Knack Tutoring Program

Knack is a company that helps provide tutoring at colleges and universities. Knack hires high-achieving students at the University of West Florida based on UWF’s criteria, trains them as tutors, and provides a platform for UWF students to sign up for and receive tutoring. Knack hires the tutors and pays them an hourly wage. Knack delivers the program in collaboration with a campus liaison and team.

No. Knack is supplementing the other tutoring resources we have at UWF. You can find more information on those from Subject-Based Tutoring Services.

See the tutoring course list. Those supported by Knack will have the Knack logo. All courses are linked to a webpage with more information on how to request tutoring for that course. 

Students verify that their class is supported by Knack tutoring.  They then create an account on Knack using their existing UWF credentials (via Single Sign-On).

Students use the Knack website or mobile app to submit a request for a tutor. Qualified tutors will be notified about this request. Tutors review the details and message the student with an offer to help. If the student wishes to engage with the tutor, they should message the tutor to arrange a time and date for an in-person or online meeting.

UWF sets peer tutor qualification requirements, primarily focused on minimum prior grade in the course and training. Knack then recruits and evaluates applicants.

Tutors and students must agree to uphold UWF's code of conduct and academic standards policy while adhering to Knack’s strict Zero-Tolerance Policy for Academic Misconduct. Students who do not comply will have their access to Knack revoked. Any violations of academic standards are referred to the University of West Florida.

Finally, post-session feedback and reporting allow users to flag one another as needed. Both tutors and the students receiving tutoring have this functionality. Knack investigates any such flags and will involve UWF, as appropriate.

All tutoring takes place online or in public areas, such as the John C. Pace Library or the Hal Marcus College of Science and Engineering. Residence hall rooms or off-campus locations are not approved for in-person tutoring. 

Students and tutors communicate through the Knack website or app, so they do not need to share personal contact information such as email addresses or phone numbers. When students schedule sessions, they are prompted to confirm awareness of safety recommendations and agreement with Knack and UWF guidelines. More safety tips are in Knack’s Safety Help Article.

A student can request up to 3 hours per week of tutoring per class.

To learn more about the University of West Florida and Knack, email aagradsuccess@uwf.edu.

Yes, a student who is a UWF tutor through another service can sign up to be a tutor with Knack if they meet the specified criteria. Their work with Knack will be independent from their work at UWF. International students, please refer to the FAQ, “Are international students eligible to be tutors with Knack?” for further information.

At this time, students with an F-1 or J-1 Visa are not eligible to apply to be a tutor with Knack. 

Other non-immigrant Visa holders may be eligible to apply to be a tutor with Knack if they meet the following criteria, including but not limited to: 

1. Have received permission to work in the U.S. from the organization sponsoring their Visa and have the appropriate documentation from the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) such as an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) 
2. Be physically present in the U.S. 
3. Have a Social Security Number, and 
4. Received a course grade of A- or above in a University of West Florida course in the past 2 years covered by Knack Peer Tutoring.

Knack provides initial required training for tutors, and UWF and Knack partner to encourage students to complete additional recommended training.

Knack tutors are paid $15/hour. The tutoring is free for students who use it.

Tutoring is completely free to UWF students.

Tutors are UWF students—peers who have earned a B+ or better in the course. They are paid, trained tutors.

See the tutoring course list. Those supported by Knack will have the Knack logo. All courses are linked to a webpage with more information on how to request tutoring for that course. 

Students will work with their tutor to determine the location of the tutoring session. Typically, tutoring sessions are held on campus in a common area such as the library, a study lounge, or a classroom. In addition, there is the option to meet virtually through the Knack online classroom. Tutoring sessions may not occur in a dorm room or an off-campus residence.

Communication will take place through the Knack app. Students and tutors will be able to message each other through the app to plan tutoring sessions and send each other updates

A student can meet with the same tutor up to 3 hours per week per course. Those 3 hours could be broken up into three 1-hour sessions or two 1.5-hour sessions: students and tutors will determine the duration and frequency of their sessions. This is to avoid overdependence and promote effective study habits; students are limited to 3 hours per week of tutoring for each course.

Students can receive tutoring in any number of courses, and can meet with different tutors for the same course, up to 3 hours per week for each course.

We hope that Knack tutors will be willing to work throughout the year, including Winter Break and the Summer term. To learn more about Knack tutor availability, email aagradsuccess@uwf.edu.