Florida Incentive Scholarship

Mmmm. my daughter has already been named a corporate NM scholar and nothing is reflected in the UF financial aid award letter. Were we supposed to inform them?

Here is what I heard from my daughters financial aid adviser at UF today:


If (daughter) is a National Merit Finalist, she should list the University of Florida as her top choice with National Merit. Once National Merit has sent this information to UF, she should follow-up with the Office of Admissions to make sure the information was received. So long as the Office of Admissions receives information indicating that UF is (daughter’s) top choice by May 1st, she will be considered for a college-sponsored scholarship. If Sara receives a college-sponsored scholarship, she will qualify for the Florida Incentive Scholarship.

For more information, I would encourage you to follow-up with the Office of Admissions.

Her financial aid form in ISIS did not include a “predicted” award for FIS. It’s not clear if this is only because NMSC has not updated UF for her first selection which won’t happen until next week.

Chaos rules.

Daughter’s friend ( national Merit Finalist and now UF scholar) just got her financial aid report emailed and it clearly shows her net cost is 0 with the $500 from UF and $20,090 from the state of Florida!

My son received his financial aid report in the mail yesterday- also showing a net cost of $0 and $500 from UF! I think if some NMF switched their 1st choice school to UF more recently it may not be awarded yet.

Here is what I learned today after talking to UF admissions:

My daughter’s info of her selection of UF as her NMSC first choice showed up last Friday at UF with the new April 10th NMSC roster. UF was updating the info today. My daughter’s financial aid report will reflect the new award (and FIS eligibility) sometime this week. Great news.

UF indicated they were giving all NMF’s this $500 award, and NM Scholar’s get nothing (because they are already eligible for the FIS).

My understanding is that new NM rosters will be sent out on May 1st and June 1st for those who have not changed their 1st school choice yet.

I am a national merit finalist and I changed my first choice to Florida sometime in march, though I still have not seen any update on my financial aid info reflecting FIS. I have tried calling the financial aid office and admissions office probably over ten times but I always get sent to voice mail. Have other national merit finalists had their financial aid info updated for FIS? Does anyone have suggestions on what I should do? I really want to go to UF but I would not be able to afford it without FIS. I would greatly appreciate some advice.

@Awittyname, we are in the same boat. I don’t have any good advice. I haven’t tried calling yet because I thought maybe it was taking a while to get through all the names they received on April 10th. If I don’t see anything in the next few days, I’ll be calling!

@Awittyname, I checked again this morning and my son’s account now shows the $500 National Merit Scholarship but makes no mention of the FIS. I believe the FIS should be automatic after the award of the NM Scholarship, though. I do see that others on this board show the predicted FIS in their account, so I have no idea why ours doesn’t.

@WVU1985, is your daughter’s account showing anything? I don’t know if I should call or just wait it out.

My daughter’s friend’s account simply shows something like " from state" which is the FIS ( name of this might be changed) + bright futures. It shows the total cost as $20,590 then shows the $500 fromUF and the remaining balance of $20,090 “from the state” but does not specify the name FIS or Bright Futures and it shows her amount owed as $0.

Deleted bc I read the award wrong. It is loans. So no update on our isis yet either.

@Mobie101 I checked and I have the 500 dollar national merit scholarship on isis but I also do not have FIS listed. Hopefully they just haven’t updated it for people whose names were sent out on April 10th. Let me know if you learn anything!

I “spoke” to Mr Mauney, who confirmed that ISIS will be updated in May for those who didn’t pick UF as #1 until after April 10. He is my absolute favorite Gator, excluding sons and husband.

@Cshecmia Did Mr Mauney indicate when ISIS would be updated for those who selected UF #1 prior to April 10?

@flssddad,

Mr. Mauney just said sometime in May. He is out of the office until Monday and said that he would look into it further and circle back to me then. He also provided me with these contact numbers:

For State Programs, Carolyn Repko (cjrepko@ufl.edu)
For Scholarships, Cheri Zdziarski (cheriz@ufl.edu)
For Student Employment, Dinah Delhomme (delhommedinah@ufl.edu)

My S has already committed to UF, so we aren’t really in a rush anymore. I understand that there are those who are waiting on official FIS notification before deciding, and that must be frustrating. It has been a very long and complicated process and Mr. Mauney gets that.

Thanks for reporting that info, Cshecmia!

Our aid report shows the predicted Bright Futures (shows as “Academic Scholar” or something like that), the $500 Merit Scholarship, and two potential loans. The loans used to have 3 options: accept, reduce, or decline. For some reason, as of last week, the only option is “decline”. This is fine, since we won’t need the loans, but I am curious why the other two options disappeared. This happened before the National Merit stuff showed up, too. I checked the paperwork they sent and I don’t see any deadlines listed. Did this happen to anyone else? Should we decline them or wait until the FIS shows up?

Thanks to all for continuing to share information!

There is currently a motion in the Senate to rename the Florida Incentive Scholarship and call it the Benacquisto Scholarship, a superficial change, and to require universities to offer a school-sponsored national merit scholarship for them to qualify for the “preeminent university” funding boost. UF and FSU are the only two schools that benefit from this funding as of now, so they will almost certainly offer a National Merit Scholarship in future years, though I am not sure whether that would affect the class of 2015. https://www.flsenate.gov/PublishedContent/Committees/2014-2016/AED/MeetingRecords/MeetingPacket_3027.pdf

Lisbeth Benacquisto is the SW FL representative that wants to slap her name on it. Smooth marketing move for the next election cycle.

“(12) A student who receives an award under the scholarship program shall be known as a Benacquisto Scholar.”

My daughter now has the $500 “PREDICTED NATIONAL MERIT SCH” award showing up in ISIS at UF. It doesn’t show a predicted FIS award yet, but I think this is just because they haven’t updated that part of the page yet which was dated April 2.

I called the Florida Department of Education Office of Student Financial Assistance and tried to confirm this is all that was required and whether any further applications etc. needed to be performed. They at first told me that no Finalists would qualify period, which sent me off into a panic. After quoting verbatim from the law…

6A-20.0281 Florida Incentive Scholarship Program (2)
A Scholar is defined as a National Merit® Finalist who receives a National Merit® $2500 Scholarship, a Corporate-sponsored Merit Scholarship®, a College-sponsored Merit Scholarship® or an Institutional award provided to 2014 National Merit® Finalists who did not receive one of the other three scholarships associated with the National Merit® Scholarship program; or, a National Achievement® Finalist who receives a National Achievement $2500 Scholarship® or a Corporate-sponsored Achievement Scholarship®.

…someone else got on the phone and said that a Finalist would qualify as long as they got the “College-sponsored Merit Scholarship”. According to the DOE, they are out of the loop for final qualification and UF would do all the work to get the actual scholarship awards. And UF admissions says that this $500 award is what is needed (beyond being in-state, etc.):

(3)
General eligibility requirements. To receive a Florida Incentive Scholarship Program award, a student shall meet requirements set in s. 1009.893, Florida Statutes (F.S.), and:
(a)
Earn a standard diploma from a Florida high school or its equivalent pursuant to s. 1003.4281, s. 1003.4282, or s. 1003.435, F.S., or complete a home education program according to s. 1002.41, F.S. The student who earns a high school diploma from a non-Florida high school may be eligible if the student is living with a parent who is on military or public service assignment outside of the State of Florida, pursuant to s. 1009.893(4)(b)2., F.S.;
(b) Not have previously received a recognized baccalaureate degree;
(c)
Be initially enrolled in the 2014-15 academic year or later at an eligible Florida postsecondary institution in a baccalaureate degree program for the fall term immediately following high school graduation;
(d)
Be enrolled at an eligible Florida postsecondary institution for a minimum of twelve (12) credit hours per term or the equivalent in quarter hours; and
(e) Meet the qualifications of a Scholar as defined in subsection (2) of this rule.

For those of you who are wondering what the official award is, the COA (cost of attendance) is a legally required number all schools put out. UF’s COA is here ($20,590 per year):
http://www.sfa.ufl.edu/basics/cost-of-attendance/

They subtract out any other awards you receive such as Bright Futures. No double dipping.

But don’t let all this eliminate all paranoia. The legislature is battling the Governor on the budget and education funding is one of the main battlegrounds. I’m sure any scholarships that are perceived to be for “the wealthy” are a target. The DOE says they believe scholarship funding for 2015-2016 is already set and any changes will occur the following year. If the program is eliminated, it is possible they will grandfather in any current awardees, but that would be TBD.

So to make a long story short, I think that if you show the $500 Merit award in ISIS, you are set. Famous last words…

…and one last thing…the award ends once you receive a degree, most Merit finalists probably have a lot of incoming credits and could graduate early. To take full advantage of the award, you would want to delay your degree until the final semester of the 4th year and take as many graduate level courses as possible.

Here is an e-mail I got yesterday from UF. Anyone expecting to receive a Merit scholarship should hopefully receive the same thing:

Greetings from the University of Florida Office of Admissions!

Congratulations! You have been identified as a Florida high school student and Finalist by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC), entitling you to a College-sponsored Merit Scholarship®.
The College-sponsored Merit Scholarship is a $2,000 package awarded over four consecutive years. You will receive $250.00 each fall and spring semester for eight consecutive semesters provided you:

• were not awarded a one-time National Merit® $2500 Scholarship or a Corporate-sponsored Merit Scholarship®,
• indicated the University of Florida as your “first-choice” through NMSC,
• maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0, and
• maintain full-time enrollment with a minimum completion of 24 semester hours at the University of Florida (including fall, spring, and summer semesters).

Please review the attached scholarship acceptance agreement carefully and retain copy for your records. In addition to this email, you will also receive a hardcopy of your agreement in 5 to 10 business days. In order to accept this award, you must return a signed copy of your agreement to the Office of Admissions no later than May 15, 2015:
By mail: Both student and parent/guardian must sign the agreement and mail it back to the Office of Admissions:

C/O Krista Scott
UF Office of Admissions
201 Criser Hall
PO Box 114000
Gainesville, FL 32611

By email: Both student and parent/guardian must sign the agreement. Scan both sides of the original and email:
C/O Krista Scott
krista.scott@admissions.ufl.edu

If we do not receive this agreement by 1 June 2015, we will assume you have declined the scholarship offer. If you choose to mail your agreement, it must be postmarked by 1 June 2015. All agreements must have authentic signatures. It is still important that you have confirmed your enrollment with the Office of Admissions by May 1, 2015.
The College-sponsored Merit Scholarship® is part of your total financial aid package. As you may be eligible for need-based assistance from the Office for Student Financial Affairs, we strongly encourage you to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). If you have any questions about this award or changes to your enrollment plans, please contact Krista Scott at (352) 294-0967 or e-mail at krista.scott@admissions.ufl.edu. Our office commends you for all of your success, and we hope you choose to join the Gator Nation!

Sincerely,
Krista Scott
Assistant Director, Scholarships and Regional Recruitment
Interim Regional Representative, New Jersey and Pennsylvania
University of Florida Office of Admissions
201 Criser Hall
PO Box 114000
Gainesville, FL 32611
352.392.1365
352.392.2115 (FAX)

Here is the text of the agreement. Pay special attention to #7: “The Florida Incentive Scholarship Program is subject to state funding and will not be awarded until funding has been confirmed.”

National Merit Scholarship Agreement
In recognition of your status as a Finalist in the National Merit Program (administered by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation [NMSC]) who has named the University of Florida [UF] your “first choice” school, the University of Florida is offering you a Merit Finalist Scholarship of $2,000. Your Merit Finalist Scholarship has the following requirements:

  1. You will receive $250.00 each fall and spring semester for four consecutive years, or eight semesters, unless you meet bachelor’s degree requirements sooner. You will not receive scholarship allotments after graduation, even if all eight semesters have not been used. If you do not complete your degree program within four years, you will be financially responsible for the classes needed to complete your program. You must also be ‘in residence’ at UF. (‘In residence’ does not limit students to on campus housing. Study abroad does not constitute a break in residency at UF).
  2. You must be registered for a minimum of 12 credit hours at the end of drop/add each fall and spring semester to receive your scholarship each semester.
  3. The National Merit Scholarship is applicable to undergraduate course work. Should you choose to enroll in graduate level courses, you will be responsible for the difference in tuition between graduate and undergraduate course work. Please contact the National Merit coordinator prior to registering for graduate courses.
  4. You must complete a minimum of 24 hours at the University of Florida over each consecutive academic year (Fall, Spring, and Summer) and maintain at least a 3.0 cumulative grade point average on UF coursework.
    a. It is recommended that you take an average of 15 hours per semester (30 hours per academic year).
    b. Grade point averages will be evaluated for scholarship renewal at the end of the spring and summer terms.
    c. Credits earned through AP, IB, AICE, CLEP, dual enrollment, and transient enrollment do not count in the 24 credit hour totals
  5. Disciplinary action taken by the University, including but not limited to disciplinary probation, is grounds for withholding scholarship monies.
  6. If you are awarded a one-time National Merit® $2500 Scholarship or a Corporate-sponsored Merit Scholarship, note that those monies will be distributed directly to you by the NMSC. You will not receive $250 each fall and spring from UF.
  7. According to Florida Statute 1009.893, students who meet the following criteria are eligible for the Florida Incentive Scholarship:
    (a) a National Merit® $2500 Scholarship,
    (b) a National Achievement® $2500 Scholarship,
    (c) a Corporate-sponsored Merit Scholarship®,
    (c) a Corporate-sponsored Achievement Scholarship®, or
    (d) a College-sponsored Merit Scholarship®
    The Florida Incentive Scholarship Program is subject to state funding and will not be awarded until funding has been confirmed. More information on the Florida Incentive Scholarship can be found here: http://www.floridastudentfinancialaid.org/SSFAD/factsheets/FIS.pdf
  8. Understand that the National Merit Scholarship will be included as part of your total need-based financial aid package.
    Continued…
    Please be sure to make a copy of this agreement for your files.
  9. Understand that the continuation requirements outlined in this agreement pertain only to the Merit Scholarship and may differ from renewal requirements for other scholarships you may receive, including the Florida Incentive Scholarship. The Merit Scholarship will not reimburse money that you may lose if you fail to retain other scholarships.
  10. Please understand it is incumbent on you to review your financial status with the university each semester. Retroactive adjustments cannot be made.
  11. Your UF Merit Scholarship administered by the Assistant Director of Scholarships and Regional Recruitment in the Office of Admissions, 201 Criser Hall; phone (352)294-0967; email krista.scott@admissions.ufl.edu. Please direct all your questions about the National Merit scholarship to the Office of Admissions.
  12. Understand that returning this agreement is not confirming your intent to enroll at the University of Florida. You will still have to confirm your intent to enroll by 1 May 2015.
  13. Understand that changing your “first choice school” to another institution through the NMSC will cancel your eligibility for this award.
  14. Failure to return this agreement postmarked by 1 June 2015 will cancel your eligibility for this award.