Skip to main content

Dig deep into the details on scholarships, loans and other types of aid.

Scholarships

General Scholarship Questions

There are many different ways to begin searching for scholarships such as online search engines like FastWeb.com. Other ways to begin searching include checking with your college and or department, visiting your financial aid department, speaking with an advisor, and visiting the UCF Scholarship Listing.

Please utilize the Access 2 Opportunities (A2O) scholarship system each January to submit a General Application.

Students who receive need-based aid such as grants, work study, or loans may have their awards reduced if the addition of the scholarship exceeds their financial need or their cost of attendance.

Non-Florida Residents may apply for scholarships if they meet the requirements for the awards. It is also recommended that Out of State Students check with their state’s Department of Education.

No, we may re-evaluate your aid package to determine if you have been fully awarded according to your eligibility. If you have been offered a scholarship through Undergraduate Admissions, you may contact their department to determine if a review of your award may be possible.

The scholarship committee is scheduled to meet the second week of each month. Meeting dates are subject to change as deemed necessary by the committee chair. Completed appeals submitted by the last day of the month will be reviewed at the next month’s meeting.

View All FAQs

Brain Bowl Scholarship

Students may receive funding for up to five years from high school graduation for a maximum of 120 semester hours toward the completion of the first baccalaureate degree. Extended hours of funding are available to FAS and FMS students enrolled in a single program of study requiring more than 120 hours by completing the form Application for Extended Hours of Eligibility and mailing to the address available on the form.

Brain Bowl scholarships are awarded by Undergraduate Admissions to first place winners of the Annual Brain Bowl Competition as identified by the Florida Education Fund. First place winners must apply, be offered admission to and enroll at UCF.

A maximum of 8 semesters or until graduation, whichever is less. You will not receive your scholarship after earning your first bachelor’s degree, even if all eight semesters have not been used.

Florida Bright Futures awards are not considered definite until the state has notified UCF of students’ official eligibility. The initial amount is based on enrollment in 14 credit hours and will be adjusted to reflect your actual hours of enrollment each semester once the Drop/Swap and Add period has ended.

Possibly. You must submit a Scholarship Appeal Form and letter stating the reason(s) that you need the time away from UCF. The appeal must be submitted prior to the term(s) that you plan to be away. The UCF Scholarship Committee will review your request and render a decision. If you leave UCF without asking for the time off, you will not be reinstated to the scholarship program upon your return. Extenuating circumstances are the exception.

Florida Prepaid is handled through the Student Accounts Office and is applied directly to the student’s account. When the Bright Futures is disbursed, it will be applied to any institutional charges on the student account, and any left-over credit will be refunded to the student.

Yes. If you want to Co-Op or intern, you must let us know in writing which term you plan to Co-Op or intern prior to that term. We will defer your scholarship until you return as a full-time student the following term.

No, the scholarship is not available for use during the summer semester. It is to be used during the fall and spring semesters only.

View All FAQs

Florida Bright Futures

General Bright Futures Questions

Eligible students must enroll in at least 6 non-remedial undergraduate credit hours each term to receive Bright Futures funding.

Exceptions are granted for:

  • Eligible students who have less than 6 credit hours of remaining eligibility (this is done automatically at UCF)
  • Eligible students who need less than 6 credit hours to graduate. These students must submit a letter (on official letterhead) from their student success coach. The letter should be sent to the attention of the Bright Futures Department and should state:
    • Student’s name & UCFID/PID
    • Name of course(s) needed for graduation
    • Name of the undergraduate degree to be received

Graduate level hours may be approved by the student’s student success coach if the graduate level hours will count toward the undergraduate degree completion requirements. These students must submit a letter (on official letterhead) from their student success coach. The letter should be sent to the attention of the Bright Futures Department and should state:

  • Student’s name & UCFID/PID
  • Name of the graduate course(s)
  • Name of the undergraduate degree these courses will count toward

Florida Bright Futures Scholars enrolled less than half time may only be funded if they are enrolled in the remaining courses to finish their degree (a memo from an student success coach must be submitted) or if they are being disbursed the last remaining hours of Bright Futures eligibility.

View All FAQs

Florida Academic Scholars

#___ of credit hours enrolled X $212.28 =  $ ___ FAS award amount

Yes. A FAS scholarship recipient who qualifies for one semester of graduate study funding may have the one semester be the summer term.

The award amount will be calculated based on the undergraduate tuition rate of $212.28.

Applicable fees include activity and service fees, health fees, athletic fees, financial aid fees, capital improvement fees, transportation fees (SUS only), technology fees and tuition differential fees.

Academic Scholars will receive an award equal to 100% of tuition and applicable fees. The tuition and applicable fees for 1 credit hour is $212.28.

View All FAQs

Florida Medallion Scholars

A student must be enrolled in at least 6 credit hours in order to receive Bright Futures funding for each term.

Medallion Scholars will receive an award amount equal to 75% of tuition and applicable fees. The tuition and applicable fees for 1 credit hour is $159.21.

($212.28 X 75% = $159.21 the current rate for Medallion Scholars)

Applicable fees include activity and service fees, health fees, athletic fees, financial aid fees, capital improvement fees, transportation access fees, technology fees and tuition differential fees.

Yes. Students will be disbursed an award if enrolled with a minimum of 6 credit hours.

#____of credit hours enrolled x $159.21= $____FMS award amount.

View All FAQs

Summer Funding

Yes. The 2023-24 academic year includes the summer 2023 term. Any FAS or FMS student eligible for 2023-24 may receive summer funding, provided the student meets all enrollment criteria.

Florida Bright Futures Scholars enrolled less than half time may only be funded if they are enrolled in the remaining courses to finish their degree (a memo from an student success coach must be submitted) or if they are being disbursed the last remaining hours of Bright Futures eligibility.

Yes. Florida Bright Futures Scholars who meet graduate funding requirements, may use the summer as the one semester of graduate study funding. If the student does not wish to be funded for the summer term, please send an email to finaid@ucf.edu to request it in writing.

Yes. Grade and hours information will be reported for all students funded during the summer. If a student took transient hours, the grades and hours earned at the other institution must be reported to UCF by August 12 in order to be reported systematically. After this date, students would have to complete the Bright Futures Renewal Re-Evaluation Form in order for the grades and hours to be reported to OSFA.

If a student has an opportunity to restore the Bright Futures award, the grades from the summer term may be used to meet restoration requirements. UCF will report these hours systematically and the student will not have to apply for restoration.

Sessions A, B, C, and D offered during the summer term.

Yes, high school graduates eligible for either Florida Academic Scholars or Florida Medallion Scholars may receive funding when enrolled in classes as a degree-seeking student during the summer.

No. Renewal will be based on grades and hours earned for the fall and spring terms. However, grades and hours reported to the Florida Department of Education include students’ cumulative GPAs.

Yes. Repayment obligations remain the same regardless of the term funded.

No. For Florida Academic Scholars, only 100% of tuition and applicable fees will disburse in summer terms.

Florida Academic Scholars and Florida Medallion Scholars, who enroll in at least six credit hours in the summer term, may be eligible to receive Bright Futures Scholarship funding.

View All FAQs

Knights Achievement Scholarship

A maximum of 8 terms or until graduation, whichever is less.

Students whose major requires 124 or more hours may receive a one term extension (double majors and minors are not considered). A letter (on letterhead) from the department verifying the number of hours required for the degree must be submitted to the Office of Student Financial Assistance prior to the 9th term.

Possibly. You must submit a Scholarship Appeal Form and letter stating the reason(s) that you need the time away from UCF. The appeal must be submitted prior to the term(s) that you plan to be away. The UCF Scholarship Committee will review your request and render a decision. If you leave UCF without asking for the time off, you will not be reinstated to the scholarship program upon your return. Extenuating circumstances are the exception.

These scholarships are awarded to entering out of state high school graduates by Undergraduate Admissions to recognize outstanding academic performance. There is no separate application for this scholarship program. Students are automatically considered when they apply for admission.

Any combination of UCF-sponsored non-resident waiver awards will cover up to the waiver award amount or the non-resident fee amount, whichever is less.

Yes. If you want to Co-Op or intern, you must let us know in writing which term you plan to Co-Op or intern prior to that term. We will defer your scholarship until you return as a full-time student the following term.

No, the scholarship is not available for use during the summer semester. It is to be used during the fall and spring semesters only.

View All FAQs

National Hispanic Scholarship

No. The National Recognition Program is only available during the fall and spring terms.

These scholarships are awarded to entering high school graduates by Undergraduate Admissions to recognize outstanding academic performance.

A maximum of 8 terms or until graduation, whichever is less.

Students whose major requires 124 or more hours may receive a one-term extension (Double majors and minors are not considered). A letter (on letterhead) from the department verifying the number of hours required for the degree must be submitted to the Office of Student Financial Assistance prior to the 9th term.

Possibly. You must submit a Scholarship Appeal and letter stating the reason(s) that you need the time away from UCF. The appeal must be submitted prior to the term(s) that you plan to be away from UCF. The UCF Scholarship Committee will review your request and render a decision. If you leave UCF without asking for the time off, you will not be reinstated to the scholarship program upon your return. Extenuating circumstances are the exception.

Any combination of UCF-sponsored non-resident waiver awards will cover up to the waiver award amount or the non-resident fee amount, whichever is less.

As an out of state student your scholarship is comprised of two portions, a scholarship portion and a waiver portion. The scholarship portion of your award will serve for deferment purposes, and your waiver will be applied directly towards your tuition, but will not serve as a deferment. Only students who are enrolled full-time will receive the waiver.* The waiver will be applied the week after the add/drop period has ended.

*The only exception to the full-time enrollment requirement is granted to students during their graduating semester. Please refer to the Required Hours section on the Program Requirements page for additional information.

Yes. If you want to Co-Op or intern, you must let us know in writing which term you plan to Co-Op or intern prior to that term. We will defer your scholarship until you return as a full-time student the following term.

View All FAQs

National Merit Scholarship

As a National Merit Scholarship recipient, you are required to complete at least 24 UCF credit hours and earn a UCF G.P.A. of at least a 3.2 at the end of the spring semester. Please note: National Achievement and National Recognition Program recipients are required to meet the same requirements as National Merit recipients.

These scholarships are awarded to entering high school graduates by Undergraduate Admissions to recognize outstanding academic performance.

A maximum of 8 terms or until graduation, whichever is less.

Students whose major requires 124 or more hours may receive a one-term extension. (Double majors and minors are not considered). A letter (on letterhead) from the department verifying the number of hours required for the degree must be submitted to the Office of Student Financial Assistance prior to the 9th term.

No. The National Merit Scholarship is only available during the fall and spring terms.

Possibly. You must submit a Scholarship Appeal and letter stating the reason(s) that you need the time away from UCF. The appeal must be submitted prior to the term(s) that you plan to be away from UCF. The UCF Scholarship Committee will review your request and render a decision. If you leave UCF without asking for the time off, you will not be reinstated to the scholarship program upon your return. Extenuating circumstances are the exception.

Any combination of UCF-sponsored non-resident waiver awards will cover up to the waiver award amount or the non-resident fee amount, whichever is less.

As an out of state student your scholarship is comprised of two portions, a scholarship portion and a waiver portion. The scholarship portion of your award will serve for deferment purposes, and your waiver will be applied directly towards your tuition, but will not serve as a deferment. Only students who are enrolled full-time will receive the waiver.* The waiver will be applied the week after the add/drop period has ended.

*The only exception to the full-time enrollment requirement is granted to students during their graduating semester. Please refer to the Required Hours section on the Program Requirements page for additional information.

Yes. If you want to Co-Op or intern, you must let us know in writing which term you plan to Co-Op or intern prior to that term. We will defer your scholarship until you return as a full-time student the following term.

View All FAQs

Pegasus Scholarship

The Pegasus Scholarship Program includes National Merit, National Achievement, National Recognition Program and the Pegasus Scholarships. In addition, we have several Transfer Scholarships that are awarded based on high academic achievement. They include the Ralph C. Boston, Articulated Honors to Honors, Cultural Diversity, High Academic Achievement, All Florida Academic First Team, All Florida Academic Second Team, and the Director’s Special Achievement.

A maximum of 8 terms or until graduation, whichever is less.

Students whose major requires 124 or more hours may receive a one term extension (double majors and minors are not considered). A letter (on letterhead) from the department verifying the number of hours required for the degree must be submitted to the Office of Student Financial Assistance prior to the 9th term.

Possibly. You must submit a Scholarship Appeal Form and letter stating the reason(s) that you need the time away from UCF. The appeal must be submitted prior to the term(s) that you plan to be away. The UCF Scholarship Committee will review your request and render a decision. If you leave UCF without asking for the time off, you will not be reinstated to the scholarship program upon your return. Extenuating circumstances are the exception.

These scholarships are awarded to entering high school graduates by Undergraduate Admissions to recognize outstanding academic performance. There is no separate application for this scholarship program. When you apply for admission to UCF, you are automatically considered.

A maximum of 8 terms or until graduation, whichever is less.

Students whose major requires 124 or more hours may receive a one-term extension. (Double majors and minors are not considered) A letter from the department verifying the number of hours required must be submitted to the Office of Student Financial Assistance prior to the 9th term.

The Directors Special Achievement Scholarship is a nonrenewable one year (two semesters) award.

No. The Pegasus Scholarship is only available during the fall and spring terms.

Possibly. You must submit a Scholarship Appeal prior to the term(s) that you plan to be away from UCF, stating the reason(s) that you need the time away from UCF. The UCF Scholarship Committee will review your request and make a decision. If you leave UCF without asking for the time off, you will not be reinstated to the scholarship program upon your return. Extenuating circumstances are the exception.

These scholarships are awarded to entering out of state high school graduates by Undergraduate Admissions to recognize outstanding academic performance. There is no separate application for this scholarship program. Students are automatically considered when they apply for admission.

Any combination of UCF-sponsored non-resident waiver awards will cover up to the waiver award amount or the non-resident fee amount, whichever is less.

Yes. If you want to Co-Op or intern, you must let us know in writing which term you plan to Co-Op or intern prior to that term. We will defer your scholarship until you return as a full-time student the following term.

No, the scholarship is not available for use during the summer semester. It is to be used during the fall and spring semesters only.

View All FAQs

Provost Scholarship

A maximum of 8 terms or until graduation, whichever is less.

Students whose major requires 124 or more hours may receive a one-term extension (double majors and minors are not considered). A letter (on letterhead) from the department verifying the number of hours required for the degree must be submitted to the Office of Student Financial Assistance prior to the 9th term.

These scholarships are awarded by Undergraduate Admissions to entering high school graduates to recognize outstanding academic performance.

No. The Provost Scholarship is only available during the fall and spring terms.

Possibly. You must submit a Scholarship Appeal Form and letter stating the reason(s) that you need the time away from UCF. The appeal must be submitted prior to the term(s) that you plan to be away. The UCF Scholarship Committee will review your request and render a decision. If you leave UCF without asking for the time off, you will not be reinstated to the scholarship program upon your return. Extenuating circumstances are the exception.

Yes. If you want to Co-Op or intern, you must let us know in writing which term you plan to Co-Op or intern prior to that term. We will defer your scholarship until you return as a full-time student the following term.

View All FAQs

Transfer Scholarship

The Transfer Scholarship program includes the Ralph C. Boston, Articulated Honors to Honors, Cultural Diversity, High Achievement, All Florida Academic First Team, All Florida Academic Second Team and Direct Connect.

Transfer Scholarships are only available for students graduating with an AA degree from a Florida public state college who transfer directly to UCF for the fall semester. There is a separate application for this scholarship program. Students can obtain an application at any Florida public state college. Visit the Undergraduate Admissions website for additional information.

A maximum of 4 terms or until graduation, whichever is less.

Possibly. You must submit a Scholarship Appeal and letter stating the reason(s) that you need the time away from UCF. The appeal must be submitted prior to the term(s) that you plan to be away. The UCF Scholarship Committee will review your request and render a decision. If you leave UCF without asking for the time off, you will not be reinstated to the scholarship program upon your return. Extenuating circumstances are the exception.

Yes. If you want to Co-Op or intern, you must let us know in writing which term you plan to Co-Op or intern prior to that term. We will defer your scholarship until you return as a full-time student the following term.

No, the scholarship is not available for use during the summer semester. It is to be used during the fall and spring semesters only.

View All FAQs

Private Scholarships

Yes, federal regulations require students who receive financial assistance through additional sources to notify their financial aid department of their award.

Yes, provide the check with your signature, to the Office of Student Financial Assistance. Your check will then be deposited into your student account for regular disbursement.

Yes, provide the check with your signature, to the Office of Student Financial Assistance. Your check will then be deposited into your student account for regular disbursement.

If your donor requires financial need verification, please submit the documents to our department in order for your information to be verified and returned to the donor.

Please allow at least 10 business days for processing unless the donor is requiring information that requires we process after drop, swap and add.

View All FAQs

Verification

Yes, students may request a copy by submitting a written request in person or via e-mail at: sfascholarships@ucf.edu. Students will need to pick up the documentation in person.

Documents that are required to be submitted to the donor will be done so either by fax or mail; original documents are not returned to the students, however, copies may be obtained.

View All FAQs

Scholarship Appeals

Scholarship appeals should be submitted online through the State Programs and Scholarships Appeal Form. If the online appeal form cannot be completed, paper forms with all supporting documentation can submitted to the University of Central Florida, Office of Student Financial Assistance, 4000 Central Florida Blvd., Millican Hall Room 107, Orlando, Florida, 32816-0113 or faxed to 407-823-5241.

The Office of Student Financial Assistance has a highly trained staff able to answer all financial aid questions including scholarship appeals. You also have the option of scheduling an appointment with a financial aid counselor by calling 407-823-5285. The main customer service phone number is (844) 376-9160 or email finaid@ucf.edu.

  • You must complete and sign the Scholarship Appeal Form.
  • You must submit a letter describing in detail the circumstances supporting your appeal. Your written statement must include a description of the problem/incident indicating dates and time period involved, as well as the impact on your academic performance.
  • The FAFSA for the academic year you are requesting reinstatement must be on file at the time your appeal is submitted.

The Scholarship Committee chaired by the Executive Director of the Office of Student Financial Assistance. The committee is composed of senior faculty and staff from throughout the university.

You will be notified by email of the committee’s decision within 48 hours.

You must submit your appeal, along with documentation, in sufficient time for the appeal to be reviewed before the next scheduled meeting. Incomplete applications and requests for additional documentation will cause delays. Please plan accordingly in case you experience a delay in your scholarship appeal. You will be responsible for any late charges.

You have the right to resubmit a denied appeal if you have new information with corroborating documentation.

Supporting Documentation includes, but is not limited to, divorce decrees, death certificates, and letters from doctors, counselors, advisors etc. Written statements from a professional should reference your name, diagnosis, dates of treatment and length of time for healing. Include any statements (on company letterhead) from third-party persons (e.g. clergy, employers, medical professionals, etc.) who can verify your extenuating circumstances. Report of incident/s, such as a police report, insurance damage report, and bill/s for services related to emergency, obituary, etc. Please note that failure to corroborate your circumstance may result in your appeal being denied for lack of documentation.

No. If you lose your scholarship it cannot be reinstated even if you bring your GPA up during a subsequent semester. Summer grades and hours earned after the spring evaluation may not be used to meet renewal requirements.

You may file a scholarship appeal which must be received in the Office of Student Financial Assistance no later than June 30th of the year that the cancellation occurred.

No, all attempted coursework for the period under review will be counted when evaluating renewal requirements.

Yes. Renewal requirements for the various scholarship programs will vary. You can review the renewal requirement for the Florida Bright Futures program on the UCF Financial Aid Web site under Bright Futures Renewal Eligibility.

No. AP classes from high school cannot count toward renewal requirements.

No. Grade forgiveness for a class taken after the renewal period is not considered when determining eligibility.

View All FAQs


Loans

General Loan Questions

Enrollment verification is done through the National Student Clearinghouse, which students can access for free via myUCF.  On the Student Center page, there is a drop-down box that says Other Academic. Students can open that and select Enrollment Verification.  In-school deferment is all handled automatically when the National Student Clearinghouse forwards their enrollment information to the National Student Loan Data System, so there is almost never a need for paper forms unless their information was reported incorrectly.  Please note, we cannot certify anything until after the Add/Drop period of each semester.

View All FAQs

Federal Direct Loans – General

Planning ahead is essential to managing debt. If you plan to borrow each year you are in school, estimate the total amount you will borrow. Then use the Federal Student Aid Estimator to estimate how much federal student aid the student may be eligible to receive. Then decide how much to borrow, you can use the criteria lenders use when they consider an applicant’s ability to repay.

The total monthly payment for all debts should not exceed 8% of your gross monthly salary.

A change in career goals, the loss of a job, or other unexpected changes in your situation could make repaying your loan more difficult than you expected. In some cases, and at the lender’s option, you may be permitted to temporarily stop making your payments, or your lender may accept smaller payments than scheduled. This is called a forbearance. In addition, for some loans, you may defer repayments temporarily which may help. The promissory note outlines the specific terms under which you may be granted a deferment. Contact your loan servicer if you think you may need to make arrangements. To view your servicer’s contact information, please visit visit StudentAid.gov.

The Federal Government sets the interest rate July 1st of each year.

The interest rates are the same for Stafford Loans in the Federal Direct Loan Program and FFELP, but the Direct Loan Program offers lower interest rates in the PLUS and Grad PLUS programs.

For interest rates, please refer to the Federal Student Aid Interest Rates website and the Loan Comparison Chart.

Visit studentaid.gov to view which company is currently servicing your loans and their contact information.

Not paying back your student loan can have serious consequences. If you go into default your lender can require you to repay the entire amount immediately, including all interest plus collection and late payment charges. The lender can sue you and can ask the federal government for help in collecting from you. The Internal Revenue Service may withhold your income tax refund and apply it toward your loan. You cannot receive any additional federal student aid until you make satisfactory arrangements to repay your loan. Your grades and official transcripts will be held until you resolve the default status. Also, the lender may notify credit bureaus of your default. This may affect your credit rating which will make it difficult to obtain credit cards and car loans in the future.

View All FAQs

Federal Direct Stafford Loans

Yes.  If you only want to accept fall loans, you should submit acceptance for only the fall loans, one loan at a time. If you have Subsidized loans in your financial aid package, accept and submit the fall Subsidized loan first. After the confirmation screen, accept and submit the fall Unsubsidized loan next.  Do not submit all acceptances at one time and do not touch the spring loans.

If you are returning your Direct Loan refund, contact your servicer for repayment options. To view your servicer’s contact information, please visit StudentAid.gov.

When your To-Do List has been completed, you will be able to accept, reduce, or decline offered loans online through the myUCF Self-Service.

For the upcoming new year, students will receive an email notification after mid-July, announcing when the myUCF Self-Service feature will be made available.

In order for the loans to defer tuition and fees, you must accept the offered loans on myUCF View Financial Aid, Accept/Decline Awards screen.

If you have incomplete required documents on your To-Do List, you will not have access to accept your loans until all required documentation has been submitted.

No. If you already completed an Entrance Counseling while at UCF, you do not have to do a new one for Federal Direct Loans.

Transfer Students: If you were awarded a Federal Stafford Direct Loan during this academic year at another institution, make sure that the remainder of that loan is canceled at your previous school before applying for a loan at UCF.

Loans are not processed until you actually accept them.

To accept the Direct Subsidized Loan, click on the accept option next to the Direct Subsidized Loan.

If you do not want the Direct Unsubsidized Loan, click on the decline option next to the Direct Unsubsidized Loan amount and the offered loan will be zeroed out.

When you are finished, click on the Submit button.

For information about loan disbursements, please visit our Disbursement of Financial Aid webpage.

You may still reduce or decline a loan online through the myUCF Portal even after you have submitted an acceptance, as long as the loan has not disbursed.

If you have declined an entire loan or reduced an undisbursed loan in error, please complete and submit the online Loan Adjustment Form from the Forms web page indicating your final request.

All loan adjustment requests must be made by the deadlines listed.

If you have already completed a Federal Direct Master Promissory Note at UCF, you do not have to complete a new one unless the MPN has expired.

All new borrowers at UCF must complete a new Master Promissory Note.

The time that it takes to process a loan is contingent upon students meeting/completing all loan eligibility criteria.

For details of the loan eligibility criteria, please visit the Federal Stafford Loan webpage.
All required documents on the To-Do List must be submitted at least 60 days prior to the beginning of the semester to ensure timely deferments and/or disbursements.

The Federal Direct Loan Program has no impact on a direct deposit account that you have already established.

No, subsidized loans will only be available to undergraduate students. Graduate and professional students will receive their maximum federal direct loan eligibility in Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans.

View All FAQs

Federal Direct Parent PLUS Loans

Repayment can be deferred while the student is enrolled in school for at least half-time. Please refer to www.studentaid.gov for the process of requesting an in school deferment or call 1-800-433-3243.

For information about loan disbursements, please visit our Disbursement of Financial Aid webpage. For details of the loan eligibility criteria, please our Parent PLUS Loan webpage.

If you requested the post office to forward your mail to the new address, please allow at least 14 days to receive the refund check.

If you have not received the check in 14 days:

  • Email your new address with the subject heading, “PLUS Loan Mailing Address Change,” to the SFA Loan Department.
  • Download and submit a completed Stop Payment Request Form to Student Accounts.

If you are returning your Direct Loan refund, contact your servicer for repayment options. To view your servicer’s contact information, please visit StudentAid.gov.

A dependent student whose parent has been denied a PLUS loan during the current aid year may be eligible to receive Federal Direct Unsubsidized Stafford loans at the independent level with proof of PLUS loan denial from the lender.

If your credit has been denied for the Parent PLUS Loan, you will be given four options on the www.StudentLoans.gov application to choose from:

  • I do not wish to pursue a PLUS loan at this time.
  • The additional Federal Direct Unsubsidized Stafford loan will automatically be offered to the student, in which the student may choose to accept, reduce, or decline the loan through the myUCF View Financial Aid “Accept/Decline Awards.” Please allow at least two weeks for processing the additional offered loan upon receipt of a PLUS denial.

  • Undecided.
  • The additional Federal Direct Unsubsidized Stafford loan will automatically be offered to the student, in which the student may choose to accept, reduce, or decline the loan through the myUCF View Financial Aid “Accept/Decline Awards.” Please allow at least two weeks for processing the additional offered loan upon receipt of a PLUS denial.

  • I will obtain an endorser*
    • Choose this option if you would like to add a co-signer.
    • Parents should notify the SFA Loan Department in order for the PLUS loan to be awarded if your credit is approved with an endorser.
    • Borrowers who required an endorser for approval of the PLUS loan must sign a new MPN for any supplemental or future PLUS loan.
    • Borrowers whose Direct PLUS Loan credit checks are denied on or after March 29th, 2015 and then approved with an endorser, must complete a PLUS Counseling before the Direct PLUS Loan can be disbursed. The U.S. Department of Education will notify the borrower about the PLUS Counseling instructions.
    • If we do not receive an update for a credit approval within 3- 4 weeks, the additional Federal Direct Unsubsidized Stafford loan will automatically be offered to the student, in which the student may choose to accept, reduce, or decline the loan through the myUCF View Financial Aid “Accept/Decline Awards.”
  • I want to appeal the credit decision*
    • Choose this option if you believe the credit check is inaccurate or you can provide updated information about extenuating circumstances.
    • Parents should notify the SFA Loan Department in order for the PLUS loan to be awarded if your appeal has been approved.
    • Borrowers whose Direct PLUS Loan credit checks are denied on or after March 29th, 2015 and then approved through a credit appeal, must complete a PLUS Counseling before the Direct PLUS Loan can be disbursed. The U.S. Department of Education will notify the borrower about the PLUS Counseling instructions.
    • If we do not receive an update for a credit approval within 3- 4 weeks, the additional Federal Direct Unsubsidized Stafford loan will automatically be offered to the student, in which the student may choose to accept, reduce, or decline the loan through the myUCF View Financial Aid “Accept/Decline Awards.”

*For instructions on how to appeal or how to reapply using an endorser, please contact the Department of Education’s Applicant Services at 1-800-557-7394. If the PLUS credit decision is approved after the parent appeals or reapplies with an endorser, the student is no longer eligible to receive the additional Unsubsidized Stafford loan.

If you have already completed a Master Promissory Note at UCF (without an endorser) you do not have to complete a new one.

However, if your loan required an endorser for credit approval, you must complete a new Master Promissory Note.

All new borrowers at UCF must complete a new Master Promissory Note.

The time that it takes to process a loan is contingent upon your student meeting/completing all loan eligibility criteria.

Loan processing is also contingent upon the parent meeting/completing all loan eligibility criteria, including the following:

  • Federal Direct PLUS Loan Application
  • Master Promissory Note
  • Approved Credit Check
  • U.S. citizenship status or an eligible non-citizenship status as defined by the FAFSA

For details of the loan eligibility criteria, please visit the Federal PLUS Loan.

You cannot reduce or decline your Federal Direct Parent PLUS Loan on myUCF. Please complete the online Loan Adjustment Form from the Financial Aid Forms website.

No. The Federal Direct Parent PLUS Loan refund must be refunded to the parent, not to the student. The refund check will be mailed to the address you that you entered on the loan application.

View All FAQs

Federal Direct Grad PLUS Loans

Submitting a signed UCF Federal Direct Grad PLUS Loan application through the www.studentaid.gov website is your acceptance of the Federal Direct Grad PLUS Loan.

If you are returning your Direct Loan refund, contact your servicer for repayment options. To view your servicer’s contact information, please visit StudentAid.gov.

If you have already completed a Master Promissory Note at UCF (without an endorser) you do not have to complete a new one.

However, if your loan required an endorser for credit approval, you must complete a new Master Promissory Note.

All new borrowers at UCF must complete a new Master Promissory Note.

Yes. The Direct Stafford Loan Master Promissory Note is only valid for Direct Stafford Loans. You must also sign a new Federal Direct Grad PLUS Master Promissory Note.

If your credit has been denied for the Federal Direct GRAD PLUS Loan, you will be given options on the www.StudentLoans.gov application to choose from:

I will obtain an endorser*

  • Choose this option if you would like to add a co-signer.
  • Students should notify the SFA Loan Department in order for the Grad PLUS loan to be awarded if your credit is approved with an endorser.
  • Borrowers who required an endorser for approval of the GRAD PLUS loan must sign a new MPN for any supplemental or future GRAD PLUS loan.
  • Borrowers whose Direct GRAD PLUS Loan credit checks are denied on or after March 29th, 2015 and then approved with an endorser, must also complete a PLUS Counseling before the Direct GRAD PLUS Loan can be disbursed. The U.S. Department of Education will notify the borrower about the PLUS Counseling instructions

I want to appeal the credit decision*

  • Choose this option if you believe the credit check is inaccurate or you can provide updated information about extenuating circumstances
  • Students should notify the SFA Loan Department in order for the Grad PLUS loan to be awarded if your appeal has been approved.
  • Borrowers whose Direct GRAD PLUS Loan credit checks are denied on or after March 29th, 2015 and then approved through a credit appeal, must complete a PLUS Counseling before the Direct PLUS Loan can be disbursed. The U.S. Department of Education will notify the borrower about the PLUS Counseling instructions.

*For instructions on how to appeal or how to reapply using an endorser, please contact the Department of Education’s Applicant Services at 1-800-557-7394

For information about loan disbursements, please visit our Disbursement of Financial Aid webpage.

The time that it takes to process a loan is contingent upon students meeting/completing all loan eligibility criteria.

For details of the loan eligibility criteria, please visit the Federal Grad PLUS Loan webpage.

You cannot reduce or decline your Federal Direct Grad PLUS Loan on myUCF.

Please complete the online Loan Adjustment Form from the Financial Aid Forms webpage.

View All FAQs

Optional/Private Loans

Yes, federal regulations require students who receive financial assistance through additional sources to notify their financial aid department of their award.

Yes, provide the check with your signature, to the Office of Student Financial Assistance. Your check will then be deposited into your student account for regular disbursement.

Yes, provide the check with your signature, to the Office of Student Financial Assistance. Your check will then be deposited into your student account for regular disbursement.

If your donor requires financial need verification, please submit the documents to our department in order for your information to be verified and returned to the donor.

Please allow at least 10 business days for processing unless the donor is requiring information that requires we process after drop, swap and add.

View All FAQs