The Gator Family Connection
October 2020
|
|
From the Gator Parent Family Association:
October is an exciting time at the University of Florida. As we approach the midpoint of the semester, this is a great time to check in with your student about their progress so far, ask about current challenges they may be facing, and revisit their academic and personal goals for semester.
In a fast pace world, UF is evolving just as quick. Therefore, this newsletter includes a variety of reminders, updates, and events, all of which we included for you and your student's benefit. As the semester moves forward, feel free to reach out to our office with any questions, comments, or concerns by emailing IHaveAGator@ufl.edu. We love to hear from you!
Have a great day, stay safe, and Go Gators!
Sincerely,
The Gator Parent and Family Association
|
|
Applying for financial aid begins with the FAFSA, the Free Application for Federal Student Aid.
You can file a 2021-22 FAFSA as early as October 1, 2020. To receive the best financial aid offer, complete the FAFSA as early as possible. In order for UF Student Financial Affairs to consider you for a financial aid package, you must be a degree-seeking, admitted student.
|
|
UF is committed to providing the most up-to-date information regarding COVID-19. Below are several helpful links:
With daily updates, please continue to monitor these pages, to ensure safety for all of the Gator community.
|
|
SAVE THE DATE
OCTOBER 22 – 25, 2020
Fall Family Weekend Schedule is now available! For the most up-to-date information regarding Fall Family Weekend 2020, visit our website.
|
|
On Wednesday, September 23, the State University System directed Florida public universities to plan alternatives to in-person commencement ceremonies due to continued COVID-19 health guidelines limiting gatherings. The full SUS memo can be found here.
This means we will not be able to hold live ceremonies as we had planned for December 18 and 19. We regret the disappointment and inconvenience this may cause. We will instead hold a virtual commencement weekend on the same dates. The full schedule can be found here.
Please know we are committed to rescheduling in-person ceremonies when we are able to do so. Though we cannot say when that will be, your graduate will be invited to participate in those ceremonies.
Please note this change in ceremonies does not affect your student’s diploma, transcript, or status as a fall graduate.
To find more information on the fall 2020 virtual commencement weekend, please review the commencement website.
|
|
Fall 2020 and Spring 2021 Classes
Wanting to improve their success in a Fall Class? Students should check out our Academic Success Resources, which include tips for success in a mostly/fully online course load, ways to assess and improve your study skills, and free UF Resources for success.
Spring term registration is coming up! Your students will receive an email leading them to their registration start-time and whether they have holds to prevent registration. Remind your student to look for that email in early to mid-October.
-
Incoming Credit - Students who have incoming credit that has not posted should contact freshman@ufl.edu ASAP.
-
Advising - Student demand for advising increases substantially throughout October and November. For offices that advise by appointment, appointments will fill up. For offices that see students on a first-come, first-served basis, wait times to see an advisor will increase. Students should see their advisor soon - college advising contacts can be found on the UF Advising Website.
-
Holds - To register, students MUST clear any holds that start with the words "You may not register..." They can clear man of these holds themselves. Some may require some time on the students’ part. Other holds will direct them to contact a specific office. Holds can be viewed on one.uf.edu.
-
Degree Audit - The degree audit includes any posted incoming credits as well as current courses and shows how those credits are applying to degree requirements. When reviewing for the first time, it can help to go over the audit with an advisor.
|
|
Ways To Help Your Students
Upcoming Career Fairs for Students and Alumni
October Events for Students
Get Involved
Donate Professional Attire to the Molm Family Career Closet. We accept donations of new and gently used professional clothing and accessories. In addition, we also accept in-king and monetary donations to support dry-cleaning services.
|
|
University of Florida leadership has approved last week’s Faculty Senate vote for UF not to observe Spring Break 2021, which would have been March 6-13, and extend winter break by one week with the spring semester beginning Jan. 11.
The change was made in consultation with UF Health for the purpose of making the spring semester as successful and healthy as possible. The primary purpose is to avoid a situation in which students would travel in March, potentially become infected with COVID-19 and return to campus and the Gainesville community to spread the infection as occurred with the 2020 Spring Break.
In addition, should a spike in cases occur this winter as some experts predict, an extra week of break in January may provide more time for the surge to subside. Finally, should a vaccine become available this fall, the additional winter break time would allow more students to receive it.
A revised academic calendar for the spring semester can be found here.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
