Informational, not legal or financial advice. Rules change and every school sets its own policies; confirm with your school and the agencies linked here. We are nonpartisan.

Part of our series: College-bound in Florida.

Academic advisor

Your advisor helps you pick classes, stay on track for your major and avoid surprises at graduation. Meet before registration each term, and before dropping a class.

Financial aid office

Go here about your aid package, FAFSA verification, loans and work-study. It is also where to check that Bright Futures is applied: the state says students are responsible for "ensuring that funding for an academic year is accurate by contacting their institution's financial aid office" (Florida DOE Bright Futures fact sheet). Remember the renewal GPAs: 3.0 for FAS, 2.75 for FMS.

Disability services

College works differently from high school. Your college won't identify you as having a disability or assess your needs the way a school district does. The U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights explains that you don't have to disclose a disability, but to get an academic adjustment you must tell the school you have a disability and need one, and follow its procedures. Schools generally ask for documentation of a current disability, and a high school IEP or Section 504 plan usually isn't enough on its own. OCR advises asking as early as possible (U.S. Dept. of Education, OCR).

Counseling center

Most campuses offer counseling to enrolled students. In a crisis, anyone can call or text 988 to reach the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, any time of day.

Your RA

Resident assistants are students trained by housing staff. They are the first stop for roommate trouble, maintenance problems and finding campus resources.

A note for parents: privacy

Under the federal privacy law FERPA, rights over education records transfer to the student once they attend a postsecondary school (U.S. Dept. of Education, Student Privacy). Ask your school about the forms students can sign if they want family to see grades or financial information.

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