Frequently Asked Questions
For Prospective Students
I'm an international student. Can I still participate?
Yes, international students are eligible to participate in USP. However, because we pay the student through a scholarship disbursement, often additional paperwork must be filled out to meet all legal requirements. The responsibility of the paperwork is between the Scholar and the faculty mentor's office manager who will work with Tax Services in 24 Tigert Hall.
I receive need-based financial aid. Does USP impact financial aid?
Yes. Because USP gives its stipends to students through the scholarship disbursement system, it impacts the student's financial need. All questions about the implications to financial aid should be asked of Student Financial Affairs.
I qualify for need-based aid. What can I do to maximize my financial aid when receiving the University Scholars stipend?
There is flexibility to adjust a student’s cost of attendance for legitimate additional educational expenses which were not originally included in the cost of attendance as projected. A student who incurs research-related educational expenses which were not originally included in costs would be legitimate components eligible for a budget increase. These expenses would need to be documented individually by the student through a budget adjustment petition through Student Financial Aid. Documentation of expenses may include receipts for copying/printing, cost of research materials/equipment, travel receipts related to US, etc.
Can I accept money from other UF research programs like Science for Life if I am also receiving money from the University Scholars Program?
Generally, no. You can apply for more than one of the programs, but you can only participate in one at a time and accept funds from only one program at a time. It is possible to participate in the different programs in subsequent years. Generally speaking, you should match your research experience and interests with the specific program’s goals. For more information on the differences between research programs, visit http://www.honors.ufl.edu/sciforlife.html
For Current Scholars
How do I get paid?
Please sign up for Electronic Funds Transfer on ISIS to receive your stipend, if you haven’t done so already. If you do not sign up for EFT, please make sure your local address stays current on ISIS. Otherwise, you may not receive your check when it is mailed to you. If you are an international student, you will have to work with your faculty mentor’s office manager to complete the appropriate paperwork through Tax Services to receive your funds.
You also must complete all of the requirements listed for both the summer and fall stipends in order to receive them.
When do I get the money for the USP program?
You will receive the $1500 summer stipend in mid-May as long as you have registered for at least 1 credit hour for Summer A or C. Summer B registration does not count. You will receive the $1000 fall stipend in mid-September as long as you have completed your online project description and scholar profile, have your photo taken, and receive a satisfactory progress report from your mentor.
Should I take classes in Summer?
You must register for at least 1 credit during Summer A or C to receive your $1500 summer stipend. Summer B registration does not count. These credits can be a course you are taking or undergraduate research credits; all that matters is that you are a registered student during Summer A or C. Some colleges require that you register for specific research credits; otherwise, you are eligible to register for IDH 4917 undergraduate research credit. Please see http://www.honors.ufl.edu/forms/idh4917.pdf
How do I use the travel money? (For Scholars in 2007-2008 and earlier)
(Note that the travel and mentor stipends have been discontinued for the 2008-2009 program and beyond.)
The scholar should contact their mentor's department to process a TA and voucher; the department then sends the voucher to the coordinator of University Budgets, Susan Morris, for reimbursement after the student travels. The TA must be completed BEFORE the student travels. If the cost of travel is beyond the $500, the individual student or the sponsoring department will be responsible. These travel funds are restricted to two possible uses: to present the research at an academic/professional conference, or to conduct research at an off-site archive/laboratory, and are limited to $500.
Can I use the $500 travel funds for supplies? (For Scholars in 2007-2008 and earlier)
(Note that the travel and mentor stipends have been discontinued for the 2008-2009 program and beyond.)
No. The $2500 stipend being paid to students is to help cover costs associated with the research. The $500 is only for travel related to a conference or collecting data for the research.
What is the Journal of Undergraduate Research?
The JUR is a peer and faculty reviewed on-line journal which can be found at http://www.clas.ufl.edu/jur/. Creed Greer is the editor, and the JUR provides students a very unusual opportunity to have their work published. The JUR is not limited to the University Scholars Program research; any undergraduate research is acceptable for the journal.
Do I have to write a paper for the JUR? When is the deadline?
All students in the USP should write a paper once they have completed their research. There is no absolute deadline, but students should notify JUR editor Creed Greer (cgreer@ufl.edu) as soon as they have finished their research and have started writing their paper. We like to receive papers by the middle of the month prior to the month they are published. For example, if your paper is published in February, we need your paper by the middle of January. The earlier you submit your paper the earlier it will be published. Read the JUR web site or contact Creed Greer with questions about details. The final deadline for paper submissions for the 2007-2008 scholars is May 2, 2008.
Do I have to publish in the JUR? What if my mentor doesn't want me to publish for copyright or patent issues?
Scholars are expected to publish a paper in the Journal of Undergraduate Research (JUR). However, if the student and mentor are working on confidential research and/or research that involves obtaining a patent, a paper is not immediately required. Once the research is made public or a patent is obtained, the student is welcomed to publish in the JUR. Also, some printed journals stipulate that an article cannot be published in another journal. The student and mentor have the option of determining which journal the paper will be submitted to first. The JUR accepts papers that have been published in other journals or might be published in the future. The JUR would like to receive as many papers as possible, but does not want to hinder the student from publishing in another, perhaps more recognized, journal in his or her field.
If the student does not complete a paper or present at the symposium, a final report is due that outlines the challenges and successes of the research project. This paper must be submitted and approved by the faculty mentor. This final report is due to Melissa Johnson, USP Administrator, 29 Tigert Hall, by May 2, 2008.
