Awarding Financial Aid

Completed files are reviewed on a daily basis. If you were required to submit additional documentation such as verification or appeal forms your counselor will review files in the order in which they are completed to insure all students are processed fairly.

When a counselor reviews your file to determine eligibility for aid, they check:

1. That documents are completed appropriately and signed,
2. The accuracy of data reported on FAFSA (if selected for verification),
3. Determine whether you meet federal and state eligibility requirements for aid,
4. Your complete academic history to determine if you meet the academic requirements to receive financial aid. (See Satisfactory Academic Progress Requirements.)

Once your file has been reviewed by a counselor, there are three possible results:

1. Aid will be awarded as appropriate and an award notice will be sent to you via gatormail. If you are not awarded aid you will also be sent notification.
2. Additional documentation is needed to determine your eligibility. You will be notified by gatormail of the additional documentation needed.
3. If you are not in compliance with the academic requirements for receiving aid, you will be notified of your non-compliance and the proper appeal procedure.

When you are awarded financial aid, the OSFA will sent you an award letter. The award letter will give you information about how your eligibility for aid is determined and what aid you were awarded (if any). The award letter will tell you:

1. Your Cost of Attendance-this is the OSFA estimate of costs for the period of time for which you are awarded aid.
2. Your Expected Family Contribution (EFC)-this is the amount that you are expected to contribute toward your education. It is calculated by applying a federal formula to the data you submitted on your FAFSA.
3. Your Financial Need-calculated by subtracting your EFC from your cost of attendance.
4. The number of hours on which your financial aid is based. You must review this and update your enrollment plans with the OSFA if they change. For example, if your financial aid is based on twelve or more hours and you only enroll in nine, you must notify our office immediately. Some financial aid (e.g., Pell Grant) must be recalculated if your enrollment status changes. NO financial aid will release to your account if your registered hours and your award hours do not match.

The award letter will also give you specific information related to the financial aid awards you are scheduled to receive. READ your award letter carefully. Some financial aid programs (e.g., Stafford Loan) will require additional action on your part before you can receive your funds.

Remember, it is your responsibility to know the requirements for receiving your financial aid awards. We are happy to answer your questions, but it is impossible to verbally give you all the information you need to know.

If, after reading your award letter, you have any questions about your financial aid, please contact our office.

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