I am an incoming freshman at UF and will be receiving the Benacquisto Scholarship, but I am confused about a couple of details. First of all, since the Benacquisto Scholarship covers the cost of housing, do I need to stay in campus for all four years for that? Moreover, when will I receive the funding to pay for books and other expenses? Is there anywhere that I can find more details? All of the information that I currently have is pretty vague so I’ve been a bit confused about the whole process. Thanks!
Hi. You can use the housing money any way you choose. So…it can be used for a dorm, a frat house, an apartment or (if you are living at home with your parents) any other expenses. The money comes in at slightly different times for different people. It will be there when you need it. If the money is not in your account when school starts, UF will defer your bills.
@FLteacher Or any one who has an answer to tuition billing for an OOS Benacquisto Scholarship. How does the tuition billing for OOS Benacquisto Scholarship work, I know they defer your tuition and housing until just after drop/add and that is when the funds from the scholarship are disbursed. But my daughter is currently being billed at the out of state costs for tuition (per credit) including an out of stat financial aid fee of $35.36/credit and the $707.21/credit on top of the in-state costs= $212.71 Fees and tuition per credit. Will they issue a credit for the $707.21 & $35.36= $742.57/credit or just adjust her to the instate per credit rate of $212.71. When does this happen? after drop/add or before?
The Benacquisto comes in late!!! All fees are deferred on campus and re-deferred as time goes by. (stay on it) Out of state may take awhile to land, possibly weeks, so last year it was scary. Eventually, with a few calls or visits to the FA office it gets squared away. The money lands in the students account, in batches, it receives from the state. (weeks- last year) (and at different durations for different students) 2018 was the 1st year of OOS Benacquisto. The good news is once it all disperses, the excess will be put in the students Bank account. The OOS Student will be considered OUT of State for the duration. (they don’t change it in the computer) Eventually they do waive it each semester. Have your daughter get a Wells Fargo Account on campus in the Union, and transfer or access it to her UF CARD ID. She may need a monthly or weekly deposit from you (we found a local branch in our state) until it all sorts out. Mine paid me back at Christmas. After that, she will have an abundance of $ and be solid for the duration of her time at UF. (summer vacations with-standing) So far, only her OOS tuition for a mandatory 9 semester summer hours should be her only not covered cost. (each school can decide OOS tuition for her that 9 hours) If she is frugal she should be able to save up that much in 2 years. (If one is Off campus living then arrive with $ until it disperses)
Everything comes in after drop/add. It was very stressful at first and then, everything works out quickly.