UCF Parent and Family Guide 2019-2020

THE NEXT ADVENTURE IS HERE U N I V E R S I T Y

OF

CENT R AL

2020 UCF PA R E N T G U I D E

FLOR IDA

U C F AT A G L A N C E

69,525 STUDENTS

59,483 UNDERGRADUATE

9,553

489

GRADUATE

MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL

FROM

67 FLORIDA COUNTIES 50 STATES 149 COUNTRIES 1,415-acre main campus Member of the American Athletic Conference COLLEGES

Arts and Humanities Burnett Honors College Business Community Innovation and Education Engineering and Computer Science Graduate Studies Health Professions and Sciences Medicine Nursing Optics and Photonics Rosen College of Hospitality Management Sciences Undergraduate Studies DEGREE PROGRAMS

99 BACHELOR’S 89 MASTER’S 31 DOCTORAL 3 SPECIALIST 3 PROFESSIONAL

340 NAT ION A L MERIT SC HOL A R S

HELLO, PARENTS I am so excited that your student is looking at UCF to

UCF is located in one of the most popular destinations

help them discover their passion, fuel their intellectual

in the world, in a city that’s internationally known

curiosity and prepare for a world that’s full of exciting

for its entertainment, hospitality and growing high-

possibilities.

tech and health-related industries. We anchor these

Joining UCF means being part of one of the most innovative universities in America. Our innovation is more than the big ideas we have or the big problems we help solve. It’s our approach to everything we do. We’re

industries by offering sought-after degree programs that help meet workforce demand and spark new ideas.

And our dedicated faculty and staff help students succeed while they’re here and after they graduate.

a young university. We think differently. And we’re

There has never been a better time to be a Knight, and

proud of that.

I look forward to welcoming you into our UCF family.

We’re proud because it means more opportunity

Best,

and a greater impact. Here, your student will find high-quality and engaging academics in more than 220 degree programs, along with opportunities for undergraduate research and experiential or service learning. And with more than 650 student organizations and a variety of other ways to get involved, your Knight is sure to find the perfect fit.

Maribeth Ehasz V I C E P R E S I D E N T O F ST U D E N T D E V E LO P M E N T A N D E N R O L L M E N T S E RV I C E S

UCF PARENTS ARE KNIGHTS, TOO At UCF, students are immersed in a modern, energetic and diverse

to U.S. News & World Report. And we’ve been given high research

environment where they can explore their interests. Your student

rankings by national agencies because of our dedicated faculty and

will be introduced to caring faculty, experience cutting-edge

researchers who make groundbreaking discoveries.

research opportunities and enjoy our student-centered approach

On top of it all, Orlando is a great place to live and learn. Our warm

to learning.

and sunny location, exciting attractions and activities, and robust

Forbes and Kiplinger named UCF a best-value university. We rank

internship opportunities will keep your student entertained and

among the nation’s top 20 most innovative universities, according

involved. UCF is truly a first-choice destination.

TIPS FROM UCF STUDENTS

1 T each us how to budget our money before we start college.

If we’re low on funds, you might help us by suggesting ideas for part-time jobs.

2 S tart treating us like adults — we need to learn before we leave college and start our careers.

3 T alk to us about the social pressures of college, whether it is about alcohol or instilling in us a “homework before fun” ethic.

4 Teach us practical skills before we go to college — don’t assume we know how to cook, do laundry, clean, etc.

MAKING A SMOOTH TRANSITION College is a huge transition for students and parents. UCF offers an array of services to

5 Encourage us to ask for help when we need it, whether it’s reaching out to our advisors, friends and professors — or to you.

ensure your Knight’s success. There will be a lot of opportunities for students to meet people, make friends and participate in student activities. They can join one of more than 650 student organizations, cheer on the Knights at Spectrum Stadium and the Addition Financial Arena, or participate in intramural sports.

In addition, we have numerous academic resources to help along the way. The University Writing Center, Math Lab or one of our specialized offices can offer leadership, guidance and support. We’re committed to connecting students to whatever academic support they need to be

successful, and we have opportunities for hands-on learning, research, volunteering and paid internships.

Some of our resources are created just for parents. These include: • Pegasus Parent program • Seminars to help you guide your Knight to success • Programs designed for parents of students with special needs

TIPS FROM UCF PARENTS

1U nderstand that you can’t protect your children from or prepare them for

LIFE IN ORLANDO Orlando has a mild climate (72 degrees annual average), is home to some of the world’s most exciting theme parks and attractions, and is one of the most popular locations for family

everything — they have to also learn from experience.

2 E ncourage them to use UCF’s resources. There are so many

ORLANDO OFFERS: • Career and internship opportunities

these resources help support, protect and care for your child.

with industry leaders such as Siemens, Lockheed Martin, Harris, Boeing,

3 S tay positive and build

Deloitte, Amazon, Walt Disney World

them up. Tell them you

and Marriott International

love them and are proud

• Numerous theme parks and attractions

entertainment. But another benefit of Orlando is

— Disney, Universal, SeaWorld and more

our competitive job market for graduates. These

• Beautiful beaches within driving distance

are just a few reasons nearly 150,000 of our alumni

• Lakes, springs and other recreational

have chosen to stay right here in Central Florida.

available to them. Learn how

opportunities

of them. Care packages help with this message and provide extra support.

4 B e financially prepared for their school year and communicate to them their resource limitations.

5 S et boundaries and talk to them about balance. It’s not all about books — it’s about the complete college experience.

6 A sk questions instead of guessing. If you don’t know what UCF can offer, find out.

7 Encourage your student to register for 30 credit hours per year. Students who complete 30 hours or more their first year are more likely to graduate. Summer courses can help them reach this goal.

LIVE THE UCF EXPERIENCE It’s well established that living on campus is convenient, safe and helps students make lifelong friends. But did you know living on campus can help your student get a career head start? By living here for two years, your student’s chances of graduating on time increase by 20 percent.

SAFETY AND SECURITY Keeping our campus secure for students is our top priority. The faculty, staff and administration work closely with the UCF

First-year students can live in any of our on-campus housing communities

Police Department to keep the campus community secure.

and choose between apartments or suite-style residence halls with double

From programs such as Knight Ride to self-defense courses

occupancy. Living on campus provides students easy access to the Student

and property registration, resources are available to keep your

Union, the John C. Hitt Library and a variety of student services. They’ll

Knight secure on campus 24 hours a day. To learn more about

never be far from one of our recreation facilities or a place to grab

campus safety, access the UCF Annual Security and Fire Safety

a bite to eat. Many students find that living on campus is the most rewarding

Guide at police.ucf.edu.

experience of their college lives.

Students and parents can sign up for UCF Alert notifications

For more information on living the UCF experience, visit

via text or email to get timely and accurate information about

www.housing.ucf.edu.

emergency situations at my.ucf.edu.

O N - C A M P U S AC T I V I T I E S There’s no shortage of ways to get involved on campus: • Movies and concerts • Comedy and variety shows • Speakers and lecture series • Cultural and fine arts shows and exhibits • Academic clubs • Greek-letter organizations • Student government • Men’s and women’s NCAA Division I sports • Intramural sports • Army and Air Force ROTC

TOP

• Faith-based organizations

10

• Volunteer and leadership development programs

CAMPUS LIFE Students also have on-campus access to:

REASONS TO LIVE ON CAMPUS

1 Greater academic success 2 Safety and security 3 The full UCF experience 4 Living Learning Communities 5 24/7 staff support

6 Furnished rooms and apartments 7 Clean and well-maintained facilities 8 Utilities included 9 Lifelong friendships 1 0 Happy parents

• Accessibility services • Health, nutrition and wellness services • Counseling and psychological services • Numerous places to eat, have fun and meet friends • Top-notch residence halls and living communities • Lakes and green spaces for recreation • Spectrum Stadium for football games • Addition Financial Arena for basketball games, as well as concerts and other shows

KNIGHTS ON THE JOB UCF Career Services provides students with information and resources to ensure the decisions they make today lead to job satisfaction tomorrow.

The center provides comprehensive services to help Knights plan their careers, gain hands-on work experience and secure employment upon graduation.

Career specialists will assist your Knight with: • Identifying academic and career options • Gaining career-related experience • Developing resumes and interview skills • Searching for full-time employment • Researching and applying to graduate or professional schools Career counselors can also help students choose a major and career path through self-assessment, workshops and major fairs. To learn more about UCF Career Services, visit career.ucf.edu.

STUDENT SUCCESS FIRST-YE AR ST U DE NT RE T E NT IO N

91%

$1M

available for undergraduate research

18,585 students gain experience through co-ops, internships and service-learning projects

+ 16,000 students graduate each year — the most of any university in the state

UCF CREED INTEGRITY SCHOLARSHIP COMMUNITY CREATIVITY EXCELLENCE

UCF is one of the nation’s best educational values for in-state college students

19-20

TAKE ADVANTAGE OF A GREAT VALUE

APPROXIMATE ANNUAL TUITION AND FEES, ROOM AND BOARD, AND BOOKS* FLORIDA RESIDENT

NON-FLORIDA RESIDENT

Tuition and Fees

$ 6,379

$ 22,479

Room and Board

$ 10,010

$ 10,010

Books (estimate)

$ 1,200

$ 1,200

Est. Annual Cost

$ 17,589

$ 33,689

according to Forbes and Kiplinger. Students from outside of Florida also enjoy one of the lowest nonresident tuition rates in the nation.

More than $575 million in financial aid is awarded annually to students. In fact, 71 percent of all UCF undergraduate students receive financial assistance. And

* Based upon 30 credit hours, standard room and meal plan for the 2019-20 academic year

the combination of financial aid plus scholarship funds can ease the burden of financing your student’s education. Visit the Office of Student Financial Assistance website at finaid.ucf.edu for additional information. Scholarship listings are available at finaid.ucf.edu/scholarships.

A D D E D VA L U E • Scholarships ranging from $1,500 to $10,500 per year are awarded to many new students with excellent academic credentials.

• Through A2O: Access to Opportunities, students can apply for more than 100 scholarships with a single application. Get started at ucf.academicworks.com.

• On-campus, university-affiliated and off-campus housing options are available.

• Students can attend most sports, music, arts and theater events free of charge.

• Many work-study programs and internships are available on or near campus.

TAKE THE FIRST STEP The first step in determining your student’s eligibility for financial assistance is to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). By completing the FAFSA, the Office of Student Financial Assistance can determine your student’s eligibility for federal, state and university financial aid programs such as grants, lowinterest loans and work-study programs.

For more information, visit fafsa.ed.gov.

YOU HAVE QUESTIONS. WE HAVE ANSWERS. Q. Are there resources to help parents prepare their students?

A. T he family and parents of incoming students can visit

fye.sdes.ucf.edu/parents for information about workshops and more.

Q. W hat happens after my student is admitted?

A. S tudents can submit their $200 enrollment deposit and register for orientation through myUCF. They will receive information about how to prepare for their first day on campus.

Q. W hat could affect the status of my student’s admission?

A. If students’ grades drop, their admission status could change.

Students should keep up their GPA and finish high school with a strong academic record.

Q. H ow can we find out more about on-campus housing?

A. For more information about residence halls, communities and amenities, contact the Department of Housing and Residence Life at 407.823.4663 or visit www.housing.ucf.edu.

Q. H ow can I find out more about Florida Bright Futures Scholarships?

A. For answers about the scholarships, including eligibility criteria, call the Bright Futures toll-free hotline at 888.827.2004 or visit floridastudentfinancialaid.org.

Q. W hat health services are available on campus?

A. UCF has a full-service health clinic with on-site professionals,

X-ray capabilities, pharmacy, medical laboratory, physical therapy and dental services — all provided at a low cost (or free) to students. UCF also has a counseling center that provides mental health services free of charge.

Q. W hat is the UCF Card?

A. T he UCF Card is your student’s ID card — but it also operates

as a library card and on-campus debit card. Additionally, it can be used to get into student activities and events such as athletic events, concerts and other programs.

Q. W ill my student need a car?

A. N ot necessarily. Students can get around campus on the

UCF Shuttle — a safe, convenient and free service we offer.

The shuttle stops at strategic destination points to minimize

the distance students have to walk. The shuttle also stops at 20 off-campus locations, including residential communities and Central Florida Research Park.

Q. W here can my student buy textbooks?

A. O nce students have their class schedule, they can buy books at the UCF Barnes & Noble campus store or online at ucf.bncollege.com.

Q. C an my student study abroad?

A. W ith proper planning, good academic standing and no

student conduct holds, all UCF students are eligible to study abroad. UCF Abroad offers short-term studyabroad programs, long-term exchanges and international internships in more than 30 destinations around the globe.

Each program has a different set of requirements, so it’s important to begin planning at least two semesters in advance. The experienced team at UCF Abroad is available to answer questions about finances, scholarships, safety and more. Students interested in expanding their college experience, can get more info and RSVP for a Study Abroad 101 session at studyabroad.ucf.edu.

NEXT STEPS FOR ADMITTED FRESHMEN

1

Submit the $200 enrollment deposit no later than May 1.

2 3

Consider housing options early.

4

Search for scholarship opportunities using fastweb.com.

5

Expect to hear from the Office of First Year Experience to register for a mandatory orientation.

Submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) before the December 1 priority date.

WE’RE HERE WHEN YOU NEED US Like you, we have high aspirations and expectations for your

DEPARTMENTS AND SERVICES

COLLEGES

student. We have numerous academic and campus resources

Academic Services for Student-Athletes 407.823.5896 / assa.sdes.ucf.edu Campus Faiths and Ministries 407.823.5336 / cfm.sdes.ucf.edu Counseling and Psychological Services 407.823.2811 / caps.sdes.ucf.edu Dining Services 407.823.2651 / ucfdining.com Financial Aid 407.823.2827 / finaid.ucf.edu First Year Advising and Exploration 407.823.3789 / fyae.sdes.ucf.edu First Year Experience 407.823.5105 / fye.ucf.edu Health Services 407.823.2701 / studenthealth.ucf.edu Housing and Residence Life 407.823.4663 / www.housing.ucf.edu LEAD Scholars Academy 407.823.2223 / lead.sdes.ucf.edu LINK Program 407.823.5105 / link.ucf.edu Multicultural Academic and Support Services 407.823.2716 / mass.sdes.ucf.edu Parking and Transportation Services 407.823.5812 / parking.ucf.edu Pegasus Parent Program 407.823.5105 / fye.sdes.ucf.edu/parents Registrar’s Office 407.823.3100 / registrar.ucf.edu Student Academic Resource Center 407.823.5130 / sarc.sdes.ucf.edu Student Accessibility Services 407.823.2371 / sas.sdes.ucf.edu Student Neighborhood Relations 407.823.6505 / nrse.sdes.ucf.edu UCF Downtown 407.823.3573 / ucf.edu/downtown UCF Police Department 407.823.5555 / police.ucf.edu Undergraduate Admissions 407.823.3000 / admissions.ucf.edu

Arts and Humanities cah.ucf.edu Burnett Honors College honors.ucf.edu Business business.ucf.edu Community Innovation and Education ccie.ucf.edu Engineering and Computer Science cecs.ucf.edu Graduate Studies graduate.ucf.edu Health Professions and Sciences healthprofessions.ucf.edu Medicine med.ucf.edu Nursing nursing.ucf.edu Optics and Photonics creol.ucf.edu Rosen College of Hospitality Management hospitality.ucf.edu Sciences sciences.ucf.edu Undergraduate Studies undergrad.ucf.edu

to build a foundation for success. From academic advisors to tutors, help is just a phone call or email away.

COME VISIT US The best way to find out if UCF is right for you and your future Knight is to visit us. Schedule your Campus Visit Experience today at admissions.ucf.edu/visit.

OTHER RESOURCES

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS admissions.ucf.edu/faq UNDERGRADUATE ADMISSIONS MAILING ADDRESS University of Central Florida P.O. Box 160111 Orlando, FL 32816-0111 UNDERGRADUATE ADMISSIONS PHYSICAL ADDRESS University of Central Florida 12585 Gemini Blvd. South Orlando, FL 32816

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