Navigating the Admissions Process

Consider the following model as a logical pathway of gathering information during your admissions search, to keep all the information timely, pertinent, and all contributing to the relative "fit and feel" assessment that is developing with any institution your child considers.  In order to best follow this pattern, students should do the bulk of their searching/visiting of campuses during their junior year of high school.

September 30
Have all your applications in to your schools of choice in, complete, and ready to be processed.  Every campus promotes an early application to receive maximum consideration for scholarships, financial aid, housing - everything. The Priority Application Deadline at UWF is January 1, so getting your application in this early is a great head start.

January 1st
In order to receive any type of scholarship consideration a student must be admitted by January 1st. While we will accept applications after January 1st any student who is seeking scholarships must be admitted by this date. Scholarships are a large reason we stress to our prospective students to apply early. Our scholarships do not require a separate application. Upon being admitted the application for admissions becomes the application for scholarship consideration. For more information regarding scholarships make sure to check out the scholarship section of our website.

January 31
By the time January ends, your family should have the W-2 forms it needs to successfully complete the FAFSA (see the Financial Aid page for information).  The financial aid process works on a first come, first served basis, so it would be a good idea to do the financial aid application process as early as possible.

February 28
By the end of February, students should be admitted, have their FAFSA submitted (see the Financial Aid page for more information).  During February, many campuses execute their scholarship awarding for the incoming freshmen class.  These awards are intended to be issued in advance of financial aid disbursement, so they have to happen earlier than many would expect in the admission process.  Students should be sure to get their financial aid applications submitted in advance of the March 15 Priority Deadline for maximum consideration.

March 31
By the end of March, students should have all their "information" submitted to the university that would complete everything necessary.  They should be applied, admitted, housing secured, financial aid application(s) submitted, scholarships acceptances confirmed (if necessary), all test scores submitted, immunization records submitted.  Now it's time to sign up for orientation!You will sign up for orientation through your myUWF account. We do not have an admissions deposit, therefore, signing up for orientation is what holds your spot and lets us know that you are planning to enroll as a student. For more information regarding the New Student Orientation program check out their website.