Consortium/Transient Agreements

Consortium Agreements – Key Terms

Consortium (Transient) Agreement
A Consortium Agreement allows you to take courses at two institutions during the same semester — your Home Institution and your Host Institution. Your financial aid eligibility can be based on the total number of credit hours you are enrolled in at both schools combined. Financial aid is processed and disbursed by your Home Institution according to its policies and timelines.

Home Institution
Your primary school, where you are officially degree-seeking. This is the institution that determines your financial aid eligibility and disburses your aid.

Host Institution
The secondary school where you are taking additional courses for the semester. At the Host Institution, you are not considered degree-seeking, and financial aid is not awarded directly from that school.

At UWF, financial aid is disbursed only after attendance in degree-applicable courses has been confirmed. If you are participating in a Consortium or Transient Agreement, your financial aid is usually disbursed in multiple installments. This happens after UWF receives confirmation of your attendance, either through Classmate or an electronic certification from your Host Institution.

UWF does not send payments directly to other schools. Your enrollment at the Host Institution will only be reflected in your UWF records after the Host School officially confirms your attendance and sends that confirmation to UWF for processing.

NOTE: Students in their first term of enrollment at UWF must be enrolled in at least one course at UWF in order to participate in a consortium agreement.

Step-By-Step Instructions for Degree-Seeking UWF Students

The below steps are for students where UWF is their home institution. 

1. Meet with Your Academic Advisor

• Discuss your plans to take courses at another institution.
• Confirm that all courses (at both UWF and the Host Institution) apply toward a specific degree requirement on your Degree Audit in MyUWF.
• Consortium Agreements will be denied for ineligible courses.

Important: Even if scholarships such as Bright Futures may normally pay for non-degree courses, students participating in a Consortium Agreement must enroll in degree-applicable and financial aid eligible coursework only. Bright Futures cannot disburse for ineligible courses under a Consortium Agreement.

2. Submit the Florida Shines Application (Florida Host Schools Only)

• Complete the application through the Florida Shines Portal.
• When asked, select “Yes” to indicate you plan to use financial aid (including Bright Futures or scholarships).
• Applications are routed through:
  • Academic Advising
  • Registrar’s Office
  • Financial Aid
  • Host Institution

Processing takes approximately 7–10 business days. Applications are reviewed in the order received and cannot be expedited.

Be sure to review Financial Aid Processing Guarantee Deadlines to help ensure completion before the published Fee Payment Deadline.

Students are strongly encouraged to enroll in the Student Accounts & Cashier’s Payment Plan to avoid late fees or course cancellation due to non-payment.

3. Monitor Your UWF Student Email

You will receive updates as each department reviews your application. Check your UWF email regularly for important notices or required documents.

4. Complete the Consortium Agreement Student Acknowledgement Form

Once your application is approved, the Office of Financial Aid & Scholarships (OFAS) will send a Consortium Agreement Student Acknowledgement Form to your UWF email.

• Submit the form promptly.
• Allow 2–4 business days for processing after submission.

5. Pay Your Host Institution

• Pay tuition and fees directly to your Host School by their deadline.
• UWF does not send payments to other institutions.
• UWF will update your enrollment only after official attendance confirmation is received from the Host Institution.

6. Attendance Confirmation

After the second week of classes at UWF, the Financial Aid Office will request enrollment and attendance confirmation from your Host Institution. No action is required from you unless notified.

Special Circumstances
If the Host Institution does not respond to UWF’s electronic request within the designated timeframe, you may submit attendance confirmation on their behalf. The documentation must include:

• Course name and section number
• Number of credit hours
• Official course start date
• Verification of enrollment/attendance

Important Reminders

• Processing before UWF’s fee payment deadline cannot be guaranteed, as attendance confirmation from the Host Institution is required before financial aid can be disbursed.
• Monitor your Transact balance in MyUWF regularly.
• Make payment arrangements if your financial aid will not fully cover your semester balance.
• The Financial Aid Office cannot create payment deferments for transient students. Payment arrangements must be made with Student Accounts.
• Students who enroll in courses that were previously not approved through the FL Shines application process must complete a new FL Shines application if they would like the courses to be reconsidered for review.

Expectations for Students Attending UWF as Their Host Institution

If you are taking courses at UWF as a Host Institution through a Transient or Consortium Agreement:

• You are considered Non-Degree Seeking at UWF.
• You are not eligible for financial aid from UWF.

For financial aid questions, please contact your Home Institution’s Financial Aid Office.

If you are interested in applying to UWF as a degree-seeking student, reach out to UWF Admissions for guidance.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)