Freshman Admissions Information
We're glad that you have decided to apply for admission to the University of North Florida! Here you will find what materials are required to be considered for admission and how to submit them. If you have any questions about the application process, please do not hesitate to contact us.
- Deadlines
- Application Steps
- GPA & Test Requirements
- Course Requirements
- Submitting Admissions Materials
- Decisions & Appeals
- Graduating High School with an A.A. Degree
- Osprey First Summer Pathway Program
- Countdown to College
- FAQs
Deadlines
UNF considers applications on a rolling basis. All application materials must be received by the Office of Admissions by the posted deadline date. Students can apply to UNF as early as July 1 the summer before their senior year of high school. We recommend applying early for optimal financial aid, scholarships, and housing preferences.
Term | Application deadline* | Application materials deadline** | Classes begin |
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Summer 2023 | Monday, May 1, 2023 | Monday, May 10, 2023 | Monday, June 26, 2023 (B session) |
Fall 2023 | Monday, May 1, 2023 | Monday, May 10, 2023 | Monday, Aug. 21, 2023 |
Spring 2024 | Wednesday, Nov. 1, 2023 | Monday, Nov. 13, 2023 | Monday, Jan. 8, 2024 |
*Last day to submit an application for that term.
**Last day to submit application materials (e.g. transcripts, test scores, etc.). Materials must be received by the Office of Admissions by the posted deadline date.
Application Steps
To apply to the University of North Florida, you must complete the following steps:
- Complete the online application through our institutional application or the Common App.
- Pay the $30 non-refundable application fee or submit an application fee waiver.
- Send your high school transcript(s) to the University by:
- Submitting the SSAR (preferred)
- Requesting to have your transcripts submitted electronically using either the FASTER or SPEEDE systems. Talk to your school counselor if you are unsure whether your school uses these methods.
- Send your SAT and/or ACT scores to the University
- Request SAT scores to be sent. UNF's school code is 5490.
- Request ACT scores to be sent. UNF's school code is 0711.
- Upload a PDF copy of your SAT or ACT score report in your applicant portal.
- Check on your application status
GPA & Test Requirements
Admissions decisions at UNF are rendered based on academic merit. The State of Florida has implemented minimum admission standards for freshman applicants to all Florida public state universities. In order to be considered, students must have a minimum 2.5 recalculated GPA on a 4.0 scale and meet minimum test score requirements. Please keep in mind that the minimum standards only outline potential eligibility for admission to a state university.
Incoming Freshmen Mid-Ranges
The Office of Admissions publishes the academic midranges of admitted First Time in College students as a reference for applicants. Please keep in mind that midranges are the middle 50% of students, and we accept students with GPAs and test scores both above and below these midranges.
Type | Summer 2022 | Fall 2022 | Spring 2022 |
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GPA | 3.37 - 4.30 | 3.60 - 4.50 | 3.0 - 3.4 |
SAT | 1000 - 1150 | 1100 - 1260 | 1050 - 1170 |
ACT | 20 - 25 | 22 - 28 | 20 - 23 |
UNF Admissions GPA
At the University of North Florida, we weigh and recalculate the admissions GPA for First Time in College applicants. We consider the required courses for entry to the University when creating your admissions GPA. Additional weight is given to grades of "C" or higher earned in honors, dual enrollment, AP, IB or AICE courses. We award a weight of 0.5 points for honors, pre-IB, pre-AICE or pre-AP courses. We award a weight of 1 point for IB, AICE, AP or dual enrollment courses.
SAT and ACT Requirements
Regardless of when they graduated from high school, students applying as First Time in College students are required to submit either SAT or ACT test scores. UNF does not require the essay section of the SAT or ACT.
UNF superscores SAT and ACT tests for applicants, meaning we will consider your highest subsection across multiple attempts of the SAT or ACT and create a new composite score. With this in mind, we encourage students to submit all tests they have taken when applying.
Course Requirements
Students are required to complete the below courses by the time they enter the University. These courses are also used to created your UNF GPA, which is used for both admissions to the University and scholarships.
- Four units of English
- Four units of math (Algebra 1 or higher)
- Three units of natural science
- Three units of social science
- Two units of sequential foreign language
- Two units of academic electives
Home School Requirements
Home school students applying to the University must meet the First Time in College admissions requirements. We encourage home school student to submit the SSAR when applying during their senior year. Paper and electronic home school transcripts will be accepted after a student has graduated from high school. Please contact the Office of Admissions if you have questions about these requirements.
GED Requirements
Students applying with a GED to the University must meet the First Time in College admissions requirements. Students applying with a GED will submit a copy of their GED diploma instead of high school transcripts. Students with a GED do not need to complete the SSAR when applying.
Students with Disabilities
Students with disabilities applying to the University must submit all the general application materials. Applicants who wish to appeal a denial based on a disability may submit documentation verifying the disability along with the letter of appeal. If applicable, we recommend including updated transcripts or new test scores.
Dual Enrollment
Students enrolling in dual enrollment courses throughout high school may have the opportunity to transfer their credit to UNF. If your institution is regionally accredited your credits will more than likely transfer. In addition, if you are attending a Florida public institution and the first three letters and last three numbers of your course match a UNF course, it will transfer.
To determine which credits will transfer to UNF, you must submit your application, your application fee, and your dual enrollment transcript.
Although your dual enrollment credit may be posted on your high school transcript, UNF cannot accept that credit unless we receive an official transcript from the institution that awarded the credit.
Students applying with dual enrollment credit must have at least a 2.0 postsecondary GPA in their dual enrollment courses.
Advanced Credit
Students are encouraged to enroll in advanced credit earning mechanisms while in high school. We are happy to accept up to 45 credit hours earned through credit-by-exam mechanisms such AP, IB, AICE, and CLEP.
During your senior year, we do not need to receive your AP, IB, AICE, or CLEP scores to evaluate your application for admission, and your scores on these tests will not impact your admissions decision. Once all scores are finalized, we encourage students to have them sent directly from the score reporting agency.
More information on how these scores will transfer into UNF can be found on the First-Year Advising website.Submitting Admissions Materials
Submitting your high school record/transcript:
Complete and link your SSAR — Self-Reported Student Academic Record
Required submission method
Follow these simple steps to create and link your SSAR account:
- Log into your application portal
- Click the high school transcript link on your Application Checklist
- Create or log into your SSAR account
- Fill in your Student Academic Record (for help, visit our SSAR FAQs)
- Your SSAR will be linked to your UNF application!
Important high school transcript information:
- We cannot process paper transcripts sent via mail or as email attachments
- If you applied through Common App, you must still link your SSAR to your application checklist using the steps above.
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Submitting your college or university transcript (if you took any courses at another institution):
- Upload PDFs of your unofficial transcripts through your applicant portal. These transcripts can be used for rendering a decision.
- Contact your prior college or university and request that they send your official transcript to UNF. We must receive the final and official transcript, even if we render your initial decision using your unofficial transcripts.
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Submitting your ACT and/or SAT scores:
Document upload —Make sure your full name, composite score and sub-scores are visible and readable in the document.
Follow these simple steps to upload your test score report(s):
- Save your score report as a PDF
- Log into your application portal
- Find the Upload Materials section
- Select the appropriate material option in the dropdown menu
- Click Choose File and select your PDF
- Click the Upload button
- Repeat for each individual score report you have (We super score!)
- UNF's ACT code is 0711
- UNF's SAT code is 5490
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Dual enrollment, AP, IB and AICE transcripts:
Although you may see them on your checklist, dual enrollment transcripts, as well as any AP, IB or AICE score reports, are not required for an admission decision. If you are admitted, you will need to submit these before starting classes.
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Submitting the application fee:
The application fee can be paid in your application portal.
Decisions & Appeals
Decision notification process
Once an application is complete with all required documents, the Office of Admissions will review applications on a 6-8 week turn-around. All applicants are notified by a USPS mailed official letter. Applicants may also check on the status of their application online.
Appeals process
A student who is denied admission to UNF has a right to appeal that decision. If he or she chooses to appeal, the student must submit a letter and supporting documentation, detailing the reason the application should be reviewed.
The supporting documentation that substantiates the appeal must be new information not provided as part of the initial application.
Please submit the Admissions Decision Appeal Form or send the documents to the address below:
Admissions Office at the University of North Florida
c/o The Director of Undergraduate Admissions
1 UNF Drive
Jacksonville, FL 32224
Examples of supporting documentation include:
- Updated post-secondary transcripts showing satisfactory or improved college coursework
- Documentation to support situations that are out of the student's control, if applicable
Applicants who wish to appeal a denial based on a disability may submit documentation verifying the disability along with the letter of appeal. If applicable, we recommend also including updated transcripts or new test scores.
Please note that there is no guarantee an appeal decision will result in admission to the University of North Florida. The likelihood a decision will be reversed on appeal is low. We always recommend that students be prepared to pursue alternative academic plans. We are willing to provide assistance with college options.
Graduating High School with an A.A. Degree
Students graduating high school in Florida with an A.A. degree
High school students who are on track to earn an associate in arts (A.A.) degree from a Florida College System (FCS) or State University System (SUS) institution may be considered for admission as either a first-time-in-college (FTIC) freshman or as a potential A.A. transfer student. The University of North Florida will determine the best option for admission by first assessing admission based on option 1 below and then option 2.
Option 1 — First-Time-in-College (FTIC) admissions option
Students admitted under this option:
- Must submit either ACT or SAT scores
- Must have a recalculated high school GPA above a 3.0
- Must submit a $200 enrollment deposit and attend a freshman orientation session
- Will be considered for merit-based scholarships
- Will be eligible for first-year housing options
Option 2 — Transfer student with an A.A. degree admissions option*
Students admitted under this option:
- Do not need to submit ACT or SAT scores
- Must meet upper division pre-requisites and GPA requirements for intended major
- Must submit a $200 enrollment deposit and attend a freshman orientation session
- Will not be considered for merit-based scholarships
- Will be eligible for first-year housing options
*Any student admitted under option 2 must immediately contact the UNF Office of Admissions if they do not intend to receive their A.A. degree for any reason.
For more details, please see FL BOG 6.005.
Osprey First Summer Pathway Program
The Osprey First is a summer pathway program that takes place during our Summer B term (June 25 – Aug. 4, 2023) and eases the transition from high school to college.
Countdown to College
The calendar below may be used as a guideline to help keep you on task in regards to choosing a college during your senior year of high school. We hope that you will consider UNF your first choice as you accomplish many of the tasks included in this calendar.
Senior Year: Fall Semester
August
- APPLY! Work on applications for admissions, scholarships and grants.
- Look for back-to-school sales to help pay for school supplies.
- Review high school math and English to strengthen these skills.
- Create a checklist of tests and registration deadlines, fees, dates, college application deadlines, materials needed, etc.
- Talk with your teachers, guidance counselors, coaches and mentors about preparing letters of recommendation to submit with your applications. A resume and letters of recommendation may not be required for admissions but they are highly encouraged.
September
- Register to take the SAT or ACT and enroll in UNF's SAT or ACT preparation course since test scores are often among the criteria used to determine scholarship winners.
- Request applications and financial-aid information from the schools to which you are applying.
- Make sure to get a FAFSA worksheet from your high school counselor's office before school closes for winter vacation. Most colleges prefer students to file an online FAFSA; however having the worksheet in hand will help you gather the appropriate information.
- We also encourage students to use their current year FAFSA to see if they are eligible for financial aid (see October for FAFSA information).
- Although it's too early to complete a FAFSA or Free Application for Federal Student Aid, use an EFC calculator to determine your eligibility for financial assistance.
- Look for scholarship opportunities. Some employers offer scholarship money for children of employees. Sometimes local organizations have scholarship programs for high school seniors. Meet with your high school guidance counselor to get information on scholarships. Check the local library and search the Internet to see if you can find other scholarship opportunities and tell everyone you know to send scholarship information your way.
October
- Fill out the FAFSA! The FAFSA is turned on every Oct. 1 for the upcoming academic year. It uses income and tax information from two years ago - the prior, prior tax year.
- Attend college fairs and financial aid workshops. These might be sources of additional information about scholarships, grants and other types of financial aid.
- Visit college campuses. Compare costs of colleges so you get an idea of how much money will be needed at each institution. This will vary based on many factors, including state colleges versus universities, private versus public and in-state versus out-of-state.
- Continue to contact prospective colleges and find out their deadlines for scholarship and financial aid applications, as well as any paperwork you'll need to submit
- Start getting family financial information so you are ready to apply for financial aid. Among the items you'll want to gather are tax documents, W-2s and records of benefits from government agencies such as the Social Security Administration.
- The Department of Education uses the FAFSA to determine a student's eligibility for federal and state funds.
- Oct. 15 is the priority consideration date for financial aid at the University of North Florida.
November
- Continue to visit college campuses. Compare costs of colleges so you get an idea of how much money will be needed.
- Continue looking for additional sources of money.
- By now you should have received your Student Aid Report, or SAR, which summarizes the data you reported on your FAFSA. Check it to make sure it is accurate.
December
- Dec. 1 is when the Florida application for financial aid opens. Although this is the application for Bright Futures, you should complete this application even if you will not qualify for a Bright Futures scholarship. The state of Florida has other grants and scholarships for which you may be eligible.
- You must complete this application prior to your high school graduation.
Senior Year: Spring Semester
February
- Continue filling out financial aid forms for prospective schools, as well as scholarship applications according to your deadline calendar. Though you have already filled out your FAFSA, some colleges have additional paperwork you must submit to request financial aid.
- As you submit these forms to various colleges, follow up to make sure all paperwork has been received.
- Keep looking for more scholarships. Churches, civic organizations and philanthropists may have additional sources of funding.
- Check with your high school guidance counselor to see if more scholarship opportunities have become available.
March
- Follow up on any scholarship applications submitted in the fall, if you have not yet received an award notification.
- If there are mistakes or if you have not received your SAR, contact the Federal Student Aid Information Center.
April
- Continue to follow up on scholarship and financial aid applications you've submitted. Look for responses to applications in the mail.
- Look for acceptance deadlines on any scholarship or financial aid awards. You might have to formally accept the scholarship or financial aid by a certain date.
May
- Continue to follow up on scholarship applications if you have not yet received notification.
- If you do receive additional scholarships, inform your college financial aid office. They may need to adjust the federal financial aid package you are receiving.
- Fill out student loan applications, if loans are part of your financial aid package. If you've been awarded federal loans, contact the college to understand the steps necessary to receive this funding.
June
- Keep looking for scholarship opportunities being awarded by local businesses and groups.
- Work to help finance your education.
- Inform Bright Futures which college you'll be attending, so that your award is distributed in a timely manner.
July
- Continue looking for last-minute scholarship money or look for scholarships that can be applied for in the fall to help pay for your second year of college.
- Invest your summer earnings in a high-yield savings account.
August
- Start packing!
FAQs
Don't see the answer you are looking for? Reach out to the Office of Admissions directly and let us know how we can assist you!
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When can I begin to apply?
Our First Time in College application for summer and fall terms opens every year on July 1st, the summer before your senior year. We recommend applying early for scholarship purposes. -
I am coming into UNF with dual enrollment credit. Am I a First Time in College or a Transfer applicant?
If you are applying to attend UNF right after graduating high school, you will be a First Time in College student regardless of your credit hours. We consider students to be First Time in College applicants if they have earned fewer than 12 credit hours after high school graduation. Any credit hours earned before high school graduation (including dual enrollment, AP, IB, and AICE credits) do not count toward this 12-credit hour counter. -
Does UNF accept application fee waivers?
Yes, we accept SAT, ACT, and NACAC college application fee waivers. Students who received SAT or ACT test fee waivers typically receive application fee waivers from CollegeBoard or ACT in the Fall of their senior year. The NACAC application fee waiver is available online for students to complete with the help of their school counselor. -
What do I need to submit to obtain an admissions decision?
First Time in College applicants need to submit an online application to the University, a $30 application fee or fee waiver, high school transcripts, and SAT and/or ACT test scores. More information can be found on our Freshman Application Information page. -
Do you super score the ACT and/or SAT?
Yes, we superscore both the ACT and SAT within the respective exams. -
Do you prefer the ACT or SAT?
We do not have a preference between the ACT or SAT. We accept both tests for admissions and scholarship purposes. -
If my SAT and/or ACT scores are listed on my high school transcript, do I still need to send in my scores?
No, we can accept scores that are listed on official high school transcripts sent to the Office of Admissions. -
How can I send in my transcripts?
First Time in College applicants should submit their in-progress transcripts by completing the SSAR. We also accept in-progress electronic transcripts sent in by your high school counselor. -
How does the University of North Florida recalculate high school GPA?
We recalculate your GPA by looking at your core courses. We add an additional 1 point of weight for AP, IB, AICE, and dual enrollment courses where you earned a “C” or higher and an additional 0.5 point of weight for honors, pre-IB, and pre-AICE courses where you earned a “C” or higher. -
What classes would be considered an academic elective when recalculating the high school GPA?
We accept two credits from among Level 2 courses listed as Performing Fine Arts as identified in the Department of Education Course Code Directory or the Florida Counseling for Future Education Handbook. -
Do you look at senior year grades?
Yes, senior-year grades are sometimes considered for admission. -
How can I get an update on my application?
Please visit Check My Application Status for information on how to check your application. -
When are decisions made?
Admissions decisions are rendered on a rolling basis. Once we receive all required application materials, you can expect to receive an admissions decision in 6-8 weeks. However, sometimes it can take longer (or shorter), depending on the time of year and how many applications we have received. -
How do I log into myWings?
View instructions on how to log into myWings for the first time at Logging into myWings. -
How do I obtain my UNF ID?
Your UNF ID, or your N number, will be sent to you via email approximately 48 hours after you submit your application. -
How do I accept my admission offer to the University of North Florida?
After receiving your decision, first accept your admission offer by completing the admission decision reply form in your applicant portal. Next, officially confirm your spot by registering for New Student Orientation. -
When is the deadline for accepting my offer of admission?
We encourage students who are looking to start in the Summer or Fall terms to confirm their spot at UNF by May 1st at the latest. -
If my dual enrollment credits are posted on my high school transcript, do I still need to send in a college transcript?
Yes, we must receive your college transcripts for dual enrollment credits in order to award you transfer credit at the University. We do not need to receive your college transcripts until after you have graduated high school and your dual enrollment transcripts are finalized. -
How can I schedule a campus tour?
Campus tours can be scheduled online through the Welcome Center website. -
When will I receive my financial aid package for the upcoming year?
Financial aid packages are first sent out to students in mid-December. Please keep an eye on your UNF email and myWings student portal for updates on your financial aid package. -
Does UNF accept private scholarships?
Yes, we accept private scholarships. -
How can I change my major?
You will have the opportunity to change your major at New Student Orientation when you meet with your academic advisor. -
How can I change my term?
Please note that admission to a future term is not guaranteed. To move your application to a new term, you will need to submit the application update form. Keep in mind that you will need to drop any courses you are currently registered for before we will be able to cancel your application. You can drop your courses in your myWings Student Portal by choosing Student on side menu>Student Resources>Banner Self-Service, and then Registration. We also recommend that you speak with Financial Aid before switching terms to discuss any financial aid implications.
Please note, we will not be able to process a term change request after your admission term has already begun. If the term has started, you will need to reach out to the Registrar's Office via email at records@unf.edu to discuss your course withdrawal options.
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Will my AP/IB/AICE/dual enrollment credit count?
We accept incoming credit from AP, IB, AICE, and dual enrollment. For more information on what will transfer, visit First-Year Advising's Accelerated Credit. -
How can I join the Hicks Honors College?
After you are admitted to the University, you can complete an application to the Hicks Honors College. Information on the application process can be found on the Hicks Honors College website.