate student rates will remain the same.

Note: For a student with dependents, the Financial Aid Office may increase the cost of education for dependent care upon submission of documentation from the provider.

 

Satisfactory Progress Requirements

The U.S. Department of Education requires each institution to set GPA, completion ratio, and time limit standards to monitor a student's satisfactory academic progress in their course of study. All types of aid discussed are included in this policy. The following standards are measured when a student is initially awarded and at the end of each Spring semester thereafter:

• Minimum CUMULATIVE UWF GPA:

        Undergraduate: 1 - 29 hours: 1.80;

                             30 + hours: 2.00
       

       Graduate, Specialist and Doctorate:

                              3.0 at all times

• Minimum CUMULATIVE Completion Ratio for all students: 75%

Satisfactory completion means that a student must complete at least 75% of the courses in which they enroll with the following grades: A, B, C, D, P, S, and N. Unacceptable grades include F, U, I (incomplete), W, WF, WR, TR, V (extended incomplete) and X (audit). Transfer hours from previous institutions are included in the completion ratio.

Students declared ineligible for financial aid on the basis of unsatisfactory academic progress may appeal the decision in writing. Appeal procedures are available online or from the Financial Aid Office.

 

Reinstatement Policy: A student that chooses not to appeal, or whose appeal is denied, will regain eligibility once the minimum standards for GPA and/or completion ratio are achieved.

 

• Maximum Time Limit: 180 credit hours is the maximum time limit for an undergraduate student; 54 credit hours is the maximum time limit for a graduate student. All coursework taken is included in these totals (transfer hours, withdrawals, F's, etc.) The maximum time limit for a doctoral student is 150% of the program length. Maximum Time Limit cannot be appealed.

 

Drop/Add - Financial aid eligibility is based upon the number of hours a student is enrolled in at the end of drop/add. The drop/add period is the first week of classes. During this period, students can make adjustments to their class schedule. The financial aid office will not make adjustments to an award due to a late drop or late add after the published drop/add deadline.

Students classified by the Office of the Registrar as non-degree are not eligible to receive financial aid. Short-Term Loans are available to non-degree students.

Students enrolled concurrently at two colleges may only receive federal financial aid from one school. Awards are not calculated to include transient student hours. Florida Bright Futures is the only program, which recognizes coursework taken at both schools when determining enrollment. Documentation of enrollment and fee payments at the other school is required prior to disbursement of Bright Futures funds.

Graduate students must have their undergraduate degree posted before any financial aid can be disbursed.

Special Programs - UWF participates in several programs that differ from the traditional degree plan of course requirements. Programs include: study abroad, parallel co-op, joint BSN program with Okaloosa Walton College, and Hospitality, Recreation, and Resort Management program with Pensacola Junior College. Any student planning to participate or enroll in one of these programs must contact the financial aid office regarding eligibility for financial aid. Each program requires that additional information be submitted to the financial aid office prior to the disbursement of aid.

Short Term Loan/Tuition Deferment (TLP)

The University of West Florida has two additional programs apart from financial aid awards that a student may use to help with tuition and other educational expenses.

Information regarding the Short Term Loan or Tuition Deferment (TLP) is available at Student Accounts located in Building 20 East or (850) 474-3038.

CONTACT INFORMATION

Financial Aid
850-474-2400
finaid@uwf.edu

Student Accounts, Cashier's Office
850-474-3038
stuacct@uwf.edu, cashier@uwf.edu

Admissions
850-474-2230
admissions@uwf.edu

Registrar
850-474-2244
registrar@uwf.edu

Veteran's Affairs
850-474-2262
veterans@uwf.edu

 

FEDERAL FINANCIAL AID INFORMATION

Federal Student Aid Information
1-800-433-3243 TTY 1-800-730-8913
www.studentaid.ed.gov

Federal Application (FAFSA) Information
1-319-337-5665
www.fafsa.ed.gov

Direct Loan Borrower Services
1-800-848-0979
1-315-738-6634
www.dl.ed.gov

 
STATE OF FLORIDA

Florida Student Assistance Grant
Florida Bright Futures Scholarship
1-888-827-2004
http://www.floridastudentfinancialaid.org

IRS CUSTOMER SERVICE
1-800-829-1040
www.irs.gov

SELECTIVE SERVICE
1-847-688-6888 TTY 1-847-688-2567
www.sss.gov