University of Tampa Merit Scholarships: A Comprehensive Guide

The University of Tampa (UTampa) offers a variety of financial aid programs to assist students in funding their education. These programs include scholarships, grants, and loans, which are awarded based on academic achievement, talent, and financial need. This article will provide a detailed overview of the merit-based scholarships offered by UTampa, eligibility requirements, and the application process.

Merit-Based Scholarships at UTampa

UTampa provides scholarships, grants, and loans to first-time bachelor’s degree-seeking students based on academic achievement, talent, and financial need at the time of admission. The university offers partial scholarships to academically exceptional undergraduate international students and generous scholarships and grants based on academic achievement, talent, and financial need are available to new undergraduates (domestic and international).

Automatic Evaluation for Merit-Based Scholarships

The University of Tampa does not require a separate application for most merit-based scholarships. Undergraduate applicants are automatically evaluated for institutional merit-based scholarships at the time of admission. Scholarship eligibility is based upon unweighted GPA and course rigor for coursework completed at the time of admission. Unweighted GPA is the average of class grades based on a 4.0 scale as determined and calculated by the UTampa Admissions Committee.

Eligibility Criteria

Scholarship eligibility is based upon unweighted GPA and course rigor for coursework completed at the time of admission. Unweighted GPA is the average of class grades based on a 4.0 scale as determined and calculated by the UTampa Admissions Committee.

Scholarship Renewal

Cumulative academic achievements are reviewed at the end of each spring semester for aid renewal in the coming academic year. To renew UTampa aid, students must maintain satisfactory academic progress as described for federal aid programs and enroll full-time, in an undergraduate program of study, in addition to the requirements listed below.

Maintaining Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)

To continue receiving financial aid, students must maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) toward a degree or certificate program. This applies to federal student aid programs, including Pell Grants, SEOG, TEACH Grants, subsidized and unsubsidized Direct Loans, and Parent and Graduate PLUS loans.

GPA Requirements

Undergraduate students must maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 in order to meet the minimum requirements of SAP.

Completion Percentage (Pace)

Completion Percentage (Pace) is defined as the rate at which you are progressing (moving) through your program of study. It is calculated by dividing the cumulative number of credit hours successfully completed by the cumulative number of credit hours attempted. Courses in which a grade of A, B, C, D, or P are received are counted as completed. If your Completion Percentage falls below 67%, then you are not meeting SAP.

Maximum Timeframe

You must be on target to complete your current degree program before attempting more than 150% of the credit hours required for your current program of study. Coursework transferred into The University of Tampa are included in the evaluation of the quantitative (completion rate) and maximum timeframe measures. Student can view the minimum number of credit hours for their program of study in Workday, under Academics > Academic Progress. It is the "credit hours defined" for your program of study. Undergraduate students are ineligible for federal aid once they have attempted 186 hours (193 for the Bachelor of Music) or 12 semesters.

Financial Aid Warning and Probation

The first time a student fails to meet federal SAP requirements, they are put on a financial aid warning status for the next period in which they enroll. During this warning period, students continue to receive federal aid. Upon review of your academic achievements at the end of this next period of enrollment, students who meet federal SAP requirements may continue to receive federal student aid; students who fail SAP review again at this time lose their federal student aid eligibility until they can meet the SAP requirements. Approved appeals may result in financial aid probation, during which time you may continue to receive aid while working toward meeting the renewal requirements for the aid you receive. At the end of the probationary period (or academic year, whichever comes first), your cumulative academic achievements will be reviewed again, at which time you will be notified of your aid eligibility.

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SAP Appeals

If there are extenuating circumstances, exceptions to these academic requirements can be made. If your failure to meet the satisfactory academic progress requirements can be explained in this way, contact your assigned financial aid counselor. An SAP Appeal Questionnaire will be made available to you on Workday. You will be required to explain your particular situation and provide supporting documentation, such as a doctor's statement, medical bills or a newspaper obituary. Your appeal must be received prior to the start of the next semester.

Other Financial Aid Options

In addition to merit-based scholarships, UTampa offers a variety of other financial aid options, including need-based aid, grants, and loans.

Need-Based Aid

U.S. citizens and eligible non-citizens must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to be considered for need-based aid. Students must complete the FAFSA in every year they wish to be considered for need-based aid from federal, state (Florida residents) and institutional sources. The FAFSA typically becomes available on October 1 for the succeeding academic year. Need-based aid may include grants from the federal government, your state of residence, UTampa, work-study and federal student loans. Institutional aid is awarded based upon the information available at the time of admission. Students must complete the FAFSA and demonstrate financial need each year to receive need-based aid.

Grants

UTampa offers generous scholarships and grants based on academic achievement, talent and financial need. All institutional grants and scholarships are available in the fall and spring semesters and require full-time enrollment unless otherwise noted. Institutional scholarships and grants are a reduction on UTampa's full-time undergraduate tuition rate. Students must be assessed the full-time undergraduate tuition rate for the terms in which they seek to receive institutional scholarships and grants. Annual scholarship and grant award amounts are divided evenly between the fall and spring semesters only. The following programs are available to new undergraduates seeking their first baccalaureate degree. Many UTampa students receive outside scholarships and federal grants.

Loans

A wide variety of financial assistance is available in the form of scholarships, grants and loans to undergraduates. Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to be eligible for any type of need-based aid or loan.

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Financial Aid for Florida Residents

A variety of financial aid programs are offered for Florida residents. To continue receiving aid from the state of Florida, students must remain residents of the state and meet or exceed the minimum requirements for satisfactory academic progress as described above. In addition, state aid programs have their own specific requirements for renewal. Need-based Florida aid programs require an error-free FAFSA. Requires a 2.0 or higher GPA at the end of the spring term and completion of 24 credit hours in summer, fall and spring terms combined or 12 credits per semester received. All full-time undergraduate Florida residents receive the Effective Access to Student Education (EASE) Grant. Many other Florida aid programs are also available.

Additional Information

FAFSA Completion

Complete the form as soon after Oct. 1 as possible for the next academic year.

Student Aid Report (SAR)

The SAR will include your answers to the questions from the FAFSA. SAR comments will alert you to potential errors on your FAFSA, that you have been selected for verification or that other information is needed. Your SAR will include the Expected Family Contribution (EFC - renamed Student Aid Index or SAI starting in 2024-2025). Department of Education believes your family can contribute towards your education for one academic year.

Cost of Attendance (COA)

Cost of attendance (COA) is an estimated figure used by the financial aid office to determine the total cost of attending their institution for one academic year. It includes tuition and fees, room and board, books and supplies, transportation and personal expenses. Financial aid, such as scholarships, grants, loans and work-study, can help offset the cost of attendance. The COA for each student may vary based on their program of study, the number of credits in which they enroll, and individual circumstances, for example. Understanding the cost of attendance and available financial aid options can help students make informed decisions about paying for their education.

Outside Scholarships

Many UTampa students receive outside scholarships. Students must notify the Financial Aid Office of any private or outside scholarships and awards. The Financial Aid Office can assist in administering the funds and evaluate whether any changes to other aid awarded are necessary.

Veterans Educational Benefits

UTampa covers up to 100 percent of the tuition and fees of veterans eligible for the Yellow Ribbon program.

On-Campus Employment

More than 500 jobs are available on campus.

Impact of Additional Aid

Scholarships and other awards received from University and non-University sources must be included toward meeting “need” if “need-based” assistance is part of an award. The Financial Aid Office will make every effort to minimize the impact of additional aid sources to aid previously awarded. If it becomes necessary to adjust a student's financial aid award, loans and work-study funds are adjusted first.

Payment Options

Education tax credits including American Opportunity and Lifetime Learning can help pay for college. Payment options include credit card payments, monthly installments or deferred payments with the Employee Reimbursement Payment Plan.

Tuition Costs

Tuition rates are established by the University and are subject to change in future academic years.

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