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.
 
Complete the FAFSA at www.fafsa.gov or via the MyStudentAid app. For more information on how to apply for financial aid, visit the Student Financial Affair's website.
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.

For any questions, concerns, or comments you can email IHaveAGator@ufl.edu.
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


For more information and events, visit career.ufl.edu/events

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.