International Dentist Admissions: 2-Year Certificate Program 

FAFSA

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)

Any student seeking financial assistance must complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The FAFSA should be completed online at http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/.

Applications are available online in the middle of January for the upcoming academic year and should be completed no later than April 1st, to avoid financial aid delays. Be aware: about 30% of FAFSA’s are selected for additional review in a process called verification. If your FAFSA is selected, it can add additional weeks to the normal financial aid processing time. This can delay your financial aid check! Apply early!

Once the online FAFSA is received by the federal processor, the application is filed and sent electronically to the schools listed. A Student Aid Report (SAR), a condensed version of the completed FAFSA, is then available to the applicant.

Key steps in the application process:

1. Fill out FAFSA completely and accurately online at www.fafsa.ed.gov
2. List the University of Florida in the school section (UF Title IV code is 001535)
3. Apply early to avoid a delay in receiving financial aid

FAFSA Verification

Once your FAFSA application is received electronically by the university, it is reviewed to determine eligibility. Roughly one-third of students applying for financial aid are chosen for verification. Everyone should be prepared to submit certain documents to the financial aid office to complete verification. The UF financial aid office will let you know of any additional documents that you will need to submit. Documents may include: most recent tax return and W-2 forms, citizenship documentation, or a verification of household size. It is important to have these documents available should financial affairs request them. Once a file has been verified, the financial affairs office will be able to determine eligibility and make awards.

Key steps to having a smooth verification process:

1. Have documents ready to submit to the financial aid office
2. DO NOT submit documents until requested by financial aid
3. Keep copies of everything submitted

Financial Aid Award Notice:

Once a file is complete, awards can be made. An award notice is mailed to the applicant when awards are made. For applicants to programs that begin in the fall semester, award notices are mailed in the summer. The first award notice will only include fall and spring semesters. The summer awards are mailed later in the year. The award notice lets the applicant know how much financial aid they will be eligible for and the steps to follow to obtain the funds. It is very important that you read and understand everything in the award notice. A three step checklist will be included. You must complete the checklist before you can receive your Direct Loan funds.

The three steps you must complete are:

1. Promissory Note
2. Direct Loan Entrance Counseling and 
3. Direct Loan Confirmation.

 

All new borrowers must complete each item before receiving any financial aid.
There will be an insert in the award notice which lists web sites for completing the three steps. After you complete the three steps, you can receive your funds.

Key Steps to Remember for the Award Notice:

1. Read all information in the award letter.

2. Complete all steps to be sure that you will receive your funds.

3. Don't wait until the last minute.

Disbursement of Funds:

Disbursement of funds is made at the beginning of each semester that an award is present. For example, fall awards are disbursed in the beginning of the fall semester, early September. Tuition deferments are granted to all students who have applied for financial aid. This means that tuition is not due until financial aid is released. 

Once it is released tuition and anything else currently owed to the school will be deducted from the financial aid check. Any remaining funds will then be released to the student. Students are strongly encouraged to sign up for Direct Deposit to have their financial aid check sent directly to their checking accounts. If not enrolled in Direct Deposit, the financial aid check will be written and mailed to the student's local mailing address.

Key Steps to Disbursement:

1. Disbursements are made at the beginning of each semester.

2. If you have not received an award notice, you will not receive funds.

3. Sign up for Direct Deposit. It is the only guarantee the check will not be lost in the mail.

 

If you have any questions about financial aid, please contact Mr. Tom Kolb at the Dental Student Financial Aid Office at 352.846.1384 or e-mail tom_kolb@sfa.ufl.edu.