Terms and Conditions

• Aid eligibility is based on a student’s admitted status to a degree seeking program (Undergraduate/Graduate/Law/Medical)
• Non-Degree students are not eligible for federal aid except in very limited circumstances (must be certified by department to be enrolled in pre-requisite coursework required for admission to a degree seeking program).
  • Non-Degree student certified for pre-requisite enrollment are limited by undergraduate federal loan limits and are only eligible for 1 year.
• Awards and cost of attendance are based on information in the university system establishing a student’s residency for tuition purposes. Any change to this status may impact aid types and/or amounts.

• Financial aid awards are estimated based on information reported in your myFSU student portal various agencies, and from data collected from the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
• Awards are contingent upon continued eligibility and funding from federal, state, and institutional sources, and upon state legislative decisions regarding tuition. Awards are subject to change and may be rescinded or reduced if funding is insufficient or discontinued, or if tuition amounts change. Please check our Award Revision page for additional information related to changes to your awards.
• If you will receive any additional resources not considered in your award offer (such as tuition waivers or scholarships), you must report these resources to our office by entering information under Outside Aid in your myFSU student portal. The Office of Financial Aid will review the information, and if necessary, revise your award. Failure to report a resource may require you to repay aid at a later date.
• If your application contains incorrect or incomplete data, or if your student status changes in any way (Residency, career, hours enrolled, class level, or expected graduation date, etc.) or if you receive additional financial assistance not reflected on your award offer, then your eligibility may change, and your awards may be subject to revision, cancellation, or repayment.
• If you fail to complete your courses, then your award amounts may be affected. Please review our Return of Title IV policy for more information.

• If your application for aid (FAFSA) is selected for verification by the federal processor or by the school, you will be required to submit additional documentation to confirm the accuracy of the data on the FAFSA.
• Any differences between information entered on the verification form, other requested documents, and the FAFSA may result in a new determination of financial need. This new determination of financial need may alter your financial aid awards and eligibility.
• Your financial aid will not be disbursed until verification has been completed.

• The Cost of Attendance (COA) is an estimate designed to help students determine what it may cost to attend FSU for an academic year. The COA (sometimes referred to as a “budget”) is not a final bill but is an estimate of education expenses.
• The COA usually represents the maximum amount of financial assistance a student can receive.
• COA is made up of direct and indirect costs.
  • Direct costs are the expenses that are billed by the university directly to the student. These expenses include tuition and fees, on-campus housing, and meal plans.
  • Indirect costs are expenses a student will likely incur but will not pay to the university. Indirect costs vary from student to student and may include off-campus housing, transportation to and from campus, books, and personal expenses.
• Each student's cost of attendance is based upon estimated enrollment and residency status. Therefore, if actual enrollment varies from estimated enrollment, the COA may be adjusted each semester after the Add/Drop period ends.
• Changes in the cost of attendance may impact award eligibility, and awards may be subject to revision, cancellation, or repayment.

Financial aid will be revoked if a student fails to maintain Satisfactory Progress as defined by federal regulation. Federal regulations require that all students must meet Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) Standards in order to be eligible to receive financial aid. FSU measures SAP based on total hours attempted, total hours completed, and grade point average annually, after spring grades post. Please review our Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy for more information.

• Federal Pell Grant is available only to students working on their first bachelor’s degree.
• Federal regulations limit the amount of Pell grant received to a lifetime limit of 12 full-time semesters. Part time enrollment will be tracked as a percentage of 12 full time terms.
• ALL semesters at previous institutions will be included in the total.
• Once a student has met the limit, no further Pell payment can be made.
• Pell is calculated based on enrollment at the end of Drop/Add. Adjustments for additional courses added after Drop/Add can only be made if due to administrative requirements (Appeal of Hours form required).
• For Summer session - Pell Grant will be applied in B Session for students with enrollment in multiple sessions including the B Session.

• Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant is available only to students working on their first bachelor’s degree.
• SEOG is a limited fund program provided to students with the highest need.
• Students must enroll in a minimum of 6 credits to be eligible for SEOG.

• Work study is available to degree seeking students from limited funds provided by the federal or state government.
• The offer represents the allowable total that a student may earn per term, although in some cases that can be increased if a student has earned their award and has unmet need to allow them to continue to work.
• Students must accept their offer in order to receive the work study job listing link and authorization form.
• For additional details, please see:
  • FSU Work Study Terms & Conditions

• Loans are awards that must be repaid.
• Federal loans are awarded based on FAFSA information – the FAFSA must be completed each year in order for federal loans (stafford and/or PLUS loans) to be offered as part of an award package.
• You may accept all of an offer, accept a portion of the offer, or decline the loan in full based on your financial needs for the term. Loans will not be disbursed unless accepted.
• Federal loans must be accepted and processed (originated) prior to the last day of the term.
• Students accepting a Federal loan for the first time at FSU must complete a Master Promissory Note (MPN) and Loan Entrance Counseling at https://studentaid.gov
• Federal Master Promissory Notes may become inactive after 10 years, requiring a new MPN to be completed before any disbursement can be made.
• Federal Loans are awarded based on federal guidelines/limits per career and class level.
  • For detailed information on loan limits and interest rates, see https://studentaid.gov/understand-aid/types/loans/subsidized-unsubsidized
• Starting with loans first originated after July 1 2026, loans must be pro-rated for enrollment that is less than full-time for the career/program. Enrollment changes in one term may impact loan amounts in a following term.

Federal student loan programs are governed by federal law and may change at any time due to new legislation, regulations, or guidance (including recent student aid reforms also known as the “One Big Beautiful Bill”). The University will review any updates and revise its loan policies as needed, notifying students once changes are official.

• Incoming Freshmen may see an Estimated/Self-Reported Bright Futures award. This award is based on the student's indication at time of application for admission that they will be eligible for this award. Final confirmation must come from the State of Florida, Department of Education before any award will be paid (this generally is finalized in July each year).
• Bright Futures awards are estimated based on enrollment for 13 credits per term (unless the remaining hours are less than 13 for the term).
• Actual Bright Futures disbursement will vary depending on hours enrolled at the end of drop/add. If you drop a class after the Bright Futures scholarship disburses, you will be required to repay the Bright Futures award amount applicable to the credit hours dropped.
• Bright Futures is calculated to pay approved tuition and fees.
  • Bright Futures Academic Scholarship is paid based on $213.55 per credit hour.
  • Bright Futures Medallion Scholarship is paid based on $160.16 per credit hour.
  • Bright Futures scholarships do not cover class fees, program fees, or books. Bright Futures does not cover the main campus facility fee which is $2 per credit and $20 per term.
• Bright Futures scholarships require a minimum enrollment of 6 credit hours for disbursement. Exception may be made for the final (graduating) term.
• Per state regulation, If a student drops a class for which they have been disbursed Bright Futures, the award must be repaid (based on the number of credits dropped).
• Bright Futures is limited to the 1st Bachelor's degree - once the 1st degree is completed, a student is no longer eligible for Bright Futures Grant.
  • Bright Futures is limited to 120 credits for most degrees. If the degree program requires credits over 120 credits (example – engineering degrees), the student may submit an extension application to the state for consideration.
  • Students working on a 2nd bachelor's degree are not eligible for Bright Futures.
  • Students working on a dual/degree or double major program will no longer be eligible once all requirements for one degree are completed.
  • Students in a combined Bachelor’s/Master’s program will no longer be eligible once their career is registered as Graduate.
  • Graduate students may be eligible for 1 term of Bright Futures if they complete their bachelor's degree within 7 semesters and have at least 15 Bright Futures hours remaining.
• Renewal – Students must meet the state’s renewal criteria for GPA and earned hours to continue to be eligible for Bright Futures each year.
  • Bright Futures Academic requires a 3.0 cumulative GPA as reported at the end of the Spring term each year.
  • Bright Futures Medallion requires a 2.75 cumulative GPA as reported at the end of the Spring term each year.
  • Students must earn the hours for which they were paid Bright Futures.
    • Please use the Florida OSFA Credit Hour Tool to check your availability based on credit hours earned.
  • For additional eligibility and renewal requirements please see the State of Florida's Bright Futures webpage.

• This is a state funded scholarship for Florida resident, National Merit Finalists who receive qualifying National Merit scholarships.
• FSU may post estimated awards for students who may potentially be eligible for this scholarship. Final award is conditional upon the student meeting all requirements. Please see the State of Florida Fact Sheet for more information.
• Eligible students must successfully complete all hours registered for at the end of drop/add each term to continue to be eligible for the scholarship. Drops/Withdrawals after the end of drop/add will result in the permanent loss of the scholarship for future years.
• Students must maintain a 3.0 GPA.
• GPA and Hours completed are reported to the State of Florida at the end of each Spring term for renewal review.

• The total amount of this award is a 50% reduction (waiver) of the out-of-state portion of tuition.
• The initial offer is based on 13 hours of enrollment for both Fall and Spring semesters, but will adjust per term based on actual enrollment.
• The waiver amount is only applied toward tuition and does not include other fees, nor does it apply toward study-abroad programs.
• If residency is changed to Florida residency for tuition purposes, the waiver will no longer apply.
• Students must meet renewal criteria as established by FSU at time of award (earn 30 credits per year); maintain a 3.0 FSU GPA as reviewed at the end of each Spring term.
• The waiver is limited to 8 terms of enrollment.
• The waiver amount is subject to change based upon enrolled hours and tuition rates (as determined by Florida Legislation). For information about tuition costs, view our Tuition Rates page.

• The total amount of this award is a 100% reduction (waiver) of the out-of-state portion of tuition.
• The initial offer is based on 13 hours of enrollment for both Fall and Spring semesters, but will adjust per term based on actual enrollment.
• The waiver amount is only applied toward tuition and does not include other fees, nor does it apply toward study-abroad programs.
• If residency is changed to Florida residency for tuition purposes, the waiver will no longer apply.
• Students must meet renewal criteria as established by FSU at time of award (earn 30 credits per year); maintain a 3.0 FSU GPA as reviewed at the end of each Spring term.
• The waiver is limited to 8 terms of enrollment.
• The waiver amount is subject to change based upon enrolled hours and tuition rates (as determined by Florida Legislation). For information about tuition costs, view our Tuition Rates page.

• Waiver amounts shown may be estimated amounts based on the receipt of a previous waiver.
• Waivers should be confirmed with the sponsoring department. If the estimated waiver will not be sponsored for an upcoming term, request cancellation by contacting the Office of Financial Aid.
• Other awards may be adjusted based on the amount of the actual waiver.
• Late posting of a waiver may result in adjustments to other awards and may require repayment of other aid.

• Changes to enrollment may impact eligibility, may require repayment of aid, and may impact require adjustments to future aid.
• The state requires adjustment to Bright Futures for any change to enrollment (partial drop or full withdrawal).
• A decrease in enrolled hours (partial drop or full withdrawal) will impact satisfactory academic progress and may impact renewal for other grants or scholarships.
• Students who withdraw and have received federal Title IV financial aid may be required to repay to the federal program the amount of unearned financial aid funds disbursed to them based on their last date of academic activity.
• For additional details and frequently asked questions – see https://financialaid.fsu.edu/resources/financial-aid-processes/title-iv-withdrawal.

• To be eligible for aid other than Bright Futures as a transient student, the following must be on file:
  • a current valid Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
  • a complete financial aid file (no outstanding financial aid document requests on your To Do List)
• Courses taken at another institution must be approved by a departmental advisor for transfer credit towards the degree.
• Enrollment and cost of attendance must be verified with the host school before financial aid can be disbursed (host school may require payment prior to aid being available).
• Students attending another institution while enrolled at FSU in the same semester (for example TSC) should indicate DUAL ENROLLMENT in the student comment box on Florida Shines application.
• Students attending FAMU must complete the CO-OP Form with the Registrar's Office.
• Student attending a Florida private college or university or an out-of-state institution must complete the paper transient application.
• Students applying to Florida private colleges or out-of-state institutions must have the FSU Office of Financial Aid complete a Consortium Agreement.
• Student’s approved for enrollment at a study abroad program other than FSU Study Abroad or FSU Global Exchange should check with the FSU Office of Financial Aid to determine eligibility and requirements (forms requirement may include FSU Transient form as well as Consortium or Contractual form).

Please read these items carefully as they detail the conditions student must meet and maintain to be eligible for Federal, State, Institutional and other types of financial aid.

• Students must be enrolled in a total of 6 hours or more to be eligible for financial aid.
• Initial awards are estimated based on halftime enrollment (6 credit hours) for students not yet registered. Final awards will be adjusted for actual enrollment.
• Disbursement of aid will be made when the minimum of 6 credit hours is reached.
  • Example: if student is enrolled in 3 credits in the first sessions (A/C/F Sessions) and 3 or more credits in the second session (B Session), aid will disburse in B Session once 6 credit hours is reached.
• Awards will be adjusted based on final enrollment/session.
• If a student reduces enrollment or withdraws after financial aid disburses, repayment may be required for some or all financial aid.