Types of Financial Aid

Undergraduate Financial Aid 

Grants 

Grants are need-based financial aid that do not have to be repaid if eligibility requirements continue to be met. An error-free FAFSA is required to be considered for the following grants: 

• Federal Pell Grant  
  The foundation of a student’s financial aid package that may be combined with other aid to help cover the cost of attendance. Awards are based on financial need, cost of attendance, and enrollment status. 

• Special Rule for Pell Grant: Students may qualify for the maximum Federal Pell Grant if their parent or guardian died in the line of duty as a public safety officer or while serving on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces on or after September 11, 2001. The award may not exceed cost of attendance, and eligible students may self-identify on the FAFSA. 

• Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) 
  A federal grant for students who qualify for the Federal Pell Grant and demonstrate exceptional financial need. Awards are limited and subject to the availability of funds. 

• Florida Student Assistance Grant (FSAG) 
  A State of Florida need-based grant for eligible students attending accredited institutions in Florida. At UNF, awards are based on financial need, FAFSA submission date, enrollment status and availability of funds. 

• UNF Institutional Grants  
  Institutional grants are determined by a student’s FAFSA submission date, financial need and availability of funds. Awards and enrollment requirements vary. 

• Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant  
  A non-need-based federal grant which provides up to $4,000 per year. Recipients must be enrolled in eligible programs and must agree to teach four years in a high-need field at a low-income school. 

Loans 

Unlike grants, Federal Direct Student Loans must be repaid. An error-free FAFSA is required to be considered for the following loans: 

• Federal Direct Subsidized Loans 
  Direct Subsidized Loans do not accrue interest while students are enrolled at least half-time in degree-applicable coursework or during approved deferment periods.  
  
  Repayment begins six months after the student graduates, leaves school or drops below half-time enrollment. Awards are based on financial need. 

• Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans 
  Direct Unsubsidized Loans accrue interest at disbursement, with repayment beginning six months after the student graduates, leaves school or drops below half-time enrollment. Students may borrow Direct Unsubsidized Loans beyond their Subsidized Loans, within loan limits, up to the cost of attendance minus other aid. 

• Federal Direct Parent Plus Loans  
  Direct Parent Plus Loans are low-interest, credit-based loans for parents of dependent students who are enrolled at least half-time in degree-applicable coursework. Loan amounts cannot exceed the cost of attendance, and repayment begins at disbursement. 

• Private Loans 
  Unlike Federal Direct Loans, private loans do not require a FAFSA and are credit-based, with applications submitted directly through a lender. Terms, conditions and eligibility requirements vary, so private loans should be considered after all financial aid options have been used. 

Other Direct Loan Eligibility Requirements 

• First-time borrowers must complete Entrance Counseling before loan disbursement, and Exit Counseling once they graduate, leave school or drop below half-time enrollment. 

• Borrowers must also electronically sign a Federal Direct Master Promissory Note (MPN) for UNF, which is valid for up to 10 years. 

• Students may accept, reduce or decline loans through myWings. 
• Under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) (H.R.1), Federal Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans will be subject to proration for less than half-time enrollment. 

Federal Work-Study (FWS) 

• A need-based, federally funded part-time employment program that pays an hourly wage on a bi-weekly basis. 
• Requires completion of the FAFSA and enrollment of at least six credit hours in degree-applicable coursework. 
• Awards are offered for fall and spring terms only and cannot be used to defer tuition, food or housing. 
• Interested students should email FWS@unf.edu from their UNF email account to request an award evaluation. 
• After receiving a FWS Eligibility Email, students may search for jobs listed as “Federal Work Study” or “FWS.” 

Scholarships 

The University of North Florida offers a range of scholarships to recognize student achievements. Admitted students may use ScholarshipUniverse through myWings to find and apply for UNF and external opportunities.  

Students are also encouraged to submit the FAFSA each year by January 15 for priority consideration. 

• Institutional Scholarships 
  All incoming freshmen are automatically considered for UNF scholarships based on their admissions application. Awards are determined by:  
  • Recalculated high school GPA 
  • SAT or ACT test scores  
  • Demonstrated talent 

• Foundation Scholarships 
  Foundation scholarships are funded through private donor contributions to UNF. Eligibility and renewal requirements vary and are established by the donor and the University.  

• State Scholarships 
  State scholarships are funded by the State of Florida, which selects recipients and allocates awards. The University confirms student eligibility.  
  • The Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program is a primary example. Students apply through their high school no later than August 31 after graduation. Additional information about Bright Futures and other state programs is available through the Florida Office of Student Financial Assistance (OSFA).  

Graduate Financial Aid 

Federal Aid (Requires a FAFSA): 

• Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans 
  Direct Unsubsidized Loans accrue interest at disbursement, with repayment beginning six months after the student graduates, leaves school or drops below half-time enrollment. Students may borrow Direct Unsubsidized Loans up to the cost of attendance minus other aid. 

• Federal Direct Graduate Plus Loans 
  Beginning July 1, 2026, only students who meet U.S. Department of Education legacy loan provisions may borrow Federal Direct Graduate Plus Loans. This low-interest, credit-based loan accrues interest while the student is enrolled in at least six credit hours of degree-applicable coursework. Eligible students may borrow up to their cost of attendance minus other aid. Repayment begins six months after graduating or dropping below half-time enrollment.  

• Federal Work-Study (FWS) Program  
  The FWS program is a need-based, federally funded program that allows eligible graduate students to earn an hourly wage through approved community service positions. Awards are available for the fall and spring terms and cannot be used to defer tuition, food or housing. 

Other Aid 

• Graduate Assistantships 
  • A select number of graduate assistantships and fellowships are available to provide qualified students with professional experience and financial support. Applicants should contact the department chair of their intended program.
    
    Graduate assistants must be enrolled in nine credit hours for fall and spring or six credit hours for summer. Renewal eligibility is based on the student's: 
    • Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) 
    • Effective performance of assigned duties 

• Tuition Waivers 
  UNF offers tuition waivers to help reduce tuition costs. Graduate students may receive waivers through programs such as Graduate Assistantships and the Across State Lines Achievement Waiver. Waivers are selective and subject to specific eligibility requirements.