Graduate Financial Aid
Making Advanced STEM Education Affordable
At Florida Poly, we’re committed to making advanced STEM education affordable and accessible.
As one of the most affordable public universities in Florida for master’s degrees, we offer exceptional value without compromising quality. Our financial aid team is here to help you navigate funding options—like scholarships, assistantships, and federal aid—so you can focus on your graduate studies. Whether you’re continuing your academic journey or returning to school, we’ll support you every step of the way.
STEP 1
Types of Aid
Florida Poly Aid
Florida Poly Graduate Scholarships
Amount
Up to $8,000 per year
Eligibility
Students pursuing the course-only path in a graduate program.
Deadline
July 15
Submit the graduate admissions application by the deadline including all supporting documentation — no additional application needed!
Full Scholarship Graduate Assistantships
Amount
100% tuition + $4,000 stipend per semester, including a summer term
Eligibility
- Students pursuing the 2-year thesis program
- Students will need to stay on track for the thesis pathway and graduate on time. Students are expected to dedicate significant time to their research throughout the program.
- The assistantship also requires a commitment of ten (10) hours per week of instructional support as assigned by the academic department. Students are also allowed to work no more than an additional ten (10) hours per week on campus at an hourly rate.
- More information regarding graduate assistantship eligibility and policies can be found in the graduate catalog and handbook.
Application Process
No additional application is required and admitted students are automatically reviewed by faculty for these awards. Students interested in a graduate assistantship should speak with Graduate Admissions and indicate their interest in the thesis pathway on their application. Graduate assistantships, each evaluated by a faculty committee, are highly competitive and limited in number each year. Students working full-time are ineligible for graduate assistantships.
Federal Aid
The federal government provides grants, loans, and work-study funds for students that meet certain eligibility requirements. Use the Federal Student Aid Estimator to estimate your eligibility for loans, grants, and work-study.
Federal Work Study
The Federal Work-Study Program allows students the opportunity for part-time employment working with Florida Poly. Students that accept a position as a Federal Work Study are paid wages through this financial need-based grant, in exchange for working with the university.
Eligibility
- Work-study awards are based on financial need determined by submitting the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) each year of college (Florida Poly School Code: 042634).
- Must meet standards for Satisfactory Academic Progress.
- Must have remaining financial need in their Cost of Attendance for the Academic Year.
- Must be attending at least part-time each semester (6 credit hours).
- Positions are not guaranteed every year. Students must submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) (Florida Poly School Code: 042634) every year to ensure that they have financial need. Position availability may also depend on the amount of funding Florida Poly receives each year. Students that were awarded Federal Work Study in the prior year will be considered first for the same position.
Additional Information
Hours: Federal Work Study students typically work a maximum of 20 hours per week (part time).
Payment: Federal Work Study must pay at least minimum wage of the State you are attending school. The position you apply for, or position supervisor, will advise you of the current pay rate. You will be paid on a bi-monthly basis by the university. Your bi-monthly pay will be based on the number of hours you have worked in the pay period.
Positions Available: There are various forms of Federal Work Study jobs on and off campus. Department examples include:
- Admissions Center
- Cashier or Bursar
- Laboratory Assistance
- Academic Success Center
- Student Development
- Student Records
- Off-campus Tutoring
Federal Loans
A loan is money you borrow and must pay back with interest.
Eligibility
- Submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) each year of college (Florida Poly School Code: 042634).
- Enrolled at least half-time (minimum 6 credit hours), are degree seeking, and take courses required for your degree.
- Not be in default on a federal student loan.
- Must be registered with Selective Service if you are a male (you must register between the ages of 18 and 25).
- Be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen.
- Based on a student’s financial need as determined by the FAFSA.
- The student is responsible for paying the interest on a Direct Unsubsidized Loan during all periods.
- Loans provide a six month “grace period” after finishing school before repayment begins.
Receiving your loan:
- Submit the FAFSA (Florida Poly School Code: 042634)
- Accept your loan in the CAMS student portal
- Complete the Master Promissory Note (MPN)
- Complete your Student Loan Entrance Counseling
- Students may borrow up to the University’s published Cost of Attendance minus any other estimated financial assistance
- Interest accrues while you are still in school and during deferment periods, and is added to the principal amount of your loan
- Repayment begins after the loan is fully disbursed, but can be deferred while in school
Receiving your loan:
- Submit the FAFSA (Florida Poly School Code: 042634)
- Complete the Direct PLUS Loan Application and Credit Check.
- Accept your loan in the CAMS student portal.
- Complete the Master Promissory Note (MPN)
- Complete your Student Loan Entrance Counseling
Federal Loan Repayment
Students who withdraw, drop below less than part-time enrollment status, or graduate will receive notification to complete exit counseling for their Student Loan Repayment if they received a Direct Loan while attending Florida Poly.
Exit counseling topics include:
- Repayment options
- Consequences of default
- Deferment and forbearance information
- Loan consolidation
- Loan rehabilitation
Additional Information
- Exit counseling can be completed by logging into the studentaid.gov website with your FSA ID.
- Calculate your federal student loan repayment with the Loan Simulator. The simulator can import your federal student loans directly and provide you with an estimated monthly payment amount under each repayment plan available to you.
Federal Direct Loan Limits
The Office of Financial Aid determines the loan type(s), if any, and the actual loan amount you are eligible to receive each academic year. However, federal regulations set limits on the amount in subsidized and unsubsidized loans you may be eligible to receive each academic year (annual loan limits) and the total amounts that you may borrow for undergraduate study (aggregate loan limits). The actual loan amount you are eligible to receive each academic year may be less than the maximum annual loan limit listed below. These limits vary depending on: your grade level and dependency status (dependent or independent).
Other Aid
Outside Scholarships
While Florida Poly offers a variety of institutional scholarships and grants, students are encouraged to explore additional funding opportunities through external sources. These scholarships can significantly offset educational expenses and are available from various organizations and foundations. Here are some reputable places to begin your search:
Private Loans
Private loans can help cover your educational expenses if you’ve already explored all other financial aid options, including federal aid. These loans come from private lenders—not the government—and work differently than federal student loans. Florida Poly does not have a list of preferred lenders – students can research private loans with the lender of their choice.
Important Things to Know
- Approval is based on your (and your co-signer’s) credit, income, and debt history.
- Interest rates may be higher or variable (can change over time), unlike fixed federal loan rates.
- Repayment terms may be stricter and less flexible than federal loans.
- Additional fees may apply.
- Private loans may not be consolidated with federal loans.
- Applying multiple times may lower your credit score due to credit checks.
How to Apply
- Research and choose a lender that offers private student loans.
- Complete the loan application—make sure to select the correct academic year.
- Submit required paperwork, including a Private Education Loan Self-Certification Form.
- Once approved, your lender will send your loan info to Florida Poly for disbursement.
Note: Don’t apply too early! Most private loan approvals are only valid for 120 days, and financial aid is disbursed starting Week 2 of each semester.
Veteran Administration (VA) Benefits & Active Duty Military Aid
Florida Poly is proud to assist veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces and their families in accessing the financial aid and education benefits available to them. Visit our Veterans & Military page for more information.
Tuition Waivers
Florida Department of Children & Families Waiver
For any student for whom the state is paying foster care, is a ward of the state or who is adopted from the Department of Children and Family Services after 12/31/1997, certain tuition and related fees shall be waived. The waiver can be used until the student is 28 years of age for qualified undergraduate and graduate level courses. Students who are eligible should contact their state agency to get the DCF waiver form. Provide this form to the Office of Financial Aid.
Homeless Tuition Waiver
In order to qualify for a tuition exemption as a result of homelessness, the student must meet the criteria outlined in Florida Statute 1009.25(1)(f).
Documentation is required from a school district homeless liaison, case manager, or FL Poly CARE services indicating that the student:
- Lacks a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence; or
- Primary nighttime residence is a public or private shelter designed to provide temporary residence for individuals intended to be institutionalized; or
- A public or private place not designed for, or ordinarily used as, a regular sleeping accommodation for human beings.
Additional Waivers
Additional tuition waivers may be available. See Fl Board of Governors 7.008 for more information.
STEP 2
Apply for Financial Aid
1. Apply to Florida Poly
Apply for admission to Florida Poly to get started on your path to financial aid eligibility.
2. Complete the FAFSA
To apply for need-based financial aid, including grants, scholarships, loans, and federal work-study, students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), School Code: 042634.
STEP 3
Accept & Finalize Your Financial Aid Package
1. Review Your Financial Aid Offer
Newly admitted students will receive their financial aid offer letters in the mail and via email beginning in December. Continuing students may review their aid packages inCAMS for the following academic year as early as March.
2. Accept or Decline Your Offer
After submitting your deposit, you will be assigned a CAMS student portal login and password, sent from the Florida Poly Helpdesk.
- Access CAMS and enter your NetID, password, and start term.
- Click the My Financial Aid link.
- Review your Financial Aid Award and/or Scholarships and click the Accept or Decline box next to each award. Federal Student Aid will not disburse without an Accept decision.
3. Complete Additional Documentation
If you are borrowing federal direct loans, you must complete the following at studentaid.gov using your FSA ID and password:
- Complete Entrance Counseling to ensure you understand the responsibilities and obligations you are assuming (approx. 20-30 minutes).
- Complete loan agreement for Subsidized/Unsubsidized Loan (MPN), a legal document in which you promise to repay your federal student loans and any interest that accrues (approx. 20-30 minutes).
Verification
If you are selected for verification, you will be notified by the Office of Financial Aid at Florida Poly. This process is a federal requirement, with the intent to improve the accuracy of the information submitted on the FAFSA.
It will require you to submit additional documentation in order to determine your financial aid eligibility. Once the verification process is complete, your financial aid awards may be revised to reflect your correct eligibility. Failure to complete the verification process will stop your financial aid from disbursing and any balance owed for tuition and fees will become your responsibility.
Important Dates
October 1
FAFSA Available to Students and Families
January 1
Priority Deadline for Completion of FAFSA
December–May
Estimated Financial Aid Offer Letters Sent
May 1
Enrollment Confirmation – Deadline to Submit Deposit
Contact Us
863-874-4774 | financialaid@floridapoly.edu
