Ask UF

I am an IB student on track to receive my IB diploma at the end of this year. I have heard that IB graduates are eligible to receive additional grants and scholarships. Is this true?

askuf — Wed, 28 Sep 2005 21:51:03 +0000

The Florida Academic Scholarship (part of the State of Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program) is the only scholarship for which an IB recipient who is also a Florida high school graduate is automatically eligible. To receive a Florida Academic Scholarship, you must complete the Florida Financial Aid Application on-line or submit a paper application available through your high school guidance counselor. The Florida Academic Scholarship pays 100% of in-state tuition/fees plus $300 each fall and spring term towards other educational expenses.

The UF Admissions Office offers several types of other academic scholarships, but they are mostly offered to students who are either National Merit or National Achievement finalists. Applicants with a complete UF admissions application on file by January 11, 2003, are automatically considered for these types of scholarships for next year. No special application form is needed.

When can I find out about my financial aid package and scholarships?

askuf — Wed, 28 Sep 2005 21:23:58 +0000

Student Financial Affairs will use the results from the FAFSA (which should be submitted soon after Jan 1) to determine your eligibility for federal and instititutional need-based programs.

Check the Financial Aid Calendar for a list of deadlines. Applicants who meet the “On-time” deadline are given priority for aid programs administered by the Office for Student Financial Affairs. Award notifications will be mailed beginning in early April.

The Office of Admissions also offers numerous academic-based scholarships. For information pertaining to the awarding of academic scholarships, please contact the Office of Admissions, 201 Criser Hall, P.O. Box 114000, Gainesville, FL 32611-4000; (352) 392-1365.

Can my financial aid award change after I receive my financial aid award letter?

askuf — Wed, 28 Sep 2005 21:15:03 +0000

Yes, it can. As stated in the award letter brochures which accompany each student award letter, initial financial aid awards are our best estimate of what you are eligible to receive. You can view your current award information on ISIS.

Under the drop down menu for financial information, choose “Financial Aid” for the correct academic year.

Most changes in awards involve factors which are under your control, or of which you should be aware. Your award may be increased, reduced, or even canceled, if:

- Your family financial circumstance changes, causing your need to change.

- You receive any additional outside resource, such as a privately awarded scholarship, which was not listed on your award letter.

- You provided incorrect data on your FAFSA or Renewal FAFSA.

- You do not maintain academic progress as required by the University of Florida’s Financial Aid Academic Progress Guidelines (also published in the Gator Aid financial aid handbook)

- You are suspended by your college or by the University. You do not enroll for the required number of hours to receive aid through programs awarded you.

Will an additional outside scholarship affect my award?

askuf — Wed, 28 Sep 2005 21:14:09 +0000

Possibly. Each student who applies for aid is eligible for a certain amount according to their financial circumstances and educational costs.

If an outside scholarship results in your receiving more aid than the federal processor indicates you are eligible to receive, you may lose other aid. This will depend upon the type of other aid you are receiving.

If you receive an outside scholarship, check with your financial aid adviser (see current office hours) to find out how or if it will affect your total package.

Can international students get state or federal funded scholarships?

askuf — Wed, 28 Sep 2005 21:07:38 +0000

As a student attending the university on a student visa, you are not eligible to receive funding from state or federal programs administered by the UF Office for Student Financial Affairs (SFA). However, you may be eligible for scholarships awarded by the various colleges or private organizations. For more information see SFA’s International Aid page.

The Office for Student Financial Affairs (SFA) in S-107 Criser Hall, is UF’s financial aid office.

If my financial aid award letter does not include award information that I will or should be receiving, can it be corrected?

askuf — Wed, 28 Sep 2005 20:59:02 +0000

Financial aid awards can be updated and corrected and new award letters issued to reflect changes in a student’s aid award. Students must report any aid they will be receiving from any source if it is not listed on their financial aid award letter.

To report this aid, students should obtain and complete an “Additional Aid Form” at the Office for Student Financial Affairs (SFA) in S-107 Criser Hall (Map).

Does the Florida Bright Futures Program cover graduate school tuition?

askuf — Wed, 28 Sep 2005 20:27:42 +0000

Florida Bright Futures Scholarship (FBFS) funding is only available to pay for undergraduate degree programs. Graduate hours may be funded at the undergraduate rate, but only if they are required for the undergraduate degree. When you have received a bachelor’s degree, you are no longer eligible for FBFS.

How does the Florida Bright Futures Program calculate my gpa for awarding my scholarship?

askuf — Wed, 28 Sep 2005 20:26:22 +0000

Information on the criteria used by the Florida Office for Student Financial Assistance in Tallahassee for determining initial award eligibility can be found at Florida Bright Futures.

The institution where you received funding calculates your cumulative gpa for renewal eligibility. The institution is required to use all college-level hours you have attempted in the gpa calculation, including all transfer hours and high school dual enrollment hours. At UF the gpa calculation uses the following scale for awarding grade points: A = 4, B = 3, C = 2, D = 1, E = 0. The total grade points received for each class are calculated using the grade earned times the number of credit hours assigned to the class. This total number of grade points earned is then divided by the total number of credit hours attempted. This results in the cumulative gpa.