Types of Graduate Financial Aid

Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans: Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans are available for students who do not demonstrate need or who have exhausted their need-based aid eligibility before reaching their estimated cost of attendance. To be eligible, students must be admitted to the University, degree-seeking, have a valid FAFSA on file and enroll in at least six degree-applicable credit hours. Students who borrow under this program are required to pay the interest while in school but have the option to defer the interest payments until the loan enters repayment. Loan repayment will begin at the end of the six-month grace period after the student graduates or ceases to be enrolled at least half-time (defined as six credit hours).

Federal Work Study: The Federal Work Study Program is a need-based federally-funded part-time employment program which allows eligible students to earn money to help pay for education expenses. Students are paid an hourly rate on a bi-weekly basis. Students must demonstrate financial need through completion of the FAFSA and be enrolled in a minimum of six credit hours of degree-applicable coursework. Federal Work Study awards are offered for the fall and spring terms and cannot be used to defer tuition, food or housing. 

Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loans: The Direct Graduate PLUS Loan is a low-interest loan available to students enrolled in a graduate or professional degree program. The student's eligibility for a Direct Graduate PLUS loan is determined by a credit check conducted by the U.S. Department of Education. Students must be admitted to the University, degree-seeking and enrolled in at least six degree-applicable credit hours. An eligible graduate student may borrow up to their cost of attendance minus other sources of aid. Students who borrow under this program are required to pay the interest while in school but have the option to defer the interest payments until the loan enters repayment. Loan repayment will begin at the end of the six-month grace period after the student graduates or ceases to be enrolled at least half-time (defined as six credit hours).

Graduate Assistantships: A limited number of graduate assistantships and fellowships are available to qualified students. Graduate students who wish to apply for assistantships should write to the chairperson of the department in which they plan to enroll. Graduate students must be enrolled in nine credit hours for fall and for spring or six credit hours for summer to be employed and classified as a graduate assistant. Continuation of the award is based on the student's satisfactory performance in both academic and assigned duties.

Tuition Waiver: UNF offers several waivers that may help offset the cost of tuition. Tuition waivers for graduate students are available through several mechanisms, such as Graduate Assistantships and the Across State Lines Achievement Waiver. However, waivers are limited and highly competitive with specified criteria as described under each waiver type.