Freshman

UF Online attracts students at various points of their academic journey.

UF Online offers a robust academic experience for those joining the Gator Nation online. Your applicant type is based off the number of transferable college credits you will have earned prior to your intended first term in our program.

Prospective students who have earned less than 12 college credits after high school graduation are freshman applicants. Learn more about freshman admissions requirements and the application process below.


Minimum Admission Requirements for Freshman

The University of Florida seeks diverse students who will be UF’s future community of leaders, learners, and thinkers. Freshman applicants are reviewed and admitted based on a comprehensive set of academic and non-academic factors.

  • Graduation from a secondary school or the equivalent (G.E.D., etc.) recognized by UF. Additional information for Homeschooled and International students can be found here:
  •   Homeschool students
      International students

  • Fourteen academic units, distributed as follows:
  •   English (with substantial writing): 4 years
      Mathematics (at or above Algebra 1 level): 4 years
      Natural Sciences (2 units must include laboratory): 3 years
      Social Sciences: 3 years

  • It is preferable that students have two years of foreign language instruction or be able to document an equivalent level of proficiency. However, students may be admitted to UF Online before completing this requirement, but such students must successfully complete an 8-10 hour sequence of a foreign language prior to graduation.
  • The state of Florida requires that all freshman applicants have at least a 2.5 (C) academic cumulative GPA from high school. As a Top 10 public university, UF’s standards are higher than the state minimums. Competitive freshman applicants to UF Online typically have a 3.7 or higher academic high school GPA.
  • Students taking dual enrollment courses must present a minimum 2.0 GPA at every institution attended.
  • Freshman applicants who graduated high school 5 or more years ago do not need to submit test scores as the requirement is waived.
  • Freshman applicants who graduated high school less than 5 years ago will need to submit test scores to the university as part of the admissions process. The state minimum test scores are listed below; however, competitive UF Online applicants typically score above what is listed here.
  • Freshman applicants must submit test scores from the SAT, ACT and/or CLT. UF has no test preference. We will superscore (take the highest scores for each subsection) to create the highest possible total score. If you take a test multiple times, we will combine your highest subsection scores across test dates for the same exam.
    • SAT or Digital SAT (March 1, 2016 and after)
    •   Reading and Writing = 490
        Mathematics = 480

    • ACT (1-36 range):
    •   Reading = 19
        English = 17
        Mathematics = 19

    • CLT, Classic Learning Test
    •   Sum of the Verbal Reasoning and Grammar/Writing Sections = 38
        Quantitative Reasoning Section = 16

Tips for submitting a Freshman application


Application Process for Freshman

The application process is simple and straightforward. It will take about 30 minutes to complete your application. If you need to take a break for any reason, you can save it and return to complete the application later. For ease of completion, be sure to have your high school transcripts and, if applicable, previous college information available.

New Regulation regarding High School/Associate of Arts

Students receiving their high school diploma and an Associate of Arts degree (A.A.) from a Florida College System (FCS) or State University (SUS) institution at the same time should complete the freshman application. If we are unable to offer you admission at the freshman level, you will be provided with the opportunity to have your application reconsidered as an upper-division transfer. Students admitted via transfer admission may have their offer of admission rescinded if they do not complete the required prerequisites and A.A. degree prior to enrollment. Note: Students who opt-in to be considered as an upper-division transfer student will not be required to submit official SAT, ACT or CLT scores.

Step 1

Complete the application -- this includes an essay and résumé section.

  • Once you complete all sections of the application, you’ll submit the non-refundable $30 application fee online. Your application and fee must be submitted before the application deadline for the term to which you are applying.

Tip: Your UF Online application (and application fee) is valid for up to one entire academic year. If you apply for one term and your timeline changes, we can easily roll your application to a future term.

Step 2

Arrange to have all supplemental materials sent to UF. For a freshman applicant that includes:

  • Official high school transcripts from all schools attended.
  • If applicable, official college transcripts from all schools attended.
  • For applicants who graduated from high school less than five years ago, official SAT, ACT, or CLT scores must be sent directly to UF from the testing service.
  • If applicable, scores or transcripts from any other college level work such as Advanced Placement (AP) tests, CLEP tests, IB, AICE, etc.

For electronic delivery of materials:

  • Contact your school or testing agency to see if they can send your official documents electronically. This is the fastest delivery method. We accept electronic transcripts from Parchment, National Student Clearinghouse, Credential Solutions, and Escrip-safe. Please note that emailed or faxed documents are not considered official. You should select the University of Florida as the recipient during the ordering process. When you order these documents, save any records you receive for future reference.

If you cannot send electronic transcripts or test scores, send physical copies to:

University of Florida Office of Admissions
201 Criser Hall
PO Box 114000
Gainesville, FL 32611-4000

All required materials must be received in our office no later than the File Completion Deadline.


Download the PDF Checklist for Freshman applicants.

Admissions decisions are rendered on a rolling basis, so the sooner you complete your file, the sooner you will get your admissions decision. However, we always prioritize the upcoming term over future terms.

You will receive an email with instructions for creating a login to check your application status within 24-48 hours of submitting your UF Online application. Once you have these login credentials, you can check your application status page at any time for real-time updates on your admissions file. As documents arrive in our office, your application status page will reflect which documents were received and when they were processed. Your application status page will be updated if additional information is required.

You are notified via email when a decision is rendered.


Your Future Starts Today – Apply Now!


Not a freshman applicant? Let’s get you to right spot.

  • If you have 12-59 transferable credits, you are a Lower Division Transfer applicant.
  • If you have 60 or more transferable credits, this includes Associate of Arts (AA) degree holders, you are an Upper Division Transfer applicant.
  • If you already have a bachelor’s degree, you are Second Bachelor’s degree seeking applicant.
  • If you were previously enrolled in a degree seeking program at the University of Florida, you are a Readmission applicant.

Learn how to determine what type of applicant you are