UCF excels as a hub of academia, research, and partnerships, leading advancements in a multitude of disciplines. These range from optics and lasers, modeling and simulation, and engineering and computer science, to business, public administration, education, hospitality management, healthcare, and video game design.

Recognized by the U.S. Department of Education as a Hispanic Serving Institution, UCF is also proud to acknowledge that one in every five of its students is the first in their family to attend college. This dedication to inclusivity and accessibility reflects UCF's mission of creating pathways for all learners.

UCF's consistent appearances in the U.S. News and World Report's college rankings and its recognition by Washington Monthly as one of the best national universities underscore the university's unwavering commitment to fostering intellectual growth, innovative research, and meaningful partnerships.

Approximately, 72% of undergraduate students receive some form of financial
assistance. UCF awards more than $544.7 million in merit and need-based
assistance annually to students. This includes $110.7 million in Bright Futures
Scholarships. Students’ financial aid packages can include a combination of needbased
grants, scholarships, Workstudy programs, and/or the low-interest federal
direct subsidized and unsubsidized loan. Scholarships and grants do not require
repayment. Students who are awarded Workstudy earn a biweekly paycheck as a
part of their financial aid package. Subsidized loan eligibility is based on a student’s
need and academic classification; whereas the unsubsidized loan is non-need
based: Federal Direct Stafford Loan | UCF Office of Student Financial Assistance.

Scholarships are awarded based on academic criteria and/or any combination of academics, financial need, campus/community activities, leadership positions and work experience.  Scholarships are designed to reward, encourage, and assist students in pursuing academic excellence and leadership roles.
 
The university also administers hundreds of scholarship programs established by individuals and organizations to assist our students. Students may utilize the Access to Opportunities (A2O) scholarship portal to look for internal and external scholarships.  For scholarship listings and more information about financial assistance at UCF, please visit: Scholarships | University of Central Florida Office of Financial Assistance.

Transfer students are encouraged to apply 6-8 months prior to the start of the term they wish to enroll. The transfer equivalency portal provides a database of established course equivalencies from other institutions at https://registrar.ucf.edu/transfer-student-resources/. The “Transfer to Be a Knight” virtual information session is offered on select afternoons throughout the year and provides guidance specific to transferring students. Complete details on the transfer application process, deadlines, requirements and registration for the virtual transfer session is at https://www.ucf.edu/admissions/undergraduate/transfer/.

FTICs can apply for admission using the UCF institutional application or the Common App. Transfer students must apply through the UCF institutional application. FTIC students must submit a SPARK (Self-Provided Academic Record for Knights) Form as part of the admission application. High school transcripts are not required for initial FTIC admission review; admitted students who choose to enroll at UCF must submit final, official high school transcripts after high school graduation, but prior to enrolling. Complete details on all admission requirements and deadlines are available at https://www.ucf.edu/admissions/undergraduate.  Students are encouraged to attend an information session and campus tour, weekend open house or virtual presentation. Details on visit programs are at admissions.ucf.edu/visit.

Housing information is available on the Housing and Residence Life website at www.housing.ucf.edu. Students are able to apply for housing once they have been admitted to UCF.

There are no specialized admission or enrollment procedures for fully online students. Students who select the UCF Online option during the admission process, or with a change of major, will be restricted from enrolling in campus-based classes.

UCF Online tuition includes an $18/credit hour distance learning fee for all online classes, however, students participating in UCF Online save between $33 to $42 per credit hour in waivers of some campus-based fees.

UCF’s fully online offerings include bachelor’s degrees, graduate degrees, and graduate certificates.  While online courses are open to all UCF students, if you intend to take only online courses in your studies, you may opt to participate in UCF Online.  UCF Online offers waivers of some campus-based student fees and access to UCF’s Online Connect Center coaches who work with you as advocates and guides throughout your fully online academic experience at UCF. Visit http://www.ucf.edu/online/ for more information.

UCF’s online courses are designed to provide the highest quality learning experience for both traditional and non-traditional students. All course materials and methods are developed and delivered by UCF faculty.

The main campus spans 1,415 acres, including 800 acres of natural ecosystems that are home to more than 45 animal species. There’s the 45,000-seat FBC Mortgage Stadium that hosts UCF football games, as well as the 10,000-seat Addition Financial Arena that is home to UCF basketball, and hosts concerts and special events. At the heart of campus is the Student Union with computer labs, study lounges, restaurants and shopping. For exercise, students use the two-story Recreation and Wellness Center that offers a rock-climbing wall, indoor track, resort-style pool, group exercise classes, intramural sports and more. 

The mission of UCF Athletics is to positively transform the lives of our students academically, athletically and personally through a nationally competitive intercollegiate athletics program that enhances the reputation and visibility of the University. Our vision is to be Florida's preeminent athletics program, representing UCF and our community with distinction on the national stage as Orlando's Hometown Team. UCF’s athletic teams have earned victories on state and national platforms--from conference titles in multiple sports to major football bowl wins to NCAA Championship qualification. In addition to the athletics success, UCF student-athletes’ most important triumphs have been in the classroom. They’ve achieved an average GPA of 3.0 or higher for 33 consecutive semesters and also benefit from a program that promises a job or graduate school placement for every student-athlete who graduates.