Certificates of Participation
As a valued mentor teacher, your time and dedication in guiding UNF interns is recognized through the Certificate of Participation (COP) program. This certificate serves as a tuition waiver that can be used at any state university in Florida, including UNF.
What you receive
- One non-transferable tuition waiver certificate for each full academic term you supervise a UNF intern.
- Each certificate covers up to 6 credit hours of tuition (including continuing education courses) in a single semester.
- Certificates can be accumulated across multiple semesters as long as you provide at least 100 hours of direct supervision per semester and reach 300 total contact hours.
Who is eligible
- Mentor teachers who supervise a UNF intern for a minimum of 300 hours.
- Hours may be "banked" over multiple semesters (with at least 100 per semester).
- UNF employees may also qualify if supervising interns is not part of their job responsibilities and occurs outside their UNF working hours (additional supervisor documentation is required).
How to request a certificate
- Contact your program's internship director to request a COP application.
- Once your hours and and documentation are verified, the application is submitted to the Office of Academic Support and Information Services (OASIS).
- Your certificate will be issued electronically, along with instructions for redeeming it.
- If you plan to use your COP at UNF, email your signed certificate to coehs-certificates@unf.edu. OASIS will work with Student Financial Services to apply it to your bill.
Important reminders
- Certificates are non-transferable.
- It is your responsibility to check payment deadlines with the Cashier’s Office at the university where you plan to use the waiver.
- Notify OASIS at coehs-certificates@unf.edu when you are ready to redeem.
Who to contact
- Applications: For questions about the COP application, contact your Internship Program Director
- COP status: For questions about the status of your COP, contact OASIS at coehs-certificates@unf.edu
- Payment status: For questions about your payment status, contact Student Financial Services at sfs@unf.edu
Certificates of Participation (Waivers) Frequently Asked Questions
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Who is eligible for a COP?
To be eligible, the internship must first be an essential part of the course of instruction and must be required as a part of the degree program. Any person that engages in the direct supervision of a UNF intern for a minimum of 300 contact hours will be eligible for a certificate.
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I am a UNF employee. Am I eligible?
A UNF employee is only eligible if the supervision of a student occurs outside the employee’s UNF working hours and is not a part of their assigned job duties. Supporting documentation from the employee’s supervisor is required. -
Can I roll over hours until I have met the 300 minimum hour requirement?
Hours may be accumulated (banked) over multiple semesters provided there is a minimum of 100 contact hours of direct supervision per semester. Not all programs participate in banking hours. Intern supervisors should check with their director for program specifications. -
How do I apply for a COP?
Individuals requesting a certificate should begin by contacting the director for their respective internship program for a certificate application. Once verified and approved by the program, all applications should be forwarded to the OASIS at coehs-certificates@unf.edu for the processing of a certificate.
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How long does it take to receive the certificate?
Depending on when the OASIS receives the certificate application, it may take anywhere from 3-7 business day for the intern supervisor to receive their certificate. -
What does the certificate cover?
The certificate waives the matriculation (tuition) for up to six credit hours during a single term of instruction. Generally, certifications, thesis, dissertation’s, distance learning fees are not covered. -
Can I split my certificate across multiple terms?
No. Once a certificate is used, it will be surrendered, and any remaining value will be lost. For instance, a person only registered for two hours during a single term will forfeit the remaining four hours once the certificate is used. -
How long do I have to use my certificate?
All certificates are valid for three years from the date of issue. Once the certificate is used, all value on the certificate will be lost. -
Where can I use my certificate?
Certificates may be used at any institution within the Florida State University System .
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Can I use my certificate for someone else?
No. Certificates are nontransferable and may only be used by the person the certificate was issued to. Altering, misusing, or misrepresenting a Certificate of Participation is a violation of Florida law. -
How do I apply the certificate to my term balance?
For persons wishing to apply their certificate outside of UNF, a signed certificate and formal request should be sent to the cashier’s office of the respective institution. Persons that are applying their certificate to their UNF Bill must follow the above instructions for “Requesting a Certificate”. -
When should I request the certificate to be applied to my UNF Bill?
Persons using their certificate at UNF should send their signed certificate and formal request to coehs-certificates@unf.edu prior to the payment deadline on the Academic Calendar. Certificates will not be sent to Student Financial Services after the posted deadline.
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I have not received my certificate. What should I do?
Persons that have not received their certificate should contact the OASIS at coehs-certificates@unf.edu for a status update.
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My UNF bill looks incorrect. Who do I contact?
Questions about your UNF bill should be directed to Student Financial Services at sfs@unf.edu .