FAQs

Applying for financial aid is as easy as one-two-three!

1. Complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for the academic year in which you are seeking aid at the federal student aid website. To complete and sign your FAFSA electronically, you and your parent(s) will need an FSA ID and password.
   
   
2. Complete the FGCU Foundation Scholarship application. Annually, we award over $6 million dollars in scholarships through our foundation. These scholarships are separate but stackable with admissions merit scholarship awards!
   
   
3. Florida resident high school seniors should apply for Florida Bright Futures and other state aid programs by completing the Florida Financial Aid application. For a full list of state scholarship and grant programs visit here.

Applying for Financial Aid
What is the FAFSA
Creating an FSA ID
FAFSA Tutorial
Un Minuto para Aprender: Solicitar Ayuda Financiera
¿Qué es la FAFSA?
Cómo crear una FSA ID

All students should complete the FAFSA for each year they plan to attend college. By submitting the FAFSA, you are applying for federal and state grants, Federal Work-Study, and student loans. Your family’s finances and other factors reported on the FAFSA determine which types of financial aid you qualify for. If you discover you’re not eligible for a grant (free money), you don’t have to accept your student loan if you find it unnecessary to borrow.

NOTE: Many scholarship applications require you to complete the FAFSA. Complete the FAFSA now to save time when you’re applying for scholarships.

Apply as early as possible! You do not have to wait until you have been officially accepted to complete the FAFSA form or the FGCU Foundation Scholarship application.

You must, however, have an official FGCU ID number (UIN) to complete the online FGCU Foundation Scholarship application. UIN’s are sent to students after they apply for admissions to FGCU.

To be given the greatest consideration for financial aid programs, you should complete the FAFSA prior to March 1st, which is the FGCU priority deadline. Some programs are first-come, first-served, so be sure to apply early to avoid losing out on potential funding opportunities.

FGCU's Federal School Code for the FAFSA is 032553. FGCU State School Code for the Florida Financial Aid Application (Bright Futures) is 361.

Yes, complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and FGCU Foundation scholarship application for the academic year in which you are seeking aid.

 Do I have to reapply for Financial Aid each year?

If you listed FGCU on the FAFSA, we would receive your information electronically approximately one week from the date you completed your application. Once we have your FAFSA application, it will be listed under the Financial Aid “My Requirements” section in your Gulfline student portal as received.

Additional documents may be needed before an official aid offer can be issued. Monitor your Gulfline student portal and Eagle email account for notifications.

The COA includes direct billed charges such as tuition, fees, and housing and food if the student is in on-campus housing. COA also includes indirect expenses a student may incur such as allowances for housing and food (off-campus housing or living with parent), books, supplies, transportation, and personal expenses.

 Cost of Attendance

 What is Cost of Attendance?

Students are sent electronic billing statements through their Bill & Payment Center. Students can access the Bill & Payment Center by following the steps listed below.

Log into Gulfline
Click on Bill & Payment Center

 How to Log Into the Bill & Payment Center as a Student

Authorized Users have the ability to log directly into the Bill & Payment Center and view the student's account, make payments, and receive statement notifications. The student can assign Authorized Users by following the steps listed below.  

Log into Gulfline
Click on Bill & Payment Center
On the far-right hand side of the screen under My Profile Setup click on Authorized Users
Click on Add Authorized User and follow the steps

 How to Set-up an Authorized User

FGCU does not offer a payment plan for Tuition and Fees. Housing Rental Fees can be paid in four installments and Meal Memberships can be paid in three installments. Visit How to Make Payments  for a full list of your payment options.

A negative balance indicates that your bill was overpaid and that you may be eligible for a refund. You may only receive your refund after the semester starts and your anticipated credits are disbursed to your student account.

Refunds occur when the amount of the disbursements received on your behalf is greater than the amount owed. Student Account Services begins the refund process for each term at the end of the third week of classes.

Keep in mind that it may take your bank two to three days to process your funds after we've refunded them. You will receive an email from Student Account Services when your refund is generated in our system.

How do I make sure that I get my financial aid as quickly as possible?
Enroll in direct deposit!  eRefunds significantly reduce the amount of time it takes to process and receive your funds. When you enroll in direct deposit, you are only giving us access to deposit funds in the account of your choosing. We will never take funds from that account. 

To set up eRefunds, follow the simple steps listed below:

Login to Gulfline
Click on the Bill & Payment Center
Select Electronic Refunds from under My Profile Setup
Set Up Account

How to Set Up Electronic Refunds

The Advanced Bookstore Purchase program allows you to charge books and supplies at the FGCU bookstore using your financial aid.

Financial Aid Advance Purchase Program

Your Cost of Attendance at FGCU for one academic year minus your student aid index (SAI) and other financial resources equals your demonstrated need (eligibility) for need-based financial aid. The types and amount of financial aid you are awarded depends on the information you supplied on the FAFSA, program eligibility and the availability of funds. Your awards could include grants or scholarships, work-study, or loans.

Graduate and professional students are considered independent students for FAFSA purposes, so when you fill out your FAFSA form to apply for grad school aid, you won't need to provide parent information.

 Financing Graduate Studies 

You may not receive the same type or amount of aid you were awarded at your earlier institution. Not all financial aid transfers from one school to another.

Completing the FAFSA will allow us to determine your eligibility for federal and institutional grants, scholarships, and loans. If you have previously submitted the FAFSA with your prior institution, please ensure you update your application with FGCU’s school code (032553).

If you are a Bright Futures recipient, you must update your school of attendance on your Bright Futures application.

Steps for Updating Your Bright Futures Application School Information 

• • • Log in to the Office of Student Financial Assistance (OSFA) website.
    • Click on the Update Profile
    • Scroll down until you see the Postsecondary Institution Information Click on the Add New Institutionbutton.
    • Ensure you have the correct year showing for the Academic Yeardropdown box. Under the Institution header select Florida Gulf Coast University from the dropdown box. Then, select the terms you will be enrolled in FGCU for the Academic Year you selected. If you are attending FGCU in the fall select Term 1, for spring select Term 2, for summer select Term 0.
    • Click the Submit button to update your application.

Generally, students must be enrolled in a degree granting program to be eligible for financial aid. However, students who are enrolled in the Teacher Immersion Program (TIP) at FGCU and have been approved by the Teacher Immersion Program coordinator may be eligible to borrow Federal Direct Stafford Loan funds.

International students studying in the United States on an F1 or F2 student visa, a J1 or J2 exchange visitor visa or a G series visa are not eligible for federal student aid. Information on financial assistance available to international students can be obtained by visiting the  Global Engagement Office.

 Are International Students Eligible for Financial Aid?

Undocumented students, including DACA students and Dreamers, are not eligible for federal or state financial aid. Undocumented students, including students who have received deferred action (DACA), may qualify for the Non-Resident Tuition Waiver. In addition, students may also qualify for institutional scholarships by completing the online FGCU Foundation Scholarship application.

Financial Aid & Undocumented Students Questions and Answers
Florida Department of Education

The U.S. Department of Education set various limits on different types of federal student financial aid.  Please click each topic below for detailed information:

Financial Aid Limits based on quantitative measures of progress
Pell Grant Limits
Loan Limits

Bright Futures scholarship students may receive funding for up to five years from high school graduation for a maximum of 120 semester hours toward the completion of the first baccalaureate degree. Extended hours of funding are available to Florida Academic Scholars and Florida Medallion Scholars students enrolled in a single program of study requiring more than 120 hours by completing the form Application for Extended Hours of Eligibility and mailing to the address listed on the form.

Undergraduate students must enroll for at least 12 credit hours each semester to be considered full-time. Graduate students must enroll for at least 9 credit hours each semester to be considered full-time.

Generally, state and federal aid is awarded based on full-time status.  At less than full-time, awards may pay the full amounts, be reduced, or be canceled. If you plan to enroll less than full-time, we encourage you to contact the Office of Financial Aid and the Scholarship Office to find out how your aid will be impacted.

Federal Loans require a student to be enrolled at least half-time (6 credits undergraduate and 5 credits graduate). If you are enrolled half-time, your loan eligibility may change if the full-time amounts do not fit into your revised budget/need level.

What is loan proration?
Do I have to be enrolled full-time to receive financial aid?

Financial aid is always packaged based on full-time enrollment (12+ credits undergraduate and 9+ credits graduate) for the full academic year (fall/spring). Your financial aid awards will be prorated (if necessary) based on the number of credits and terms you’re enrolled in. At less than full-time, awards may pay the full amounts, be reduced, or be canceled. We encourage you to contact the Office of Financial Aid and the Scholarship Office to find out how your aid will be impacted.

What is loan proration?
Do I have to be enrolled full-time to receive financial aid?

Federal financial aid regulations require that students complete an academically related activity in each course in which they are enrolled prior to the disbursement of their financial aid. In order to do this, students must complete an academically related activity (assignment) via Canvas. 

Attendance Verification

Students who withdraw from some of their classes or are enrolled less than full time, may not be eligible for all aid awarded. Each aid program has its own rules for enrollment.  Because certain circumstances do result in an adjustment, we encourage you to contact the Office of Financial Aid and the Scholarship Office to find out how your aid will be impacted.

Be advised, if you have used federal student loan funding at any point during your academic career, dropping below half-time enrollment will cause you to enter your 6-month loan repayment grace period.

If I drop a course or withdraw, what will happen to my financial aid?

Students receiving financial aid, who receive all F, U and/or W grades, in most cases, will have to return a part of the financial aid received. This applies to all federal and some state aid programs. The concept behind the policy is that the university and student can keep only the amount of federal/state aid earned. If a student withdraws or stops attending classes, a part of the aid received is considered unearned and must be returned to the aid programs it was received from.

Once the university figures out the dollar amounts and which individual aid programs must be repaid, the student will be notified of any amounts he/she owes. Any amount of unearned grant funds that a student must return is called an overpayment. Until the overpayment is repaid, the student is unable to register for future classes and ineligible to receive any financial aid.

Withdrawals and Repayments.

If I drop a course or withdraw, what will happen to my financial aid?

You will need to gather some information before you begin filling out the FAFSA. For the 2024–2025 school year, you will need your 2022 income information.

• Your and your parents’ FSA IDs. To create one, go to studentaid.gov and click on “Create Account.”
• Your and your parents’ social security numbers (SSN)
• Your and your parents’ 2022 W-2 forms and other records of money earned
• Your and your parents’ 2022 federal income tax returns (including all applicable schedules)
• Your and your parents’ current bank statements

If applicable, you will also need:

• Your and your parents’ current business and investment mortgage information, business and farm records, and stock, bond, and other investment records
• Your Permanent Resident Card (Form I-151 or I-551C) or Arrival-Departure Record (I-94) with an eligible status (if you are an eligible non-U.S. citizen)

Applying for Aid

A contributor is anyone required to provide information, a signature, and consent and approval to have their federal tax information transferred directly into the FAFSA form. This may include the student, the student’s spouse, a biological or adoptive parent, or a stepparent. Contributors are not financially responsible for the student’s education.

Who is a Contributor on the FAFSA form?

The Future Act requires that every contributor on the FAFSA provide consent to share their taxes information in the application so that the IRS can share this information with Federal Student Aid (FSA).

What is consent on the FAFSA?

Instead of entering their financial information manually, all contributors on a student's FAFSA application must consent for IRS Direct Data Exchange (DDX) allowing their data to be transferred directly to the FAFSA.

Direct Data Exchange

Starting in the 2024-25 academic year, a measure called the Student Aid Index, or SAI, will be used to determine a student's ability to pay for college and the amount of financial aid they can receive. It will replace Expected Family Contribution, or EFC, which has previously been used to calculate a student's financial need.

Understanding the Student Aid Index (SAI)

There are specific questions on your FAFSA used to decide dependency status.  Answer each question on the "Am I Dependent or Independent?" questionnaire to see where you stand.  

What is the difference between a dependent and an independent student?
FAFSA: Dependency Status Questions
Am I required to complete the FAFSA and pay for my student’s education?

 The federal student aid programs are based on the concept that it’s primarily your and your family’s responsibility to pay for your education. As a dependent student, you’re assumed to have parental support, so your parents’ information must be assessed along with yours to get a full picture of your family’s financial strength and calculate your Student Aid Index.

Am I required to complete the FAFSA and pay for my student’s education?
What is the difference between a dependent and an independent student?

You can't be considered independent of your parents just because they refuse to help you with this process. Not living with parents or not being claimed by them on tax forms does not make you an independent student for purposes of applying for federal student aid. The federal student aid programs are based on the concept that it’s primarily your and your family’s responsibility to pay for your education.

Am I required to complete the FAFSA and pay for my student’s education?
What is the difference between a dependent and an independent student?

Yes, the parent doesn't need a Social Security number (SSN) for the student's FAFSA form. If your parent doesn't have a Social Security number (SSN), you should enter all zeroes for them on the FAFSA form where it asks for that information. Do NOT enter a Taxpayer Identification Number in the SSN field.

Starting with the 24-25 FAFSA, the parent who provided the most financial support for the applicant must complete the application. If that parent remarried as of the date the FAFSA is filed, the stepparent's income, assets, and dependents must also be reported on the FAFSA.

Parent Information

If you have no contact with your parents and don't know where they live, or you've left home due to an abusive situation, select “Yes” to the “Do unusual circumstances prevent the student from contacting their parents or would contacting their parents pose a risk to the student?” question on the FAFSA form. The Office of Financial and Scholarships will assign and collect supporting documents directly from you. 

FAFSA: Unable to Provide Parent Information 

No, grandparents and other relatives may not substitute their information for the parent's information on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) unless they have legally adopted the student.

If you have no contact with your parents and don’t know where they live, or you’ve left home due to an abusive situation, fill out the FAFSA then contact us to request a Dependency Review.

FAFSA: Unable to Provide Parent Information 

If you listed FGCU on the FAFSA, we would receive your information electronically approximately one week from the date you completed your application. Once we have your FAFSA application, it will be listed under the Financial Aid “My Requirements” section in your Gulfline student portal as received.

Additional documents may be needed before an official aid offer can be issued. Monitor your Gulfline student portal and Eagle email account for notifications.

The easiest way to access the form is to go to the Student Aid website and access it from your dashboard.

FAFSA Submission Summary
FAFSA Submission Comments
FAFSA Submission Rejected Status

FAFSA simplification changes include the first major redesign of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) process in over 40 years, along with updates to the back-end systems that process and store federal student aid application data. The goal is to make applying for federal student aid easier for students. FAFSA simplification implements provisions of the amended Fostering Undergraduate Talent by Unlocking Resources for Education (FUTURE) Act and the FAFSA Simplification Act.

Most of the changes related to FAFSA simplification will begin with the 2024-2025 application. Due to the changes, the 2024-2025 FAFSA will not be available as of the traditional October 1 date. The launch date of the 2024-25 FAFSA will be December 31, 2023.

The benefits of FAFSA simplification include:

• A shorter user-friendly application
• expanded eligibility for federal student aid
• reduced barriers for certain student populations (e.g., homeless and unaccompanied youth, incarcerated students, English language learners, and students from low-income backgrounds)
• expanded eligibility for Federal Pell grants

• Availability – the 2024-25 FAFSA will open December 31, 2023 (instead of October 1st).
• More streamlined application process with fewer questions.
• A direct data exchange (DDX) with the IRS will replace what is currently known as the IRS Data Retrieval Tool (DRT).  
• If your parents are divorced or separated, the contributing parent(s) is the parent (and their spouse, if remarried) who provided the greater portion of your financial support during the 12 months immediately prior to filing the FAFSA. It is not automatically the parent you primarily lived with during the past 12 months.
• Student Aid Index (SAI) replaces the term Expected Family Contribution (EFC).
• Pell grant eligibility will now be based on the poverty guidelines, SAI, family size, and the student/family’s Adjusted Gross Income (AGI).
• All family farms and small businesses must be reported as assets
• The number of children in college has been eliminated from the SAI calculation.

• Contributor: anyone who is asked to provide information on the FAFSA – student, student spouse, parent(s), and stepparent(s) for example. 
• Consent: each contributor will now need to provide their consent to their Federal Tax Information (FTI) being included in the FAFSA, even if they did not file a U.S. tax return. 
• SAI: Student Index Aid (SAI) replaces the Expected Family Contribution (EFC). The EFC was used to calculate the amount a family could contribute to a student’s education. The SAI is now based on an actual index of the federal poverty level guidelines.
• FTI: Federal Tax Information (FTI) transferred directly from the IRS. 

The Future Act requires that every contributor on the FAFSA provide consent to share their taxes information in the application so that the IRS can share this information with Federal Student Aid (FSA). Contributors are required to provide consent even if the contributor is not required to file a tax return based on IRS guidelines.

What is consent on the FAFSA?

Yes! Starting December 2023, parents will be able to get an FSA ID (account username and password) without having an SSN to access and complete their section of the 2024–25 FAFSA form.

On the 2024–25 FAFSA form, if the parent is completing their own section and doesn't have an SSN, the SSN will be blank and disabled. If the parent has an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN), they should add it to the FAFSA form. If they don't have an ITIN, they should leave that question blank

Instead of entering their financial information manually, all contributors on a student's FAFSA application must consent for IRS Direct Data Exchange (DDX) allowing their data to be transferred directly to the FAFSA.

Direct Data Exchange

Starting in the 2024-25 academic year, a measure called the Student Aid Index, or SAI, will be used to determine a student's ability to pay for college and the amount of financial aid they can receive. It will replace Expected Family Contribution, or EFC, which has previously been used to calculate a student's financial need.

Understanding the Student Aid Index (SAI)

A negative SAI allows colleges to identify students with greater financial need. Students who have a negative SAI are not eligible for additional financial aid, nor can their financial aid go over the cost of attendance (COA).

 Understanding the Student Aid Index (SAI)

Assets will now include the following:

• Child support received.
• Net worth of any business owned by a contributor.
• Net worth of any family farm unless it is your (applicant or contributor) primary residence. This may include the fair market value of land, buildings, livestock, unharvested crops, and machinery actively used in investment farms or agricultural or commercial activities, minus any debts held against those assets.
• For dependent students, education savings account will only be counted as a parental asset if the account is designated for the student. Prior to this year, educational savings accounts for any other children were required as well.

The net worth of business is no longer limited to those with more than 100 full-time employees. Applicants and contributors of dependent students will be asked to report the net worth of all business, regardless of the size of that business.

The net worth of any family farm is required unless it is your (applicant or contributor of a dependent student) primary residence. This may include the fair market value of land, buildings, livestock, unharvested crops, and machinery actively used in investment farms or agricultural or commercial activities, minus any debts held against those assets.

The 2024-2025 FAFSA will use 2022 tax information from you and your contributors to determine your eligibility for federal and some state aid. Be sure to have this information complete and accessible before you begin the FAFSA process.

Additionally, you and your contributors will each need an FSA ID to complete the FAFSA. You can create an FSA ID at any time, and if you already have one from a previous FAFSA, you must use that same one.

FGCU will begin to send newly admitted students financial aid award letters in early spring. This gives you time to review your awards and make your Admissions deposit before the May 1 deadline.

Continuing students will be packaged after spring grades have been posted and reviewed. Students generally receive their award letters in late May or early June for the upcoming academic year.

A Minute to Learn It - Financial Aid Offer

Continuing students will be packaged after spring grades have been posted and reviewed. Students generally receive their award letters in late May or early June for the upcoming academic year.

Check your My Requirements section in Gulfline for any incomplete items that may delay packaging.

Yes, it can. Your award may be increased, reduced, or even canceled for various reasons outlined on our award revision page.

Why Aid May Change

What is a Financial Aid Overaward?

What is the lifetime eligibility Used (LEU) for Pell grants

FGCU assesses a student’s financial need each year that a student applies for financial aid. Generally, if a student’s financial need changes from one year to the next, the corresponding financial aid award would reflect that. For example, if a family’s overall financial strength increases, the financial need decreases. If a family’s overall financial strength decreases, the financial need increases.

A student will be offered the same aid package whether they live on or off-campus.  If you live off-campus, your bill will be significantly less each semester since you won’t be charged for housing and food. If your aid exceeds your bill, the excess funds will be refunded to you to help pay for off-campus expenses.  You can use that refund to pay your landlord, to buy food, etc.  Just remember that refunds don't get issued until the third week of classes.

Because FGCU is a state university, Nebraska residents and nonresidents have different tuition rates—residents of the state of Florida will be billed in-state tuition and non-residents will be billed out-of-state tuition. If your residency status changes, your financial aid will be revised accordingly.

Establishing Residency
Residency Reclassification

When you complete the FAFSA, the information you provide on the application is used to calculate your Student Aid Index (SAI). The SAI determines what types of financial aid you qualify for, including grants and loans.

If you were not offered enough financial aid to cover your costs, the following options may be available.

• Scholarship Opportunities: For links to local & national scholarship searches and other valuable FGCU scholarship information, visit our scholarship webpage.
• Student Employment: There are student employment opportunities right here on campus and in the local community. Locate and connect with companies and community partners for internships, part-time jobs, and full-time career opportunities through Eagle Career Network.
• Federal Direct Parent PLUS Loans: Parents of dependent students may borrow parent PLUS Loans. To receive a parent PLUS loan, you must be the biological or adoptive parent (or in some cases, the stepparent) of a dependent undergraduate student enrolled at least half-time.
• Private Education Loans: Private Education Loans are educational loans offered by private lenders, usually banks. 

If you are thinking about borrowing to help pay for your student's higher education, first learn all you can about education loans and then borrow only what is necessary.

What is a Parent PLUS loan?
What is a private loan?
Differences Between Private and Federal Student Loans

The Florida Bright Futures Scholarship is a merit award based on high school academic achievement.

Florida Bright Futures Scholarship

Eligibility and application criteria are available on the Florida Bright Futures Program website.

Students are not required to submit a FAFSA in order to receive both initial and renewal Bright Futures eligibility. Students are encouraged to submit the FAFSA to learn of potential eligibility for additional state, federal aid and institutional aid.

Students may receive either the Florida Academic Scholars (FAS) Award or Florida Medallion Scholars (FMS) Award. Gold Seal (Cape/or Vocational) Scholarships are not offered at FGCU as we are a postsecondary institution specialized in degree programs.

FGCU will post Bright Futures awards for First Time in College (FTIC) students after we are notified by the Office of Student Financial Assistance (OSFA) that the student has met the eligibility criteria. For the majority of students this occurs in mid-July.

To prevent a delay in awarding, please ensure that you have listed FGCU as the school you will be attending. Until you have chosen FGCU as your primary school, we will be unable to receive your scholarship funds.

To check on the status of your application and to verify that FGCU is listed as your school of choice, log back into your OSFA account or contact the Florida Department of Education at 1-888-827-2004.

Why haven’t I received my Florida Bright Futures Scholarship?

The Florida Academic Scholars award covers 100% of tuition and state approved fees. The Florida Medallion Scholars award covers 75% of tuition and state approved fees. There are some course-related fees (i.e. lab fees) not included in the scholarship. Florida state legislature decides which fees are covered by Bright Futures awards.

The award pays on a per credit hour basis as follows:

Florida Academic Scholars Award              $205.69

Florida Medallion Scholars Award             $154.26

No, students are required to enroll in a minimum of 6 credit hours each semester to qualify for their Bright Futures award.

Students may receive funding for up to five years from high school graduation for a maximum of 120 semester hours toward the completion of the first baccalaureate degree. Extended hours of funding are available to FAS and FMS students enrolled in a single program of study requiring more than 120 hours by completing the form Application for Extended Hours of Eligibility and mailing it to the address available on the form.

A FAS or FMS scholarship recipient who graduates with a baccalaureate degree in seven or fewer semesters, or in 105 semester hours or fewer, may receive funding for one semester of graduate study, not to exceed 15 credit hours paid at the undergraduate rate. Graduate school funding must be used within five years from high school graduation.

If you drop or withdraw after the disbursement process for your scholarship has started, you are required, by the state of Florida, to repay FGCU for any credits for which Bright Futures paid.

Students must earn a certain number of credit hours in order to renew your Bright Futures, based on credit hours funded after drop/add. You cannot use the summer term to make up the credit hours needed for renewal. Dropping the class is usually the best course of action if at risk of failing.  If you are at risk of failing a class, please stop by the Financial Aid office to find the best course of action to take to keep eligibility for Bright Futures.

Students must also maintain GPA requirements. For all renewal requirements, visit the Office of Student Financial Assistance website.

Renewal students must earn the GPA and the required credit hours shown below on all college coursework attempted, including transient enrollment hours.

Students may restore their Bright Futures award for failure to meet the GPA renewal requirement at the end of the Spring term in their first year of funding only. They may use their subsequent summer as their one-time restoration opportunity, or they may attempt restoration at a later renewal period (end of Spring term).

Florida Academic Scholars (FAS) with 2.75-2.99 GPA at the end of the renewal period will renew as Florida Medallion Scholars (FMS). If the GPA improves above a 3.0 in the next renewal period, the student will restore as a FAS, using the one-time restoration opportunity.

 Learn more about restoration on the Bright Futures Website in Chapter 3: Renewal Eligibility, page 6.

A student who does not meet the minimum earned hours requirement in any academic year renewal period will not be allowed a restoration opportunity.

If a student’s last status was ineligible for not meeting renewal requirements and the student did not receive funding during the previous academic year, the student will need to submit a Reinstatement/Restoration Application. A student must complete a Reinstatement/Restoration Application after logging into their online OSFA account. Please note that the academic year for which a student is applying is at the top of the application. New applications are available in February each year.

If determined eligible for reinstatement, the student will receive the Bright Futures award (Florida Academic Scholars, Florida Medallion Scholars) for which he/she was last eligible prior to reinstatement.

Students may use the summer term to restore their Bright Futures award for failure to meet the GPA renewal requirement in their first year of funding only. Summer cannot be used to meet credit hour renewal criteria.

Florida Statutes provide an appeal process for students who do not meet academic progress requirements for renewal of the Bright Futures Scholarships. The law allows exceptions to be made when students fall below the minimum grade point average and/or credit hours earned requirements for a state award. Appeals may be filed when a student does not meet academic progress requirements due to one of two circumstances: illness or emergency. The appeal documents must present a clear connection between the illness or emergency and the student’s poor academic performance.

To appeal the termination of Bright Futures, the student must submit The Bright Futures and State Programs Academic Appeal form. When completing the form, describe the reasons or circumstances that merit reviewing your scholarship eligibility. Your written statement must include a description of the problem/incident showing dates and time period involved and the impact on your academic performance. Attach date-specific documentation to substantiate your written statement.

To access the form:

• Log in to your Gulfline Student Portal
• Select the Financial Aid Tab
• Select Online Forms
• Complete and submit the Bright Futures and State Programs Academic Appeal form

No. You do not need to give your card to Student Account Services to verify participation. FGCU matches a list of currently enrolled students to Florida Prepaid database using the students’ social security number.

Florida Prepaid rates will vary based on the plan you have and when you purchased it. Use the Florida Prepaid Calculator to help estimate your out-of-pocket costs.

 If you have a Florida Prepaid Plan you can combine it with the Bright Futures Scholarship to help fund your educational expenses. You do not lose funding in one program because you have the other. Florida Prepaid is handled through Student Account Services and is applied directly to the student’s account. When the Bright Futures is disbursed, it will be applied to any institutional charges on the student account, and any left-over credit will be refunded to the student.

For more information, visit Student Account Services Florida Prepaid webpage. You can also contact their office via email cashiers@fgcu.edu or phone 239-590-1213.

Gulfline is FGCU's central resource for student services and academic resources. Financial Aid information on Gulfline allows you to:

• View what documents are needed to complete your financial aid package
• View, accept or decline your financial aid awards
• Complete your Terms and Conditions
• Submit financial aid forms

To view your financial aid awards, follow these steps:

• Log into your Gulfline Student Portal
• Click on the Financial Aid tab.
• Click on My Award Information
• Click on Award by Aid Year
• Select the correct aid year from the drop-down menu
• Click on the Award Overview tab
• Scroll down and you can view all financial aid awarded

Gift and grant aid are automatically accepted for you. To accept or decline your student loans, follow these steps:

• Log into your Gulfline Student Portal
• Click on the Financial Aid tab.
• Click on My Award Information
• Click on Award by Aid Year
• Select the correct aid year from the drop-down menu
• Click on Terms & Conditions Tab
• Read and accept the Terms & Conditions
• Click on Accept Award Offer Tab
• At the bottom of the page, you can accept or deny your loans.

NOTE:

• We encourage you to borrow only what you need. You do not need to accept the full amount of the loan offered to you. You can accept a partial award but changing the value in the accept field.
• Loan amounts are split equally between fall and spring.

Items needed to complete your financial aid package will be listed under the My Requirements section in your Gulfline Student Portal. 

To review outstanding financial aid requirements:

• Log in to Gulfline
• Click on Student and Financial Aid
• Click on Financial Aid
• My Requirements
• Select Aid Year

All financial aid recipients are required to read and electronically accept the Terms & Conditions. Financial aid terms & conditions must be accepted in before you review your financial aid offers.

To accept Terms and Conditions:

• Log in to Gulfline
• Click Student & Financial Aid
• Click Financial Aid
• Click My Award Information
• Click Award by Aid Year
• Select the applicable aid year from the drop-down menu
• Click the Terms & Conditions tab
• Read Terms & Conditions
• Click Accept at the bottom of the page

No. The Terms & Conditions provide you with your rights and responsibilities. They detail the conditions you must meet and maintain in order to be eligible for Federal, State, and Institutional aid including student loans.  

Direct Subsidized Loans are available to undergraduate students with financial need.  An unsubsidized loan accrues interest, while a subsidized loan does not.

A Minute to Learn It - Federal Direct Student Loans for Undergrads
What is a Federal Direct Student Loan?
¿Cuál es la diferencia entre una beca y un préstamo?

Students must be enrolled at least half-time (6 undergraduate credits for UG students, 5 graduate credits for GR students) to receive student loans.

Federal student loans have loan origination fees that are a percentage of the total loan amount. Origination fees are fees assessed by lenders to help offset the cost of processing the loan. The loan fee is deducted proportionately from each loan disbursement you receive while enrolled in school. This means the money you receive will be less than the amount you borrow.

Entrance Counseling is required for students who have not previously received a subsidized/unsubsidized loan or PLUS loan (graduate/professional students only).

To complete Entrance Counseling:

• Go to studentaid.gov
• Select Complete Aid Process
• Select Complete Entrance Counseling
• Select Your Student Status and Log in using your FSA ID and password

Loan Entrance Counseling

The Master Promissory Note is your promise to repay the loan. Every student planning to use Federal Student loans to help finance their education will need to complete a Master Promissory Note.

To sign your Master Promissory Note:

• Go to studentaid.gov
• Select Loans and Grants
• Select Complete a Master Promissory Note (MPN)
• Choose the Direct Loan MPN you want to complete
• Log in using your FSA ID and password

  Master Promissory Note Tutorial

The school will first apply your loan funds to your account to pay for tuition, fees, housing and food (meal plan), and any other school charges on your account statement. If the financial aid exceeds the balance on the account, the excess amount will be refunded to the student. 

Both your student and the parent borrower must meet specific eligibility requirements in order for you to qualify for the Parent PLUS Loan. The first step is to have a completed FAFSA on file. Your student must have been offered their loan eligibility first, before we can certify the Direct Parent PLUS loan.

Your Student must:

• Meet Federal and FGCU Financial Aid Eligibility Requirements.
• Be a dependent (based on FAFSA data) undergraduate student
• Be enrolled in a degree-seeking program
• Be enrolled in at least 6 credits (half-time)
• Meet the minimum requirements for Satisfactory Academic Progress

You - the Parent Borrower must:

• Be the biological, adoptive, or step-parent of the student.
• Be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen (permanent resident).
• Not be in default on repayment of federal aid.
• Consent to, and pass a credit check by the U.S. Department of Education.

Apply

Parents will need to apply for the Direct Parent PLUS Loan on studentaid.gov. Like the FAFSA, Direct Parent PLUS Loans must be requested each academic year.

Credit Check

You will be notified at the time that you submit your application if your credit has been approved or denied. Your debt-to-income ratio, credit score, and employment status are not taken into consideration; however, adverse credit typically results in a Direct PLUS loan denial.

If your Direct Parent PLUS request is denied, you can obtain an endorser. In some cases, you can document extenuating circumstances with the U.S. Department of Education.

If you are credit denied, we will review your student's eligibility for additional Direct Unsubsidized loan funds. However, if you, another parent borrower, or credit-worthy endorser are later approved through the appeal process, your student will no longer be eligible for any un-disbursed additional Direct Unsubsidized loan funds.

Application Approved

If your application has been credit approved, your application will be sent electronically to us in 2-3 business days. 

First-time parent borrowers are required to Complete a Master Promissory Note (MPN) for the Direct Parent PLUS Loan at studentaid.gov. The Master Promissory Note must be signed for the loan to appear as a credit on the bill and disburse to the student account.

Direct PLUS Counseling is required for all borrowers who are initially denied due to adverse credit, but later approved with an endorser or through a credit appeal. You must complete the required PLUS Credit Counseling on studentaid.gov in order for the loan to disburse. This counseling requirement takes approximately 15-20 minutes to complete.

What is a Parent PLUS loan?

What Does Adverse Credit History Mean when apply for a PLUS Loan?
Parent PLUS Loan MPN: Tips to Complete
What are my options when I am denied a PLUS loan?
Parent PLUS Loan Borrower Responsibilities

Private alternative loans are managed through private lenders, issued in the student’s name, and require a co-signer. Eligibility, rates, terms, and conditions vary. Federal student loans, such as the Federal Direct Loan and the Parent PLUS Loan, generally have more favorable terms and conditions than private loans. We recommend using all federal loan eligibility before turning to private loans.

NOTE: To receive school certification of your private student loan, you must be making Satisfactory Academic Progress.

What is a private loan?
¿Qué es un préstamo privado?
Differences Between Private and Federal Student Loans
Finding and Researching Private Loans

Neither FGCU nor the Office of Financial Aid promotes, endorses, or recommends any loan products or lenders. You have the right to select the alternative lender of your choice. Your bank, credit union, or other financial institution can be a good place to start your search for a reputable alternative loan lender. You can also look for websites that provide a list of alternative loan lenders and a basic comparison chart that highlights the key characteristics of the major private education loans such as finaid.org.

Eligibility, rates, terms, and conditions will vary according to lender. Some of the most common requirements are that the borrower is enrolled in a degree program and is enrolled at least half-time. The interest rate that you are offered will be dependent on your credit worthiness.

Helpful Hints

• Take your time and compare multiple lenders and loan programs.
• Secure a co-signer with good credit.
• Keep a copy of your loan application and other related documentation for your own records.

A loan servicer is a company that is assigned to handle the billing and other services on your federal student loan. To find out who your loan servicer is, visit your account dashboard and scroll down to the “My Loan Servicers” section, or call the Federal Student Aid Information Center (FSAIC) at 1-800-433-3243.

Student Loan Borrower Responsibilities

To remain eligible for federal financial aid, you must make satisfactory academic progress (SAP) as a student, meaning you need to make good enough grades, and successfully complete enough classes in a timely manner to demonstrate that you are successfully working toward your degree. Federal regulations require the Office of Financial Aid & Scholarships to check the academic progress of students receiving financial aid.

What is SAP
¿Que significa SAP?

FGCU measures Satisfactory Academic Progress yearly after the spring semester using three metrics:

GPA: students must maintain a minimum FGCU GPA.

• Undergraduate minimum cumulative GPA: 2.00
• Graduate student minimum cumulative GPA: 3.0

Pace Rate: students must pass at least 67% of their total attempted FGCU credit hours in their current degree program. 

Maximum Time Frame: students must not exceed the maximum attempted credit hour limit for their degree program. This standard applies to all programs, including minors, dual majors, dual/concurrent degrees, and prior degrees. All transfer credit hours accepted by FGCU are included in this measurement.

Satisfactory Academic Progress.

The SAP Process is run annually at the end of each spring term after grades are posted. Students on financial aid probation will be reviewed at the end of each term. If you fail to meet the SAP standards, you will be placed on financial aid suspension.

If you are not meeting SAP standards, you'll receive an email notice before the beginning of the next term. A student who does not meet the SAP policy is considered ineligible for financial aid. Students may submit an appeal if they have a documented extenuating circumstance that prevented them from meeting the standards.

 Students seeking reinstatement of their eligibility to receive financial aid must submit a formal appeal and provide supporting documentation.

• • Log in to your Gulfline Student Portal
  • Select the Financial Aid Tab
  • Select Online Forms
  • Complete and submit the Satisfactory Academic Progress Appeal form

After the appeal is approved, the student will be allotted one semester to achieve SAP or assigned an academic plan.  The academic plan will include criteria that must be achieved over two or more semesters. Students on probation will be reviewed at the end of each semester to determine if SAP was achieved or if the academic plan was successfully completed. Students will remain on probation until they achieve their academic plan and reach SAP or until the student graduates.

NOTE: If the student does not meet the conditions of the academic plan the financial aid status will revert to suspension and financial aid will cease. Students will remain on suspension until meeting SAP or may appeal again after completing one semester on their own, if they have achieved SAP standards during that semester.

For a full list of scholarship opportunities, visit our Scholarship webpage.

Through the generosity of many individuals, alumni, local philanthropists, nonprofit organizations and corporations, the Florida Gulf Coast University Foundation has established academic merit and financial need-based scholarships for FGCU students. Students are encouraged to apply as soon as possible as these awards are highly competitive.

Scholarships

The FAFSA is the instrument used by the Foundation to determine financial need. Both merit and need-based scholarships are available. Merit scholarships do not require the FAFSA or financial need.

Foundation scholarships are awarded on an on-going basis throughout the academic year. The majority of scholarships are awarded in the spring and summer. This allows students to receive notification of their status prior to the start of the academic year, helping them plan and prepare for their education financially.

Students selected for a Foundation scholarship will receive an email sent to their Eagle email account. The email will include information on the scholarship for which they’ve been selected and a link to submit required post-acceptance scholarship materials needed to process the award.

Additional documents needed to process the award must be submitted within 10 days of receipt of the scholarship award notification. Failing to meet the deadline may result in a delay or forfeiture of the scholarship award.

FGCU does not send notifications to students not selected for scholarships. Your application will stay active for the entire year.  

Yes; students must complete a yearly scholarship application to be considered for funding.

Through the generosity of donors and matching dollars from the state of Florida, the First Generation Matching Grant (FGMG) is awarded to degree-seeking, resident, undergraduate students who demonstrate substantial financial need. Recipients must be the first generation in their family to attain a college bachelor’s degree (students whose siblings have attained or are pursuing a degree are also eligible).

First generation students can apply for consideration for the various First-Generation Matching Grants by completing the Foundation Scholarship application.

What is the Florida First Generation Matching Grant Program?

The majority of our scholarships require a student to complete 30 credit hours per year and keep a 3.0 cumulative FGCU grade point average. For individual criteria, visit our webpage.

Scholarships and Waivers

Thousands of organizations and employers offer scholarships for prospective and returning students to help fund their college education.

Scholarships

Finding Scholarships

Tips for Completing Scholarship Applications

Tips for Writing a Great Scholarship Essay  

Possibly. If a student's financial aid exceeds their financial need and/or the university's established cost of attendance, an adjustment must be made to ensure compliance with federal and state regulations and institutional guidelines. Self-help aid, such as direct loans and federal work-study awards, are adjusted before grants or scholarships are affected.

What is a Financial Aid Overaward?

To ensure proper credit to your account, please ask the donor to include your full name and University identification number (UIN) on the scholarship check. 

Scholarship checks should be made payable to "Florida Gulf Coast University" and sent to:

Florida Gulf Coast University

Office of Financial Aid & Scholarships

10501 FGCU Blvd S

Fort Myers, FL 33965

If you are experiencing significant changes in your financial situation or household, you may request a reevaluation of your financial aid eligibility. In certain circumstances, the financial aid office may adjust the FAFSA information to more accurately reflect your current situation. Additional financial aid is decided on a case-by-case basis and may be a loan, employment, or grant. Submission of this form does not guarantee an adjustment or increase to your financial aid.

Change in Circumstances

What should I do if I have a special circumstance?
What if my financial situation is different than what is on the FAFSA?

Under very limited circumstances (for example: your parents are incarcerated, you have left home due to an abusive family environment, or you do not know where your parents are and are unable to contact them), you may be able to submit your FAFSA without parental information. Once you submit your FAFSA without your parental data, you must follow up with our office to figure out what documentation may be needed to complete your financial aid file.

FAFSA: Unable to Provide Parent Information

Transient status allows students enrolled in a degree-seeking program at FGCU to take courses at a host institution. Students can mix and match courses from across the state if they fulfill state, institution, and program requirements with approval from Advising and Enrollment Services.

Transient Student

Per federal regulations, financial aid can be used only for coursework needed for your degree program. Your academic advisor must decide if your desired transient coursework is needed.

Transient Student 

No, you cannot receive financial aid at both institutions. FGCU (home institution) will process your financial aid.

Return to Title IV policies apply for students that do not finish the course(s), do not satisfactorily complete the course(s), or are unable to produce a transcript from the host institution within 30 days after the end of the term.

Financial aid is available for some study abroad programs. Financial aid eligibility for studying abroad is determined by the type of study abroad program you attend, as well as the type of financial aid you receive. Only students earning a degree at FGCU are eligible.

Study Abroad Programs 

In some cases, students are eligible for financial aid during the summer term. Most aid programs require that you enroll at least half-time.

Summer Financial Aid 

Can I receive a Pell grant if I go to school year-round?

There is no separate summer aid application. Students who enroll for the summer and have a FAFSA on file for the aid year preceding the summer semester will be automatically considered.

If you haven’t maxed out on federal loans for the academic year and want to take out a summer loan, you will need to complete the Loan Request/Cancellation Form. To access the form:

• Log in to your Gulfline Student Portal
• Select the Financial Aid Tab
• Select Online Forms
• Complete and submit the Direct Loan Request/Cancellation form

Your summer financial aid is determined based on your enrolled credit hours, your remaining aid eligibility and availability of funds.

A FAFSA must be submitted each academic year; the 2023-2024 FAFSA will be used for the Summer 2023 semester. The 2024-2025 will be used for the following Fall 2024, Spring 2024 and Summer 2025 semesters.

Year-round Pell is available to allow eligible students to receive a Pell Grant for summer even if they received a full Pell Grant during the fall and spring terms.

Can I receive a Pell grant if I go to school year-round?

Verification is the process used to check the accuracy of information given by students on their Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). If you are selected for verification, we must verify this information before you are offered financial aid.

If there are differences between your self-reported FAFSA information and the information you/your parent(s) provided as part of the verification process (including your federal tax return), we may update your FAFSA and recalculate your financial aid eligibility.

What is Verification?
Will I still get my financial aid if I have been selected for Verification?

The U.S. Department of Education chooses student applications for verification and requires that universities check the accuracy of the information provided on the FAFSA or the renewal application.

What happens when a student is selected for Verification?

Yes, you did already answer these questions or supply the information on the FAFSA. Verification is a process where we make sure that you have filled out the FAFSA correctly.

Students who have been selected for verification will receive an email to their Eagle email account. The email will have a link to your online verification portal.  Within the portal you will find instructions on how to complete your task list.

Completing Verification in ProVerifier

As a federal regulation, the verification process must be completed for a student to receive any federal or state aid and most institutional aid. If you do not wish to complete the verification process, and therefore not receive financial aid, please notify the Office of Financial Aid & Scholarships via email to verification@fgcu.edu from your Eagle email account and we can update your status.

Students who have been selected for verification will receive an email to their Eagle email account. The email will have a link to your online verification portal.  Within the portal you will find instructions on how to complete your task list.

Completing Verification in ProVerifier

During the verification process, information is compared to the original data on the FAFSA, and corrections may be made. Once the corrections are made, the corrected data is sent electronically to the Department of Education. These corrections may decrease or increase your SAI, or it may not change at all. Financial need is determined by the SAI; therefore, a change could affect aid eligibility. 

Will I still get financial aid if I have been selected for verification?

Federal work study provides part-time jobs for undergraduate and graduate students with financial need, allowing them to earn money to help pay for education.

6 Good Things to Know about Federal Work Study
What is Federal Work-Study?
¿Qué es el programa federal estudio-trabajo?

 In order to qualify for work-study, you need to file the FAFSA. You will also need to complete a Federal Work Student Eligibility Request form. 

Work Study

Eagle Career Network  is your one-stop-shop for on and off campus jobs, internships, and research/lab assistantships.

Federal work-study is earned as you work. It is paid to you in the form of a bi-weekly paycheck, not deducted from your bill.

Does Federal Work-Study help pay my tuition bill?

Eagle Career Network  is your one-stop shop for on and off campus jobs, internships, and research/lab assistantships. 

Campus Dining  There are many food service outlets throughout campus managed by Chartwells Higher Education. For results specific to FGCU Campus Dining, click "Search Jobs" and enter our zip code: 33965.

Campus Recreation  Campus rec is one of the largest employers of students on campus. Positions include lifeguards, intramural sport officials, marketing, customer service, and more.

Center for Academic Achievement  CAA hires students into a variety of mentoring and academic skills roles.