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Academic Engagement for Financial Aid FAQs

Create a graded discussion prompt.

UCF must comply with a federal financial aid regulation that states that in order to receive federal aid, students must be actively academically engaged (according to a federal definition) in each course in which they are enrolled. We are required to gather this information as soon as possible with the start of each new semester. Without verification of this engagement, students will not receive their federal aid.

UCF will analyze student activity to determine which students have met the federal standard, and that information will be sent to the Office of Student financial aid for processing.

Verify Your Academic Engagement Activity

How do you know your activity meets the Financial Aid Distribution requirements? Ask yourself these two questions:

• After completing the activity, will the the student have a final score greater than zero ?
• Does the student have a submission that would be visible in Speedgrader for any assignment the first week of class?  (In this case, the grade for the submission can be zero.)

If either of those is true, then the student will have met the requirements for federal financial aid.

The Bottom Line

There are many options for meeting the requirements for Academic Engagement. Bottom line, the following criteria must be met so that students can receive their financial aid support in a timely manner:

• Grade-based verification: A Webcourses@UCF graded assignment, quiz, or discussion post administered within the first week of class and available/open for the duration of the semester. The score needs be be greater than zero; this includes grades passed to Webcourses@UCF from a third party integration, like a publisher’s platform. The corresponding Gradebook column cannot be weighted at 0% of the students’ final grade.
• Submission-based verification: An assignment within Webcourses@UCF requiring an electronic submission (i.e., electronic assignment submission or discussion posting) administered within the first week of class and available/open for the duration of the semester. Student submissions to a third party integration, like a publisher’s platform, do not qualify. If graded, this assignment can be weighted at 0% of the students’ final grades.

We would like to recommend these two options as the easiest and most efficient way to meet the financial aid distribution requirements in a timely manner for students.  Ultimately, the specific instructional activity is up to the instructor. 

Create a Graded Quiz

A graded quiz can be as simple as a pre-test, a syllabus quiz, or a thought-provoking question. You can also choose to download the UCF Creed Based Academic Integrity Commitment quiz from Canvas Commons to use as your graded quiz.

Instead of a quiz, you can create a graded discussion to track student engagement. Use a thought-provoking discussion prompt such as “Why are you taking this course?” or “What challenges do you anticipate with this course?” to invite student responses. Visit the  discussion guides  for assistance.

General FAQs

Yes. A team of representatives from across campus, including faculty, staff, and administrators, has explored a wide-range of options for addressing this issue with the least amount of disruption to courses and the least possible imposition on faculty members’ time. After extensive consideration of all options and limitations, this team has determined that the most technically viable solution is for faculty members to use Webcourses@UCF (the university’s learning management system provided by Instructure Canvas) to record this information.

Yes. Because these are credit-bearing courses, students may receive financial aid for enrolling into them; therefore, the university must prove students were actively engaged in the course. For very small courses, like Independent Study or Dissertation, faculty should consider cross listing those courses to consolidate record keeping. Directions for combining courses can be found on the Webcourses@UCF Semester Checklist . You may use the Attendance/Roll Call tool noting student attendance when the student has made contact with the instructor. Note: Acceptable contact for satisfying academic engagement in these situations includes face-to-face, email, or phone interaction.

Yes. Because the lab is credit-bearing, students may receive financial aid for enrolling in them; therefore, the university must prove students were actively engaged in the course. You will need to track engagement in both the academic course and each credit-bearing lab associated with it.

As long as student academic activity is being captured in the associated credit-bearing section (e.g., the 4-credit lecture section associated with the lab), then the non-credit sections do NOT need to have academic engagement tracked. If lecture and non-credit lab sections are associated, faculty do not need to track attendance in both. If faculty have already captured academic engagement in the lab section instead of the associated lecture section, that is considered satisfactory.  

Yes. Because these are credit-bearing courses, students may receive financial aid for enrolling in them; therefore, the university must prove students were actively engaged in the course. For very small courses, like Independent Study or Dissertation, faculty should consider combining those courses to consolidate record keeping. Directions for combining courses can be found on the Webcourses@UCF Semester Checklist . You may use the Attendance/Roll Call tool noting student attendance when the student has made contact with the instructor (face-to-face, email, or phone).

We recommend you update your syllabus with a statement similar to the following: All faculty are required to document students’ academic activity at the beginning of each course. In order to document that you began this course, please complete the following academic activity by the end of the first week of classes or as soon as possible after adding the course, but no later than [Insert academic engagement deadline]. Failure to do so may result in a delay in the disbursement of your financial aid. [Note specific academic activity here]

Karen L. Smith Faculty Center for Teaching and Learning (FCTL) provides support for faculty who have questions about the financial aid requirement. Webcourses@UCF Support provides technical assistance to faculty and students who use Webcourses@UCF. Resource Links: FCTL Contact Information | Webcourses@UCF Support Contact Information

Yes, hidden assignments will register as academic activity and will satisfy the financial aid requirement.

No, instructors are not required to track attendance in special program courses.

No, you can create an assignment in the parent course (distinguished as CMB within the course title). Students from the corresponding child courses will have access to the assignment.

The answer to this question can vary based on the assignment type, if the assignment and/or course is published, or the student. For cases such as this, please contact FCTL or Webcourses@UCF Support so they can verify the financial aid assignment in the course and advise accordingly. Resource Links: FCTL Contact Information | Webcourses@UCF Support Contact Information

Method 1: Verify the assignment is listed in the course Gradebook, then open the assignment in the Speedgrader app. The assignment is compliant if student submissions are present. Each student with a submission will be marked as being actively engaged in your course. Method 2: Locate the assignment in the course Gradebook. If the assignment requires no electronic online submission, then scores greater than zero must be present in the grade column. Additionally, ensure that this assignment is not placed in an assignment group weighted at zero percent of the final grade. You can verify this by viewing the students’ total grades (Gradebook column listed as Total ). You can always contact the Faculty Center for Teaching and Learning (FCTL) or Webcourses@UCF Support to verify your assignment is compliant with the financial aid requirement. Resource Links: FCTL Contact Information | Webcourses@UCF Support Contact Information | Canvas Guides – Create an Assignment Shell | Canvas Guides – Additional Assignment Guides

Please contact the Faculty Center for Teaching and Learning (FCTL) or Webcourses@UCF Support to verify your assignment is compliant with the financial aid requirement. A staff member will advise accordingly once the assignment has been verified as being compliant. Resource Links: FCTL Contact Information | Webcourses@UCF Support Contact Information

Yes, all assignments used for tracking student engagement must be published within Webcourses@UCF. Unpublished assignments will not satisfy the financial aid requirement as they are not available to students. Note that with the Canvas “draft state” feature, you may need to publish your assignment both on the assignment creation page and on the Modules page, depending upon how your course is structured. Note : Publishing individual assignments, publishing modules, and publishing an entire course within Webcourses@UCF are separate functions. Resource Links: Canvas Guides – Using Draft State

This depends on the method you are using to satisfy the financial aid requirement. Publishing your course is optional if: – You are using the Attendance/Roll Call tool to satisfy the financial aid requirement. – You are manually entering grades into the Gradebook for an assignment that requires no electronic online submission. This means the instructor will set the submission type option to On Paper or No submission . – You are using a third party clicker or audience response system to satisfy the financial aid requirement. – You are using a Scantron assessment graded by the CS&T Test Scoring service to satisfy the financial aid requirement. – Students do not need to access any materials, activities, or assignments within Webcourses@UCF. Publishing your course is required if: – You are using an assignment with an electronic submission. This means the instructor will set the submission type option to Online . An electronic submission can be a file upload to the assignment or text input into the assignment. – You are using a graded quiz or graded survey to satisfy the financial aid requirement. – You are using an Obojobo module or Materia widget. – You are using a graded discussion to satisfy the financial aid requirement. Resource Links: Canvas Guide – Publishing Your Course

No, it is recommended you leave the assignment open for at least eight weeks after the due date.

It depends. The recommendation is that you do NOT delete your assignment since students can be enrolled into your course late for a variety of reasons and can apply for aid up until almost the end of the semester. In fact, students can actually apply retroactively for aid for a previous term during the current or following term. If you want to omit the assignment points from the final student grades, the recommendation is to place the Gradebook column into an assignment group weighted at zero percent of the final grade. This should only be done once other assignment submissions and/or grades are present in the Gradebook that can satisfy the financial aid requirement . This strategy will retain the students’ original activity in case there is a later question or challenge. Resource Links:   Webcourses@UCF Support Contact Information  |   Canvas Guides – Create an Assignment Shell | Canvas Guides – Additional Assignment Guides

Double check that the assignment has been published. The assignment must be published to qualify for the financial aid requirement. Resource Links: Canvas Guides – Using Draft State

No, academic engagement can only be tracked using assignments in Webcourses@UCF. An assignment in Webcourses@UCF can be a graded Discussion, Quiz, or Assignment (used for file submissions and/or manual grade input).

No, Obojobo learning objects and Materia widgets must be added as graded assignments worth one or more points using the External Tool submission type in an assignment. Pasting a link on a Page or as an External URL in a Module does not qualify. Additionally, grades must be submitted by the academic engagement deadline. Resource Links: Using Materia in Webcourses@UCF | About Materia | About Obojobo

Please allow up to seven days for the student’s academic engagement assignment to be captured by the Office of Student Financial Assistance. The data is transferred on a weekly basis. If the student’s engagement has not been verified by the Office of Student Financial Assistance after seven days, please contact FCTL or Webcourses@UCF Support so they can verify the financial aid assignment in the course and advise accordingly. Resource Links: FCTL Contact Information | Webcourses@UCF Support Contact Information

FAQs – Assignments Tool

No, an assignment in Webcourses@UCF must be graded in order to satisfy the financial aid requirement. Resource Links: Canvas Guides – Create an Assignment Shell | Canvas Guides – Additional Assignment Guides

This depends on if the assignment requires an electronic submission. An assignment requiring an electronic submission (e.g., a short essay, an introductory memo, a paper) does not have to be graded in the first week of the semester as long as students submit it by the academic engagement deadline or as soon as possible, if after the deadline. This means the instructor will set the submission type option to Online . This assignment can be worth zero points as the student’s submission will satisfy the financial aid requirement. An electronic submission can be a file uploaded to the assignment or text input into the assignment. This assignment can be placed in an assignment group weighted at zero percent of the final grade. An Assignment that requires no electronic online submission and requires the instructor to manually enter grades must have one or more points assigned to it within Webcourses@UCF. This means the instructor will set the submission type option to On Paper or No submission . The instructor will have to manually enter grades before the academic engagement deadline or as soon as possible, if after the deadline. This assignment cannot be placed in an assignment group weighted at zero percent of the final grade. Resource Links: Canvas Guides – Create an Assignment Shell | Canvas Guides – Additional Assignment Guides

You may create an assignment in Webcourses@UCF and manually enter grades within the Gradebook. The assignment must be worth one or more points and cannot be placed in an assignment group weighted zero percent of the final grade. Set the submission type option to On Paper or No submission . This assignment must be graded before the academic engagement deadline or as soon as possible, if after the deadline. Resource Links: Canvas Guides – Create an Assignment Shell | Canvas Guides – Additional Assignment Guides

An assignment using an incomplete/complete grading scheme can have zero points associated with it if an electronic submission is required. This means the instructor will set the submission type option to Online . An electronic submission can be a file uploaded to the assignment or text input into the assignment. This assignment can be graded after academic engagement deadline. An assignment using an incomplete/complete grading scheme must have one or more points associated with it, if an electronic submission is not required. This means the instructor will set the submission type to On Paper or No submission . The instructor will have to manually enter grades before the academic engagement deadline or as soon as possible, if after the deadline. Resource Links: Canvas Guides – Create an Assignment Shell

Yes, all assignments used for tracking student engagement must be published within Webcourses@UCF. Unpublished assignments will not satisfy the financial aid requirement. With the Canvas “draft state” feature, you may need to publish your assignment both on the assignment creation page and on the Modules page, depending upon how your course is structured. Note: Publishing individual assignments, publishing modules, and publishing an entire course within Webcourses@UCF are separate functions. Resource Links: Canvas Guides – Using Draft State

FAQs – Discussions Tool

No, discussion must be graded. You may create a graded discussion worth zero points as the students’ submissions will satisfy the financial aid requirement. Resource Links: Canvas Guides – Start a Discussion

Yes, a graded discussion worth zero points will satisfy the financial aid requirement. Remember that a student submission to the discussion will satisfy the financial aid requirement. You can also create a graded discussion worth one or more points and place it in an assignment group weighted at zero percent of the final grade. Resource Links: Canvas Guides – Additional Discussion Guides

Yes, all discussions used for tracking student engagement must be published within Webcourses@UCF. Unpublished discussions will not satisfy the financial aid requirement. With the Canvas “draft state” feature, you may need to publish your assignment both on the assignment creation page and on the Modules page, depending upon how your course is structured. Note: Publishing individual assignments, publishing modules, and publishing an entire course within Webcourses@UCF are separate functions. Resource Links: Canvas Guides – Using Draft State in Discussions

FAQ – Quizzes/Surveys

No, surveys must be graded. Anonymous surveys may not be used for tracking academic engagement since submissions are not associated with any individual students. Resource Links: Canvas Guides – Creating a Survey | Canvas Guides – Types of Quizzes

No, practice quizzes will not satisfy the financial aid requirement. The particular quiz type Practice Quiz within Webcourses@UCF does not create a Gradebook entry and therefore will not work for capturing academic activity. Resource Links: Canvas Guides – Creating a Quiz | Canvas Guides – Types of Quizzes

Yes, you can create a graded quiz worth zero points. Remember, the university can prove student engagement from the students’ submission of the quiz. You may also place the quiz in an assignment group weighted at zero percent of the final grade. Resource Links: Canvas Guides – Creating a Quiz | Canvas Guides – Types of Quizzes

Yes, all quizzes used for tracking student engagement must be published within Webcourses@UCF. Unpublished quizzes will not satisfy the financial aid requirement. With the Canvas “draft state” feature, you may need to publish your assignment both on the assignment creation page and on the Modules page, depending upon how your course is structured. Note: Publishing individual assignments, publishing modules, and publishing an entire course within Webcourses@UCF are separate functions. Resource Links: Canvas Guides – Using Draft State in Quizzes

FAQs – Attendance/Roll Call Tool

Yes, you can track student engagement using the Attendance/Roll Call tool built into Webcourses@UCF. Attendance should be recorded for each student from the first day of class until all students have been verified. Remember student enrollment may change after Add/Drop. Resource Links: Canvas Guides – Attendance/Roll Call tool

No, an attendance assignment must be worth one or more points, because no student submissions are present in Webcourses@UCF. You cannot place the attendance assignment in an assignment group weighted at zero percent of the final grade. Resource Links: Canvas Guides – Attendance/Roll Call tool

No, you only need to take attendance until every student has been present for at least one class session. After each student has been accounted for you may continue to take attendance every class session, but it is no longer required to satisfy the financial aid requirement. Please note you will need to take attendance after the Add/Drop deadline, as it may be possible new students have been enrolled into your class. Resource Links: Canvas Guide – Taking Attendance in Canvas | Canvas Guides – Attendance/Roll Call tool | UCF Academic Calendar

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

• Collections
• Dropped for Nonpayment
• Florida Prepaid
• Late/Registration Related Fees
• Third Party Billing
• Tuition Payment
• Tuition Statement
• Tuition Waivers

Can I get a copy of Form 1098-T for prior years?

Yes.  All years which you qualified for a form will be accessible by you online through your myUCF portal.

Can I pay over the phone?

We do not accept any form of payment over the phone. You have the option to make a payment online through your  myUCF  portal, mail a check payment, or drop off a check payment to Student Account Services.

Can I petition late payment or late registration fees?

You may petition late payment or late registration fees by submitting a completed  Fee Appeals Committee Petition  form, along with supporting documents, to Student Account Services. The Fee Appeals Committee will review your case, and a decision will be sent via email within 7 to 10 business days from the date the petition is reviewed. You may obtain the form at  https://studentaccounts.ucf.edu/forms/ .

Can I set-up a tuition payment plan?

Yes. The payment plan is a 2-payment design in which the student pays $15 upfront to pay only 50% of the total tuition bill by the regular payment deadline, therefore avoiding the $100 late payment fee, and being dropped for non-payment. The student is then responsible for paying the remaining 50% by the Payment Plan deadline on the fee invoice.

Students will sign into their  myUCF  account and click on the “Payment Plan” link to sign up. The payment plan will be available the week following the Add/Drop Deadline on the  Academic Calendar.   Students who sign-up for the payment plan after the Payment Deadline will be  assessed a Late Payment fee.

Can I use my financial aid to pay the past due balance on my student account?

In some cases you will be allowed to use your financial aid to pay the past due balance on your student account; however, if you are receiving federal financial aid in a different academic year than your past due balance, we are prohibited from using your aid to pay your balance. In this case, you may receive a refund even though there is a balance on your account. Please contact Collections by email at  [email protected]  or by calling 407-823-2358 to review your account.

Does the Certificate of Participation cover all the tuition and fees?

The Certificate of Participation covers  only  the tuition portion of the hourly rate for either undergraduate or graduate courses. The student must pay the difference and all other incidental registration fees associated with the courses or the term. See the current fee schedule at  https://studentaccounts.ucf.edu/tf-tuitionratescurrent/  or contact Student Account Services at (407) 823‐ 2433 to determine the amount owed.

How can I get a Statement of Charges?

You can retrieve your statement of charges from your  myUCF  portal. Select  Student Self Service > Student Accounts >Student Center> Statement of Charges . You may also request for the form in‐person at the Student Account Services office in Millican Hall, room 109, or make a telephonic request for one to be mailed to you at (407) 823‐2433.

How can I pay online and avoid the two percent convenience fee?

Only payments made using the credit card option are assessed a two percent fee. You may pay using the e-check option, which does not have a convenience fee. Your bank routing and account number are required for this form of payment.

How do I adjust my Florida Prepaid billing hours or cancel billing of my Florida Prepaid College Plan?

Students can manage their Florida Prepaid billing hours by logging into myUCF and selecting the “Florida Prepaid Management” link, found on the Student Center under “Finances”. Please note that you must log in and reduce or opt-out (select “0” credits) each term you wish UCF to bill a different number of hours than the amount of hours in which you are enrolled.

How do I get my fee invoice?

You can retrieve your fee invoice from your  myUCF  portal. Select  Student Self Service > Student Accounts > Fee Invoice . You may also request for the official fee invoice in‐person at the Student Account Services office in Millican Hall, room 109, or make a telephonic request for one to be mailed to you at (407) 823‐2433.

How do I make an online payment?

Payments may be made online through your  myUCF  portal. Once you login, click on the following:  Student Self Service > Student Accounts > View Your Account (or Fee Invoice) > Due  Charges/EPay . Select either the “Credit Card” or “Electronic Check” payment option. Input your credit card or checking account information, and submit the payment.

How do I request a Perkins Loan forbearance, deferment, or loan cancellation on my existing Perkins Loan?

University Accounting Service can assist with account details, options and appropriate forms. You can go to  www.uasconnect.com  for forms, or contact University Accounting Service at (844) 870-8701 .

How do I set up direct deposit?

To enroll, login to your myUCF portal and click Student Self‐Service. Go to the Student Accounts link, then click Direct Deposit and follow the instructions. Detailed information regarding Direct Deposit is available online at:  https://studentaccounts.ucf.edu/direct-deposit/ .

How do I set up Florida Prepaid to pay my tuition?

You are not required to present or submit your Florida Prepaid card to Student Account Services. We will retrieve this information from the Florida Prepaid website directly and bill for the number of enrolled hours. However, you will need to check your fee invoice prior to the payment deadline date to confirm whether or not Florida Prepaid was applied to your account. There should be an “Estimated FL Pre‐Paid” amount shown on the fee invoice. This is the estimated amount billed to your Florida Prepaid plan. If Florida Prepaid is not reflected on your account, please contact Student Account Services at (407) 823‐2433, or email to  [email protected]  for assistance.

How do I setup a payment arrangement for my past due student account?

If you are unable to pay the balance in full, it is important that you email Collections at  [email protected]  or call 407-823-2358 to setup a monthly payment arrangement as soon as possible. If your account has already been referred to a third-party collection agency, please contact the collection agency to make payment arrangements.

How do I update my permanent and mailing addresses?

Remember to keep your contact information current in the UCF portal as follows:

• Log into the  myUCF  portal.
• Under Student Self Service, select Personal Information.
• In the Personal Information box, select Home and Mailing Addresses.
• Select the Edit box and update your permanent and mailing address information.

How do I view, print and download my 1098-T Tuition Statement?

• Log into the  MyUCF Portal
• Click on Student Self Service.
• Scroll to the Finances Section.
• Click on 1098-T Tax Management.
• Click on the View Print Form Icon. This brings you to the ECSI website.
• Click on My Tax Information.
• Select the year to view.

How much do I owe for tuition?

You may obtain your balance from your  myUCF  portal by selecting  Student Self Service > Student  Accounts > Fee Invoice . Select the term. The Total Fee Assessment is the total balance due. Anticipated financial aid, Bright Futures awards, or Florida Prepaid College Plan amounts may be deducted from the total balance. Always verify financial aid information after the Add Deadline date on the Academic Calendar and prior to the payment deadline date.

How much of my tuition will be covered by Florida Prepaid?

Your Florida Prepaid plan is billed based on the  plan type ,  number of credit hours you are taking  and  the number of hours available in your plan . You can view the estimated payment amount on your fee invoice through your myUCF portal. It will be the “Estimated FL Pre‐Paid” amount.

I am a UCF or state employee. When do I register for classes?

State of Florida and UCF employee enrollment into courses for which the state or UCF employee will seek a tuition waiver will occur on a  space ‐ available only basis  on the last day of registration each term at the time specified on the  academic calendar  online. Employees who register or waitlist courses prior to the prescribed date and time will invalidate the use of the waiver. Advisor/Department registration prior to the employee registration timeframe will also invalidate the use of the waiver.

I am unable to pay my past due balance in full. If I begin making monthly payments, will my account be referred to a third-party collection agency?

As long as you are making a payment at least once every 30 days and paying the minimum amount as determined by your payment arrangement with Collections, your account will not be referred to a third-party collection agency. Establish a payment arrangement by contacting Collections by email at  [email protected]  or by calling 407-823-2358.

I completed courses or a training program through UCF Continuing Education. Why do I not have a 1098-T?

The courses and training offered by UCF Continuing Education are for non-credit programs. As a result, per current Treasury Regulations, we do not include information pertaining to those courses on IRS Form 1098-T. For detailed information consult  IRS Publication 970 , Tax Benefits for Higher Education.

I did not receive the refund shown on my account. What should I do?

Please allow 10 to 14 business days to receive the refund before contacting the university if you are not enrolled in direct deposit. After this timeframe, you will need to submit a completed Stop Payment Request form to Student Account Services. It may take up to seven business days before a replacement check is issued or a direct deposit is processed. The form is available at  https://studentaccounts.ucf.edu/stop-payment/ .

If you are enrolled in direct deposit, we will automatically notify you if your bank rejects the refund. Financial Institutions typically reject refunds for closed account or invalid account number. Please feel free to contact Student Account Services after checking your Knights email for instructions.

I dropped my courses before the drop deadline date. When will I receive a refund for the payment I made?

A refund will be issued shortly after the  late registration  period. Please refer to the  academic calendar  to obtain the late registration date for the term.

I have a Certificate of Participation. Where can I fax the form?

Submit COP form by fax or as scanned attachment in an email (preferred method) to  [email protected] . You may also mail the form to the following address:

University of Central Florida Student Account Services Attn: Waivers Processing P.O. Box 160115 Orlando, FL 32816‐0115

I have a financial hold that is preventing me from obtaining my transcripts. Can the hold be temporarily removed?

The financial hold will remain on your account until the past due balance is paid in full. You may contact Collections by email at  [email protected]  or by calling 407-823-2358 to discuss your account status and determine if there are options available to you that may allow for a transcript release.

I have a financial hold that is preventing me from obtaining my transcripts. If I make a payment arrangement, will my hold be lifted so I can obtain transcripts?

The financial hold will remain on your account until the past due balance is paid in full. You may contact Collections by email at  [email protected]  or by calling 407-823-2358 to discuss your account status and determine if there are options available to you that may allow for a transcript release.

I have a financial hold that is preventing me from registering for classes. Can the hold be temporarily removed?

The financial hold will remain on your account until the past due balance is paid in full. You may contact Collections by email at  [email protected]  or by calling 407-823-2358 to discuss your account status and determine if there are options available to you that may allow registration.

I have a financial hold that is preventing me from registering for classes. If I make a payment arrangement, will my hold be lifted so I can register for classes?

I have a past due balance on my student account. can i pay online.

Payments may be made online through your myUCF portal if your account has not been assigned to a thirty-party collection agency. Email Collections at  [email protected]  or call 407-823-2358 to obtain account collection status. You may also refer to the collection hold on your student account for collection agency assignment and contact information.

I have a past due balance on my student account. Who do I contact?

Collections can assist you with information regarding your account status. Email Collections at  [email protected]  or call 407-823-2358.

I have a third‐party sponsor paying for my tuition. What is the process?

Please email, fax, or mail third‐party documents to Student Account Services prior to the drop deadline date. This includes vouchers, letter of credits, authorizations, tuition assistance (TA) forms, and other similar documents. Once received, a deferment will be posted on your account to extend your payment deadline date up to 60 days. This will allow time for your sponsor to remit payment. Please check your fee invoice prior to the payment deadline date to confirm the deferment of your tuition and fees. For additional information, please visit  https://studentaccounts.ucf.edu/third-party-sponsorships/ .

I have an existing Perkins Loan. Where do I go to make payments on my loan?

UCF contracts with University Accounting Service as our billing servicer for Perkins Loans. You can access your Perkins Loan information online at  www.uasconnect.com , or speak to a University Accounting Service representative at (844) 870-8701 . University Accounting Service payment mailing address follows:

University Accounting Services PO Box 5865 Coral Stream, IL 60197-5865

I have contacted University Accounting Service about my Perkins Loan, but I have additional questions they are not able to answer. Is there anyone else I can contact?

You may contact Collections by email at  [email protected]  or by calling us at 407-823-2358.

I have questions about my existing Perkins Loan. Who do I contact?

UCF contracts with University Accounting Service as our billing servicer for Perkins Loans. You can access your Perkins Loan information online at  www.uasconnect.com , or speak to a University Accounting Service representative at (844) 870-8701 .

I paid my balance in full at the collection agency. Why do I still have a hold on my account?

Payments made at the collection agency are reported to the university once a month. Once the payment is reported, your hold will be updated. If you need your hold lifted immediately, please contact the collection agency and request they email us with a payment confirmation. If payment was made with a check, it could take up to 15 days for the hold to be removed.

I submitted my reinstatement documents. When will I get re‐registered into my courses?

It may take up to 48 hours upon receipt of your form for your classes to be reinstated.

I want to mail my tuition payment. What is the mailing address?

Please mail your personal check, money order, or cashier’s check to Student Account Services using the following addresses:

University of Central Florida Payment Processing P.O. Box 160115 Orlando, FL 32816-0115

Overnight Mailing Address: UCF Student Account Services Attn: Payment Processing 4365 Andromeda Loop N. Millican Hall, Room 109 Orlando, FL 32816-0115

* Please remember to include your name and PID on the check for identification and prompt processing purposes.

I was dropped for nonpayment, how do I re‐register for my classes?

All outstanding fees must be paid before a request can be processed. Contact Student Account Services to obtain the amount due for reinstatement. If you are anticipating financial aid funds to pay your tuition, please request a Verification of Aid form from the Office of Financial Assistance to be sent to Student Account Services on your behalf. Once that amount is paid or a Verification of Aid form is received, you would submit a completed re‐registration form to Student Account Services. Our contact number is (407) 823‐2433.

If I pay by e-check today, when will the funds be withdrawn from my bank account?

Funds must be immediately available. It may take up to two business days for funds to be withdrawn from your bank account.

If I submitted the Fee Appeals Committee Petition form, do I need to pay the late payment or late registration fees while I wait for a decision?

Submitting the form does not guarantee approval. Please make a payment. If the appeal is approved, a refund will be issued.

My address has changed and is now different than the one listed on my Form 1098-T. Will this affect me?

No. The address shown on Form 1098-T will not affect you for Internal Revenue Service income tax filing purposes.

My Florida Prepaid College Plan should cover all fees. Why do I have a balance on my account?

Regardless of your plan type, there are fees Florida Prepaid will not cover. Transportation access, technology, distance learning fees, material and supplies, equipment, and ID service and access fees are some of the non‐covered charges. Another source of payment, aside from Florida Prepaid, will be needed. Additional information regarding which fees Florida Prepaid covers is available online at  https://studentaccounts.ucf.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/Florida_Prepaid_Chart.pdf .

On the payment deadline date, what is the latest time I can submit a payment?

Payment will be considered on time until 11:59 p.m. EST on the payment deadline date.

The Social Security Number (SSN) or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) on my Form 1098-T is missing or incorrect. What should I do?

Reporting to the Internal Revenue Service depends primarily on your SSN/ITIN. It is very important for you to have the correct information on file with the university.

Follow these steps to have a corrected Form 1098-T generated:

• Download and complete the  Request for Student’s or Borrower’s Taxpayer Identification Number and Certification (W-9S) Form .
• Submit the completed form to UCF Registrar’s Office for processing.
• Contact Student Account Services once updated for a revised Form 1098-T.

What courses are not covered by the Employee Tuition Waiver Program?

The university has the authority to designate which courses are classified as eligible for the tuition fee waiver. The tuition waiver cannot be used for courses with increased costs. Ineligible courses include, but may not be limited to, continuing education; independent study; practicums; supervised research; supervised teaching labs; thesis or dissertation hours; internships; co‐ops; College of Medicine courses; or individualized instruction such as in music, art, or dance. A third‐attempt repeated course fee is not eligible for the waiver.

What happens if my account is referred to a third-party collection agency?

If your account is referred to a third-party collection agency, you may be assessed collection fees and your account may be reported to a credit bureau. Once assigned, you will be directed to send all communications and payments to the collection agency. If you are unsure if your debt has been referred to a third-party collection agency; or if you need the contact information for the agency, please email Collections at  [email protected]  or call 407-823-2358 for more information.

What is a Form 1098-T?

The University of Central Florida (UCF) is required to file a Form 1098-T Tuition Statement with the Internal Revenue Service for UCF students who made payments for qualified tuition and related expense during the calendar year. The Form 1098-T is used to compute eligibility for education related tax credits.

BOX 1  will include total payments made during the calendar year for Qualified Tuition & Related Expense. Payment made for tuition will include most tuition related charges on the student account except for the following:

• Transportation Access Fees
• Health Fees

Non-Qualified Expenses not included in Box 1 are: Housing/Residence Hall, Meal Plan, Books (Short Term Advances & Textbook Purchase Program), Parking, Health and other miscellaneous payments.

What is the minimum amount I can pay monthly if I make a payment arrangement?

We recommend that you pay the balance in four to five monthly payments. If you are not able to do this, please contact Collections by email at  [email protected]  or by calling 407-823-2358 to discuss other payment options.

When is tuition due?

The payment deadline date is published on the  academic calendar  online.  It also appears on your fee invoice, which may be found on your  myUCF  portal ( Student Self Service > Student Accounts > Fee Invoice ). If you received an authorized deferral, your due date on the fee invoice may be adjusted. Courtesy email reminders are sent periodically to your Knights Email account prior to the payment deadline date.

When will I get my financial aid refund?

The Office of Student Financial Assistance begins the disbursement process shortly after the drop deadline date. Once your financial aid is disbursed, you will receive an email notification. Disbursed financial aid will be applied to your tuition fees, short term loan, bookstore charges, or any other charges for the term. Any excess funds will normally be refunded to you via direct deposit (if enrolled) or in the form of a check by mail within 10 to 14 business days.

When will my Form 1098-T be available?

Students may access the Form 1098-T via the myUCF  Portal any time after January 25th (estimated date). Otherwise, a paper copy will be sent via the U.S. Postal Service no later than January 31st to the mailing address.

Where do I obtain the UCF Employee Tuition Waiver Program form?

The employee tuition waiver form is available online at:  https://studentaccounts.ucf.edu/waivers.  Please submit completed forms to Student Account Services prior to the term’s payment deadline date.

Which department handles Florida Prepaid?

Florida Prepaid is managed and processed by Student Account Services. The department’s contact number is (407) 823‐2433. The email address is:  [email protected] .

Whom do I contact if I have questions about consolidating my federal student loans?

Contact the Loan Consolidation Information Call Center at 800-557-7392.  Additional information is also available  here .

Why did I get dropped from my classes?

If your tuition was not paid or deferred by the  payment deadline  date, your current and pre‐ registered future term classes were dropped for nonpayment. This date is published on the  academic calendar .  As a result of the drop, a $100 drop for nonpayment (DNP) fee will be assessed to your account.

Why did I not receive a Form 1098-T?

There are several possibilities:

• You did not enroll in courses at UCF during the January 1st through December 31st calendar year.
• You did not have any payments to report for Qualified Tuition and Related Expense.
• Your paper copy of the Form 1098-T was mailed to the mailing address on record and returned by the Postal Service.

Why was I charged a $100 late payment fee?

If your tuition was not paid or deferred by the payment deadline date, a $100 late payment fee was assessed to your account. Please review the  academic calendar  each semester to obtain the payment deadline date along with other important dates. You may also review your Fee Invoice for your tuition due date.

Why was I charged a $100 late registration fee?

The university assessed a late registration fee because your initial course registration for the term occurred during the late registration period. Please review the  academic calendar  online to obtain the registration dates along with other important dates.

Frequently Asked Questions

Spring 2024

Application deadlines, academic dates and deadlines, special events.