Navigating Tuition and Fees as an International Student at UCF

For international students aspiring to study in the United States, the University of Central Florida (UCF) presents a compelling option. With a diverse community of over 3,400 international students from 137 countries, UCF offers top-ranked programs, a welcoming environment, and a location in sunny Orlando, Florida. However, understanding the financial aspects, including tuition fees, financial aid, and other expenses, is crucial for prospective students. UCF believes that a college education should provide lifelong benefits and not lifelong debt. This article aims to provide a comprehensive guide to navigating tuition fees and related financial matters as an international student at UCF.

Understanding Tuition and Fees

The following charts provide the estimated annual expenses for international students at the University of Central Florida. It is important to note that fees are subject to change without notice. Undergraduate tuition is based on 12 credit hours, while graduate tuition is based on 9 credit hours for fall and spring enrollment. Students may be required to enroll in additional credit hours per semester depending on their program schedule and should check with their academic department regarding enrollment requirements. Some programs may also have different tuition and fee rates. Due to rising costs, financial planning should allow for a 5 to 10 percent annual increase in living expenses and/or tuition.

Financial Aid and Scholarships

Last year, 72 percent of undergraduate students at UCF received some form of financial aid, and 70 percent graduated with no educational debt. Nationally, just 34 percent of students graduate debt-free.

Scholarships for First-Year Students

If you’re applying as a high school student for the summer or fall semester, you will automatically be considered for a UCF Pegasus Scholarship or another admission award. The selection process is competitive, as fewer than 20 percent of our students receive an offer. One of our most prestigious scholarships, the Provost Award is offered to Florida residents with outstanding academic credentials. High school seniors applying as incoming freshmen for the summer or fall semester will be considered for this award. UCF is ranked among the top 30 colleges in the nation - 13th among public universities - and second in Florida for its number of enrolled National Merit Scholars.

Scholarships for Transfer Students

Students who earn an Associate in Arts (A.A.) degree from a Florida public state college and transfer to begin initial enrollment at UCF in the Fall semester are eligible to apply for a UCF Transfer Scholarship. Qualified applicants can receive the UCF Transfer Scholarship one time only. Dual enrollment students earning an A.A. degree and a high school diploma at the same time are not eligible for this scholarship, however they may be considered for a UCF freshman scholarship based upon their academic credentials. To review application procedures and eligibility, and to submit the Transfer Scholarship application, you must log into the Future Knight Portal. The deadline to submit this application is April 15.

General Scholarship Advice

The combination of financial aid plus scholarship funds can have a profound impact on your future success in and after college. Here’s some advice:

Seek out and apply for scholarships during your senior year of high school or during the months before you transfer to UCF from another college.
A2O, a scholarship application system, includes a comprehensive list of UCF scholarships available to students from individual colleges, departments and organizations.
NOTE: A complete application for admission, including the application fee or waiver, SPARK Form, and official SAT, ACT or CLT test scores must be received by the Early Action deadlines of Oct. 15 and Nov. 15 to be considered for merit scholarships. Scholarship funding is limited.
Search for scholarships annually. Award availability may vary.
Get started early. Check deadlines and write down when notifications will be made.
Follow up.

Demonstrating Financial Support

As an international applicant to UCF, the immigration documents (including financial support) are not needed for an academic decision to be made on your application. If you would like to wait to submit these documents until after an admissions decision is made, that is not a problem. Students must submit financial documents demonstrating the amount listed for their program.

Acceptable Financial Documents

If your financial support will come from your personal funds, you may submit a recent official bank letter or statement only.
If your financial support is from anyone other than yourself, you are required to submit an affidavit of support that must be signed by your sponsor, along with a recent bank letter or statement from your sponsor’s account.
You may provide a recent sanctioned educational loan letter including terms and conditions such as fund availability date and total loan amount.

Pre-Arrival Checklist: Fees to Pay

Before arriving at UCF, international students must take care of a few essential fees:

SEVIS I-901 Fee

The SEVIS I-901 Fee is a mandatory government fee that all incoming students must pay at least 3 days before their visa interview. The SEVIS I-901 Fee can be paid online at fmjfee.com. Students will need to enter the information that appears on their Form I-20 or DS-2019 issued by UCF. The information required to make a SEVIS I-901 Fee payment is located on the Form I-20 or DS-2019 itself.

Visa Application Fee

Students must consult the U.S. Embassy or Consulate where they will apply for their visa for detailed instructions on how to pay the visa application fee. The current fee is $185 USD. Students who have been issued a Form I-20 or DS-2019 from multiple schools must apply for their visa using for Form I-20 or DS-2019 issued by UCF.

Read also: PIC: Your Path to Higher Education

Important Steps After Admission

All international students admitted to undergraduate, graduate, and pathway programs need to complete an online orientation in WebCourses. This orientation includes important information students need to know before arriving to campus.
Certain graduate programs may require a specific departmental orientation.
Students are strongly encouraged to arrive at least 1 or 2 weeks prior to the start of classes, or at least before classes begin. Keep in mind that F-1 and J-1 students making an initial entry into the USA with a valid F-1 or J-1 visa can arrive up to 30 days prior to the program start date listed on the Form I-20 or DS-2019.
Students arriving at the Orlando International Airport (MCO) will find that it is a 30-minute drive to the UCF main campus. Taxis are readily available at the airport, and shuttle services can also be arranged in advance and are often less expensive than taxis. Ride share services (Uber, Lyft) are also available.
Students in these programs may check in in-person during an in-person orientation at UCF Global. At the Global Knights Welcome Event, students will receive important reminders about their first few weeks at UCF and have a chance to meet other new students, their Global Student Ambassadors, and the UCF Global Team.
If you are at another institution, will need to have their SEVIS record electronically transferred to UCF prior to the start of classes.

Housing Options and Costs

On-Campus Housing

UCF Housing and Residence Life offers a variety of residential communities to UCF students. There are many types of available floorplans and price points ranging from traditional shared suites to 2-bedroom, 2-bathroom, luxury apartments. A shared suite typically accommodates two students to a bedroom, and two bedrooms (4 students) share a bathroom. Apartments can accommodate 2 to 6 students and typically feature private bedrooms, with shared living rooms and kitchens or kitchenettes. Students are encouraged to apply for on-campus housing immediately upon admission to UCF as on-campus housing fills up quickly.

Off-Campus Housing

The majority of UCF international students live off-campus. There are many apartment complexes located very close to Main Campus and which are on a UCF Shuttle Route. When searching for off-campus housing, consider the following:

Access to transportation
Rent and utilities costs
Amenities
Size of apartment

When renting an apartment, students will need to sign a lease. A lease is a legal document and a contract between the student (tenant) and the landlord. It is very important to read the lease carefully and view the apartment in-person (if possible) before signing.

Additional Resources

UCF Global

UCF Global is there every step of the way, offering academic and cultural guidance to help students adjust and thrive. UCF Global’s Pathway Programs give international students an exclusive first-year experience, leading to exciting degrees in fields like STEM, Business, and Hospitality. Pathway Program Projected Costs are ~$8,500 per semester. This includes tuition, fees and academic support. Additional costs may include housing, food, and transportation.

Intensive English Program

At UCF, we offer an immersive English experience perfect for international students, whether you’re looking to boost your English skills or get ready for your undergraduate or graduate degree. Our CEA-accredited program includes intensive classes across a progression of English levels, with 24 hours of instruction each week. After completing level 8, you won’t need to take TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo for admission to UCF. Intensive English Program Projected Costs are ~$2,657.05 for a full level of full-time enrollment (5 classes). The breakdown is $579.41 per IEP course and covers tuition and fees. The Online English Program projected costs are ~$920 total per session.

Read also: USA Degree Programs

Graduate Assistantships and Fellowships

Graduate students who have been awarded an Assistantship or Fellowship need to schedule an appointment with an UCF Global Employment and Taxation Coordinator by calling 407-823-2337 to complete their hiring/scholarship paperwork after completing the Virtual Check-In with UCF Global.

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