Your monthly newsletter from the Gator Parent and Family Association.
The Gator Family Connection
October 2019 Newsletter
From the Gator Parent and 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. Once they have completed midterms, it is a great chance to remind your student to think ahead to the end of the semester. Here are a few talking points that might be helpful:
  1. Current Grades: After midterms, students should have an indication of where they are in their courses. This is a good time to celebrate those classes where their grades remain high and talk about success strategies for improving grades that are not where they had hoped. 
  2. Pre-Registration for Spring Semester: Pre-registration begins in late October. Encourage your student to go see their advisor before the pre-registration period begins to avoid those higher wait times. Remember: students can meet with their advisor anytime throughout the school year!
  3. Holiday Travel Plans: Check with your student about their class schedules and final exam schedules to discuss their holiday travel plans. Final exam dates and times are also listed on the syllabus for each course, so check with your student before booking any travel.
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 2020-21 FAFSA as early as October 1, 2019. UF's 2020-21 "On-Time" deadline to receive the results of your FAFSA from the federal processor is December 15, 2019. Apply well before December 15 to ensure that the federal processor has time to analyze and send the results of your FAFSA to UF's office.
 
Financial aid is awarded on a first-come, first-served basis so apply as early as possible to be considered for the most, and best aid.

Complete the FAFSA at  www.fafsa.ed.gov or via the MyStudentAid app.  For more information on how to apply for financial aid, visit Student Financial Affair's  website.
From the Academic Advising Center
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 October.
  • 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 walk-in basis, wait times to see an advisor will increase. Students should come in SOONER rather than later. College advising contacts can be found on the advising website.
  • Holds - To register, students MUST clear any holds that start with the words "You may not register..." They can clear some of these holds themselves, though some may require some time on their part. Other holds will direct them to contact a specific office. Students should follow the instructions in the hold.
  • 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.
  • Incoming Credit - Students who have incoming credit that has not posted should contact freshman@ufl.edu  ASAP.
Thanks to all of our Gator families and friends who attended Fall Family Weekend 2019! 

We would love to hear you feedback regarding family weekend. 
 To tell us your thoughts, click here!

FALL 2019 COMMENCEMENT

The fall commencement ceremonies for Bachelor, Master and Specialist degrees recipients will be held December 13-14, 2019 in the Stephen C. O'Connell Center.
 
There are no tickets required for any of these ceremonies. Doors will open 90 minutes prior to the posted start time. Student processional will begin 30 minutes prior to the posted start time.
 
To sign up for weekly parent emails about these ceremonies, email 
uf-commencement@ad.ufl.edu and request to be added to the list. These weekly parent emails will begin in late October.
 
For more information regarding UF Fall 2019 Commencement Ceremonies and the full ceremony schedule  click here!

 Apply to be a First Year Florida Peer Leader!
We are looking for our next cohort of First Year Florida Peer Leaders! As a Peer Leader, your student will co-instruct a section of First Year Florida, UF's signature first-year seminar course. Our Peer Leaders serve as teachers, mentors, and leaders to our first-year students. Motivate your student to get connected with some of UF's best faculty, staff, and student leaders by becoming a FYF Peer Leader! 
Applications close Monday, October 16th at 12:00 noon.

Apply today! 
                                      

Inspiring Women Leaders Conference
The Department of Distance and Continuing Education at the University of Florida is excited to host the 3rd Annual Inspiring Women Leaders Conference,  March 8-9, 2020  at the University of Florida Hilton Conference Center. 
This two-day event offers personal and professional development opportunities for engagement with women leaders from across the country and offers discounted registration for students. The IWL conference is an interactive learning platform designed to target leadership and business skills. To register or learn more about the Conference, click here.