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Financial Aid
Our Goal
The mission of the Financial Aid Office is to diligently strive to bridge the financial gap between a student’s budget and the official need analysis assessment.
We encourage both current and prospective students to submit their financial aid applications well in advance and diligently provide any requested supplementary information to facilitate the award process. Each of our university’s campuses houses a dedicated Financial Aid Office, and our experienced team is readily available to guide and assist you throughout the application process.
Here at Florida National University, our Office of Financial Aid is committed to addressing your financial requirements through a thoughtfully crafted financial aid package tailored specifically for you. This package combines various sources of financial assistance for which you may or may not qualify for, ensuring that you receive the necessary support to pursue your educational goals.
Active-duty personnel should start by contacting their base’s Education Services Officer (ESO) or counselor to discuss their educational goals and options. https://www.militaryonesource.mil/education-employment/for-service-members/how-to-use-the-military-tuition-assistance-program/
Financial aid is money to help pay for college or career school. Grants, work-study, loans, and scholarships help make college or career school affordable.
First Step to Apply for Federal Student Aid
In the Higher Education Act of 1965 (HEA), as amended, Congress mandated that federal student aid eligibility be determined using The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) form. The FAFSA form is the only application required by statute to apply for federal student aid programs authorized under Title IV of the HEA.
FSAID
The FSA ID is a username and password combination you use to log in to U.S. Department of Education (ED) online systems. The FSA ID is your legal signature and shouldn’t be created or used by anyone other than you—not even your parent, your child, a school official, or a loan company representative. You’ll use your FSA ID every year you fill out a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) form and for the lifetime of your federal student loans.
Understanding the Financial Aid Eligibility
General eligibility requirements include that you have financial need, are a U.S. citizen or eligible noncitizen, and are enrolled in an eligible degree or certificate program at your college or career school. There are more eligibility requirements you must meet to qualify for federal student aid. For more detail, visit Eligibility Requirements | Federal Student Aid
Priority date for the financial aid application process
Florida National University’s FAFSA Priority Date is March 1 Meeting FNU’s FAFSA priority date of March 1 is critical to potentially receive the most money from the university. If you do not meet the priority date you should still complete the FAFSA as soon as possible but before June 30 of the current award year.
Federal Pell Grant
usually are awarded only to undergraduate students who display exceptional financial need and have not earned a bachelor’s, graduate, or professional degree. A Federal Pell Grant, unlike a loan, does not have to be repaid. You may not receive Federal Pell Grant funds from more than one school at a time. It is a grant program that students can use at any eligible post-secondary school as long as they have not reached the lifetime limit (the equivalent of six years of Pell funding). In order to apply for a Pell Grant, students must complete The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) form.
Schools use the information on the FAFSA® form to determine your eligibility for a Pell Grant, and if so, how much you’re eligible to receive. Award amounts vary based on a student’s financial need, an institution’s cost of attendance and enrollment status.
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)
Is a grant for undergraduate students with exceptional financial need. The FSEOG program is administered directly by the financial aid office.
The Florida Student Assistance Grant (FSAG)
Is a need-based grant program available to degree-seeking, resident, undergraduate students who demonstrate substantial financial need. https://www.floridastudentfinancialaidsg.org/PDF/factsheets/FSAG.pdf
Children and Spouses of Deceased or Disabled Veterans
The Scholarships for Children and Spouses of Deceased or Disabled Veterans (CSDDV) provides an award to dependent children or un-remarried spouses of qualified Florida veterans. https://www.floridastudentfinancialaidsg.org/PDF/factsheets/CSDDV.pdf
Bright Futures scholarship
The Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program establishes lottery-funded scholarships to reward Florida high school graduates for high academic achievement. https://www.floridastudentfinancialaidsg.org/SAPBFMAIN/SAPBFMAIN
Federal Work-Study
Provides part-time jobs for undergraduate and graduate students with financial need, allowing them to earn money to help pay education expenses. You can visit the Florida National University Career Services Department at your campus to start the application process.
For more detail visit: Home | Federal Student Aid
Florida National University Scholarships offers students a variety of scholarship opportunities. Students must review the scholarships carefully to determine which one to apply for. The two scholarship categories are Merit-Based and Non-Merit Based. Please see the Scholarships section of the university catalog for details and application requirements. Florida National University – Scholarships (smartcatalogiq.com)
The U.S. Department of Education’s federal student loan program is the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan (Direct Loan) Program. Under this program, the U.S. Department of Education is your lender. To apply for a federal student loan, you must first complete and submit The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) form, complete Student Loan Entrance Counseling, a tool to ensure you understand your obligation to repay the loan, and sign a Master Promissory Note (MPN), agreeing to the terms of the loan.
Direct Subsidized Loans
Made to eligible undergraduate students who demonstrate financial need to help cover the costs of higher education at a college or career school. This is a type of federal student loans where a borrower isn’t generally responsible for paying interest while in an in-school, grace, or deferment period.
Direct Unsubsidized Loans
Made to eligible undergraduate, graduate, and professional students, but eligibility is not based upon financial need. Interest is charged during in-school, deferment, and grace periods.
Direct PLUS Loans
Are made to graduate or professional students and parents of dependent undergraduate students to help pay for education expenses not covered by other financial aid. Eligibility is not based on financial need, but a credit check is required. Borrowers who have an adverse credit history must meet additional requirements to qualify.
Federal Interest Rates
If you got your loan on or after July 1, 2024, and before July 1, 2025:
- For undergraduate students, the interest rate for Direct Subsidized Loans and Direct Unsubsidized Loans is 6.53%
- For graduate or professional students, the interest rate for Direct Unsubsidized loans is 8.08%.
- For parents of dependent undergraduate students and for graduate or professional Students, the interest rate for Direct PLUS Loans is 9.08%.
If you got your loan after July 1, 2023, and before July 1, 2024:
- For undergraduate students, the interest rate for Direct Subsidized Loans and Direct Unsubsidized Loans is 5.50%.
- For graduate or professional students, the interest rate for Direct Unsubsidized loans is 7.05%.
An origination fee
Is a percentage of your loan amount charged by the lender for the processing of your loan. Federal student loans have an origination fee; therefore, the amount you may receive as a disbursement may be slightly lower than the amount you accept.
Annual loan limits
Vary depending on your dependency status. The actual loan amount you’re eligible to receive each academic year may be less than the annual loan limit.
- If you’re an undergraduate, the maximum combined amount of Direct Subsidized and Direct Unsubsidized Loans you can borrow each academic year is between $5,500 and $12,500, depending on your year in school and your dependency status.
- If you’re a graduate/professional student, you can borrow up to $20,500 in Direct Unsubsidized Loans each academic year.
For more detail visit: Home | Federal Student Aid
A private alternative loan is a non-federal educational loan, through a private lending institution, typically issued in the student’s name and requiring a co-signer. These loans vary in the terms, conditions, and eligibility requirements. Private student loans should only be considered after applying for federal financial aid. Private student loans are available to students who have exhausted all other avenues of obtaining funding and who need additional assistance beyond their financial aid eligibility. These loans are not guaranteed by the federal government. It is in your best interest to complete The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) form and apply for any federal student loans for which you are eligible prior to borrowing private alternative loans. Private loans typically have variable and higher interest rates, are based on individual credit scores, may require interest payments while you are in school, have more fees, and less flexible repayment options than federal loans.
The lender that our students have used in the past is listed below. Contact the lender for specific terms and conditions.
Florida National University is committed in provide guidance to students who borrowed Federal Student Loan. We have developed a relationship with Pantheon Student Solution. Its mission is to help students in managing student loan repayment plans.
https://www.pantheonstudentsolutions.com/home-students/
We also have developed a department “Loan Management.”
The purpose of the Loan Management Office is to provide guidance to all borrowers. To ensure that you understand your student loan obligations and are prepared for repayment. Our current Loan Management Officer is:
Carmen Vasquez
(305) 821-3333
Ext. 1012
cvasquez@fnu.edu
Student Loan Exit Counseling
You must complete exit counseling when you leave school or drop below half-time enrollment. The purpose of exit counseling is to ensure you understand your student loan obligations and are prepared for repayment. Student Loan Exit Counseling
Student Loan Repayment Plan
If you borrowed federal student loan aid, you have to pay it back. However, you can choose the federal student loan repayment plan that’s best for you. To make your payments more affordable, repayment plans can give you more time to repay your loans or can be based on your income. You can use the Loan Simulator to get an early look at which plans you may be eligible for and see estimates for how much you would pay monthly and overall. Loan Simulator
For more detail visit: Home | Federal Student Aid
Consumer Information
Florida National University is required by law to provide certain consumer information to you as a prospective or continuing student. Please visit our Consumer Information page. Consumer Information – Florida National University (fnu.edu)
Financial Literacy
Financial literacy describes someone’s knowledge of financial topics and financial management skills. A student’s financial literacy can have a significant impact on their future. Financial Literacy
Financial Aid A – Z
Understand terms and definitions related to student aid. Student Aid Glossary
A cohort default rate is the percentage of a school’s borrowers who enter repayment on federal student loans during a particular fiscal year, Oct 1 to Sept. 30, and default within the cohort default period.
The Department of Education calculated the school’s cohort default rate by dividing the number of borrowers from the school entering repayment in a cohort year and default within a 3-year period divided by the number of borrowers from the school entering repayment in the cohort year.
Florida National University’s Most Recent CDRs
| Year | Default Rate |
|---|---|
| FY 2019 | 2.4 |
| FY 2018 | 9.6 |
| FY 2017 | 12.3 |
The national average for FY19: 2.3%
For more information, please refer to Official Cohort Default Rates for Schools for a more in-depth description of cohort default rates and how the rates are calculated.
Do you have a special or unusual circumstance that affects your financial aid?
Omar Sanchez
Director of Financial Aid and Vice President
(Ext. 1003)
(305) 821-3333
omarsnc@fnu.edu
Kesia Garlobo
Financial Aid Assistant Director
(Ext. 1042)
(305) 821-3333
kgarlobo@fnu.edu
Inessa Carrasco
Financial Aid Supervisor
Online Division
(Ext. 1094)
(305) 831-3333
icarrasco@fnu.edu
Mayelin Martinez
Financial Aid Supervisor
Hialeah Campus
(Ext. 1046)
(305) 821-3333
mmartinez@fnu.edu
Yaylyn Ordaz
Financial Aid Supervisor
South Campus
(Ext. 1306)
(305) 226-9999
yordaz@fnu.edu
Alaina Baro
Financial Aid Supervisor
Training Center
(Ext. 1210)
(305) 231-3326
amachado@fnu.edu
