Hours:  Monday – Friday 8:15 a.m. – 4:45 p.m.

Staff
Mary Kintner, Program Specialist, 474-3037      
Mandy Redfearn, Accountant, 474-3038      
Suzanne Claggett, Coordinator, 474-3441      

Financial Disbursements
Financial Aid, including loans and scholarships, is disbursed by Student Accounts. Tuition, fees, housing, meal plans and any other educationally-related expenses are deducted from the financial aid award, and any excess is then sent to the student.  Balances due by the student over and above the amount covered by available financial aid must be received in the university Cashier’s Office by the fee payment deadline to avoid assessment of the late payment fee. The netting of financial aid awards continues throughout the fee payment and drop/add period. Late awards of financial aid are processed in the same manner throughout each academic term. All excess financial aid will be sent to HigherOne and disbursed according to the student’s selected refund preference.

University Bookstore Deferment
Students who qualify for the Bookstore Deferment Program have the option of using excess financial aid to purchase textbooks at the UWF Bookstore prior to their aid being disbursed.

This deferment is not an additional award but an estimated amount based upon the student’s financial aid award less unpaid charges on his/her ARGUS account.  The maximum deferment amount is $450.00.  In order to qualify for the deferment, students must be enrolled in the minimum number of hours required for their financial aid award.

By signing the bookstore receipt, students are authorizing the University of West Florida to deduct the University Bookstore charges from their financial aid and/or scholarship award.  In the event their financial aid status changes, students are responsible for any purchases made under this program.

Higher One/UWF Debit Card
To receive financial aid disbursements or any other university refunds, students must visit the Higher One website and use their UWF Debit Card number to choose a refund option. Your UWF Debit Card does not become active unless you choose the debit card option for your refund preference. Be sure to keep your card, as your card number will also be needed to make any future changes to your selection. There is a $20 replacement card fee. For additional information call UWF Student Accounts at 850-474-3038 during standard business hours or Higher One Customer Service: 1-800-815-1670, Mon. - Fri., 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Activate your UWF Debit Card
How do I activate my card?
Frequently Asked Questions

Withdrawals and Federal Financial Aid
Students who withdraw and have received federal financial aid (Title Four programs) will be required to repay to the federal program the amount of unearned financial aid funds disbursed to them as of their withdrawal date. Title Four programs include Pell Grants, Perkins Loans, Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (FSEOG), Stafford Loans (subsidized and unsubsidized) and Parent Loans (the Federal Plus program). The unearned amount of federal programs funds is calculated based on the percentage of the semester completed before the date of withdrawal. The university is required to return the unearned portion of the Title Four funds which were used to pay institutional charges such as tuition, fees, housing and other educationally-related expenses assessed by the institution. The funds returned to the federal government by the university will be credited against the student's total liability of unearned funds. However, students will owe the university the amount returned to the federal government  by the university for institutional charges.

Students who have outstanding balances are not allowed to register for classes until they have satisfied their debt.

Tuition Loan Program
Eligible students may pay tuition fees in two equal installments.  One-half of the total tuition and fees is payable by the close of the drop/add period with the remainder payable by midterm.  Students must have a favorable credit rating with the university to be eligible for the Tuition Loan Program (TLP).  A $15 service charge will be assessed.  Applications must be made in person in the Student Accounts Office and a promissory note signed.

If payment is not received by the due date, a $100 late fee will apply.

Short Term Loans
Emergency Short Term Loans of up to $500.00 are available for students in good financial standing.  Applications must be made in person in the Student Accounts Office and a promissory note signed.  Short Term Loans are due before the end of the semester in which they were issued.

Holds
Delinquent Balance
A student owing a delinquent balance of less than $100 which is not more than 120 days past due will be allowed to register for classes prior to paying the balance.  The balance due must be paid by the close of the fee payment period.  Failure to do so will result in holds on future registrations as well as diplomas, grades, and transcripts until the account is paid in full. 

Financial Aid Exit Interview
Exit counseling is required at the time you graduate, withdraw, or drop below half-time enrollment. Exit counseling will review the same rights and responsibilities as entrance counseling and will also give you important information regarding the repayment of your Direct Loan. Understanding the repayment provisions of your loan will help you avoid default. Failure to complete exit counseling prior to leaving school will result in a hold on your academic record. This hold prevents the release of grades, transcripts and diploma, registration for future terms, and receipt of additional financial aid.

Complete exit counseling

1098-T Tuition Statement
The university is required by the IRS to furnish the 1098-T to students.  The tuition statement includes the amount of tuition paid by the student during the tax year, excluding health and transportation fees.  It also includes the amount of scholarships received by the student.  Scholarship amounts do not include loans. 

1098-T’s are mailed the last week of January for the previous tax year and are available online through the student's ARGUS account. 

THE UNIVERSITY OF WEST FLORIDA IS NOT ABLE TO ADVISE YOU AS TO YOUR ELIGIBILITY FOR ANY INCOME TAX CREDIT, OR WITH FIGURING YOUR INCOME TAX RETURN.  For official IRS information you may refer to IRS Publication 970, Tax Benefits for Higher Education, or the IRS web site.

Every effort has been made to ensure that the information on this web site is accurate. However, due to frequent changes in Federal and State regulations, and revisions to the University of West Florida operating policies, the information is subject to change without notice.