Financial Aid for Undergraduates

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Key Facts How to Apply Apply Early Early Aid Estimate Aid Application Renewal Application	Student Aid Report (SAR) Application Checklist Award Notification Special Conditions Types of Aid Contact Information

Key Facts | Back to top.

• UT’s Federal School Code is 001538.
• More than 80 percent of UT’s students receive some type of financial assistance. Aid is generally available to U.S. citizens and permanent residents.
• UT students complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) to apply for need-based aid or any type of loan.
• New full-time undergraduates with a 3.2 or higher unweighted GPA at time of admission may qualify for an academic scholarship!
• Florida residents receive the Florida Resident Access Grant (amount varies each year) if they attend a Florida private university as a full-time undergraduate student.
• Everyone enrolled in at least six credit hours qualifies for some type of loan! On-campus and off-campus jobs are plentiful.
• New students can receive an early estimate of aid eligibility by completing UT’s Student Aid Estimator Form (October to January)
• Apply early to meet all deadlines. Filing online reduces the processing time from weeks to days.
• Students reapply for financial aid each year, but aid is generally renewed if there is satisfactory academic progress, demonstrated financial need and availability of funds.
• UT offers limited amounts of financial aid for international students with exceptional qualifications.
• See frequently asked questions about financial aid or contact the Financial Aid Office at finaid@ut.edu for assistance.

How to Apply | Back to top.

Apply Early | Back to top.
Students should complete the FAFSA early in order to meet deadlines. Tax information should be estimated if applicant’s income taxes are not completed until later in the year. Funds are limited and late filers receive aid on a funds-available basis. If applicant is a U.S. citizen or resident alien, they will be considered for every need-based financial aid program available. Click here for more information on types of aid.

Early Aid Estimate | Back to top.

Early estimates of aid eligibility are available to new full-time undergraduate students by completing the Student Aid Estimator Form (available from October to January). Students will receive notice of eligibility for aid soon after the University receives their forms.

Aid Application | Back to top.
For academic scholarships, new full-time students are automatically considered and notified of eligibility.

For need-based assistance or any type of loan, students complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The FAFSA is used by UT to determine the student’s Expected Family Contribution (EFC). Factors considered in determining the EFC are: parent and student income and assets, household size, the number of household members attending college, age of oldest parent and state of residency. FAFSA results determine eligibility for all federal aid programs, including the Pell Grant, as well as all need-based aid programs offered by UT.

Florida residents also complete the Florida Financial Aid Application online at http://www.floridastudentfinancialaid.org to apply for the Florida Bright Futures program as well as other state aid programs. Non-Florida residents should check with their guidance office on how to apply for their home state grants.

Students should list UT, Tampa, FL on the FAFSA so that the information is automatically sent to the University. The Federal School code for UT is 001538. Applicants must remember to include this code on the FAFSA. Other paperwork or forms should not be sent with the FAFSA. Supplemental paperwork should be mailed to the UT Financial Aid Office.

First-time applicants should complete the FAFSA as soon after January 1 as possible. The FAFSA can be completed by either of two methods: Complete a paper application available from high school guidance office or from the University’s Financial Aid Office. Mail the paper application in the envelope provided. File an application online at www.fafsa.ed.gov. Remember to complete the signature requirements described in the instructions.

Renewal Application | Back to top.
Financial Aid must be renewed each year. Renewal applicants should receive a Renewal Application by mail in December if a FAFSA was completed in the previous year. This should be completed as soon after January 1 as possible. The renewal application can be completed online by obtaining an Electronic Access Code (EAC) at www.fafsa.ed.gov. If the FAFSA was filed online, a paper application will not be received. The applicant will receive the access code to file the renewal online. Click here to find more information for renewal applicants.

Student Aid Report (SAR) | Back to top.
A few weeks after filing the FAFSA or Renewal Application, a Student Aid Report is mailed to the applicant’s home address. Part II should be carefully reviewed for errors. Corrections should be made immediately online at www.fafsa.ed.gov or by returning Part II of the SAR to the federal processor. The UT Financial Aid Office will receive a copy of the SAR electronically.

If the SAR has been selected for a process called Verification, students will be asked to provide the Financial Aid Office with a signed copy of tax returns and a completed verification worksheets. Additional information may also be requested. Students will be notified if any additional forms are necessary.

Aid Application Checklist | Back to top.

Award Notification | Back to top.

Students who completed a UT Student Aid Estimator Form will receive written notification of their estimated aid eligibility soon after form is received. Otherwise, students will receive notification after UT receives the FAFSA results. It usually takes several weeks to process FAFSA forms and to deliver results.

Need-based aid is awarded in a package usually consisting of grants and scholarships (which do not have to be repaid), low-interest student loans (which are repaid after you graduate or leave school), and work on campus (through which you can earn money for college expenses).

An admissions deposit is required to hold all UT financial aid awards. The deposit is refundable prior to May 1 upon written request to the admissions office. The deposit is credited to the student’s first bill.

Students who receive financial aid and/or scholarships from outside sources may not receive funding from such sources when the combined aid (outside sources plus University assistance) exceeds the direct costs of education as determined by the Financial Aid Office.

Scholarships or other awards received from University or non-University sources must be included toward meeting “demonstrated need” if any “need-based” assistance is part of an award. Demonstrated need is the difference between the student’s expected family contribution (EFC) and the cost of attendance.

Students must notify the Financial Aid Office of scholarships or funding received from any outside source. Some adjustments to your aid package may be necessary to comply with federal, state and institutional parameters.

All aid awarded by the University may be used only during the fall and spring terms. Aid is awarded on an academic year basis. Most awards are credited to the student’s account in two disbursements (1/2 in the fall and 1/2 in the spring). Aid will not be disbursed until all requested documents have been received by the Financial Aid Office.

Special Conditions | Back to top.

In some cases, counselors may adjust attendance costs or the information used in calculating the expected family contribution (EFC) due to special circumstances. These circumstances may include a family’s unusual medical or dental expenses, or tuition expenses for children attending a private elementary or secondary school. Adjustments may be made for a reduction or loss in income or benefits. If a family has a special circumstance, the financial aid counselor will require detailed documentation before making any changes to the student’s financial aid application. The UT financial aid office has forms available to help students and parents document special circumstances.

Contact Information | Back to top.

University of Tampa
Financial Aid Office
Plant Hall, Room 427
401 W. Kennedy Blvd.
Tampa, Florida 33606-1490

e-mail: finaid@ut.edu
fax: 813-258-7439

Important Telephone Numbers

UT Financial Aid Office	(813) 253-6219
UT Admissions Office	(813) 253-6211
FAFSA Processing Questions	(800) 433-3243
Request Copy of SAR (Student Aid Report)	(800) 433-3243
Federal Number for Hearing Impaired	(800) 730-8913 (TDD)
Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Information	(888) 827-2004
Veterans Administration	(800) 827-1000
UT VA Certifying Official	(813) 253-6251
Army ROTC Scholarship Information	(813) 258-7200
Air Force ROTC Scholarship Information	(813) 974-3367
Navy ROTC Scholarship Information	(813) 974-5282
Americorps Program	(800) 942-2677
IRS Tax Form Requests	(800) 829-1040

Financial Aid Web Sites

http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/
http://www.finaid.org/
http://www.ed.gov/
http://www.firn.edu/
http://www.firn.edu/doe
http://www.gibill.va.gov/
http://www.irs.ustreas.gov/
http://www.finaid.org/calculators/finaidestimate.phtml
http://www.floridastudentfinancialaid.org/
http://mappingyourfuture.org/