UWF highlights application deadlines, financial aid opportunities during Financial Aid Awareness Month

February is Financial Aid Awareness Month, an excellent time to share the financial aid opportunities and resources available at the University of West Florida, as well as the strategies that have been employed to reach a greater number of students. UWF is doing its part to help students by providing access to financial aid in a variety of forms. During fiscal year 2023-24, the University awarded more than $125 million in UWF grants, scholarships and loans.

“At the University of West Florida, we are deeply committed to ensuring access to higher education by optimizing financial aid and scholarships,” said Katie Condon, assistant vice president of Enrollment Affairs. “Over the past five years, we have reduced the average net cost after aid to Florida students by 45%. This achievement reflects our ongoing efforts to implement strategies that maximize financial aid and scholarship opportunities and reach as many students as possible. Additionally, we prioritize transparency and support, working diligently to help students and families fully understand their financial aid packages and recognize the exceptional value of a UWF education.”

Condon works with the Local College Access Network, or LCAN, to increase completion rates of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, known as FAFSA, among Escambia County high school seniors. Students are encouraged to complete the FAFSA every year regardless of other tuition coverage, such as Florida Bright Futures, prepaid plans or military benefits. Despite its name, it is not just for federal aid. The FAFSA is used to determine eligibility for federal, state and some forms of institutional aid. Completing the FAFSA is the only way for students to find out if they are eligible for the Argo 30 Guarantee, which covers tuition and mandatory fees for Pell Grant-eligible Florida students.

This month, the Office of Undergraduate Admissions is hosting the President’s Scholarship Competition, which awards top Florida-resident incoming freshmen who show potential to serve as future leaders with the Institution’s most prestigious scholarship, the Pace Presidential Scholarship, a full-ride scholarship. Winners are selected based on essay and interview scores.

The first of March is the application deadline for several other scholarships:

• The Argo Spirit Scholarship, a full-ride, competitive scholarship awarded to first-time-in-college freshmen who have shown strength of character, or “Argo Spirit.” Argo Spirit involves overcoming obstacles, fighting for something important or making an impact while in high school.
• The Pensacola Pledge Scholars program, sponsored by Quint and Rishy Studer, funds scholarships for graduating high school seniors in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties in Florida. The program was established in an effort to increase local access to higher education and incentivize high school achievement.
• The Fredric G. Levin Scholars Program is a scholarship for incoming eligible freshmen. Students selected as Levin Scholars will focus on leadership through unique and exclusive courses, retreats, travel experiences, customized internships, executive mentorship and community service. They will also have access to priority course registration and are eligible to join the program’s living learning community in Pace Hall if they will be living on campus.

To help students learn more about financial aid and the opportunities available, the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships is hosting Financial Aid Fridays monthly through April to assist current students with any financial aid questions. On Feb. 25, the Office of Undergraduate Admissions is hosting a special Argo Information virtual session, “Understanding Cost and the Financial Aid Process,” in collaboration with the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships.

UWF takes pride in keeping its tuition and fees low while offering an affordable, high quality education. Tuition and required fees at UWF have not changed since 2013; in fact, UWF’s number of scholarships has increased in the last 10 years. For the Florida Board of Governor’s cost to degree metric, which takes into account financial aid, UWF scored a 10 in excellence.

For more information about financial aid available to students, visit uwf.edu/financialaid.

For more information on scholarship opportunities, visit uwf.edu/admissionsawards.