The University of Florida, or UF, is one of the leading state schools in the southern U.S.
Students who qualify as Florida residents benefit from a lower in-state tuition cost. Tuition was $6,380 per year during the 2019–2020 academic year compared to $28,658 for out-of-state students. While these amounts reflect the average cost of undergraduate tuition, different schools like the pharmacy and dentistry schools may cost more or less.
As a public university, the University of Florida offers several forms of financial aid to students. If you think you qualify for financial aid, from merit-based scholarships to private student loans, apply through UF’s financial aid office.
More than 70% of UF attendees receive some form of financial aid. However, applicants must meet specific criteria. They must:
There are four types of UF financial aid you can apply for as a student, with many students using a combination to pay for their degrees. The four sources are scholarships, grants, work-study or part-time work, and student loans.
The University of Florida awards and disburses federal grants and financial aid, including the Pell Grant, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (FSEOG), the Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant, and the Federal Iraq & Afghanistan Service Grant. There are also several Florida- and UF-based grants and scholarships available.
The following grants are available at the University of Florida:
While grants are awarded based on financial need with no academic requirements other than a specific number of course credits, scholarships may be based on merit, academics, and financial need. Like grants, these are gifted aids and do not need to be paid back.
Although there are options for some students to receive grants and scholarships without applying for federal or state-based student loans, most students combine as many financial options as possible to pay for their education. This often includes taking out student loans.
The University of Florida financial aid packages include federal student loans, and others, including:
On top of getting help finding employment through the student financial services office at the University of Florida, you can apply for some UF-specific forms of aid if you suffer a tragedy.
In response to the 2017 disaster Hurricane Irma, the University of Florida created an emergency financial aid program specifically designed to help students suffering temporary financial hardship from a hurricane and its aftermath. Graduate students, faculty, and staff can also make use of this fund during post-storm financial hardship.
As a current student at UF, you can talk to the Student Financial Aid (SFA) office for help, or you can apply for money through the fund online. If you have already filled out a FAFSA and your financial need has already been determined based on this calculation, you may receive a new assessment when you apply for the Aid-a-Gator program.
Money from the Aid-a-Gator program comes in the form of a grant, so unlike emergency loans, you do not have to pay this money back. Funding can apply to both direct and indirect school expenses. For example, the money can cover the cost of replacing food that spoiled during a power outage, replacing books and clothes that were damaged in flooding, or paying for emergency childcare during extended school closures.
If you receive Aid-a-Gator money but also apply to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), your insurance company, or a disaster relief program for help covering the same costs, the university requests that you use reimbursement money to donate back to the Aid-a-Gator fund.
Students can receive up to $1,500, but they must provide a signed statement describing the circumstances after the storm and supporting documentation about their post-hurricane needs.
Attending school at the University of Florida is feasible for many students, thanks to federal and state grant and scholarship programs, work-study opportunities, and student loans.
While in-state tuition for one year of undergraduate coursework is not exorbitant, it can add up quickly. Using a combination of various types of aid through UF can help you complete your education.