Not sure if others have noticed but UCF just changed the required credits per semester for all merit scholarships! Anyone starting before Summer 2021 is only required to take 12 credit hours per semester for scholarships, but those starting in Summer or Fall 2021 (and beyond) are now being required to take 15 credit hours per semester!!
Yes, I did see the new hours requirement, but it also said that if you do not meet the 30 hrs total for Fall and Spring that you can use hrs from the summer. Not sure if that is new or students were alway able to use summer credit.
@jinsun2000 Now I have to go back and reread the offer. I was under the impression they could not use any of it for summer classes.
Edited after rereadingâŠSo yes they can use their summer courses towards the 15 credits but cannot use scholarship monies. Time to make another spreadsheet to figure out COA. LOL
I called admissions about that and they told me that you only have to be a full time student which is 12 credits. The website still said 12 credits but the award said 15. Looks like they updated the website since my phone call. If my daughter ended up there I would insist on getting the 12 credits in writing. She will probably have 50ish credits coming in and wonât need 15 per semester.
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I donât understand why UCF would raised the minimum hours required for scholarship recipients. My understanding is that these rules are in place to make sure the student graduate in 4 years. However, the kids who receive these scholarships would have boat loads of credits from AP and duel enrollments. My son will have about 45 credit hours when he starts in the summer. 15 hours per semester is really difficult to take especially for Engineering or CS majors.
Iâm sure the reason they increased it is $$$$$$.
In state students who have Bright Futures wonât have to pay for the extra 3 credit hours per semester, but UCF will get $1,272 for those extra 6 hours per year.
My daughter only needs 12 hours per term because she is coming in with over 40+ hours of AP and dual enrollment, but sheâll have to take 15 for the scholarship.
I emailed UCF and they replied that itâs increased for anyone starting Summer 21 or later.
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My daughters portal still has nothing under financial aideâŠnothing under awards or even the financial aide at all. Even if she didnât qualify for merit, usually the financial aide would be listed. Is this normal? She was accepted in November. Just trying to get a handle on the cost as she starts to narrow down her choices.
I think they also may figure that most of the in-state students who receive UCF merit scholarships are also getting full (or close to full) Bright Futures scholarships and many are pocketing the additional funds (at least this is what we have heard). This is especially true for local/commuting students, but even the case for many others. So many of these will opt to waive the UCF scholarship money in order to avoid having to take 15 credits now being required (and stick with the full BF only, since there is no 15 credit requirement for BF) - especially since many of these students are high achievers who come in with over one year worth of credits and have no reason to take 5 college courses. And many will worry about grades dropping if forced to take 5 difficult college courses when 4 is plenty when you are already way ahead. We will be in that boat and it is unfortunate to have to make such a decision. But it will save UCF a lot of scholarship money.
@Perezsotom my daughter got provost and will only accept if she doesnât get into UF or FSU. That being said, for $7500 per year she can find some blow off classes to reach the 15 credits. She will be starting with about 50 credits so she can take underwater basket weaving for all I care as long as she gets the money!
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That is an amazing deal! My oos d received a knights achievement award but it would still make tuition @ $11,000-12,000 plus room/board, travel expenses which would probably be another $10,000. It is really tough as oos looking in that she would be paying so much more for the same product. FL is obviously doing something right, low taxes, inexpensive education for residents.
Does anyone from OOS have concerns that OOS rates could suddenly increase after their student starts attending? Is it unlikely that UCF would suddenly increase OOS tuition. Iâd like to think that any college would only increase rates gradually over a period of time and not dramatically (few hundred v few thousand)? Would I be naive to think this? I tend to be a worrier. Does anyone know of any state guidelines that would prevent tuition rates from suddenly going up dramatically? @jeneric
@JimDadinmia
I canât really give you much info, but Iâm sure the UCF website has historical information.
What I found with a Google Search is that OOS costs have not increased in the last five years. I canât vouch for the data, but hereâs a link: https://www.collegefactual.com/colleges/university-of-central-florida/paying-for-college/tuition-and-fees/#secProjection
Florida university system tuitions and fees are controlled by the Florida Legislature. Each university has a little wiggle room, but the legislature has final approval. The Legislature has been very strict on not increasing tuition or fees because of the effect that has on the Florida Prepaid Tuition plans and our Bright Futures scholarships.
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Thank you! I knew you would be helpful! What is your D seeing on campus? Any pros/cons about UCF that she would want a prospective student to know about. We would really like to see the campus, but unsure if it is wise to travel during covid 19 situation.
Iâll give you a few observations just off the top of my head.
As far as traveling, I think it depends on where you live and how you are traveling.
I know people who have traveled by air in the last couple of months and have done fine. I also know one person who has flown and gotten covid â fortunately asymptomatic. I personally would not fly now, or in the foreseeable futureâŠbut thatâs me.
If youâre traveling by car, thatâs a different story. Weâre going back tomorrow, by car of course â just a 4 hour drive.
Mask compliance has been very good, with the exception of IN the dorms themselves. Off-campus restaurants are open, with distancing and mask requirements. We will be eating a great dinner tomorrow night in Celebration, FL without any concerns.
I donât think the in-person campus tours are being done currently, but the Orientation office can tell you for sure. If they are offered, definitely take one.
General observations about campus and student life:
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First of all, the campus is beautiful. Itâs pretty large, but arranged in concentric circles and well laid out. There are very large green spaces, including two major ones â The Arboretum and Lake Claire. You can look at Google maps and get a good idea from there. Look at the RWC on satellite view, but realize that the inside is even more amazing than the outside. You can also use street view to get an idea of the look of the campus.
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Recreational facilities â The campus tours typically end at the main RWC (Recreation & Wellness Center) because it absolutely blows visitors away. It is a huge gym complex, and next to it are all sorts of tennis and volleyball courts, a huge leisure pool, a challenge course (obstacles), etc, etc, etc. The RWC is open 24/7 and they have an enormous program of classes, activities, etc. Just an amazing place. There is also a smaller RWC in Knightâs Plaza West, next to the Towers dorm community.
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On classes, check Rate My Professor before signing up for any class. My daughter has taken 6 classes (all online). She has had 5 great profs and one who would be your worst nightmare. The good ones were highly rated; the bad one had terrible ratings and would have had a worse average but for 2-3 obvious shill reviews.
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Campus life has been pretty poor, as expected, and itâs not going to be any better in the upcoming Spring semester. Just about everything is âvirtual,â and thatâs just not college life. Very disappointing because UCF usually has an extremely vibrant college life vibe â but necessary. If you want to see what normal looks like, Google âSpirit Splashâ and âLight Up UCFâ for a start. And the Bounce House (football stadium) is called that for a reason, lol.
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âVirtual learningâ â Most of my daughterâs profs have been excellent, but virtual is not real college. It is much more difficult than in-person classes, and I really wonder whether the kids are learning anything. There is an element of âphoning it inâ even with the best profs.
I would suggest that you browse other threads on UCF for more details and comments. Just be sure you are looking at current stuff. Anything a year old is pre-covid and therefore very outdated.
Thank you for all the details!! I have been absorbing the info here and on xc for the past year. It is scary to think that she may need to commit before actually stepping foot on campus but we are far away and Iâm still nervous about a campus visit. Your post and others like @jeneruc have really helped to bring the campus to life. There are some great virtual resources in the website and YouTube as well. Keep posting pros/cons you can think of in the future. Does your D have any experience with âexcess feesâ. Iâm just not getting the concept and whether this could somehow negatively impact my D21.
Donât know anything about âexcess fees.â I would suggest calling Student Accounts. They are very helpful.
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Under my to-do list, it simply says Knights Achievement Award with no information about actual monetary value. I am an OOS student. Anybody else have this problem?
They donât list the $ amounts on the portal. Youâll receive a letter that outlines the scholarship. With USPS so slow these days, it could be delayed a bit.
So still no financial aide update! Yet they just asked for mid term grades.
Are you in state?