Financial Aid Award

Your financial aid for the 2009-2010 academic year was awarded in accordance with federal, state, and institutional guidelines to help meet your financial need for the period August 2009 through July 2010. All awards are contingent upon available funds. The University of West Florida has the right to change or cancel awards if funds are unavailable, your application contains incorrect data, your enrollment status changes, or your financial situation changes. If there is a change in your eligibility, you will receive a revised award letter.

Your award will contain one or more of four types of aid: scholarships, grants, loans, and work-study. SCHOLARSHIPS are merit-based awards that do not have to be repaid. GRANTS are awarded to undergraduate and graduate students with financial need and do not have to be repaid. LOANS are long-term and low-interest (5-8 percent), and most have deferred repayment provisions. WORK-STUDY allows a student to work and earn money as part of his or her financial aid award. Awards are usually 10-15 hours per week and pay $7.25 per hour.

Award letters are emailed beginning in March for the following academic year. You can also check your status on Argus (current student) or LightHouse (prospective student) to determine if you have been awarded.

When you receive your award letter, please review it carefully. Make sure your enrollment status, residency, and housing status are correct.

Award Conditions

1. You MUST notify this office of any financial aid received that was NOT previously reported. Examples include: scholarships, fee waivers, tuition reimbursement, private loans, and vocational rehabilitation. You must also notify the Financial Aid Office of a change in residency. In some cases, receipt of additional resources WILL result in a reduction of financial aid.
    
2. Adjustments based on a change in enrollment status require a written request.
    
3. Your enrollment status at the close of drop/add will determine if an adjustment to your award is required. Your award will NOT be increased as a result of a late add (courses registered for after the official drop/add period).
    
4. Undergraduate students must be enrolled in undergraduate courses; your award does not fund graduate courses. Graduate students must be enrolled in graduate courses or undergraduate courses annotated for graduate credit.
    
5. If you are pursuing a second degree, or are a doctoral student, you can only receive financial aid for required coursework. This will be monitored through a "Course Audit Form" completed by your academic advisor. This form is available in the "Online Forms" section of this website.
    
6. If you audit a course, those hours do not count toward the required minimum enrollment status.
    
7. Students classified by the Admission's Office as "non-degree" are not eligible for financial aid.
    
 
8. If your award includes a Federal Direct Student Loan:

 
1. You are required to sign a promissory note if you are a first-time Direct Loan borrower. Once a signed promissory note is on file, no future signatures are required.



2. You will be required to complete entrance counseling if you are a first-time borrower.



3. Generally a loan is processed for all three semesters or until your graduation date, whichever comes first. If you do not plan to attend all three semesters, notify us in writing so that the loan period and semester totals can be adjusted, if necessary.



4. If undecided about accepting the Direct Loan, accept it for now. You can decline it up until the point it is disbursed.
    
9. If your award includes the Academic Competitiveness Grant (ACG):

 
1. You must be classified as a freshman or sophomore.



2. You must have graduated from high school after January 1, 2005.



3. You must have completed a rigorous high school curriculum as defined by the Department of Education.



4. You must have a 3.0 GPA if you are receiving the award as a 2nd year student.
    
5. You must be receiving a Pell Grant.



10. If your award includes the National SMART Grant:

 
1. You must be classified as a junior or senior.



2. You must be pursuing a 4 year degree in an eligible major as defined by the Department of Education.



3. You must be enrolled in coursework required for your major.
    
4. You must have a 3.0 GPA.

 
5. You must be receiving a Pell Grant.



11. If your award includes the Florida Student Assistance Grant (FSAG):

 
1. You must meet renewal requirements for subsequent awards. This includes a cumulative GPA of 2.0 and completion of a minimum number of credit hours based on your enrollment status during the semesters of award. For example, if full-time both semesters, you must complete a total of 24 credit hours for renewal. Contact the Financial Aid Office if you have withdrawn during a semester that you have received FSAG to determine eligibility for future awards.



2. You may only receive FSAG for a total of 9 semesters.




12. If your award includes Federal Work-Study:

 
1. The amount awarded each semester is the maximum you may earn during that semester (first day of classes to last day of exams). You will receive a paycheck every two weeks, not a lump sum payment. The hours/week designation after the Federal Work-Study award is only a guide for the student and supervisor. Following those hours precisely may result in under- or over-utilization. Therefore, you are advised to check frequently with your supervisor regarding hours worked and hours remaining in each semester's award.



2. You will receive notification at a later date concerning job placement.
    
13. The Financial Aid Office assumes no responsibility for replacing any offer of assistance refused by you. 

Every effort has been made to ensure that the information on this web site is accurate. However, due to frequent changes in Federal and State regulations, and revisions to the University of West Florida operating policies, the information is subject to change without notice.