Navigating the UCF Scholarship Appeal Process: A Comprehensive Guide

For students at the University of Central Florida (UCF), scholarships can be a crucial component of funding their education. However, circumstances may arise that impact a student's ability to meet the renewal criteria or necessitate a leave of absence. In such cases, understanding the UCF scholarship appeal process is essential. This article provides a comprehensive guide to navigating this process, ensuring students are well-informed and prepared to advocate for their scholarship.

Understanding Scholarship Eligibility and Renewal Requirements

Several scholarships are available to UCF students, each with specific eligibility and renewal requirements. The Pegasus Scholarship Program, for instance, encompasses scholarships like National Merit, National Achievement, National Recognition Program, and the Pegasus Scholarships. Transfer Scholarships, including the Ralph C., are awarded based on high academic achievement to students graduating with an AA degree from a Florida public state college who transfer directly to UCF for the fall semester.

Many scholarships are awarded to entering high school graduates by Undergraduate Admissions to recognize outstanding academic performance. There is no separate application for this scholarship program. These scholarships are also awarded to entering out-of-state high school graduates by Undergraduate Admissions to recognize outstanding academic performance.

Typically, scholarships require full-time enrollment (a minimum of 12 UCF credit hours) each fall and spring semester. Students must also maintain a minimum UCF cumulative GPA, which for National Merit Scholarship recipients, is at least a 3.2 at the end of the spring semester, and earn at least 24 UCF credit hours.

Most scholarships have a maximum duration of 8 terms or until graduation, whichever is less. However, students whose major requires 124 or more hours may receive a one-term extension (double majors and minors are not considered). A letter from the department verifying the number of hours required must be submitted to the Office of Student Financial Assistance prior to the 9th term.

Initiating a Scholarship Appeal

Students may initiate a scholarship petition/appeal form if they have prior knowledge of circumstances that will prohibit them from meeting scholarship renewal requirements. Scholarship appeals should be submitted online through the State Programs and Scholarships Appeal Form. The State Programs and Scholarships Appeal Form allows you to select multiple awards you would like to appeal.

Reasons for Appeal

Several circumstances may warrant a scholarship appeal. Acceptable reasons to defer a scholarship include, but are not limited to:

Military service
Documented medical conditions
Internships/Co-Ops
Religious missions

Students may also appeal if extenuating circumstances prevented them from maintaining full-time enrollment or achieving the required GPA. Extenuating circumstances are the exception. If extenuating circumstances caused a student to do poorly, they may submit a Scholarship Appeal Form.

Time Away from UCF

If a student needs to take time away from UCF, they must submit a Scholarship Appeal and letter stating the reason(s) that they need the time away from UCF. The appeal must be submitted prior to the term(s) that they plan to be away from UCF. If a student leaves UCF without asking for the time off, they will not be reinstated to the scholarship program upon their return.

Full-Time Enrollment Exceptions

An exception to the full-time enrollment requirement can be granted during a student’s graduating semester. If a student enrolls in less than six UCF hours during their graduating semester, the exception must be reviewed by the UCF Scholarship Committee. Students should submit their request at least two months prior to the beginning of their graduating semester for a decision to be rendered before the tuition payment deadline.

Co-Ops and Internships

If a student wants to Co-Op or intern, they must inform the university in writing which term they plan to Co-Op or intern prior to that term.

The Appeal Process: A Step-by-Step Guide

Submitting the Appeal: Scholarship appeals should be submitted online through the State Programs and Scholarships Appeal Form.
Letter of Explanation: You must submit a letter describing in detail the circumstances supporting your appeal. Your written statement must include a description of the problem/incident indicating dates and time period involved, as well as the impact on your academic performance.
Supporting Documentation: Include any statements (on company letterhead) from third-party persons (e.g. clergy, employers, medical professionals, etc.) who can verify your extenuating circumstances. Supporting Documentation includes, but is not limited to, divorce decrees, death certificates, and letters from doctors, counselors, advisors etc. Written statements from a professional should reference your name, diagnosis, dates of treatment and length of time for healing. Report of incident/s, such as a police report, insurance damage report, and bill/s for services related to emergency, obituary, etc.
FAFSA Filing: The FAFSA for the academic year you are requesting reinstatement must be on file at the time your appeal is submitted.
Deadlines: All Pegasus Scholarship appeals must be received in the Office of Student Financial Assistance no later than June 30th to ensure no delay in processing their upcoming Fall semester. The deadline to submit a scholarship appeal and supporting documentation is March 15, 2026.
Review Process: The UCF Scholarship Committee will review your request and render a decision. The Scholarship Committee is chaired by the Executive Director of the Office of Student Financial Assistance. The scholarship committee is scheduled to meet the second week of each month. Meeting dates are subject to change as deemed necessary by the committee chair.
Timely Submission: You must submit your appeal, along with documentation, in sufficient time for the appeal to be reviewed before the next scheduled meeting.
Incomplete Applications: Incomplete applications and requests for additional documentation will cause delays. Please plan accordingly in case you experience a delay in your scholarship appeal.

Key Considerations for a Successful Appeal

Be Thorough and Detailed: Provide a comprehensive explanation of the circumstances that led to the appeal. Include specific dates, timelines, and the impact on your academic performance.
Provide Strong Supporting Documentation: Gather relevant documentation to support your claims. This may include medical records, legal documents, or letters from professionals who can verify your situation.
Meet Deadlines: Pay close attention to deadlines and submit your appeal well in advance to allow sufficient time for review.
Maintain Communication: Stay in contact with the Office of Student Financial Assistance to ensure your appeal is complete and to address any questions or concerns.

Additional Scholarship Information

There are many different ways to begin searching for scholarships such as online search engines like FastWeb.com.

Summer Enrollment

Grade and hours information will be reported for all students funded during the summer. If a student took transient hours, the grades and hours earned at the other institution must be reported to UCF by August 12 in order to be reported systematically. If a student has an opportunity to restore the Bright Futures award, the grades from the summer term may be used to meet restoration requirements.

Bright Futures and Florida Prepaid

Florida Bright Futures awards are not considered definite until the state has notified UCF of students’ official eligibility. Florida Prepaid is handled through the Student Accounts Office and is applied directly to the student’s account. When the Bright Futures is disbursed, it will be applied to any institutional charges on the student account, and any left-over credit will be refunded to the student.

Out-of-State Students

As an out-of-state student, your scholarship is comprised of two portions, a scholarship portion and a waiver portion. The scholarship portion of your award will serve for deferment purposes, and your waiver will be applied directly towards your tuition, but will not serve as a deferment. Only students who are enrolled full-time will receive the waiver. The waiver will be applied the week after the add/drop period has ended. The only exception to the full-time enrollment requirement is granted to students during their graduating semester.

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Merit Scholarship Funding

Merit scholarship funding is limited. On average, just 20% of admitted students are offered a merit scholarship. Awarding is based primarily upon the student’s academic credentials. It is typical of students awarded a scholarship to have earned test scores and grades above the admitted fall FTIC average of 1370 SAT, 30 ACT, 96 CLT and 4.32 GPA. Admitted First-Time-in-College (FTIC) students for summer and fall who met the October 15 Early Action application and November 15 Material Submission deadlines will be evaluated by the Scholarship Committee in the first round of scholarship reviews.

Students requiring less than 6 credit hours to graduate

Eligible students who need less than 6 credit hours to graduate must submit a letter (on official letterhead) from their student success coach. Graduate level hours may be approved by the student’s student success coach if the graduate level hours will count toward the undergraduate degree completion requirements; these students must submit a letter (on official letterhead) from their student success coach.

Donor Requirements

If your donor requires financial need verification, please submit the documents to our department in order for your information to be verified and returned to the donor.

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