If holiday noise is causing elevated stress or feelings of loneliness, you are not alone. According to a November 2025 , nearly half of adults (48%) said they are worried about missing someone or grief, and 46% said they are worried about affording or finding holiday gifts. Nearly one in three adults is worried about dealing with challenging family dynamics (32%) or being lonely (31%).

“There is no right or wrong way to experience this time of year,” says Kayla Beswick ’16 ’18MA, a licensed counselor for , who earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology and master’s degree in marriage, couple and family therapy. “I try to encourage my clients to reflect on what the holidays are to them, not what others expect it to be.”

Beswick shares these three tips for navigating the holidays:

Self-Care

• Find connection.

Connection can come in many forms. If you can’t be with loved ones this year, maybe connection looks giving back to your community or a cause that is important to you; maybe that means reconnecting with yourself and truly giving yourself the time and opportunity to do so.

While we may not be able to be physically present with loved ones, connection in other forms still counts, and we may need to adjust our expectations with what we are able to realistically do. Phone calls, writing letters or doing an activity that you would normally do together can be ways of emotionally connecting to people when they are not physically present.

Remember, you can make the holiday season be what you want it to be.

• Be curious and trust your inner voice.

Ask yourself where the stress is coming from. If it comes from an outside source, then give yourself permission to listen to what is inside, what you want to feel and what you need during this time of year.

• Be aware of roadblocks.

Sometimes it can be difficult to open up to others or be honest with ourselves. If you’re noticing this roadblock, it could be helpful to be in a space that is completely judgement free and allows for pure self-expression. Often the thought, “here we go again” can be a sign that some additional accountability or a different way of perceiving things may be helpful. If it feels like your usual methods of coping are no longer working, you want guidance to make changes, or even just reflect, therapy would be the perfect space.

Moreover, distress is not a requirement for counseling. Therapy is for anyone who wants to improve themselves or spend time reflecting on their life experience. Being a human can be tough and beautiful at the same time, so why not understand yourself better to enhance your relationships, life goals and experience?

Mental Health Resources

If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis, call 988. Free, confidential counseling is available 24/7 for mental health struggles, emotional distress, alcohol or drug use concerns, or simply available for anyone who needs someone to talk to.

It’s important to prioritize taking care of your mental health. Take advantage of these resources at �鶹ӳ����ý and locally to help you:

Students

• �鶹ӳ����ý : CAPS offers a free 24/7 crisis hotline can be reached by calling 407-823-2811 and pressing 5 during the holiday campus closure. CAPS will be open and available for drop-in services starting Jan. 5, and resume its typical mental health services to students on Jan. 12.
• : TAO is a self-guided interactive program that aids with managing anxiety, depression and other concerns.
• : Togetherall is a peer-to-peer space to connect with others experiencing similar feelings in a supportive environment, with trained professionals on hand 24/7.

Faculty and Staff

• The offers a 24-hour emergency hotline and in-person, telephonic or video counseling with licensed professional counselors. It is confidential and free to all faculty and staff (excluding OPS student employees) as well as their eligible family members, including spouses, dependent children, parents and parents-in-law.

Safety

�鶹ӳ����ý police officers and dispatchers are available 24/7, even when campus is closed. Always dial 911 in an emergency. �鶹ӳ����ýPD personnel are also available at the non-emergency line at 407-823-5555. All �鶹ӳ����ýPD officers are trained in crisis intervention, equipping them to more compassionately and effectively respond to those who may be struggling.

Food Resources

is closed through Jan. 11, 2026, and will reopen Jan. 12 when classes resume for the spring semester. Care bags for �鶹ӳ����ý students can be found at and during the closure. Additionally, the pantry has compiled a in Altamonte Springs, Maitland, Orlando and Oviedo that can offer assistance.

Free Holiday Fun

As one of the world’s premier tourist destinations, Orlando has endless entertainment options, including opportunities to get in the festive spirit without causing financial stress and maxing out your bank account.

• (downtown Orlando): Now through January 6, you can find holiday-themed light installations, a holiday market, “snow” fall, Santa and Grinch sightings, musical performances, occasional free holiday movies and more.
• (downtown Orlando and home to ): Running weekly through Jan. 4, 2026, the arts center’s three-acre lawn — including Seneff Arts Plaza — will come alive with more than 80 live performances, twinkling light displays, fire pits, nightly snowfalls and family-friendly activities.
• : Experience some Disney magic without theme park costs. Disney Springs (which has free parking) boasts more than 15 elaborately themed Christmas trees inspired by Disney characters, Pixar films and theme park favorites, nightly entertainment and festive window shopping.
• : Receive free admission every Friday evening, 4–8 p.m., through December, and special live musical performances during the holiday season.
• (free for �鶹ӳ����ý students): The �鶹ӳ����ý women’s and men’s basketball teams will host a doubleheader Dec. 20 at 2 p.m. and 5 p.m., respectively, at Addition Financial Arena. The men’s team debuts its “Nauty or Knights” theme, featuring a mix of mascots, specialty concession items and a limited-edition Knights or ‘Nauts Holiday T-shirt giveaway, available on a first come-first served basis, while supplies last. The day is a chance for fans to break out their Black and Gold or Canaveral Blue all at once, celebrating both �鶹ӳ����ý’s primary and alternate identities.
• (Cocoa Beach): A holiday spectacle that is uniquely Florida, Surfing Santas is an annual Cocoa Beach tradition that brings hundreds of surfers of all ages dressed up as Santa, elves, snowmen and everything else in between. This free morning event Dec. 24 is family friendly with entertainment including musical performances, Hawaiian dancers and of course, surfing Santas.

Additional Support for Students

It’s also worth noting, additional support for students is available when campus operations resume in January. serves as a vital resource for students encountering unexpected challenges that may impact their enrollment and academic success. If you are facing issues related to non-clinical mental health, basic needs, or other unforeseen circumstances, please contact Student Care Services by calling 407-823-5607, emailing��caremanager@ucf.edu, or submitting a for yourself or a fellow Knight.

With Thanksgiving behind us and final exams and the holidays quickly approaching, this time of year often comes with increased anxiety and unease.

Breathe — you’ve got this! Make a plan for preparation, schedule time for study and for self-care, do one thing at a time and check things off the list as you go. You will reach the finish line.

To help you balance your schoolwork with opportunities to refresh and recharge, I am sharing the many �鶹ӳ����ý resources available to support your success and well-being.

Academic Support

If you are looking for some additional support with particular classes, check out now through Dec. 5. Before and during final exam week, the will host multiple in-person and virtual final exam review sessions spanning a variety of academic subjects.

helps you navigate state and university policies related to academic record changes, curriculum file management, degree audits and graduation requirements. For more information about any of these services, you can visit us in Millican Hall in Room 161.

Mental Health Resources

It’s important to prioritize taking care of your mental health. Take advantage of these resources here at �鶹ӳ����ý to help you:

• : CAPS offers free mental health walk-ins, and their 24/7 crisis hotline can be reached by calling 407-823-2811 and pressing 5.
• : TAO is a self-guided interactive program that aids with managing anxiety, depression and other concerns.
• : Togetherall is a peer-to-peer space to connect with others experiencing similar feelings in a supportive environment, with trained professionals on hand 24/7.

Well-being Services

If you are facing unexpected challenges, reach out to ��for wrap-around care and support. The office can be reached by calling 407-823-5607, emailing caremanager@ucf.edu��and by submitting a����for yourself or a fellow Knight.

��offers wellness coaching to assist with your health goals and help you make lifestyle changes to optimize your well-being. Staff can help with nutrition, physical activity, stress management and more. Call��407-823-5841��to make an appointment.

Other �鶹ӳ����ý Resources

�鶹ӳ����ý has an abundance of additional resources available to you. Whether you need them now or down the road, please do not hesitate to reach out.

• : available for Knights who need support with items such as food, clothing and toiletries.
• : offers free legal advice, consultation and court representation in select areas of law that students encounter most often, including lease agreements and assistance.
• Emergency Funding: for those who are facing financial insecurity, contact Student Care Services for an application to be considered for emergency funds.
• : provides all members of the university community with an independent, confidential and neutral place to share concerns and seek resolution.
• : use this website as a guide to report an incident or concern.

We wish you every success on final exams and a happy, safe holiday season.

That’s why �鶹ӳ����ý Libraries has made it a priority to find solutions to help students with��. Lily Dubach serves as the university’s textbook affordability librarian, and she is helping lead the charge to make significant changes in the ways students access textbooks and course materials at �鶹ӳ����ý.

Responses to a 2018 statewide survey conducted by Florida Virtual Campus, which was created by the state legislature to provide shared educational services for Florida, indicates that 64.2 percent of Florida higher education students did not purchase a required textbook due to cost.��Further, 42.8 percent took fewer courses, 40.5 percent did not register for a specific course, and 35.6 percent attributed earning a poor grade to textbook cost.

Conversely, students who have access to no- or low-cost course materials tend to have higher grade-point averages, lower failure and withdrawal rates, and decreased financial hardship, according to Open Education Group’s��The Review Project.

�鶹ӳ����ý Libraries first began actively addressing textbook affordability in 2016 and has enlisted help in identifying ways to reduce the cost of course materials through a campus-wide collaboration that also includes the Division of Digital Learning, the Faculty Center for Teaching and Learning, Barnes & Noble at �鶹ӳ����ý, teaching faculty, and the Office of the Provost. This partnership works together under the .

In that short time, several improvements have been implemented. The library reports that as of this spring, �鶹ӳ����ý faculty have taught more than 950 class sections to date using open or library-sourced materials, in turn reaching more than 65,000 students and potentially saving them more than $6.7 million.

Dubach outlines what students should know before buying their textbook, and she also shares ways faculty can help the cause.

5 methods �鶹ӳ����ý students can try when seeking cheaper books

1. See if your text is available as an e-book

In some cases, the library has purchased the e-book version of assigned course textbooks.��These texts can be accessed regardless of time or location and at no cost to the student.

Students can search if their textbooks are available in an e-book format through the library’s��. The �鶹ӳ����ý Libraries is currently working on a specialized search functionality through a browsable catalog that will allow students to see all e-books used as textbooks. Students will be able to filter results by class and professor.

2. Utilize textbook lending

In 2018, the John C. Hitt Library implemented a textbook lending service at the circulation desk. Certain textbooks can be accessed for a two-hour loan on a first-come, first-served basis. Dubach cautions students to avoid relying solely on the course reserves — sometimes there is only one copy of a book for a class of 200 students — but it can certainly be used as a resource.

The also include some textbooks on reserve.

To find if your textbook is part of the reserves, search the��.

The library is consistently working to add more titles to the lending library and has gotten help through funding from campus partners, such as Student Government and Knights Pantry, and book donations.

3. Negotiate a lower price at the Barnes & Noble at �鶹ӳ����ý

Take advantage of the bookstore’s��and/or request that the online access code be “unbundled” from the book.��Sometimes you can save money by purchasing a used text and an access code, sometimes not. Regardless, the��2008 Higher Education Authorization Act��requires that “bundled” items — generally the college textbook and supplemental materials, including online access codes — also be made available “as separate and unbundled items, each separately priced.”

4. Talk to your professor

Faculty want students to be successful. If getting course resources is an issue, it is important to keep them informed of the challenge and ask if there are any alternatives they can offer. For example, students may be able to use an older edition of the textbook.

5. Explore financial aid options

Talk to your advisor about financial aid options used for textbooks. Some students are eligible for the Textbook Purchase Program.

5 actions faculty can take to help textbook affordability

Dubach urges faculty to be cognizant of how much their students are paying for textbooks and consider looking for alternative resources, which the library can help identify.

Some methods are quick, while others take time to consider, plan and execute.

1. See if the library can offer your textbook as an e-book

This is the quickest method and saves time for faculty. Dubach or the faculty’s subject librarian can check if the faculty’s textbook is available as a free library-sourced e-book.

To date, Dubach says faculty have saved students potentially more than $2 million dollars by using library e-books as replacements of the assigned course text.��The library will check for e-book candidates that allow unlimited simultaneous users and offer favorable digital rights management.

2. Join faculty who have adopted an open textbook

Open educational resources (OER) are openly-licensed digital textbooks that are freely available online. OER allow anyone to read, copy, distribute or modify the course content at no cost. Check out����hosted by Rice University as one resource for general education program and introductory course textbooks in the OER format.

The �鶹ӳ����ý Libraries and Center for Distributed Learning are partnering to support faculty interested in exploring or authoring an open educational resource.

3. Donate a copy of your print textbook to the library

The library recognizes that not every textbook has an open or library-sourced equivalent, so as an alternative, Dubach encourages faculty to donate a copy of their print textbook to the library course reserves.��Most textbooks will circulate for two hours, providing access to students who haven’t yet purchased the textbook or intend to rely on the reserves copy.

4. If you use an e-book or open textbook, relay this to Barnes & Noble’s Adoption & Insights Portal (AIP)

AIP is �鶹ӳ����ý’s official system to track textbook adoptions. Did you know that AIP can also show options that are no-cost to students? This means that when students search the bookstore for their textbooks, they will know that the assigned materials have free options.

The bookstore provides instructions to faculty and departmental administrators on how to display library-sourced e-books or open resources through AIP.

5. Contact the your textbook affordability librarian

Sometimes a faculty member might use an e-book or open textbook but hasn’t notified AIP or the library. To make sure that the e-book will always be available and that enough copies are accessible for all students in the course, Dubach needs to know.

If you’re a faculty member who is using an e-book or wants to find alternative methods, contact��Lily Dubach at lily@ucf.edu.

Fall 2021’s��deadline for tuition and fees��is��Friday, Sept. 3,��so be sure to study this guide before then. However, students who are anticipated to receive financial aid (awards have either been distributed already or are listed as pending in ) for Fall 2021 have a��deferred deadline for tuition payment of Friday, Oct. 29.

Applications | Disbursement |��Refunds��|��Advances��|��Drop, Add and Withdrawal ��|��Common Errors

Applying for Financial Aid

Where can I view my financial-aid information?
Through you can view items on your to-do list, due charges, and loan, grant and scholarship offers.

Where should I look for help before reaching out to the Office of Student Financial Assistance?
In general, you should check your email and my�鶹ӳ����ý account and complete any items on your to-do list. If you have successfully completed the financial aid process, including confirmation of academic activity during the first week for each of your courses,��you can expect your approved aid to be disbursed during the second week of classes.

The financial aid help videos cover topics such as the types of financial aid, how to fill out the FAFSA, understanding your to-do list and more, which can help answer many questions without speaking to someone directly.

How can I contact the Office of Student Financial Assistance?
�鶹ӳ����ý’s��Office of Student Financial Assistance��is offering limited in-person and virtual meetings.��To schedule an appointment, please visit the financial aid website.

You can��schedule a virtual appointment with a financial assistance counselor��to discuss �鶹ӳ����ý’s financial aid application process or your financial aid status. Appointments should be reserved for information not accessible through����or the��financial aid website. Appointments are available for booking up to two weeks in advance.

What types of financial aid are there?
The most common forms of financial aid are loans, federal work study, grants and scholarships. The U.S. Department of Education offers direct subsidized and unsubsidized loans, but it’s important to understand the difference between the two.

• Direct subsidized loans��are only available to undergraduate students who demonstrate financial need based on the information provided on the FAFSA. You do not pay interest on this loan while you are enrolled at least halftime. You also will not pay interest for the first six months following graduation or during a deferment period.
• Direct unsubsidized loans��are available to undergraduate and graduate students. You do not need to demonstrate financial need in order to receive this. However, interest will begin to accrue while you are in school, after you graduate and during deferment periods until your loan is paid off. This means your interest accumulates and will be added to the principal amount of your loan.
• Federal work study��is a program that can provide you a part-time job while you pursue your degree. FWS employers know you are a student first and are willing to work around your schedule.
• Grants�����Ի���scholarships��both provide you with money to cover costs without the requirement to pay anything back. The difference is grants are need-based while scholarships can be merit-based or in some cases need-based.
• The��Pell Grant��is ��for undergraduate students pursuing their first bachelor’s degree who meet the eligibility criteria based on the information provided on the FAFSA.
• Learn more about��grants�����Ի���scholarships.

What is the��Free Application for Federal Student Aid?
This is an online application that uses financial information and other factors to determine a student’s financial need. Independent students will only need to use their financial information, while dependent students must use their parents as well as their own.

Using your FAFSA application, the government can determine if you are eligible for a Pell Grant, any other federal grants, work-study and loans. Completing the FAFSA is often a requirement for many other non-federal grants and scholarships, so even if you think you may not be eligible for federal financial aid it is important you complete this application.

When and how often should I complete the��FAFSA?
You should complete the FAFSA each year because financial information changes on a yearly basis. To receive the greatest consideration, �鶹ӳ����ý urges students to apply by Dec. 1. However, the FAFSA application is available as early as Oct. 1 each year.

For example, the 2022-23 FASFA will become available on Oct. 1, but �鶹ӳ����ý’s priority date for the application is Dec. 1.

What do I need to complete the FAFSA?
Have the following information prepared when you are ready to complete your FAFSA:

• Your social security number
• Alien registration number (if you are not a U.S. citizen)
• Your federal income tax returns, W-2s, and other records of money earned. (Note:��You may be able to transfer your federal tax return information into your FAFSA using the IRS Data Retrieval Tool.)
• Bank statements and records of investments (if applicable)
• Records of untaxed income (if applicable)
• A federal student aid ID to sign electronically.
• Dependent students will need most of the information above from their parents as well.

The �鶹ӳ����ý Office of Student Financial Assistance provides info on how to��complete your FAFSA.

What if my parents don’t want to give me their tax or any other information?
You cannot be considered independent on the basis of a parent refusing to provide information. However, students in extenuating circumstances like neglect, abuse or abandonment, should visit the �鶹ӳ����ý’s financial-aid office to discuss their circumstances and file an appeal. More information can be found on the financial aid website.

Do I need to complete any other documents to receive financial aid?
Sometimes the Department of Education selects students for verification. This may be because a student incorrectly completed their FAFSA paperwork, have missing information on their application, or financial information has changed drastically from the year prior. These forms include dependent or independent verification, untaxed income worksheets, parent tax-filing statement and more. Any documentation needed to compete the financial aid process is listed in the To Do List on my�鶹ӳ����ý.

How long can I receive aid?
There are time limits and maximum amounts established for financial aid. Pell Grant recipients have a lifetime eligibility usage limit. There is a limit to the amount of federal student loans a student may borrow and a maximum timeframe for which students can receive financial aid.

How is the amount of financial I’m offered determined?
Some financial aid, such as grants and the subsidized loan, is determined based on financial need, however other eligibility requirements are also considered when creating student financial aid packages. Additionally, the availability of funding can impact the types of awards a student receives. . In general, students who meet �鶹ӳ����ý’s priority deadline for completing the FAFSA are given the maximum consideration for aid.

Where can I find scholarships?
You can use �鶹ӳ����ý’s�� Search Tool, also called A2O, to find scholarships offered through �鶹ӳ����ý. You will need to complete A2O’s application once a year to be automatically matched with scholarships you may qualify for. On the A2O page you can also find an external link of 1,500 verified scholarships that are available. This list is updated on a regular basis.

Tip: Scholarships are an underutilized form of aid with many receiving few or no applicants. So be sure to take advantage of them. Also, apply no matter how big or small the award amount is because every dollar can make a difference.

How can I apply for federal work study?
When completing the FAFSA you must indicate you’re interested in participating in federal work study. From there students are selected for the program based on eligibility. To be eligible you must:

• • Be a U.S. citizen, U.S. permanent resident, eligible non-citizen, or citizen of the Freely Associated States: The Federated States of Micronesia and the republics of Palau and the Marshall Islands (for more information, please see the FAFSA)
  • Have a social security card or letter from the Social Security Administration (application receipt)
  • Be enrolled as a part-or full-time degree-seeking student
  • Meeting �鶹ӳ����ý’s standards for satisfactory academic progress (Met, Academic Plan, Warning & Probation are acceptable).
  • Being in need of at least $4,000 for the fall and spring or $2,000 for the summer
  • Have a completed review status

Students who have federal work study as a part of their financial aid pacakge, may look for work study jobs using .

What Do I Need to Know About Disbursement?

What is disbursement and when should I expect to receive it?
Disbursement is the process in which financial aid awards (scholarships, grants, loans, etc.) are posted to your student account. For students who have met all financial aid eligibility requirements, disbursement begins the day before tuition is due, so the Thursday of the second week of classes.

The timing for each students’ disbursement is contingent on when they meet all conditions for receiving aid. This includes submitting necessary documents to the Office of Student Financial Aid and completing the confirmation of academic activity in your courses.

What is confirmation of academic activity?
Confirmation of academic activity is a federal regulation that ensures a student is actually attending a course. This must be done for each of your courses and can take the form of an online quiz, in-class activity or your instructors may opt to take attendance for the activity.

Most often instructors require students to complete this activity during the first week of each semester. Confirmation of academic activity can be completed after the first week of classes, ��however a portion of your aid could ��be delayed.

It’s in your best interest to complete the confirmation of academic activity during the first week of classes. .

What About Refunds?

How is a refund different from disbursement?
Refunds are processed by Student Account Services. A refund is the excess money you may receive after tuition, fees and other charges are deducted from your disbursement. The easiest way to receive any refunds is to set up direct deposit through my�鶹ӳ����ý. Students who do not set up direct deposit will receive a refund check by the mail.

When should I expect to receive my refund?
Students should allow up to 72 hours for direct-deposit refunds to arrive in their respective banking institutions. Students should allow five to seven business days for mailed refunds to arrive to a the mailing address on file.

Student Financial Assistance��does not��handle refunds. Contact for issues related to refunds.

I haven’t received my refund yet, what should I do?
Students who opt for mail refunds should make sure their address in the �鶹ӳ����ý system is their current one and not their parents’ or a former one. Students who have set up direct deposit should make sure all their information is accurate.

If you’re having any trouble with your refund, contact not��Student Financial Assistance. The financial aid office does not��handle refunds.

Does �鶹ӳ����ý Offer Advances for Financial Aid?

Can I get an advance on my financial aid?
Starting three weeks prior to the start of each semester, students can take advantage of one of two options for advances on financial aid. Both are only available to students who have accepted enough aid to cover tuition and fees, as well as books and supplies.

The first option is the��textbook opt-in program, which advances students up to $600 for textbooks and supplies. You must opt-in for the program online using my�鶹ӳ����ý. Once approved, you can then purchase what you need from the campus bookstore. This charge will go to you my�鶹ӳ����ý account and once disbursement takes place the bookstore is automatically paid from your financial-aid funds.

To learn more about how to save money on textbooks, click here.

The second option is a short-term advance. You can apply for this by filling out and submitting an application to the financial-aid office. You can receive up to $600 if you plan to repay through financial aid or you can receive up to $300 if you plan to use another method. While many students use this advance for books, some also use it for rent or housing payments as well.

You can only use one form of advance each semester.

When do I have to pay back an advance?
If you are repaying an opt-in textbook or short-term advance through their accepted financial aid, the repayment should automatically be taken from your �鶹ӳ����ý account during disbursement. If you are repaying a short-term advance on your own the Fall 2021 semester is October 29.

Drop, Add and Withdrawal of Classes

How does adding or dropping a course impact my financial aid?
Certain forms of financial aid, such as the Bright Futures Scholarship Program, are determined based on the number of credit hours you are enrolled in. This means adding and dropping courses can affect the amount of aid you receive. However, financial-aid disbursement occurs��after the add/swap and drop period each semester to make sure you’re disbursed the proper amount of aid.

In some particular instances, students will late drop a class(es). This can result in students losing a portion or all of their financial aid after it has already been disbursed.

How does withdrawing from courses impact my financial aid?
In terms of federal aid, the Department of Education views your course attendance as the means through which you earn your aid. �鶹ӳ����ý distributes the entire amount of aid for students at the start of the semester with an expectation students will complete the semester. When you submit an��official withdrawal��from all courses students may be required repay a portion or all of the aid received for that semester. The financial-aid office will perform a calculation that considers determining the amount that must be returned to the federal government.

These same policies and procedures apply for unofficial withdrawals, which occur when a student fails to earn any credit during a semester because they have stopped attending class. Over time, withdrawals can impact your financial aid eligibility because they factor into your course completion ratio and maximum timeframe for degree completion. As a part of the Department of Education’s required satisfactory academic progress monitoring, �鶹ӳ����ý keeps track of the number of successfully completed course hours versus all course hours attempted by a student. Students must successfully complete 70 percent of all credit hours, including transfer hours, to remain eligible for federal financial aid.

What happens if my course completion ratio drops below 70 percent?
During the first semester you dip below67%, you will be placed on financial-aid warning. If you do not raise your completion ratio by the following semester, you will become ineligible for financial aid and must submit an appeal to be reinstated.

What about medical withdrawals?
In terms of federal aid, students who are approved for a medical withdrawal are still subject to the same rules as official withdrawal students. However, if you are approved for a medical withdrawal you may also be approved for a refund of tuition fees.

Most Common Errors

Here are some of the most common financial-aid errors students make and how to avoid them:

Not Resolving Admissions Holds
Incoming first-year students need to resolve any holds on your admissions status, including submitting final high school transcripts or residency information, in order to receive aid.

Not Reading my�鶹ӳ����ý Notifications
Through my�鶹ӳ����ý, students receive notifications on their To-Do List for any actions they need to take to satisfy financial-aid requirements. These items outline any forms a students must submit and which office they need to contact. By not properly reading these items students delay their financial aid.

Not Setting up Direct Deposit
It’s important you set up direct deposit to ensure you’ll receive aid and refunds as quickly as possible to their bank account. Direct deposit removes the need to mail checks, which are cut only once a week and can take five to seven business daysbefore reaching students. These checks are also mailed to the address �鶹ӳ����ý has on file. Some students forget to update this address to their current one or change it from their parents’ address, which will result in a delay of your refund.

Not Starting/Competing the Financial-aid Process Early Enough
Starting and completing the financial-aid process early is important to ensure the financial-aid office has all the documents it needs to provide you aid.Paying attention to deadlines and items on your my�鶹ӳ����ý to-do list is helpful for keeping you on track. Some important dates to keep in mind are:

• • • Oct. 1 – The date the FAFSA application becomes available each year
    • Dec. 1 – �鶹ӳ����ý’s priority date for completing the FAFSA. Students who meet this deadline are given the maximum consideration for aid.
    • May 30 – �鶹ӳ����ý’s priority date for submitting any financial-aid documents needed to determine aid for upcoming aid year.

To learn more about financial aid or watch videos that can help you through several financial-aid processes, visit ucf.edu/financial-aid.

Hours of Operation | General COVID-19 Related Changes | Checking Out Books | Technology Access | Technology Rentals | Virtual Services

John C. Hitt Library Expansion

The library expansion adds 57,000 square feet of space that includes a sustainable energy-efficient LEED-certified building, two instruction rooms with an active learning design, a multipurpose room, a variety of power-equipped seating, 84 desktop computer stations and more. An eight-door entrance that opens to the Student Union Plaza has been added, while the existing “legacy entrance” facing the Reflecting Pond offers another convenient access point to the building.

With the opening of Phase IA, the main Circulation Services desk will move to the new main entrance. The library “LibTech Desk,” currently on the third floor, will rotate to the previous Circulation Services desk on the second floor near the original entrance. At the top of the Automated Retrieval Center (ARC) a four-story storage facility that opened in 2018 and uses robotic retrieval cranes to access up to 1.25 million printed materials, is a new reading room that provides 270-degree views of campus and 235 seats.

Construction During Spring 2021

The new north entrance to the library is a gateway to exquisite new spaces on four floors of the John C. Hitt Library. However, this is not the end of the 21^st��Century Library Project. Spring 2021 visitors to the library will see the beginning of reconstruction of the third floor. Some time early in the semester Turner Construction will start by removing ceiling tiles to allow for investigation and planning for infrastructure updates. Work will be done when students and staff are out of the library so this area will not be restricted to hard-hats only, and the third floor will remain open for the first half of the year. Third floor materials will gradually disappear into the Automated Retrieval Center (ARC). Work will also take place on the second floor at the back or the Reference Suite, Room 203 and on the first floor near the University Archives and the west stairs. The big reveal will be some time in 2022.

No matter which campus library is most convenient for you to access, here are the general and COVID-19 related operation details you should know to help you make the most out of �鶹ӳ����ý Libraries services and resources.

Hours of Operation

Library hours are reduced for Spring 2021 to accommodate staggered or remote work schedules. You can always.

• :��Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Sunday, noon to 6 p.m. Please note Special Collections and University Archives is offering services by appointment only.
• : Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; closed Saturday and Sunday.
• :��Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; closed Saturday and Sunday.
• :��Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Friday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.; closed Saturday and Sunday

COVID-19 Policies and Procedures

• �鶹ӳ����ý employees and students are required to follow��the university’s COVID-19 policy, which includes��wearing face coverings��and maintaining physical distance of at least six feet when possible while inside campus libraries.
• Nightly cleaning will take place from 11 p.m. to 7:30 a.m. During the daytime, staff will sanitize regular touchpoints and perform light cleaning that is required due to usage.
• �鶹ӳ����ý Libraries employees are required to wash their hands before starting work at the desk and regularly throughout their shift. Frequent hand sanitization is also encouraged.
• �鶹ӳ����ý Libraries employee workstations are at least six feet apart and must be sanitized at the beginning and end of every shift.
• Plexiglass shields are installed at the John C. Hitt Library Circulation Services desk and other service desks throughout �鶹ӳ����ý’s libraries to provide a barrier between student and staff members.��When necessary, students will be required to swipe their �鶹ӳ����ý IDs themselves at these desks to reduce contact with staff.
• Hand sanitizing stations are available throughout �鶹ӳ����ý’s libraries to allow students and staff to clean their hands after touching surfaces.
• Seating throughout the library has been reduced by 30 to 50 percent, depending on the area. Students are asked not to remove signs identifying areas as “Do not sit” or rearrange furniture to help maintain appropriate physical distance of six feet between library patrons.
• In-person group work in the libraries is restricted and group study rooms are closed at this time, however �鶹ӳ����ý Libraries recognizes that individuals may need to collaborate with others throughout the semester. Students may work with one other person while both individuals wear face coverings and maintain six feet of distance from each other.
• Procedures for technology lending and course reserves are modified to reduce contamination. (See��more details under Technology Lending Practices)

Checking Out Books and Printed Materials

• Students can check out books in person at the John C. Hitt Library and through the interlibrary loan system at �鶹ӳ����ý Downtown and Rosen campuses.
• Items may be returned at the outdoor book drops beside the main entrance doors, in the Millican Hall parking lot, or outside the CMC on the side of the Education Complex facing Garage I. They may also be returned at the Circulation Services desk inside the John C. Hitt Library, which has moved near the new entrance.
• Students who are not living on main campus can also request books and have them delivered to their residence through the��.

Technology Access

• Students can still access printers, copiers and scanners throughout open libraries. Students should wash or sanitize their hands immediately after use or touching other surfaces to maintain proper hygiene.
• Desktop computers are available for use throughout the libraries, however some in the John C. Hitt Library have been disabled to maintain six feet of distance between users. Mouses and keyboards have been removed from disabled computers, and students should not sit at these workstations.
• Adobe Creative Cloud, which includes programs such as Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, and Premiere, is now available on all desktop computers in the libraries and through rented library laptops.
• Using �鶹ӳ����ý Apps, students can access the same electronic databases, resources and software, including Adobe Creative Cloud and Microsoft apps, on library desktop computers through their mobile and personal computer devices.��.

Technology Lending Practices

• Students can check out most items available before the pandemic, except for headphones since these items are used in close proximity to users’ heads. However, headphones can be purchased from the��located in��Tech Commons II.
• Items will not be made available for lending until they have been sanitized or have gone through the 72-hour quarantine period required for select items.��Returned items will be handled by a designated employee at a specific area of the return desk to reduce potential for cross-contamination.
• You can��. Availability status for��,�������Ի�����are also available online.
• All four-hour items, including mobile device charging cables, portable battery packs and select laptops, will have their loan periods changed to 24-hours to reduce the amount of times a student would need to visit the desk if using the item throughout the day, accommodate reduced operation hours and allow for proper sanitizing processes.
• Any item that has a cloth case or devices that are typically held near the face, such as cameras and microphones, will be sanitized and undergo a 72-hour quarantine period.

Virtual Services

• ��connects students to helpful tools, such as the���鶹ӳ����ý Libraries catalog,��,��online journals and books, and more.
• Students can also use the����feature for live librarian assistance during the following hours: Monday through Thursday 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Saturday 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
• Throughout the semester �鶹ӳ����ý Libraries will host��.
• Stay up-to-date with��.

For the latest information about returning to campus, visit �鶹ӳ����ý’s��coronavirus�����Ի���Returning to �鶹ӳ����ý��websites. Students, faculty, staff and visitors will be required to complete the��COVID Self-Checker��— available via the����or online — each day before arriving to campus.

Academic Resources��|��Advising��|��Class Registration��| COVID-19 Safety and Testing��|��Dining Services and Food��| Financial Aid��| Health and Wellness��| Parking and Transportation��| Pegasus Palooza��| Student Union��| Technology��| Textbooks��| �鶹ӳ����ý Mobile App��|

Academic Resources

Whether you have questions about webcourses or proctored exams, students taking online courses can find help and support through the .

The is��available��to help you succeed academically. Peer tutors, supplemental-instruction leaders and academic coaches are available to assist you online via Zoom. Limited in-person services for select classes will also be offered at the main and downtown campuses.

All Knight Study is an on-campus resource that provides students a comfortable place to study and access to free printing, Scantrons and computers.

AKS’s main campus locations at and Ferrell Commons will reopen Monday, Aug. 24. Throughout the semester it will be open seven days a week with reduced hours to allow for overnight sanitation. Please note these hours may be adjusted as needed:

• Monday through Thursday: 7 a.m. to 2 a.m.
• Friday: 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.
• Saturday: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
• Sunday: 11 a.m. to 2 a.m.

Group study rooms are closed and public-use computers in these facilities will be reduced to 50 percent capacity to encourage physical distancing, with staff sanitizing workstations once an hour as well as having sanitizing wipes available for students.

You can use your �鶹ӳ����ý ID to redeem one free Scantron per day at the All Knight Study locations or at the��SG information desk��in Room 214 of the Student Union. Free green books are also available, but you are limited to three per semester.

The John C. Hitt Library, as well as branch libraries at �鶹ӳ����ý Downtown and Rosen College of Hospitality Management, to accommodate staggered or remote work schedules. Seating has been reduced to support physical distancing, but students can still access books, desktop computers, and printers and rent technology from the libraries. For .

Advising

The����is available to assist students who have not declared or are exploring majors. The center will provide services remotely through this semester. Office hours are Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Contact the office via email at��kmetc@ucf.edu.

For other advising appointments check your college’s website for specific advising office hours, availability and contact information.

Class Registration

Using��you can change your schedule during the first week — just keep deadlines in mind. The drop/swap and add deadlines fall on the same date this year, Friday, Aug. 28.

COVID-19 Safety and Testing

Every student, faculty and staff member must complete the COVID self-checker prior to each daily visit to campus. This self-assessment can be submitted online or through the �鶹ӳ����ý Mobile app. Students can find instructions on how to complete the self-checker here and employees can find information here.

In accordance with �鶹ӳ����ý’s COVID-19 Return to Campus Policy, all �鶹ӳ����ý students and employees on campus must wear face coverings while indoors and outdoors. The only exception is when individuals are working out outdoors.��

Each student, faculty and staff member at �鶹ӳ����ý can receive one free reusable, cloth face covering. These face coverings can be��at various distribution sites on main, Rosen and �鶹ӳ����ý Downtown campuses. They may also be picked up through nine vending machines across the campuses.

Here are some steps you can take if you encounter someone on campus who is not wearing a face covering.

You can see some of the precautions �鶹ӳ����ý is taking to help mitigate risks from COVID-19 in classrooms, high-traffic areas and other campus spaces here.

To find more information and the latest COVID-19 updates for the �鶹ӳ����ý community, visit ucf.edu/coronavirus. For information specific to returning to campus, visit ucf.edu/returning-to-ucf

COVID-19 testing is available in Garage A of �鶹ӳ����ý’s main campus.��The testing is in partnership with Aventus BioLabs, which is also offering COVID-19 antibody testing at the main campus testing location. Anyone who tests positive for the coronavirus should contact the �鶹ӳ����ý COVID Line at��407-823-2509.��

Dining Services and Food

To see which dining options are open on main campus and �鶹ӳ����ý Downtown, visit the What’s Open page.

With consideration to the impact of COVID-19, there is no deadline to . However, students should consider signing up for a plan at their earliest convenience to make the most out of it.

�鶹ӳ����ý Dining Services has increased safety and cleaning proceeds throughout the dining halls and restaurants they manage.��Grab-and-go and take-out meals are encouraged along with using outdoor spaces to eat, but students will be able to utilize some indoor, physically distanced seating eating options.��Students can also take advantage of mobile ordering for any �鶹ӳ����ý Dining establishment through the��.

Students in need can still access free groceries from , which is located in Ferrell Commons on main campus, by����Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Financial Aid

Students who are not anticipated to receive financial aid for Fall 2020 must meet the tuition payment deadline of Sept. 1. Students who are anticipated to receive financial aid (awards have either been distributed already or are listed as pending in my�鶹ӳ����ý) for Fall 2020 have a deferred deadline for tuition of Friday, Oct. 30.����

Before reaching out to the Office of Student Financial Assistance, you should check your email and my�鶹ӳ����ý account and complete any items on your to-do list. If you have successfully completed the financial aid process, including confirmation of academic activity for each of your courses during the first week, you can expect your approved aid to be disbursed during the second week of classes.

For information on financial aid, read our guide��here. The financial aid help videos cover topics such as the types of financial aid, how to fill out the FAFSA, understanding your to-do list and more, which can help answer many questions without speaking to someone directly.

You can also��find answers to questions related to COVID-19’s impact on financial aid here.

�鶹ӳ����ý’s��Office of Student Financial Assistance��is offering limited in-person and virtual meetings.��To schedule an appointment, contact them at��finaid@ucf.edu or call 407-823-2827

Schedule a virtual appointment with a financial-assistance counselor��to discuss �鶹ӳ����ý’s financial aid application process or your financial aid status. Due to limited availability, appointments should be reserved for information not accessible through����or the��financial aid website. Appointments are available for booking up to two weeks in advance.

Health and Wellness

currently provides telehealth and limited direct, in-person appointments for care at the��Health Center on main campus. To schedule an appointment call��407-823-2701. Telehealth appointments are also available at the����(407-823-2701)�����Ի�����(407-266-1075) clinics.

Fall 2020 Hours of Operation (effective Aug. 22):

• Main campus health center: Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. (Telehealth and direct patient care, with final hour designated for telehealth only);��Saturday 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. (Nurse triage and telehealth only)
• �鶹ӳ����ý Downtown UnionWest clinic:��Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Telehealth only)
• College of Medicine clinic: Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Telehealth only)

The pharmacy is open��Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. You can pick up prescriptions and over-the-counter items in person or schedule for delivery. For more information, about the pharmacy and other Student Health Services, click here.

The �鶹ӳ����ý Recreation and Wellness Center and will reopen for students starting Aug. 21 with modified hours, a new reservation system and updated safety guidelines, which you can learn more about here. Please note, the RWC will have a maximum capacity of 100 users per hour.��Students can make reservations no more than 24 hours in advance up to one hour prior to their visit. Students are limited to one reservation per day and can work out for one hour.

For students who would like to access RWC’s services from home throughout the semester, the department will provide livestream fitness classes on��Instagram��and on��, pre-recorded��, esports leagues, sports trivia events and more through .

Parking and Transportation

Important parking and transportation information can be found��in the parking and transportation guide.

Some significant changes to note for Fall 2020 are:

• With consideration to the impact of the pandemic, parking permits that are set to expire Aug. 31, will be honored through Dec. 31 at no cost. If you do not have a valid permit and are planning to park on campus, . If you are not planning to be on campus frequently, you can also purchase .
• Please note that standing room has been suspended on all shuttles and seating capacity has been reduced by 20 percent to help promote physical distancing. As �鶹ӳ����ý is requiring students, faculty and staff to wear face coverings on campus, the same requirement applies while on shuttles.��To increase safety, riders must show drivers their valid �鶹ӳ����ý ID prior to boarding �鶹ӳ����ý shuttles. To learn about the safety precautions that will be used to help promote a healthier environment for �鶹ӳ����ý shuttle riders, click here.
• Spin e-scooters will not be available on campus this fall due to safety concerns.

Pegasus Palooza

This year’s week-long celebration welcomes students to the fall semester with a mix of virtual and physically distant in-person events.

It all begins Aug. 23 at 8 p.m, during The Knighting, an in-person gathering on Memory Mall that will include speakers and entertainment (). On Aug. 28, a drive-in Movie Knight featuring Pixar’s Onward will take place near the Bounce House Stadium 8:30­­–10 p.m (S and .) Students will be required to follow policy during these and any other in-person events.

offers students a chance to virtually discover student organizations and meet some of their members on Aug. 23 from 4 to 7 p.m. through . Comedy Knight, featuring 2019 Bring the Funny��finalist Ali Siddiq and radio personality Marcus Wiley, will take place Aug. 27 at 8 p.m. on Zoom.

For more information and the full schedule, visit��.

Student Union

On Aug. 8, �鶹ӳ����ý’s newly renovated Student Union — the Heart of Campus — reopened, with regular operating hours resuming Aug. 21. The Union now features expanded dining options, including a full-service Starbucks on the second floor with additional space and seating.

You can learn more about what services are available at the Union and its new COVID-19 guidelines and modifications here.

Technology

If you’re having technical issues or don’t own a desktop computer, you can use public ones at the��You can also .

Current students can also access free software — such as Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel and more — on any computer through . Connect to �鶹ӳ����ý Apps through a or visit your mobile device’s app store to download the free Citrix Receiver app. For more information on how to install and use �鶹ӳ����ý Apps click��.

Textbooks

To find out how to save money on textbooks, read our guide��here. Some options include using e-books, textbook lending and taking advantage of the price-matching offer. You can also check Facebook groups, such as “Class of 2023,” to find books other students are selling.

�鶹ӳ����ý Mobile App

The����is one of the best resources for support. Here you can quickly and easily access your my�鶹ӳ����ý account, online courses, Knights email, an event calendar, emergency alerts and more. The app also helps you get around with a module that tracks the shuttles in real time and another with an interactive campus map.

An important new feature on the �鶹ӳ����ý Mobile app is the COVID Self-Checker, which every student, faculty and staff must complete prior to each daily visit to campus.

�鶹ӳ����ý Downtown��and students can also select their respective campuses for their app experience to get information, services and details specific to their locations.

It’s the responsibility of both drivers and pedestrians to pay attention to what’s around them and follow the rules of the road. Drivers should yield to pedestrians even when drivers have a green light. Pedestrians also are responsible for following traffic signals and rules. Pedestrians should always use a crosswalk and look both ways before crossing the street, even when they have the right of way. It’s important to remember that distractions like cell phones and headphones can be dangerous for pedestrians, too.

“Drivers, pedestrians, bicyclists and skateboarders all share �鶹ӳ����ý’s campus,” �鶹ӳ����ý Police Chief Carl Metzger ’03MS says. “Let’s keep �鶹ӳ����ý safe for everyone by obeying the rules of the road.”

The �鶹ӳ����ý Police Department also has invested in pedestrian safety improvements on campus. In January, the university added “STOP for Pedestrian in Crosswalk” signage at five locations across campus. In addition, five crosswalks have been upgraded with flashing yellow lights. �鶹ӳ����ý police also have been citing drivers who fail to yield to pedestrians.

�鶹ӳ����ý is also focused on keeping students safe on the busy roads in the area. The university has partnered with Orange County and the Florida Department of Transportation to fund the construction of improvements to safeguard pedestrians and bicyclists on and near campus.

This project began with a study led by Orange County to determine what improvements would be most effective. A pedestrian bridge at the intersection of Alafaya Trail and University Boulevard was studied but ultimately ruled out by county traffic engineers. That’s because crash data shows that these accidents occur over a very wide area covering 4.6 miles, from Challenger Parkway to McCulloch Road on Alafaya Trail; from Rouse Road to Alafaya Trail on University Boulevard; and from Alafaya Trail to North Orion Boulevard on McCulloch Road. Traffic engineers concluded that pedestrians and bicyclists would not travel very far to use a bridge.

Instead, the county and state (which control these roads) are building a variety of improvements costing $8.8 million, including about $2.9 million from �鶹ӳ����ý. These upgrades are now being designed and construction should begin in early 2020:

• Pedestrian fencing and landscaping in the medians to funnel people to crosswalks rather than crossing at dangerous spots
• A new 10-foot-wide pedestrian/bike path on the east side of Alafaya Trail along �鶹ӳ����ý property
• New signalized mid-block crosswalks with textured colored pavement so pedestrians have more safe, highly visible locations to cross
• Improvements at major intersections, including high-visibility crosswalks and smaller turning radii that forces vehicles to slow down
• Textured crosswalks at smaller roads and driveways
• 8-foot-wide sidewalks
• Pedestrian scale lighting
• Additional wayfinding signage
• Landscaping

In addition, some additional interim improvements were recently added, including:

• Pedestrian warning flashers were installed along northbound and southbound Alafaya Trail near University Boulevard. Similar flashers were placed on University Boulevard near Alafaya in 2018.
• “Watch For Peds” messages have been painted on the roadway near the warning flashers.
• Flashing yellow arrows were installed at three corners of the intersection of Alafaya Trail and University Boulevard to signal that drivers should slow down and use caution as they turn.

Safety is our priority, and we believe these improvements will make it safer for our students and others.

Advising | Class Registration |��Download �鶹ӳ����ý Mobile��|��Downtown Campus��|��Financial Aid | Food | Football Game | Involvement | Parking and Transportation | Pegasus Palooza / Welcome Week | Rosen Campus | Study Resources | Supplies and Printing | Technology | Textbooks

Advising

will host a , which will showcase �鶹ӳ����ý clubs, organizations and departments on Aug. 28 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Pegasus Ballroom of the Student Union.

The office, which also serves upperclassmen with undeclared majors, will allow walk-in visits Aug. 26-30. For available times visit . Be sure to print and fill out the beforehand.

For other advising appointments be sure to check the website for your college’s advising office for hours, availability and contact information.

Class Registration

Using you can change your schedule during the first week — just keep deadlines in mind. The add/swap deadline is Aug. 29 and the add deadline is Aug. 30.

Download the �鶹ӳ����ý Mobile App

The is one of the best resources for support. Here you can quickly and easily access your my�鶹ӳ����ý account, online courses, Knights email, an event calendar, emergency alerts and more. The app also helps you get around with a module that tracks the Pegasus Express shuttle in real time and another with an interactive campus map.

�鶹ӳ����ý Downtown and Rosen College of Hospitality Management students can also select their respective campuses for their app experience to get information, services and details specific to their locations.

Downtown Campus

With a new campus opening this fall, it’s especially important you head to the right one.

If your class schedule shows your class is in DPAC (Dr. Phillips Academic Commons), UWCV (UnionWest at Creative Village) or CMB (�鶹ӳ����ý Communication and Media Building), then it is on the downtown campus.

The following programs have moved to the downtown campus:

Undergraduate:

• Communication & Conflict B.A.
• Digital Media B.A.
• Emergency Management B.A./B.S.
• Health Informatics and Information Management B.S.
• Health Services Administration B.S.
• Human Communication B.A.
• Legal Studies B.A./B.S.
• Nonprofit Management B.A./B.S.
• Public Administration B.A./B.S.

Graduate:

• Communication M.A.
• Digital Media M.A.
• Emergency and Crisis Management M.E.C.M.
• Health Administration MHA
• Health Care Informatics M.S.
• Interactive Entertainment M.S.
• Nonprofit Management MNM
• Public Administration MPA
• Public Affairs PhD
• Research Administration MRA
• Urban and Regional Planning M.S.

Most of the programs in the College of Community Innovation and Education are now downtown, but criminal justice��has NOT��moved and those courses are still taught on the main campus.

�鶹ӳ����ý Downtown students must also get the newest version of the �鶹ӳ����ý ID in order to access buildings on campus before and after business hours. If you do not have the latest version of the �鶹ӳ����ý ID, you can turn in your old one at card services in the Communication and Media building to receive a free new one. If you do not have an old �鶹ӳ����ý ID to turn in, you will have to pay for a new �鶹ӳ����ý ID.

Financial Aid

For information on financial aid, read our guide here. In general, you should check your my�鶹ӳ����ý account and complete any items on your to-do list. If you have successfully completed the financial aid process you can expect your approved aid to be disbursed during the second week of classes.

It’s important to complete the confirmation of academic activity during the first week so you will receive your financial aid on time.

Food

For a list of dining options on campus, including the ’63 South dining hall, Chick-fil-A, and Panda Express, click .�� There’s also Burger U, Jimmy John’s, The Pop Parlour, Domino’s Pizza, Gringos Locos, Dunkin’, Subway and Knightro’s by Knights Plaza. There’s also a Domino’s in the John T. Washington Center.

Topper’s Creamery by the Reflecting Pond offers $1 cones on Wednesday.

A variety of food options opening inside of UnionWest at Creative Village this fall, however they will not be open during the first week of classes. During the first week of class, you can grab a bite from on-campus food trucks, pop-up eateries and nearby restaurants.

Football Game

On Thursday, Aug. 29, �鶹ӳ����ý kicks off football season with the first game against Florida A&M University at Spectrum Stadium at 7:30 p.m. For our guide to the game click here.

Class and university operations at main, Rosen and downtown campuses and Research Park will close at 2 p.m. to allow time for game-day preparations. Campus activity and operations will resume Friday, Aug. 30 at 6 a.m.

Involvement

If you’re looking to get involved on campus, you can find some starting points here. Reaching out to the or searching the search engine are excellent ways to find student organizations that align with your interests.

Parking and Transportation

All parking and transportation information can be found here. One of the most important things to know is back-in parking is no longer allowed on any �鶹ӳ����ý campus. Everyone at �鶹ӳ����ý must park nose-in, tail-out, and failure to abide by this policy will result in a warning or citation. This method of parking is intended to increase campus safety and will help with Parking Services’ transition to digital permits in the future.

Another major change is metered parking throughout campus no longer accepts coins. Now you must pay for parking at designated spaces by using the or calling 407-809-4834.

After you’ve ordered your you can pick it up at Parking Services located in Garage B.

Pegasus Palooza / Welcome Week

The week-long annual celebration welcomes students on all of �鶹ӳ����ý’s campuses to the fall semester with events such as Knight Rave, a pool party and more. It all starts Aug. 23 at 8 p.m. at the Palooza Carnival and ends with a Day of Service on Aug. 31 at 8 a.m. For more information and the full schedule, visit

�鶹ӳ����ý Downtown students can take part in Pegasus Palooza by bringing their �鶹ӳ����ý ID to the events. There will be shuttles to take downtown students to and from the following Pegasus Palooza events:

• The Knighting and Opening Knight (a welcoming event that will be also be livestreamed ), Aug. 25; departing from downtown at 2:30 p.m.; leaving for downtown at 7 p.m.
• Comedy Knight featuring Pete Davidson, Aug. 26; departing from downtown at 6:30 p.m.; leaving for downtown at 10 p.m.
• Concert Knight featuring Blackbear, Aug. 28; departing from downtown at 6:30 p.m.; leaving for downtown at 10 p.m.
• Late Knights, Aug. 30; departing from downtown at 7 p.m., leaving for downtown at 12

There will also be a held on the downtown campus with events such as a week-long scavenger hunt, esports tournament and bike-trail outing. Students who want an exclusive look at their downtown campus before classes begin are invited to join a on Friday, Aug 23 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. You’ll be able to tour the new campus buildings and visit with student services and organizations that will be at the downtown campus.

Rosen Campus

Rosen College of Hospitality Management students should double-check their schedules to verify which campus their classes are being held. Some are offered at Rosen while others are on main campus. Also, be sure to check the shuttle schedule and traffic patterns to make sure you make it to class on time.

Study Resources

Start the semester off right by becoming familiar with the Student Academic Resource Center. This learning center is in Room 117 of Trevor Colbourn Hall and offers tutoring, supplemental instruction, academic workshops and more.

Online students can also access SARC resources through the website.

�鶹ӳ����ý Downtown students can access the Learning Support Center on campus for tutoring in general education classes and the writing center. You can also check out materials, such as graphing and scientific calculators, here.

All Knight Study locations are 24-hour study centers on campus offering computer access, study rooms and areas, Wi-Fi, and free Scantrons and printing. The AKS in Ferrell Commons is open Monday through Friday during the fall. The location in Knights Plaza is open seven days a week during the fall.

Supplies and Printing

Using your valid �鶹ӳ����ý ID you can access free printing in the Student Government Association’s Computer Lab in Room 209 of the Student Union, All Knight Study at Ferrell Commons and All Knight Study at Knights Plaza.

You can also use your �鶹ӳ����ý ID to get one free Scantron per day at the All Knight Study locations or at the SGA information desk in Room 214 of the Student Union. Free green books are also available, but you are limited to three per semester.

Technology

If you’re having technical issues or don’t own a computer, you can use Windows PCs, Macs or check out these devices for free at the John C. Hitt Library, Tech Commons I lab, Tech Commons II lab and Classroom Building I. Depending on the location you can also check out other items such as tablets and GoPros.

You can also access free software such as Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel and more on any computer. �鶹ӳ����ý Apps is also available for Android and iOS devices. Just go to your device’s app store and download the free Citrix Receiver app. For more information on how to install and use �鶹ӳ����ý Apps click .

Textbooks

To find out how to save money on textbooks, read our guide here. Some options include using e-books, textbook lending and taking advantage of the on-campus bookstore’s price-matching offer. You can also check Facebook groups, such as “Class of 2023,” to find books other students are selling.