Ask UF

How will I receive my private scholarship (financial aid) money from UF?

askuf — Wed, 28 Sep 2005 21:37:04 +0000

Your scholarship donor may provide instructions in a cover letter on how the scholarship funds are to be disbursed to you. If no specific instructions are provided, the University of Florida (UF) pays your scholarship funds to you according to the disbursement procedure for financial aid and scholarships. Also see Student Financial Affairs page on disbursement information

If you are receiving any other type of need-based financial aid and receive the scholarship funds directly from the donor in cash or made payable to only you, you must notify UF’s Office for Student Financial Affairs (SFA). SFA may be required under federal regulations to adjust your financial aid package.

You may want to let your donor know when your semester tuition/fees are due so your scholarship checks can arrive before the fee payment deadline. Funds are not disbursed until classes begin each semester and you are enrolled full time, but early receipt of the scholarship funds from donors ensures that they will be available to meet fee payment deadlines.

If your donor is mailing your scholarship check to UF for disbursement, the check should be mailed to: University of Florida, Office for Student Financial Affairs, Scholarship Section, P. O. Box 114025, Gainesville, FL 32611-4025.

When and how will I get my financial aid check?

askuf — Wed, 28 Sep 2005 21:34:19 +0000

Students generally receive financial aid by direct deposit or by mail from University Financial Services (UFS) in S-108 Criser Hall.

If a student has signed up for direct deposit, University Financial Services (UFS) electronically transfers their financial aid funds into their bank accounts; otherwise, UFS mails student’s aid checks to their local addresses. Students not signed up for direct deposit should be sure the Registrar’s Office has their current local address.

For more information:
- Financial Aid Disbursement
- Benefits of Direct Deposit
- Sign up for Direct Deposit on ISIS. Choose “Financial Information,” then choose “EFT Signup.”

How will I receive my Florida Bright Futures Scholarship?

askuf — Wed, 28 Sep 2005 21:27:56 +0000

Before the beginning of each semester the Florida Department of Education will forward funds to the University.

Your Florida Bright Futures funds will be released to you according to University financial aid disbursement policies.

Funding for the Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program begins the fall term after high school graduation for eligible students.

Free education for students in Florida?

askuf — Wed, 28 Sep 2005 21:04:32 +0000

The state of Florida does not provide free college tuition for Florida residents.

You may have been referring to the Florida Bright Futures Scholarship (FBFS) program, which provides tuition/fees to graduating Florida high school students who meet eligibility criteria. Unless your son is a recipient of this scholarship, he is not eligible to receive payment of Florida tuition/fees. FBFS is awarded by the State Bureau of Student Financial Assistance in Tallahassee, and students apply for it during their senior year in high school.

What are student loan “Entrance Interviews”?

askuf — Wed, 28 Sep 2005 20:51:51 +0000

Before their first loan disbursement can be made to them, students receiving loan funds for the first time must complete an Entrance Interview.

Federal Direct Stafford Loan borrowers can do this using:
- ISIS or, TeleGator at 37GATOR (374-2867).
- Federal Perkins Loans borrowers are mailed Entrance Interview materials by University Financial Services (UFS) to complete, sign, and return.

For more information on Entrance Interviews see UFS’ Loan Counseling page.