How to Apply

Most aid programs are available to U.S. citizens and permanent residents only. UT offers partial scholarships to academically exceptional undergraduate international students. Learn more about Financial Aid for International Students.

Apply

For Merit-based Aid

The University of Tampa does not require a separate application for most merit-based scholarships. Undergraduate applicants are automatically evaluated for institutional merit-based scholarships at the time of admission. Scholarship eligibility is based upon unweighted GPA and course rigor for coursework completed at the time of admission. Unweighted GPA is the average of class grades based on a 4.0 scale as determined and calculated by the UT Admissions Committee. Scholarships are renewable annually and require students meet the minimum requirements of satisfactory academic progress (see Financial Aid Renewal for more information).

Some scholarships require a separate application:

• Departmental Scholarships
• Specialized Scholarships

There are no merit-based aid programs for graduate students at this time. Learn more about UT scholarships and grants.

For Need-based Aid

U.S. citizens and eligible non-citizens must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to be considered for need-based aid. To ensure your results are sent to UT, add The University of Tampa ( Federal School Code 001538) in the School Selection portion of the FAFSA.

Students must complete the FAFSA in every year they wish to be considered for need-based aid from federal, state (Florida residents) and institutional sources. The FAFSA typically becomes available on October 1 for the succeeding academic year (for example, the FAFSA for the 2023-2024 academic year became available on Oct. 1, 2022). Note: due to the FAFSA Simplification Act (part of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021), the U.S. Department of Education is making significant changes to the FAFSA Application; as a result the 2024-2025 FAFSA application is expected to be available in December 2023.

For help completing the FAFSA, view the two-minute tutorial 7 Easy Steps to the FAFSA or contact the financial aid office.

Need-based aid may include grants from the federal government, your state of residence, UT, work-study and federal student loans. There is no need-based aid available to non-U.S. Citizens at this time.

For Florida Residents

A variety of financial aid programs are offered for Florida residents. Students or parents of dependent students must have been residents of Florida for a least 12 consecutive months before the first day of classes. Learn more about aid for Florida residents.

Results

Student Aid Report (SAR)

A few days after you complete the FAFSA, you’ll receive a Student Aid Report (SAR) to the student’s email on the FAFSA. The schools you listed in the School Selection portion of the FAFSA will receive the results at approximately the same time.

The SAR will include your answers to the questions from the FAFSA. Review this information for accuracy and log back into your FAFSA to make corrections, if needed.

SAR comments will alert you to potential errors on your FAFSA, that you have been selected for verification or that other information is needed. KHEAA (see the section on Verification, below) may contact you to assist you in resolving certain SAR comments related to:

• Social Security Administration/citizenship issues
• Social Security number/name/date of birth match
• Veterans Affairs status issues
• Signature(s) missing from the FAFSA
• Other comments include wording like: "Your School may [will] request additional information to determine your eligibility for federal student aid."

Your SAR will include the Expected Family Contribution (EFC – renamed Student Aid Index or SAI starting in 2024-2025). This is the amount the U.S. Department of Education believes your family can contribute towards your education for one academic year.  

Cost of Attendance

Cost of attendance (COA) is an estimated figure used by the financial aid office to determine the total cost of attending their institution for one academic year. It includes tuition and fees, room and board, books and supplies, transportation and personal expenses. Financial aid, such as scholarships, grants, loans and work-study, can help offset the cost of attendance. The COA for each student may vary based on their program of study, the number of credits in which they enroll, and individual circumstances, for example. Understanding the cost of attendance and available financial aid options can help students make informed decisions about paying for their education. Generally, the total financial aid a student receives cannot exceed the cost of attendance (see information on Over Awards, below, for more information).

The cost of attendance minus EFC (the result of the FAFSA) determines a student's eligibility for need-based aid.

Cost of Attendance – EFC = Need

This is the maximum amount of Need-based aid a student can receive in one academic year.

View the Costs of Attendance for UT’s programs on our website. Costs are typically updated in April for the upcoming academic year.

• Financial Statement Form (international students)
• Physician Assistant Medicine Program
• Nonprofit Management Certificate Program
• Tuition and Costs (all other programs)

Learn about your financial aid offer.