Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, but this is a special situation. A Dual Enrolled student (earning a high school diploma AND an Associate’s degree concurrently from a DirectConnect to UCF partner college) will be considered for admission at UCF as a First Time in College (FTIC) student, as defined by the SUS Board of Governors’ Regulation. A student who applies to UCF in this manner should adhere to the UCF FTIC application deadlines and admission requirements. In addition to submitting the application and fee, the student must also submit:

• Completed Self-Provided Academic Record for Knights “SPARK” Form; students who have already completed high school must submit a current official high school or home-school transcript
• Official SAT [code: 5233] or ACT [code: 0735] score, or CLT
• Official GED or TOEFL/IELTS score, if applicable
• Application essay (strongly encouraged but not required)

FTIC application deadlines are May 1st for fall, November 1st for spring and March 1st for summer.

There are no minimum SAT/ACT/CLT test score requirement. Student test scores must be competitive based on the quality of the applicant pool. For example, the mid-range SAT test score for fall 2025 was 1310-1430 or 28-32 (mid-range) for the ACT. Mid-range for CLT was 92-100.

Students should apply to UCF as a First-Time-in-College (FTIC) student and follow FTIC application deadlines. Application deadlines are May 1 for the fall term, November 1 for the spring term, and March 1 for the summer term.

If you plan to enroll at UCF in the fall immediately following your high school graduation, you should submit your application during the fall of your senior year (typically between September and November). For additional information, including Early Action deadlines and admission requirements, please visit the Undergraduate Admissions website.

No. The only UCF course you will take during the spring semester is the SMART Start course. You are required to maintain enrollment and complete courses toward your A.A. degree at Valencia at the same time as you are enrolled in SMART Start. You will be expected to earn your A.A. degree from Valencia in accordance with your future term schedule.
Upon satisfactory completion of SMART Start, you may enroll in additional courses at UCF.

Dual enrollment students should include all relevant high school, college, and community activities in their admissions application. Be sure to list any leadership positions held in organizations, as well as volunteer, service-learning, and community service experiences.

Providing a comprehensive record of your involvement helps the admissions committee better understand your achievements and engagement both inside and outside the classroom.

Yes. All new UCF students are required to complete orientation. UCF’s orientation program is different from the SMART Start program, and you will be unable to register for future terms until orientation is completed. You will receive further communication regarding orientation during the spring term.

Yes, the entire amount of the deposit will be used toward your first semester tuition. The enrollment deposit is $200.

All FTIC students are required to submit SAT/ACT/CLT test scores to be considered for admission. If you earned your A.A. concurrently with high school graduation, you are considered an FTIC student. Students who have 12 or more transferrable college credits since high school graduation and have earned an A.A. degree, are not required to submit SAT/ACT/CLT test scores with their application.

Do not provide an item unless an item appears on your Future Knight Portal checklist, but be sure to complete the Self-Provided Academic Record for Knights (SPARK) form. This form allows you to self-report your high school courses and grades. Submit a final high school transcript once you graduate and the state college partner transcript once you earn your A.A.. You should send both final transcripts immediately after the degree and graduation date are posted.

No you do not, as a matter of fact, you should sign up for DirectConnect to UCF as soon as you begin taking college level courses at a partner institution.

Yes, as long as UCF receives an official copy of the scores and an appropriate score was earned (check the Undergraduate Catalog for required scores).

Please visit your Future Knight Portal and log in using your email address and password. The status page will display a checklist of required documents. You can confirm receipt of documents and view your admission decision (if available).

Complete the required UCF Immunization Health History Form and submit it through the Med+Proctor portal along with your immunization records (if required). All students must provide proof of two MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) vaccinations. Hepatitis B and meningitis vaccinations may be waived by completing the waiver section of the health history form. Once Med+Proctor verifies your records as compliant, your immunization hold will be automatically removed. Visit https://studenthealth.ucf.edu/immunizations/ for more information.

• Sign up for DirectConnect to UCF.
• Pursue and complete an Associate of Arts (A.A.) or statewide articulated Associate of Science (A.S.) degree from one of UCF’s partner colleges.

Before your Enrollment Appointment, use mySchedule Builder to generate and compare possible class schedules based on your course selections. During orientation or your pre-advising appointment, your Academic Success Coach will assist with course selection and may add recommended courses to your shopping cart. When your Enrollment Appointment begins, you can finalize your registration by enrolling in the courses saved in your shopping cart.

Signing up is easy! Fill out our quick DirectConnect to UCF form to begin your path to UCF today!

Verify your transfer credits in the myUCF portal. The status of your transfer credits can be found in the Transfer Summary Report (TSR) in the Student Center.

myKnight Audit will show you which transfer courses meet degree requirements and outstanding courses that remain to complete your degree. Any In-Progress courses will require a final official transcript to record the appropriate grade.

The one-credit SMART Start course will be taught online. It builds on major and transfer readiness, which is the foundation for a successful transition to UCF. Major and transfer readiness is achieved through academic and career coaching, skills assessments, completion of pre-requisites, and the development of academic journeys for your intended major. The course will also provide resources to support your transition from Valencia to UCF and help acclimate you to a new academic environment and community.

You will be notified of a decision as soon as possible once your application file is complete. This includes the application, application fee, transcripts from all colleges/universities attended, test scores (AICE, AP/IB/CLEP/TOEFL/IELTS if applicable), and high school transcripts (if applicable).

Note: Transcripts for all institutions attended and other relevant documents must be received before Undergraduate Admissions will review your application for admission.

The cost of the one-credit course ($212.28) fee will be waived if you participate in SMART Start. You will be required to pay the standard $30 application fee to apply to UCF. You will also be required to pay a standard fee of $35 for your UCF Orientation session during your first semester and $25 plus tax for the online e-book for the course that will be required.

If you apply through Early Action and submit both your application and all required materials by the Early Action deadlines, you can expect to receive an admission decision on December 5. Early Action applicants may receive one of the following decisions: Admit, Pathway Admit, Defer, or Deny.

If you apply through Regular Decision, admission decisions are released on a rolling basis. After the December 5 Early Action notification date, the Admissions Committee resumes reviewing summer and fall applications in early January and continues releasing decisions through May 1. This means your decision could be released at any point during that timeframe, depending on when your application becomes complete and is reviewed.

For the quickest possible decision, submit your application and all required materials as early as possible.

Students participating in the SMART Start Program should not update school information with the Florida Department of Education. The Florida Department of Education should be updated to include UCF once the student plans to only attend UCF.

Yes, along with other applicable items that are required to complete your application file.

Yes! Please visit the Undergraduate Admissions Application Frequently Asked Questions website for more answers.

No, you would not be eligible for that program, as the agreement applies only to transfer students. For more information on First Year Entry requirements, please visit the Burnett Honors College website.

It still applies; however, the guarantee does not necessarily include admission for your preferred term. If you are competitive for UCF freshman (FTIC) admission based on your high school GPA and SAT/ACT/CLT test scores, you may be offered admission for the term you selected. If you are not competitive for FTIC admission for that term, UCF may offer you admission to an alternative term instead.

Yes, there are options for incoming transfer students on the Orlando main campus and at the Rosen College of Hospitality Management. Visit Housing for more information.

Yes. Out of a desire to assist DirectConnect to UCF students to attain post-secondary education and university degrees, the Johnson Scholarship Foundation partnered with the University of Central Florida, Eastern Florida State College, Lake-Sumter State College, Seminole State College, and Valencia College, to establish the Johnson Scholarship Foundation Scholarship. Please visit the JSF Scholarship page for more information and how to apply while you are at DirectConnect partner school.

Note: The scholarship is only available to students who intend to earn their A.A. or articulated A.S. degree from one of the state college partners listed below and transition to UCF once the A.A. or articulated A.S. degree is completed.

Other Financial Aid and Scholarships Opportunities
https://directconnect.ucf.edu/financial-aid-and-scholarships/

All students who are new to UCF must attend New Student Orientation. Earning the high school diploma and A.A. concurrently means you are an FTIC student and will have to attend the FTIC New Student Orientation.

Students participating in the SMART Start Program should not update the FAFSA to include UCF, as students will receive their financial aid from Valencia College during their time in the program. The FAFSA should be updated to include UCF’s School Code, once the student plans to only attend UCF.

No, if you have already taken the test once, submit your admission application along with your test scores. When you retake the test, be sure to send the new scores to UCF.

Since you are applying as an FTIC student, you cannot be considered for the Transfer Scholarships offered by admissions.

While you must apply to UCF as an FTIC, attend freshman orientation and pay the enrollment deposit, you will be considered a junior for academic and financial aid purposes.

A.S. degree students can transfer to UCF if the A.S. degree is part of a statewide articulated A.S. to B.S. program (Criminal Justice, Hospitality Management, or Nursing). The Undergraduate Catalog contains more information about statewide articulated A.S. to B.S. degrees.

Access and print the You’ve Been Offered Admission! What Now? Checklist

Your NID is your secure sign-on for many systems at UCF, including myUCF and online courses. To obtain your NID, go to myUCF, click Sign On, click “What is my NID“, then follow the instructions to obtain your NID and create a password.

Your UCF ID is the number you will use to identify yourself when you call or visit offices across campus, including Undergraduate Admissions. To obtain your UCF ID, go to myUCF, log in using your NID and password, click Student Self Service > Personal Information >UCF ID Info. This page will display your UCF ID, your NID and your UCF ID Card number, once you have been issued one.

• Guaranteed admission to UCF (consistent with university policy) with an earned Associate of Arts (A.A.) or statewide articulated Associate of Science (A.S.) degree from one our partner colleges.
• Shorter time to complete your bachelor’s degree
• Guidance from your Success Team from sign-up to graduation
• Smooth transition and enrollment assistance
• Access to UCF transition services, activities and events
• Face-to-face programs or fully online pathways available

• View current tuition rates and fees
• View housing rates
• View current dining membership services

• Complete the online Undergraduate Admission application
• Pay the admission application fee online
• Official transcripts from each and every college or university attended
• If applicable: Official test scores (CLEP, IB, AICE, CLT, etc.)
• Official High school transcripts (if two years of a foreign language was taken)

Note: High school transcripts may be required to demonstrate completion of the foreign language admission requirement.

• A student is considered “major ready” when they have identified and selected an educational pathway that aligns with their personal interests, career goals, and aptitude, and is following their educational plan.
• The “major ready” student knows the academic and program admission requirements for their intended major and has completed the Common Program Pre-requisites (CPP) for that major.
• Upon transfer, the student is prepared to begin courses in the major at the junior level along with native FTIC students.

• A student is “transfer ready: when they have completed all components of major readiness to include knowledge of requirements regarding math pathways, foreign language, certifications, and testing requirements.
• The “transfer ready” student has identified internships, study abroad, research, and other high-impact practices that enhance both their major readiness and transfer success – the specific resources and tools to support their ongoing educational success.

Students who are dual-enrolled may also earn their A.A. and high school diploma concurrently. DirectConnect to UCF offers guaranteed admission (consistent with university policy) to UCF with an earned A.A. or statewide articulated A.S. degree from one of our state partner colleges; however, admission is not necessarily guaranteed for your term of choice.

You should complete your A.A. degree in order to benefit from the DirectConnect to UCF admission guarantee (consistent with university policy).

UCF does admit lower division transfer students (students with less than 60 credits of college coursework), but they do not have the guarantee of admission. Lower division transfer applicants must submit college transcripts, high school transcripts, and SAT/ACT/CLT scores. If you transfer to UCF without your A.A. degree, you will be required to complete the UCF General Education Program. The Undergraduate Admissions Office has additional information for transfer students at https://www.ucf.edu/admissions/undergraduate/transfer/.

If you earn 12 or more credits after you graduate from high school and you have earned your A.A. degree, you will be considered a transfer student. SAT/ACT/CLT scores are not required and you do not need to meet FTIC admission criteria.

Honor Your Knighthood contains five online module programs for new UCF students to complete as part of the onboarding process into the UCF community. The goals of the online modules are for students to understand the expectations and importance UCF places on subjects related to Academic Integrity, Alcohol Awareness, Career Readiness, Sexual Violence Prevention, and Hazing Prevention. Through the completion of these individual online modules, UCF students will begin to develop a great understanding of upholding the values of the UCF Creed: Integrity, Scholarship, Community, Creativity, and Excellence. UCF is committed to student success and well-being both inside and outside the classroom.

First Time in College (FTIC) freshmen are defined as students who have earned a standard high school diploma from a Florida public or regionally accredited high school, or its equivalent, and who have earned fewer than twelve (12) semester hours of transferable college credit since receiving a standard high school diploma or its equivalent (Board of Governors: Regulation 6.002). This includes students applying with any dual enrollment credit during high school, even those concurrently earning an A.A. degree and a high school diploma.

DirectConnect to UCF guarantees admission to UCF (consistent with university policy) with an earned Associate of Arts (A.A.) or statewide articulated Associate of Science (A.S.) degree.

• College of Central Florida
• Daytona State College
• Eastern Florida State College
• Indian River State College
• Lake-Sumter State College
• Seminole State College
• Valencia College

Dual enrollment allows qualified high school students to take college courses and earn credit toward their high school diploma while also working toward an Associate in Arts (A.A.) degree, an Associate in Science (A.S.) degree, or a career certificate.

DirectConnect to UCF guarantees admission to UCF (consistent with university policy) with an earned Associate of Arts (A.A.) or statewide articulated Associate of Science (A.S.) degree from our college partner institutions, whereas the 2+2 program guarantees admission to one of Florida’s state universities, but not necessarily to the one of your choice.

DirectConnect to UCF guarantees admission (consistent with university policy) to those students who earn an A.A. or statewide articulated A.S. degree from one of the seven DirectConnect to UCF partner institutions (College of Central Florida, Daytona State College, Eastern Florida State College, Indian River State College, Lake-Sumter State College, Seminole State College, and Valencia College).

All first-time, admitted undergraduate degree-seeking students are required to attend transfer orientation prior to enrolling in classes. During Orientation, students will get acquainted with UCF services, meet with their academic college, meet Academic Success Coaches, and register for courses. To reserve an orientation date and for more information on the orientation process, visit the Orientation website.

• Explore all UCF programs and majors
• Explore UCF Online Programs programs and majors
• Explore majors at UCF Downtown Campus
• Explore majors at UCF Connect locations

You will need a computer, reliable internet, webcam, and microphone.

You will register for classes at the end of orientation or during your pre-advising appointment. Registration is completed through your Enrollment Appointment and can only occur after all orientation and immunization holds have been cleared. Students must enroll for the term indicated in their admission letter.

The online information session is on December 6, 2023, at 6pm. It is required for all admitted SMART Start students. The session will provide important details about the program. If you do not attend, you will not be permitted to participate in SMART Start and your application for admission to UCF for Spring 2024 will be canceled.

You should apply to UCF once you have earned 45 college credit hours at a DirectConnect to UCF partner institution. These 45 credit hours may include credits transferred to your DirectConnect to UCF partner college from other accredited colleges or universities.

Before submitting your application, it is recommended that you complete ENC 1101 and ENC 1102 with grades of C or better, as well as two math courses at the College Algebra level (MAC 1105) or higher with grades of C or better.

Students who are dual enrolled and earning both a high school diploma and an associate degree at the same time should follow First-Time-in-College (FTIC) admission requirements and deadlines rather than transfer admission requirements.

Sign up for DirectConnect to UCF as soon as you begin your dual enrollment courses. You will receive guidance from your Success Team to help you choose a UCF major, stay on track with prerequisites, and navigate key steps.

Note: signing up for DirectConnect to UCF is separate from submitting an application for admission to UCF.

You will be notified of your admission decision by December 6th if you apply and submit all required materials by the November 27th application completion deadline.

The $500 incentive will be awarded after satisfactory completion of the one-credit SMART Start course at UCF. It can be used to cover future costs at UCF, such as tuition, fees, or books. The incentive will be made available after your A.A. degree is awarded from Valencia.

To check for holds on your UCF account, log in to your myUCF account and navigate to Student Self Service. Look for the Hold box on the right side of your screen and select Details to see the reason for the hold and instructions on how to resolve it. Orientation and immunization holds must be resolved prior to course registration.

• College of Central Florida
• Daytona State College
• Eastern Florida State College
• Indian River State College
• Lake-Sumter State College
• Seminole State College
• Valencia College

Please contact a UCF Success Coach at UCFConnect@ucf.edu or 407-823-4547 with any additional questions about the SMART Start Program.

As a Valencia College student who has expressed interest in the DirectConnect to UCF pathway, we know that you are making progress toward your A.A. degree and preparing to transfer to UCF. The SMART Start program can help make the transition to UCF smoother and set you up for success in your chosen degree before you actually begin taking major-related courses.

In most cases, those who graduate from high school and earn the A.A. concurrently have earned fewer than 12 semester hours of transferable college credit since receiving a standard high school diploma or its equivalent.

All FTIC students are considered for the FTIC admissions scholarship when they submit their application. No other application is necessary to be considered for the scholarship.

Yes! Students who have signed up for DirectConnect to UCF should apply for admission to UCF once they have earned 45 college credits. Apply now!!

As a SMART Start student, you will not be eligible for financial aid at UCF until after the requirements of the program have been satisfied. If you are receiving financial aid at Valencia College, you should continue to follow the policies and procedures of Valencia College’s Financial Aid Services.