Soar in 4
A flight plan for graduating on time
Your journey through higher education at FGCU is taking off. It’s an exciting time of scholarly exploration and self-discovery culminating at your final destination: graduation.
Even with a few diversions along the way, you can get there in 4 years or less. FGCU delivers the strategy and resources you need to make it happen, including Soar in 4. This program provides incoming first-year students an additional incentive to stay on track to a 4-year degree and secure a job: a rebate on first-year tuition. To be eligible for the rebate, be sure to read the requirements below.
Get Advised
Meet with Academic Advising once each year & declare a major in your first year.
Visit Career Services
Meet with a Career Advisor & attend an event hosted by this office.
Nail an Internship
Participate in an internship or co-operative experience.
Finish in Four Years
Graduate in 4 years by following your curriculum map.
Secure a Job
Get a job in Florida within 6 months of graduation earning at least $25K.
Receive Your Rebate
Submit your Rebate Application within one year after graduation.
-
What is Soar in 4?
Toggle More InfoFlorida Gulf Coast University offers first-time-in-college (FTIC) students an incentive to graduate within four years provided that students complete a certain set of requirements during their time here. This includes: (1) meeting with an Academic Advisor at least once a year, every year; (2) declaring a major within the first year; (3) meeting with a Career Adviser in Career Development Services and attending an event hosted by this office; and (4) completing an internship or co-operative experience. Students are also required to graduate within four years and obtain employment in the State of Florida within six months of graduation earning at least $25,000.00. If a student adheres to these requirements, FGCU will rebate first-year, out-of-pocket, tuition expenses for up to 30 credit hours.
-
How is the Soar in 4 rebate calculated?
Toggle More InfoStudents' Soar in 4 rebates are calculated by subtracting Gift Aid from the Total Tution charged during the First Year for up to thirty credit hours. When calculating your rebate, any payment posted to your student account that is not out-of-pocket will be considered to be Gift Aid. Some examples would be scholarships, grants, waivers, third party payments and veteran benefits. The first example below is for a student paying In-State Tuition and the second example is for a student paying Out-of-State Tuition.
Example # 1: In-State Student
Tuition Base
103.32
Tuition Differential
36.38
Total Tuition per credit hour
$139.70
Earned FGCU credit hours during the First Year
30
Total Tuition charged before Gift Aid
$4,191.00
LESS Gift Aid (Used for example purposes)
(2,000.00)
Potential Rebate Amount
$2,191.00
Example # 2: Out-of-State Student
Tuition Base
707.90
Tuition Differential
36.38
Total Tuition per credit hour
$744.28
Earned FGCU credit hours during the First Year
30
Total Tuition charged before Gift Aid
$22,328.40
LESS Gift Aid (Used for example purposes)
(2,000.00)
Potential Rebate Amount
$20,328.40
Based upon out-of-pocket tuition expenses, it is possible that a student may meet the Eligibility Criteria and complete all Qualifying Activities as a part of the Rebate Criteria, but have $0 as their Rebate Amount.
-
How can students graduate in 4 years?
Toggle More Info-
MAKE A MAJOR DECISION DURING YOUR FIRST YEAR. Use resources like MyPlan.com to make sure your interests, skills and personality are a good match for the major and career you’re considering.
-
USE ACADEMIC AND CAREER ADVISING. Early and often. All first year students are required to meet with an Academic Advisor during the first semester, and annual advising is mandatory to qualify for the Soar in 4 rebate. Missing key prerequisites or deadlines or dropping classes can throw you off course and ultimately increase costs. Academic Advisors can help you map a degree plan, coordinate your general education needs with your major requirements and make sure you register for the right classes at the right time.
-
TAKE 15 TO FINISH. DO THE MATH. A full 15-credit load each semester, or average of 30 credits per year, adds up to a 4-year degree. Online courses and summer sessions can help you get ahead or catch up if you need to.
-
-
Why graduate in 4 years?
Toggle More Info-
THE MORE YOU DELAY, THE MORE YOU PAY. Each year at FGCU costs about $20,000 for in-state tuition and fees, meal plan, housing, transportation and books. Can you afford taking longer than four years to finish a degree?
-
LOWER DEBT AT GRADUATION. Many students borrow because financial aid doesn’t cover all costs. Adding in interest on loans makes repaying that debt a costly proposition right at the start of a career.
-
GET A HEAD START ON A CAREER. You’ll be earning money and living the dream while your friends are still finishing school. And your ability to manage time and achieve your goals looks good on a resume.
-
EARN A SOAR IN 4 REBATE. It pays to graduate on time. Qualifying students receive a rebate of out-of-pocket freshman tuition if they complete all of the program’s requirements. See Eligibility FAQ for details and sample refund calculations.
-
-
Am I eligible for Soar in 4?
Toggle More InfoIf you are a degree-seeking FTIC student admitted to Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU) during or after the summer 2015 term, then you are considered as eligible. This includes international and out-of-state students. Students can also view their eligibility in Gulfline by selecting the Student tab, followed by Soar in 4: The Governor's Challenge.
-
What are the rebate critera?
Toggle More InfoThe Rebate Criteria are defined as activites that must be completed for a student to be awarded a Soar in 4 rebate. These are as follows:
- Receiving academic advising on major selection and the sequencing of degree requirements to stay on track for timely graduate within four years once per year throughout their four years.
- Selecting a major during the First Year.
- Utilizing FGCU Career Development Services, including:
- In-person advising on career decision making, career prospects, resume preparation, interview techniques, career choices, etc.; and
- Participation in at least one recruitment event hosted by Career Development Services or the Office of Internships and Cooperative Programs.
- Participating in internships, co-op work experiences, or other similar opportunities with potential employers.
- Graduating from FGCU in four years or less.
- Attaining Full-Time Employment (including military service) of at least thirty-five hours per week in Florida within six months of graduation with an annualized salary of $25,000 or higher.
-
Where can I find my rebate amount?
Toggle More InfoStudents can access their Rebate Amount through Gulfline by selecting the Student tab, followed by Soar in 4: The Governor's Challenge. Rebate amounts are calcualted after the students' first three terms are completed, including summer. For example, a student who started in the summer 2015 semester will be able to view their rebate after the spring 2016 semester has been completed (summer 2015, fall 2015, spring 2016.) If a student has not yet completed their first three terms, this page will read that it is too early to calculate thier rebate amount and they will need to check back once their first three semesters have been completed.
-
When do I need to gradaute to receive a rebate?
Toggle More InfoStudents have eight consecutive regular semesters (fall and spring) to complete their degree. For example, if you started at FGCU in the fall or summer of 2015, you must graduate no later than spring 2019. If you started in the spring of 2016, you must graduate no later than fall 2019. Please see a full list of admission terms and the corresponding graduation terms below. If a degree program takes you longer than four years to complete (even by one semester), then you will not be eligible for the rebate program. Students should work with an advisor to be proactive and stay on track for a timely graduation.
Admission Term
(When you were admitted to FGCU)
Graduation Term
(When you must complete you degree by)
Summer 2015 Spring 2019 Fall 2015 Spring 2019 Spring 2016 Fall 2019 Summer 2016 Spring 2020 Fall 2016 Spring 2020 Spring 2017 Fall 2020 Summer 2017 Spring 2021 Fall 2017 Spring 2021 Spring 2018 Fall 2021 Summer 2018 Spring 2022 Fall 2018 Spring 2022 Spring 2019 Fall 2022 Summer 2019 Spring 2023 Fall 2019 Spring 2023 Spring 2020 Fall 2023 Summer 2020 Spring 2024 Fall 2020 Spring 2024
-
How do I apply for my rebate?
Toggle More InfoStudents will need to submit a Soar in 4 Rebate Application along with all requested documentation to the Office of the Bursar within one (1) year of your graduation date. The Soar in 4 Rebate Application can be found here.
-
What tax form is required for the processing of the rebate?
Toggle More Info- U S Citizens and Resident Aliens should complete and submit a Form W-9, Request for Taxpayer Identification Number and Certification.
- Non-Resident Aliens should complete and submit a Form W-8BEN, Certificate of Foreign Status of Beneficial Owner for United State Tax Withholding and Reporting (Individuals).
-
Will the rebate be subject to federal tax?
Toggle More Info- For U S Citizens and Resident Aliens, the rebate will be reported to the IRS on Form 1099-MISC, Miscellaneous Income if the total rebate is in excess of $600.
- For Non-Resident Aliens, the entire rebate will be reported to the IRS on Form 1042-S, Foreign Person’s U S Source Income Subject to Withholding.
-
What are the reabte criteria that my student must follow in order to receive their rebate?
Toggle More InfoThe Rebate Criteria are defined as activites that must be completed for a student to be awarded a Soar in 4 rebate. These are as follows:
- Receiving academic advising on major selection and the sequencing of degree requirements to stay on track for timely graduate within four years once per year throughout their four years.
- Selecting a major during the First Year.
- Utilizing FGCU Career Development Services, including:
- In-person advising on career decision making, career prospects, resume preparation, interview techniques, career choices, etc.; and
- Participation in at least one recruitment event hosted by Career Development Services or the Office of Internships and Cooperative Programs.
- Participating in internships, co-op work experiences, or other similar opportunities with potential employers.
- Graduating from FGCU in four years or less.
- Attaining Full-Time Employment (including military service) of at least thirty-five hours per week in Florida within six months of graduation with an annualized salary of $25,000 or higher.
-
How can I help my student to stay on track to Soar in 4?
Toggle More InfoParents can have conversations with their student early in their college career to ensure that they are taking the appropirate steps to Soar in 4. The topics of these conversations may include...
- Meeting with an Academic Advisor at least once a year, every year
- Choosing a major that is best with your student's interest and strengths
- Making sure that a major is chosen within the first year, which are the first three semesters including summer
- Encouraging your student to take a minimum of 15 credit hours per semester
- Asking your student about meeting with Career Development Services and attending an event hosted by this office
- Ensuring that your student has confirmed with their Academic Advisor that they are taking the courses needed to graduate in four years
-
Who can I reach out to with questions about Soar in 4?
Toggle More InfoWe can be reached at (239) 590-7110 or you may email us anytime at SoarIn4@fgcu.edu

We're here to answer your questions.
Soar in 4
Edwards Hall (Second Floor)
10501 FGCU Boulevard South
Fort Myers, Florida 33965
(239) 590-7110
(239) 745-4455