Financial Overview

University Financial Support

The university is supported by tuition and fees, research grants and contracts, and assistance from foundations, industry and the local community. Careful attention to sound business policies has placed the institution on a sound financial basis year after year.

Florida Tech was ruled tax-exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code (IRC) of the U.S. Treasury Department in January 1960. The university was classified in October 1970 as an organization that is not a private foundation as defined in Section 509(a) of the IRC. Gifts to the university are thus tax deductible.

Endowments

Ongoing funding is provided through earnings from the university’s endowments. Florida Tech thanks its donors who have endowed scholarships and fellowships to assist students and who have endowed the following funds to support faculty, departments and the university.

• Sarkis Acopian Endowed Professorship in Environmental Education
• College of Aeronautics General Endowment Fund
• Alumni Association Operations Endowment
• Father Douglas F. Bailey, S.D.S., Endowment to Support Catholic Campus Ministry
• Nathan M. Bisk College of Business Endowment
• Max, Edith and Robert Bisk Distinguished Chair of Business
• Joe Brett Endowment Fund
• Cavallucci-Strouse Family Endowment for Ethics and Leadership
• College of Engineering Endowment for Academic Programs
• Commitment to Excellence Endowment
• Computer Sciences Department Endowment
• James Constantine College of Aeronautics Endowment
• Construction Industry Advisory Board (CIAB) Endowment
• Electrical and Computer Science Department Endowment
• Henry L. and Grace Doherty Endowed Visiting Professorship
• Dr. and Mrs. Pieter S. Dubbelday Scholarship Endowment in Physics
• Environmental Education Program Endowment
• Faculty Enhancement Scholarship
• FIT Equipment Replacement Fund
• Steve Freeman Nathan M. Bisk College of Business Student Support Endowment
• Friends of the Evans Library (FOEL) Endowment
• H. Seeley and Ruth E. Funk Fund for the Textile Arts
• General Endowment
• Harris Endowed Chair in Assured Information
• Harris Endowed Professorships
• Health First Endowed Chair in Community Health
• Allen S. Henry Professor of Engineering Endowment
• Holzer-Lequear Endowment to support Medical Genetics Research
• Intercollegiate Rowing Program Endowment
• James G. Kennedy Sr. Library Endowment
• Dr. Jerome P. Keuper Endowment
• Edwin A. Link Special Collections Endowment
• Marion Clayton Link Library Information Network (LINK) Endowment
• Kenneth C. Long Unrestricted Endowment
• Robert L. Long Professorship in Ethics (Nathan M. Bisk College of Business)
• Jane Gleason Madry Library Endowment
• George and Carole Maul Family Endowment
• Northrop Grumman Student Design Endowment
• Dr. James M. and Sara M. Ortega Professorship in Astronomy
• Physics and Space Sciences Program Endowment
• Eric J. Primavera ASCE Student Chapter Endowment
• Proctor Entrepreneurial Endowment
• Protestant Campus Ministry Endowment
• Jack and Pat Pruitt Endowment
• Psychology Science Endowment
• Dr. Ruth L. Schmidt Library Endowment
• School of Psychology Endowment
• Science and Mathematics Education Graduate Student Travel Fund
• Sant Ram Sharma Endowment in Environmental Chemistry
• SkyCross Laboratory Endowment
• Dent Smith Botanical Garden Fund
• F. Alan Smith Visiting Executive Program (Nathan M. Bisk College of Business)
• Sportfish Research Institute Endowment
• Susan Stackpoole Endowed Fund
• Van Pelt Foundation Research Endowment

Scholarships and Financial Aid

All institutional scholarships and grants administered by the Office of Financial Aid are intended for tuition purposes only, unless otherwise specified.

Undergraduate Students

Most of Florida Tech’s full-time Melbourne campus undergraduate students receive some type of financial assistance. The aid may be in the form of a scholarship for academic performance, need-based grants, federal grants, federal loans, work-study, on-campus employment or any combination of these awards (see Office of Student Employment in the Institution Overview  section for more information on student employment opportunities).

First-year Melbourne campus students with complete admission applications on file by January 15 will automatically be considered for all Florida Tech Scholarships.

Major Federal Financial Aid Programs

The federal financial aid programs listed in this catalog are available to any U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen who is admitted to the university.

Federal Perkins Loan: This low-interest (five percent) loan is dependent on availability of funds each year and must be repaid to Florida Tech. This loan accrues no interest while the student attends school or during the nine-month grace period.

Federal Direct Stafford Loan: Amounts may vary each year. There are annual maximums dependent on need and the student’s grade level (freshman, sophomore, junior, senior). Interest does not accrue on subsidized Stafford loans while the student is in school, during the six-month grace or authorized deferment periods. Students are responsible for all interest that accrues on the unsubsidized Stafford loan while in school, and during the six-month grace period or authorized deferment period. Interest may be deferred.

Federal Direct Parent Loans for Undergraduate Students (PLUS): The Federal Direct PLUS Loan can be borrowed by parents of dependent undergraduate students to help pay for their child’s education. The Federal PLUS Loan is not based on financial need. The amount borrowed each year is limited to the cost of attendance less other forms of assistance.

Federal Work-Study: This program provides part-time jobs for students who need financial assistance. Jobs are available both on and off campus. Students receive paychecks to help with personal expenses.

Pell Grants: This need-based award amount varies and can be granted each year as determined by student’s enrollment status (full time, 3/4 time, half time or less than half time).

Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grants: Grants through this federal program are available to a limited number of students who demonstrate exceptional financial need. Priority is given to students with the greatest need.

Florida State Financial Aid Programs

Florida residency and eligibility for Florida state aid programs are based on state law and administrative rules. Generally, students whose families have been living in Florida for 12 months before the start of the school year are considered residents. The following programs are only available to Florida residents who are citizens or eligible noncitizens of the United States.

Florida Resident Access Grant (FRAG): All full-time undergraduate students who meet the Florida residency requirements are eligible to receive this financial assistance from the state. This amount varies from year to year, based on available state funds.

Florida Student Assistance Grant (FSAG): Full-time undergraduate students who meet the Florida residency requirements and have extraordinary financial need, are eligible to receive this financial assistance from the state, depending on available funding.

Florida Academic Scholars Award: This is a Florida Bright Futures Scholarship that currently pays eligible undergraduate students $103 per credit hour. The award is valued at approximately $3,090 per year.

Florida Medallion Scholars: This is a Florida Bright Futures Scholarship that currently pays eligible undergraduate students $77 per credit hour. The award is valued at approximately $2,300 per year.

Additional State Financial Aid Programs

Florida Prepaid College Plan (FPCP): Florida Tech is an eligible institution for the FPCP program. Accumulated funds may be applied toward expenses at Florida Tech. Contact the FPCP office at www.myfloridaprepaid.com/  for further details on disbursement options.

Delaware, Maryland, Michigan, Rhode Island and Vermont Grants: For information on grant amounts from these states, please contact your state’s Department of Higher Education or the Florida Tech financial aid office.

Specialty Scholarships

Florida Tech Legacy Grant: Sons and daughters of Florida Tech alumni enrolling in a full-time undergraduate program on the Melbourne campus are eligible for a $2,500 grant. This award is renewable for up to four years. This award is given in addition to any merit scholarship earned by the student.

“Keep it in the Family” Grant: Sisters and brothers of students who are currently enrolled simultaneously on the Melbourne campus as full-time undergraduates are eligible for a $2,500 grant. This grant is renewable for up to four years and is given in addition to any merit scholarship earned by the student. Both students, enrolled at the same time, will receive this grant.

Florida Tech Transfer Scholarship: Students may receive up to $12,000 per year if the student’s cumulative GPA is 3.0 or higher and the student has completed 24 transferable semester credit hours at one or more other accredited institutions. This scholarship is for students who have graduated from high school and attended another college or university, and plan full-time attendance in one of the Melbourne campus degree programs. The scholarship is mutually exclusive and cannot be combined with the Florida Tech Phi Theta Kappa Scholarship or other merit scholarships.

Florida Tech Phi Theta Kappa Scholarship: Students may receive up to $13,500 per year if the student applies and is admitted to Florida Tech and was a member of Phi Theta Kappa (PTK). Proof of PTK membership must be submitted with the application. This scholarship is for students who have graduated from high school and attended another college or university, and plan full-time attendance in one of the Melbourne campus degree programs. The scholarship is mutually exclusive and cannot be combined with the Florida Tech Transfer Scholarship.

Florida Tech Community College Connection/Track Scholarship: Students enrolled in the Florida Tech Track program with Eastern Florida State College, the Connection program with Valencia Community College, or in a similar program at South Florida Community College, Indian River State College, Broward College or Miami Dade College are eligible for an award on completion of the Associate of Arts degree and subsequent enrollment at Florida Tech.

Athletics Scholarships: Florida Tech is a NCAA Division II institution. Individual coaches award Florida Tech athletics scholarships through the athletics department. Florida Tech offers scholarships for men and women in basketball, cross country, golf, rowing, soccer, swimming, tennis and track. Scholarships are also offered in baseball, football and lacrosse for men, and in softball and volleyball for women. Amounts awarded are at the sole discretion of the appropriate coach.

Scholarships/Undergraduate Awards

The following is a list of donated scholarships and is a representative sample of awards that may be available to admitted Melbourne campus students. New students are encouraged to apply for admission before January 15. Early filers will be considered for all types of financial aid administered by Florida Tech.

For more information, contact the Office of Financial Aid, (321) 674-8070.

• Astronaut Scholarship*
• Balda Family Foundation Scholarships
• Bank of America/Barnett Bank Scholarship*
• Bank of America/NationsBank/C&S National Bank Scholarship*
• Barnes & Noble College Bookstores Scholarship*
• Dr. J. Clayton Baum Scholarship*
• Francis O. Blume III ROTC Scholarship*
• Boeing Engineering Scholarship
• The Carl and JoAnn Bottcher Endowed Scholarship Fund
• Bozik Family Endowment
• Neil Branam-Lefkove Memorial Scholarship*
• Brevard Scholars Program*
• Brevard Scholarship in Life Sciences*
• Anthony J. and Sara Catanese Presidential Scholarship*
• John F. Calcagni Memorial Scholarship for Nathan M. Bisk College of Business
• Joseph Caruso Family Scholarship*
• Paul L. Chell Scholarship (COA) in memory of Jerome P. Keuper*
• Paul L. Chell Scholarship (COE) in memory of Jerome P. Keuper*
• Chi Phi Scholarship*
• Dr. Kerry Bruce Clark Memorial Scholarship*
• Henry Paul Clausen Scholarship*
• Coca-Cola Scholarship*
• Wendell H. Colson Scholarship*
• Don Creech Memorial Scholarship*
• Melissa Lee Crist Honorary Scholarship (Gift of Thomas E. and Lois R. McNamara)*
• Delta Sigma Phi Fraternity Scholarship*
• Dettmer Family Scholarship*
• Jeffrey Allen Dimond Memorial Scholarship*
• The Peter and Karen Dyson Scholarship
• Marsha A. Duncan Scholarship*
• Susan Galos Eason Memorial Scholarship*
• Faculty Scholarship*
• Phillip W. Farmer Scholarship Program*
• Flag Officers Leadership ROTC Scholarship*
• Michael Flammio Scholarship*
• Florida Tech Alumni Association Scholarship*
• Warren and Evelyn Foster Scholarship*
• Charles A. Frueauff Foundation Scholarship Endowment
• Future Educations of America (FEA) Scholarship
• Walter and Dorothea Gatti Scholarship*
• General Scholarship*
• Chris Giddings Memorial Scholarship*
• W. Lansing and Isabelle Gleason Nathan M. Bisk College of Business Academic Award Scholarship*
• Harris Student Scholars in Institute for Assured Information*
• John Thomas and Martha Hartley Scholarship*
• Marjorie Hayes Scholarship*
• Allen S. Henry Scholarship*
• Allen S. Henry Presidential Award*
• Bjørnar and Bjørg Hermansen Scholarship*
• Paul André Hermansen Memorial Scholarship*
• Llewellyn Hewett Jr. Engineering Scholarship*
• Dr. Sam Hughes and Mrs. Kate Settle-Hughes Scholarship*
• Hydro Aluminum Corporation College of Engineering Endowment
• Independent Colleges and Universities of Florida (ICUF) Scholarships (see below)
• Indiafest Brevard Scholarship Endowment
• International Aerospace Lightning Conference (IALC) Scholarship*
• George W. Jenkins Jr. Scholarship*
• Philip and Eloise Kalker Family Scholarship*
• Dr. V. Lakshmikantham Scholarship in Mathematical Sciences*
• Bryan J. LaRose Memorial Scholarship*
• Legacy Soccer/Lever Brothers Scholarship*
• Local 810-Local 875/Hirsch Memorial Scholarship*
• T. Roger Manley Scholarship*
• Dr. David Mazurek and Amy Henshey Mazurek Scholarship in Civil Engineering
• Leo A. Marin Memorial Scholarship*
• Thomas E. and Lois R. McNamara Scholarship*
• Richard and Teresa McNeight Endowed Fellowship
• Christine Antoinette Mead Athletic Scholarship*
• MAE (Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering) Scholarship
• Lawrence and Margarete Mertens Scholarship
• Herman Kessler Moore, M.D. Scholarship*
• JoAnn Morgan Women in Engineering Scholarship Endowment
• Bill Morris Advanced Flight Scholarship*
• National Defense Transportation Association (NDTA) Space Coast Chapter Scholarship*
• Christopher Sherman Neese Memorial Scholarship*
• Northrop Grumman Scholarship in Engineering Studies*
• Northrop Grumman/George M. Skurla Engineering Scholarship*
• NorthStar Capital Management Scholarship*
• Numerical Control Society Scholarship*
• Dr. Walter M. Nunn Jr. Memorial Scholarship for Electromagnetics*
• Dr. James M. and Sara M. Ortega Scholarship in Astronomy
• Ravindran Palaniyandi, M.D. and Ambika Ravindran Scholarship*
• Capt. Joseph Brayton Perkins Memorial Scholarship*
• Steven Petrosky Memorial Scholarship*
• Phebus Family Scholarship*
• Dr. James G. Potter Scholarship in Physics/Space Sciences*
• Kelly Potter Memorial Aviation Scholarship
• William and Wendy Potter Nathan M. Bisk College of Business Scholarship*
• Marion and Eric Preece Scholarship*
• President’s Scholars Fund*
• Thomas C. Pridmore College of Engineering Scholarship*
• Kenneth P. Revay Class of 1982 Scholarship in Mechanical Engineering*
• Chadley M. Rhodes Memorial Scholarship*
• Dr. Anne P. Rowe Scholarship*
• Michael and Patricia Scafati Scholarship*
• Robert A. Schilling/Paravant Computer Systems Scholarship*
• Mary Jane and Richard Schnoor Fellowship
• Douglas M. Schuler Scholarship
• Karl and Ingeborg Sendler Scholarship*
• Jeff Simonds Memorial Fund*
• Shirley Mataxis Slack Engineering Scholarship for Women Athletes*
• Software Engineering Scholarship*
• Squamish Scholarship*
• SunTrust/Reliance Bank/Huntington National Bank Scholarship*
• SunTrust Bank Scholarship*
• David Byron Thompson II Memorial Scholarship*
• Wachovia Corporation/First Union National Bank Scholarship*
• Dr. Frank M. Webbe Psychology Scholarship*
• Dr. Gary N. Wells Biology Scholarship*
• Lettie Pate Whitehead Scholarship
• Walter D. and Paula LeCler Wood Scholarship*
• Marvin Yarosh and Jack Wiles Scholarship*
• Martin Zung Memorial Chemistry Award*
• Jonathan B. Zung Family Scholarship Endowment*

* indicates endowed scholarship

Graduate Students

Assistantships and Scholarships

Graduate assistantships involve a stipend, tuition waiver or both, and are awarded to well-qualified master’s and doctoral students on the Melbourne campus. Awards are normally made on a year-to-year basis. However, not all students receive assistantships, and partial assistantships (such as tuition waiver only) may also be offered. International students are eligible for graduate assistantships in some academic units. In addition to specific academic unit requirements, any student whose home language is not English, whether or not the student has graduated from an English speaking, post-secondary institution, must abide by all Florida Tech policies regarding English language proficiency found in “English and Languages” under the School of Arts and Communication in the College of Psychology and Liberal Arts in the Degree Programs  section.

Award of a teaching assistantship requires satisfactory completion of the Teaching Assistant Seminar, generally offered twice each year at the start of the fall and spring semesters. There is no fee for enrollment in this three-day seminar, which is open to graduate students recommended by their academic unit heads, as well as new teaching assistants, who are required to attend.

Teaching assistants must be formally evaluated in writing by their supervisors. These evaluations are required for reappointment. The assistantship application deadline is January 15 for the fall semester. The application should be directed to the Office of Graduate Admissions.

Federal Assistance

A graduate student must be enrolled half-time as a regular student in a degree program and must be a U.S. citizen or an eligible noncitizen to qualify for federal financial aid.

Although applications are accepted throughout the year, graduate students are encouraged to file before March 20 to ensure timely processing.

Students must reapply each year and maintain satisfactory academic progress as defined by the financial aid office to continue receiving federal assistance.

Federal Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Student Loan: Students are responsible for all interest that accrues on the unsubsidized Stafford loan while in school, but payment is not required during this time.

Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loan: A federal loan program for credit-worthy graduate students, intended to supplement the Federal Stafford Loan. A credit-worthy graduate student may borrow the complete cost of attendance minus other financial aid. The interest rate is fixed annually at the 10-year Treasury Note Index plus 4.6 percent. Payments can be deferred till after graduation, but interest accrues while the student is in school. Graduate students must be U.S. citizens or eligible non-citizens to be eligible. Students must enroll for a minimum of five credit hours per semester to be eligible (at least half-time).

Fellowships/Graduate Awards

The following is a list of donated scholarships and is a representative sample of awards that may be available to admitted students. New students are encouraged to apply for admission before January 15. Early applicants will be considered for all types of financial aid administered by Florida Tech.

For more information, contact the Office of Financial Aid, (321) 674-8070.

• A.C. Bagtzoglou Civil Engineering Fellowship Endowment*
• Dr. Juanita Neal Baker Psychology Fellowship*
• Civil Alumni Recruitment Endowment (CARE)
• David L. and Theresa G. Clayton Fellowship in Marine and Environmental Systems*
• Deering-Irlandi Fellowship Fund*
• Harbor City Volunteer Ambulance Squad Endowment
• Dr. Leonard D. Healy Graduate Scholarship
• Link Foundation Ocean Engineering Fellowship*
• The Lawrence and Margarete Mertens Endowed Fellowship Fund
• Dr. James M. and Sara M. Ortega Fellowship in Astronomy*
• Alan Edwin Paltzik Fellowship*
• Dr. Carol L. Philpot Fellowship in Family Psychology*
• Barbara A. and William G. Roy Fellowship in Management Studies
• Save Our Bays, Air and Canals/Waterways Inc. (SOBAC) Fellowship*
• Major Mathew Earl Schram ALMC-LEDC/FT Graduate Fellowship*
• Mrs. Krishna Devi Sharma Fellowship Endowment
• Gertrude E. Skelly Fellowship in Marine and Environmental Systems*
• Edward W. Snowdon and Lee Hill Snowdon Fellowship in Marine and Environmental Studies*
• Admiral O.D. Waters Graduate Fellowship (DMES)*
• John M. Williams Fellowship in DMES*
• Dr. Elizabeth B. Wolf-Corman Fellowship in Psychology*

*indicates endowed fellowship

Satisfactory Academic Progress for Financial Aid Recipients

All Students

The academic records of all students admitted to Florida Tech for the first time will be considered sufficient to allow them to apply for financial aid. To remain eligible to receive financial aid, continuing students must meet the following satisfactory academic progress standards instituted by the university in accordance with federal law. Florida Tech applies standards equally between undergraduate and graduate students, in all academic programs.

Students enrolled on a semester-basis are assessed after each semester and may continue to receive financial aid for one additional semester after they are placed in a warning status.

Students enrolled in eight-week terms are assessed annually and may be declared ineligible for financial aid immediately (no warning status). Assessment is based only on terms during which the student is registered. Students who withdraw from the university without official notice are assessed at the end of the withdrawal term.

Students declared ineligible may appeal the decision under certain circumstances. If the appeal is approved, the student may continue to receive financial aid during probationary standing.

Minimum Academic Progress Measures

Grade point average (GPA): Undergraduate students are expected to achieve and maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher. Graduate students are expected to achieve and maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher. This GPA is calculated in accordance with the guidelines contained in this catalog.

Hours completed: All students are expected to satisfactorily complete 75 percent of their attempted coursework. Courses with grades of F, I, U, AU or W are attempted courses, but are not satisfactorily completed for the semester or term.

Maximum time limits: All students are expected to complete their degree program within 150 percent of the required credit hours. Undergraduate students are generally expected to complete their degree within 180 credit hours attempted including transfer credits earned at other institutions. Students enrolled in master’s degree programs are generally expected to complete their degree within 80 credit hours attempted; doctoral students, 120 credit hours attempted. An exception is made for doctoral students enrolled in the clinical psychology program, where 160 credit hours are allowed.

Appeals

Appeals to financial aid decisions may be made under certain circumstances. These circumstances may include sudden, severe, illness; serious automobile or other accident; family tragedy or loss of a loved one; or another circumstance not listed here. It is the student’s responsibility to provide details with dates, forms or other paperwork, or any other information requested by the Office of Financial Aid in order to review the appeal.

A successful appeal is dependent on a number of factors including mitigating circumstances that caused academic performance to fall below the standards of satisfactory academic progress; successful resolution of those mitigating circumstances so they will no longer affect academic performance; showing potential to meet the minimum academic progress measures within one academic year; and proper appeal documentation. Proper documentation includes the Satisfactory Academic Progress Appeal form and any third-party documentation corroborating the mitigating circumstance described in the appeal.

Once the appeal is reviewed, the student is informed of the decision through their Florida Tech email account. Any approved appeal will necessitate the student adhering to a prescribed program plan during the probationary period. A student who declines to accept the prescribed academic plan and is in good academic standing may continue without financial aid.

Students are assessed at the end of each term while in probationary standing and are removed from probationary standing when the minimum academic progress standards for financial aid recipients listed above are met.

Tuition and Fees

Tuition and other charges for 2015–2016 were finalized and approved by the university’s board of trustees in January 2015, and are available at www.fit.edu/registrar/registration/tuitionchrgs.php. Tuition and other charges may also be obtained by contacting the Office of Student Financial Services.

Tuition for full-time Melbourne campus undergraduate students (12–19 credit hours) is charged on a flat rate by semester basis. Flat rate by semester tuition rates apply to the fall and spring semesters only. Melbourne campus undergraduate students registering for more than 19 semester credit hours pay per credit hour for the excess credit hours in addition to the semester flat rate. Summer tuition and tuition for part-time undergraduate students and all graduate students, except those seeking the Psy.D. degree, is charged on a credit hour basis. Florida Tech Online and extended studies students pay tuition on a per-credit-hour basis.

For students enrolled in flight courses, flight fees are charged in addition to tuition, through deposits made to the flight fees portion of the student’s Panther card account. Flight training in all ratings is also offered to those who desire to proceed at an accelerated or slower pace relative to the AVF sequence. For information on courses and prices, please contact FIT Aviation LLC, 801 Harry Goode Way, Melbourne, Florida 32901.

Payment Policies

Students are assessed tuition and fees based on the locations and programs in which they are enrolled and the degrees being pursued. Students enrolled and pursuing degrees on the Melbourne campus are assessed the Melbourne campus tuition and fees.

Students enrolled and pursuing degrees through extended studies are assessed extended studies tuition and fees.

Students enrolled in programs and pursuing degrees through Florida Tech Online are assessed the tuition and fees approved by the partnership.

In determining the amount due each semester, students may subtract any scholarships, loans or grants that are paid through financial aid to the university. Students may also calculate other payment arrangements such as third party billing, corporate deferment, or Panther Payment Plan under which payments are either made directly to the university by a sponsor or organization; or according to installment or delayed payments as authorized by Florida Tech’s Student Financial Services. The student is responsible for submitting all necessary paperwork or applications required by their payment option and meeting all conditions on time.

All expenses including tuition, fees, room and board, must be paid on or before the date shown in the academic calendar appropriate to the student’s admission status online at www.fit.edu or in the payment and fees policy at www.fit.edu/registrar/registration/paymentpolicy.php each semester. Payments should be made online using the TRACKS account username and password established for each student after receipt of deposit and confirmation of intent to attend. Payments sent by mail should be mailed at least 10 days in advance of the payment due date to assure receipt by the payment deadline. Additional information regarding the university’s payment policy for Melbourne campus students can be found online or in the Schedule of Classes each semester. Payments should be addressed to Florida Institute of Technology, Office of the Controller, Attention: Student Accounting, 150 W. University Blvd., Melbourne, FL 32901-6975.

Student Accident and Health Insurance

For academic year 2016–2017, Florida Tech’s Melbourne campus student health insurance coverage begins Sunday, August 10, 2016, and ends Sunday, August 9, 2017.

Domestic students who are enrolled for six or more credit hours may enroll in the university-sponsored student health insurance plan or waive this charge by showing proof of coverage under a parent’s/guardian’s or third-party accident and health insurance program from an employer or sponsor, etc. The waiver requires completing the waiver portion of the Student Health Insurance Enrollment and Waiver form. The completed Student Health Insurance Enrollment and Waiver form must be submitted to the campus services office no later than 5 p.m. on the Friday ending the second official week of the semester.

The health insurance requirement is waived for students who complete waiver forms and provide proof of insurance. The waiver is in effect while the student maintains continuous enrollment at Florida Tech. In case of a change in personal insurance coverage, however, the campus services office must be notified immediately, and it will be necessary to either provide new proof of insurance or enroll in the Florida Tech insurance plan.

In all cases, full-time students (see “General Student Information” in the Academic Overview  section for definition) who fail to submit the required documentation by the dates indicated are automatically billed and enrolled for student health insurance and are obligated for the entire academic year or any portion remaining at the time of registration.

Students seeking to enroll after the open enrollment period must provide documentation of involuntary termination of previous health insurance coverage.

International students should note there is no socialized or national system of health care in the United States and medical treatment is expensive. All Florida Tech students are required to have appropriate medical insurance coverage. As part of the tuition and fees, students will be charged for student health insurance. This means all students will automatically be covered through Florida Tech’s student health insurance plan.

It is MANDATORY for all international students to be covered by the university’s health insurance plan. Exceptions may be granted only if the student has an insurance plan that meets very strict requirements to qualify for the waiver. Students may request a waiver of this fee by completing and submitting a form to the Business and Retail Operations Office. Waiver forms are available from this office and the campus services office. Florida Tech will not accept coverage by an insurance company outside the United States. Before enrolling for coverage in an insurance plan, please check with the Business and Retail Operations Office to determine if it meets the waiver requirements. Waiver submission deadlines are the same as those for domestic students.

Full-time, degree-seeking domestic and all international students who are married or single parents, and who have one or more children living full time with them, may purchase health insurance for these dependents by completing the appropriate form at the campus services office, and paying for the additional insurance at the student financial services office.

The student health insurance fee is refundable if the student pays for the coverage and subsequently does not enroll at Florida Tech.

Veterans Accounts and Benefits

Satisfactory Progress Standards

Students receiving VA benefits are required to make satisfactory progress in their degree programs. All Florida Tech students are required to meet the academic standards and requirements as noted here. Florida Tech has an academic progress policy that allows for a period of academic probation before termination for unsatisfactory progress (academic suspension) and promptly notifies VA when a student receiving VA education benefits is placed on academic probation.

The law requires educational assistance benefits to veterans and other eligible persons be discontinued when a student ceases to make satisfactory progress toward completion of his or her degree. Benefits can be resumed if the student re-enrolls at Florida Tech in the same program. In other cases, benefits cannot be resumed unless VA finds the cause of the unsatisfactory attendance, conduct or progress has been removed and the program of education or training to be pursued by the student is suitable to his or her aptitudes, interests, and abilities. To initiate action by VA to determine whether further payments of VA educational assistance allowance should be authorized, the student must submit a specific request for resumption of VA benefits following an interruption due to unsatisfactory progress or conduct.

After VA termination, an appeal may be made to the VA for resumption of benefits. Based in part on the university’s recommendation, the VA will determine whether or not to resume the payment of education benefits to the student.

Melbourne Campus Students

Veterans benefits for Melbourne campus students are administered by the Office of Military Affairs, located in the financial aid office. Veterans and their dependents eligible to receive VA education benefits should contact this office after completing admission requirements. For the purpose of certification of Melbourne campus students receiving VA benefits, the following credit hour standards are used:

SUMMER, 6-, 8-, 9- AND 11-WEEK TERMS* 

*Applies to both graduate and undergraduate Melbourne campus students.

Extended Studies Students

Veterans benefits are administered by the Office of Military Affairs for each campus site. Veterans and their dependents eligible to receive VA education benefits should contact the appropriate office after completing admission requirements.

For the purpose of certification of students receiving VA benefits, the 16-week graduate chart under “Melbourne Campus Students” applies.

Florida Tech Online Students

Veterans benefits for Florida Tech Online students and their dependents eligible to receive VA education benefits should contact the military and veterans affairs coordinator at (321) 674-8204 or email to uava@fit.edu.

For the purpose of certification of Florida Tech Online students receiving VA benefits, the following credit hour standards are used:

Housing and Board

Florida Tech has instituted an educationally based policy requiring all first-time full-time Melbourne campus students to reside in university residence halls and participate in one of the meal plans for two years.

All full-time Melbourne campus undergraduate students entering college for the first time are required to live on campus and enroll in a university meal plan for both years of residency.

A housing deposit must be on file in the student’s account before the student receives a housing assignment and remain on file for as long as the student lives in university housing. The deposit is not covered by any scholarship or financial aid and cannot be waived. It is refundable, minus any outstanding university charges, provided the terms and conditions of the housing agreement are fulfilled.

Students who sign Florida Tech Housing and Meal Plan Contracts are obligated for the entire academic year. All university housing contracts are for the full academic year. Neither buyouts nor substitutions are allowed. Students cannot cancel their housing and meal plan contracts after the deadline dates as outlined on the Housing and Meal Plan Contract.

First- and second-year, and new transfer students who withdraw before the start of the fall semester must notify the campus services office in writing, no later than July 1, if they want to have their housing deposits refunded. Students not attending or returning spring semester must notify the campus services office in writing, no later than December 1, if they want to receive a refund.

Upper-division students who want to change the meal plan portion of their contracts must submit a written request to the campus services office. Deadline dates are outlined on the Housing and Meal Plan Contract.

Changing meal plans after the cutoff dates is not permitted except for non-enrollment, official withdrawal, graduation or dismissal from school for the remainder of the academic year. However, a student may opt to increase a meal plan or add Flex Credits at any time.

Residence Halls

Students desiring a specific housing assignment may submit requests to the campus services office. Requests for room assignments are honored on a first-come, first-served, space-available basis. Campus services makes every attempt to grant requests for assignment to certain rooms and roommates. However, the university does not guarantee assignment to a specific type of accommodation, building, room or roommate. In all cases, students are billed based on the number of occupants registered for the room (double, single, etc.). Information about housing options at Florida Tech may be found at www.fit.edu/housing/.

Because of the high demand for on-campus housing, the university reserves the right to place three students in any residence hall room. If the university exercises this option during the semester, the room occupants receive a prorated adjustment for the semester based on the number of days that triple occupancy occurred.

Brownlie Hall: Houses transfer, upper-division and graduate students. Each room has a private bathroom. All rooms feature built-in desks, closets, drawers and extra-long twin beds. Each room features two connections to the campus fiber-optic network, free cable TV and a microfridge.

Columbia Village: Features four-bedroom, fully furnished suites with efficiency kitchens. Four students are assigned to each suite. Evans Hall: Houses transfer, upper-division and graduate students on the third and fourth floors. All rooms either have a private bathroom or are connected by a bathroom. All rooms feature built-in desks, closets, drawers, wall-to-wall carpeting and extra-long twin beds. Each room features two connections to the campus fiber-optic network, free cable TV and a microfridge.

Harris Village Suites: Features one-, two- and four-bedroom, fully furnished suites with full kitchens (refrigerator, range and dishwasher). Occupancy ranges from one to four students per suite, depending on the unit size.

Mary Star of the Sea - Newman Hall: Is an all faith based residence hall with apartment-style living for 148 students. The furnished one-, two- or four-bedroom apartments create an environment to encourage students to grow in their faith while pursuing academic excellence. They feature fully appointed kitchens, individual bedrooms, bathrooms with shower or bathtub, full-size beds, and internet and basic cable service.

Panther Bay Apartments: Houses international FIT Aviation pilots and Greek life students. The village features five-bedroom apartments, each with a private bathroom, fully appointed kitchen, living room, dinette and laundry room. The apartment complex features a clubhouse with a large meeting room, computer lab, swimming pool, and basketball and volleyball courts.

The Quad: Includes Campbell, Shaw, Grissom and Wood halls, traditional-style residence halls with community baths and a shared common building layout. Houses both upperclassmen and freshmen. All rooms are spacious with built-in desks, closets, drawers and extra-long twin beds. All rooms feature two connections to the campus fiber-optic network, free cable TV and a microfridge.

Roberts Hall: Houses only freshmen and is the largest residence facility on campus. A traditional-style residence hall, it features community bathrooms. All rooms are bright and spacious with built-in desks, closets, drawers and extra-long twin beds. Each room features two connections to the campus fiber-optic network, free cable TV and a microfridge.

Southgate Apartments: Feature studios and, one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments, and are reserved for students with 24 or more earned credit hours. Occupancy ranges from one to four students per apartment, depending on the unit size.

Meal Plans

Meal plans are offered by the university to make access to food service convenient and cost-effective, using the student ID card as the access card. Meal plans are contracted with individual students and the benefits are not transferable. Information about meal plans may be found at http://www.fit.edu/food/mealplan.php. All plans are contracted for the entire academic year. Meal plans consist of two major components:

Meal Credits: Used for entry into Panther Dining Hall, our “all you care to eat” dining room. As the meal credits are used, the balance available declines until it reaches zero or is reset for the following week.

Flex Credits: Allows the meal plan holder to access goods and services from any dining location, including vending machines, pizza delivery and Groceries4U. Flex Credits represent available access and have no residual cash value. Flex Credits balances carry forward from fall semester to spring semester. Any balance remaining at the end of spring semester is forfeited.