Applicant FAQs
From the beginning of your application through graduation, the UNF Graduate School is here to help. If the below information doesn't answer your questions, please don't hesitate to contact us.
Been admitted? Check out our Admitted Student FAQs!Application
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How do I unlock my account?
You can reset your password by clicking the Forgot Your Password? link. You'll need to provide the email address that you used to create your account and have access to it. -
Which application should I submit?
There are four different types of applications you can submit to apply for graduate school. Select the one that meets your enrollment needs.
- Master's Programs
- Select this option if you are interested in a pursuing a degree-seeking master's program.
- Doctoral Programs
- Select this option if you are interested in pursuing a post-baccalaureate or post-master's doctoral program.
- Graduate Pre-requisites (non-degree) Applicants
- This option is for two types of applicants: 1) Those who have earned a baccalaureate degree from an accepted institutional accreditor and wish to take graduate level coursework, but are not admitted into a degree seeking graduate program (click here), and 2) Individuals that are currently attending an accepted institutional accreditor as a graduate student and wish to temporarily enroll at UNF in order to transfer credits back to their home institution (click here).
- Graduate Certificate programs
- Select this option if you are interested in pursuing a post-baccalaureate or post-master's certificate program. Certificate programs are considered non-degree and are ineligible for financial aid.
- Master's Programs
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What should I know about the application fee?
The graduate application fee may be good for three consecutive terms. Contact us if you previously paid an application fee within three consecutive terms of a current application and would like to know if you are eligible to an application fee waiver.
- Examples of situations where an application fee is eligible for a waiver include when a student: is admitted to a degree-seeking program and wishes to apply as a Graduate Pre-requisites (non-degree) applicant for a prior term within the three consecutive term period, accidentally applies for the wrong program, applies for the same program within a three-semester term, or is denied acceptance and wants to apply for another program in a different term. These waivers are only available by student request to the Graduate School.
- Students that are applying for multiple programs, are required to pay an application fee for each application.
It should be noted that an application will not be reviewed until an application fee has been received. In addition, the application fee is non-refundable and an undergraduate application fee cannot be transferred to a graduate application, and viceversa.
You will have the option to pay an application fee when you submit your application or at a later date. To pay later, login to your Application Status Portal and click the Submit Payment link. -
How do I check my application status?
You can check your application status anytime from your Application Status Portal. We also recommend closely monitoring your email for updates.
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How does the graduate admission process work?
When completing your application you'll have the option to upload unofficial transcripts, unofficial test scores, supplemental materials, and recommender information, if required. You may login to your Application Status Portal at any time to view your application checklist, uploaded materials, and edit and remind recommenders.
After all of the required materials and application fee have been received and your application checklist is complete, your application will be forwarded to your Graduate Program Director. You will be notified about the update to your application status via email.
Your Graduate Program Director will review your application and forward it back to the Graduate School with their decision for final decision processing. Once we have rendered the decision, you will be notified of the update to your application status via email and your Application Status Portal will update.
Admitted students will be prompted to provide official transcripts and official test scores, if required. All official materials should be sent directly to the UNF Graduate School. Admitted students will also be asked to complete the Reply to Offer of Admission through their Application Status Portal.
Some programs will waitlist applicants. Waitlisted applicants are asked to complete the Reply to Waitlist Offer through their Application Status Portal. -
How long will it take to receive an admission decision?
It's recommended you submit your application checklist materials as soon as possible. Once your checklist is complete, we will forward it to the Graduate Program Director for a decision. Each program has its own unique decision time-frame. As a result, it is recommended that the applicant contact their Graduate Program Director directly. -
How will I be notified about my application decision?
When your application is forwarded to the Graduate Program Director or a decision has been rendered, you will be notified of an update to your application status via email. These updates will also be available on your Application Status Portal. -
If I am admitted to a program, how do I accept or decline my admission?
Admitted students will be asked to complete the Reply to Offer of Admission through their Application Status Portal where you can confirm or deny your admission. There is no fee associated with an admission confirmation. -
Can I defer my admission?
Yes, in some cases you may defer your admission. A deferment may be requested for the two consecutive terms immediately preceding your initial term of admission. The program must admit for the requested term unless written approval from the program director is received. Programs that only admit once a year are not eligible for an admission deferment.
The deadline to request to defer admission is a month before the application deadline of the following semester.
Deadlines:
- Fall - November 1st
- Spring - March 15th
- Summer - July 1st
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What happens if I do not enroll in courses for the term I am admitted to?
Students that do not enroll for the term that they are admitted to, and/or do not request to have their admission deferred by the posted deadline, will have their application canceled for non-matriculation. You will need to reapply for admission to a future term should you seek enrollment.
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Why can I not apply for my program of choice?
Some programs only offer admission for select terms. The application help text will assist you in selecting the appropriate term and program. It's also recommended to review your Graduate Program website for available terms and deadlines.
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Can I pursue a dual degree?
Graduate students are permitted to pursue a dual degree or certificate. You can apply to both simultaneously or submit a Change of Major after admission to one program to formerly request to add another degree program or certificate to your student record.
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Where can I find more information on the Judicial Hold process?
In accordance with Florida Statute §1001.64(8)(a), Florida Board of Governor’s Regulation 6.001(7), and University Regulation 2.0380R, the University may consider the past conduct of any individual applying for admission or enrollment when those actions have been found to disrupt or interfere with the orderly conduct, processes, functions, or programs of the University. If determined to be in the best interest of the University to deny admission or enrollment to an applicant because of the applicant’s past misconduct on or off campus, the University may do so, consistent with state and federal law.
Please refer to the Office of the Dean of Students Judicial Hold Process and FAQs.
Application Checklist
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When and how do I submit application checklist items?
When completing your application you'll have the option to upload unofficial transcripts, unofficial test scores, supplemental materials, and recommender information, if required. You may login to your Application Status Portal at any time to view your application checklist, uploaded materials, and edit and remind recommenders.
Admitted students will be prompted to provide official transcripts and official test scores, if required. All official materials should be submitted as official copies directly to the UNF Graduate School. -
Can I submit unofficial test scores?
Yes, in most cases, unofficial scores are accepted for admissions. Please check with your Graduate Program Director for details. Handwritten or self-reported scores will not be accepted.
Admitted students will be prompted to provide an official test score report. -
There is an institution on my checklist that I didn't attend. How do I remove it?
If the institution was reported by you on your application, we will require a statement from the institution indicating they don't have record of you attending. It can be emailed to us and should include your full name and UNF student N#.
Should you believe the institution was added to your application in error, please contact us with your full name, UNF student N#, and the institution information. -
Can the application checklist items be waived?
Your Graduate Program Director can request supplemental requirements be waived (i.e. reference letters, letter of intent, resume, writing sample, certificates, repertoire list, test scores). Transcripts and English Language Proficiency requirements cannot be waived under any circumstance as they are considered university requirements.
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My recommender hasn't completed their recommendation, can I send them a reminder?
Yes, you can send a reminder to your recommender by visiting your Application Status Portal.
- Open your recommendations from the statement at the bottom: "To re-send notification emails to your recommenders, re-visit the recommendations page,..."
- Click Edit next to the recommender you wish to send a reminder to
- Click Send Reminder
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Can I change my recommender(s)? How do I do so?
As long as your recommender hasn't completed the recommendation request, you can change them by visiting your Application Status Portal.
- Open your recommendations from the statement at the bottom: "To re-send notification emails to your recommenders, re-visit the recommendations page,..."
- Click Edit next to the recommender you will be replacing
- Click Exclude to remove that recommender
- Click Add Recommender and enter the information of your new recommender
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How do I proceed if my recommender is not contacted or is unable to upload their reference letter?
In the event the email is not delivered correctly or your recommender has trouble completing the request, please contact us.
Tuition & Fees
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What is the difference between the Student Financial Services Office and the Office of Student Financial Aid?
The Student Financial Services Office controls the billing of everything during your time at UNF. This includes housing, food, tuition and any additional items the individual student is receiving. They also process all payments received from the student and direct pay payments or waivers towards the student account.
The Office of Student Financial Aid assists students in identifying the various types of financial support available and navigating the financial aid process to help them cover their college expenses. -
Am I eligible for a scholarship? (Office of Student Financial Aid)
Scholarships and awards are available for admitted students to apply for through UNF Academic Works or directly through the office offering the award. Graduate students are required to apply for aid or graduate assistantships in order to be considered for them. -
What scholarships, awards, and waivers are offered through the Graduate School? (Office of Student Financial Aid)
The Graduate School offers several financial aid awards and tuition waivers.
Please note, we do not offer application fee waivers unless the applicant has previously paid and qualifies for a waiver as discussed in the What should I know about the application fee? question above. -
What financial aid opportunities are available to international students? (Office of Student Financial Aid)
International students are able to apply for Graduate Assistantships, as well as the Graduate School's Jim and Millie Milligan Family Foundation Presidential Fellowship and Key Bradbury STEM Fellowship. The UNF International Center also offers scholarships to qualifying international students. -
Where else can I look for financial aid? (Office of Student Financial Aid)
Other UNF departments and colleges offer many scholarships and waivers that are available to graduate students. You can find other opportunities linked on our Assistantships and Awards website. -
Do graduate students qualify for federal aid through FAFSA? (Office of Student Financial Aid)
Pell grants and other need-based awards that are offered through FAFSA are not available to graduate students. However, graduate students are still encouraged to complete the FAFSA to see if they qualify for low interest or subsidized loans. In addition, UNF uses the FAFSA to determine need for certain institutional scholarships and grants. -
Do I have to pay tuition for my full graduate program up front? Or semester by semester? (Student Financial Services Office)
Tuition and fees are assessed on a semesterly basis and must be paid by the payment deadline of each semester. Students that have not taken appropriate action to cover their tuition and fees by the posted deadline will be dropped from their classes and assessed late fees if they opt to reinstate and pay after the deadline. Students dropped for non-payment may only reinstate once. If they do not pay after reinstatement and are dropped again, they will not be able to reinstate a second time.
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Can I enroll in a payment plan and spread the cost of tuition out across the term? (Student Financial Services Office)
Yes, the Student Financial Services Office offers a Payment Plan. Enrolling in a payment plan does include a small enrollment fee but spreads the tuition into three payments over the term. -
My employer will be paying for my tuition. How does it work? (Student Financial Services Office)
Employer reimbursement is usually issued at the end of a term. The Employer Reimbursement Plan allows participants to defer their course payments until after the term has been completed. There are no fee, but the form must be submitted by the posted deadline to be accepted. -
I am a state employee who will be taking advantage of the state employee tuition waiver. What do I need to know about that process? (Student Financial Services Office)
You will need to register for courses and complete the State Employee Tuition Waiver Form following the instructions for the State Employee Tuition Waiver. Please read the details of the program carefully. -
What will happen if I change my registration during the week of add/drop? (Student Financial Services Office)
If you change your registration within the add/drop period you will not be assessed late fees as long as you had course registration prior to the start of the week of add/drop. If you are dropping a course during the week of add/drop and have already paid, you will receive a full refund. Refer to the Student Financial Services website for more information. -
What will happen if I change my registration after the week of add/drop? (Student Financial Services Office)
In order to make any changes to your registration after the add/drop deadline, you must submit appeals. If approved, the Student Financial Services Office will post a late fee to your account. If you are withdrawing from a course after the week of add/drop and have already paid, you will only receive a partial refund. Refer to the Student Financial Services website for more information.