FAQs

Financial Aid › Financial Aid and Scholarship FAQs

Helping students enroll in and graduate from Florida Southern is the mission of FSC's Financial Aid Office. Don't hesitate to contact us if you have any questions.

Applying: How many students get financial aid? How do I apply for financial aid? What is the FAFSA? Where do I get a FAFSA application? How does Florida Southern package and award financial assistance? Do I have to apply for financial aid every year? When will I know how much financial aid is available to me?

State Funded Programs: What is Bright Futures? How does the Florida Pre-Paid Plan work at FSC?

Scholarships: Must I maintain a minimum grade point average to keep my scholarship?

Federal Programs: How does campus employment work at FSC?

General questions: How do I pay for books? Do I have to work in the summer? Can I play a varsity sport and work also? Will I receive the same amount of aid each year? If I plan to study abroad, will financial aid cover the costs? How do I contact the Financial Aid Office?

How many students get financial aid? 96% of incoming freshmen receive financial aid at Florida Southern.

How do I apply for financial aid? Applying for aid is simple.  By completing your application for admission, you will automatically be considered for FSC merit-based scholarships.  Once you have filed for state aid and completed your FAFSA, the FSC Financial Aid office will put together a financial aid package for you. For how-to, see Apply for Financial Aid.

What is the FAFSA? Where do I get a FAFSA application?
The deadline is March 1 for new students and April 15 for returning students. You can complete your FAFSA online at www.fafsa.ed.gov.

How does Florida Southern package and award financial assistance?
Because financial assistance is available in a variety of sources—scholarships, grants, work study, and student loans —FSC's Financial Aid Office will review your merit-based awards and state and federal grants and create a package that is tailored specifically to you and your family's financial circumstances.

Do I have to apply for financial aid every year?
Yes, you must reapply for need-based financial aid every year by completing the FAFSA.

When will I know how much financial aid is available to me?
Once a financial aid package has been determined, you will be sent an award notification letter indicating the types and amounts of financial aid offered.

Award packages for most students are sent out the week of March 1. For music and art students, the award packages will start going out after the audition/portfolio reviews. For theatre students, the award packages will go out after auditions.

What is Bright Futures?
Bright Futures is a scholarship program that is funded by the Florida Lottery and provides scholarships to academically qualified students that choose to attend Florida colleges. More about Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program.

How does the Florida Pre-Paid Plan work at FSC?
Generally there are two different types of Florida Pre-Paid Plans: RESTRICTED and UNRESTRICTED.  With a restricted plan, the College will bill the state for the amount of the cost per credit hour either at a community college or a four-year college depending upon which plan was purchased.

With an unrestricted plan, the family will have set aside a certain amount to cover the student’s tuition. The College will bill the state for the amount the family wants to withdraw for the payment of tuition.

For questions about Pre-paid plans, contact Penny Parker, 863-680- 6217 or visit the Florida Prepaid web site.

Must I maintain a minimum grade point average to keep my scholarship?
In most cases, the answer is yes, you must earn the appropriate grade point average to keep your scholarships and federal aid. Requirements vary and will be explained in detail on the back of your award letter.

Students Convicted of Possession or Sale of Drugs

How does campus employment work at FSC?
Whether you have been awarded federal work study in your award package, everyone interested in working on campus should check the FSC job board. Contact the supervisor specified to arrange an interview.

How do I pay for books?
We advise students to use summer savings to pay for books in the fall. Depending on your course of study, textbooks can be very expensive. You should expect to spend about $400 for first-semester books. Many upper-class students advertise and sell books at discounted prices.

Do I have to work in the summer?
No, but it is probably a good idea. You can expect to use the money to pay for books and personal expenses. Most students work and save during the summer to avoid borrowing more.

Can I play a varsity sport and work also?
Varsity sports can take up a lot of time. It's really up to you, your organizational skills, and your class schedule. Many athletes decide to work during the off season and earn more during the summer. Others work fewer hours during the season. Campus employers may adjust their hours to meet students' schedules.

Will I receive the same amount of aid each year?
We re-calculate "need" each year, based on changes in costs and changes in parents' income. For example,if a brother or sister goes to college, financial aid will probably increase; if a brother or sister graduates from college, aid may go down.

If I plan to study abroad, will financial aid cover the costs?
Yes, however funding is competitive. For more information, contact the Study Abroad office.

How do I contact the Financial Aid Office?
The best way to reach us is by e-mail at financialaid@flsouthern.edu. Or you can call us at (800) 205-1600.