Oct 15, 2024  
2024-2025 Undergraduate Catalog & Student Handbook 
    
2024-2025 Undergraduate Catalog & Student Handbook

Admission Information



Admissions Center: Phone: 863-874-4774

Email: admissions@floridapoly.edu

Web: https://floridapoly.edu/admissions-and-aid/index.php

Application for Admission

All interested applicants should complete the Florida Polytechnic University “Admissions Application” and submit the $30 (in U.S. Currency), non-refundable application fee. Upon the applicant’s request, the University may waive the application fee if the applicant provides documentation in accordance with university policy. First-Time in College Students (FTIC) and transfer students can also apply using the Common App at https://www.commonapp.org/explore/florida-polytechnic-university. Students should apply several months in advance of their anticipated start date and provide a completed file by the deadlines provided on the Office of Admissions website: https://floridapoly.edu/admissions-and-aid/. For more information see FPU-2.006.

Questions concerning admission requirements and applications can be forwarded to admissions@floridapoly.edu. Applications for admission can be submitted up to one year prior to the start of the term desired. The application deadlines are March 1st for the Fall Semester (July 15th for transfer students), and December 1st for the Spring Semester. The Office of Admissions reserves the right to admit students after the published deadline on a space available basis. University housing is not guaranteed for incoming students. Additional details can be found at https://floridapoly.edu/admissions-and-aid/next-steps/housing.php. The University does not discriminate based on race, color, ethnicity, national origin, religion, non-religion, age, genetic information, sex (including pregnancy, parental status, gender identity or expression, and sexual orientation), marital status, physical or mental disability (including learning disabilities, intellectual disabilities, and past or present history of mental illness), political affiliations, veteran status (as protected under the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act), or membership in any other protected classes as set forth in state or federal law.

This Catalog outlines minimum requirements to be considered for admission, which is competitive. The satisfaction of minimum requirements does not guarantee admission. Conversely, Florida Department of Education policy allows the University to admit students to any semester as exceptions to the minimum requirements. The Office of Admissions is responsible for the admission of all undergraduate students under this exception policy.

 

Applicants must submit self-reported, unofficial, or official transcripts from each educational institution attended to the Office of Admissions. Admitted students who intend to enroll must also provide final official copies of all documents. Applicants must likewise submit official score reports for credit earned from each appropriate testing agency (e.g. AICE, AP, CLEP, or IB). To be considered official, supporting admissions documents must be received directly from the issuing institution or testing agency. All final supporting documents must be received by the Office of Admission prior to enrollment.

Note: Furnishing false or fraudulent statements in connection with an application for admission or residency declaration may result in disciplinary action, denial of admission, loss of financial aid, and invalidation of credits or degrees earned.

Those enrolled students who have not submitted official completed records by the deadline will be placed on administrative hold. Students with these incomplete records will not be permitted to register for a future term until all official transcripts and other required documentation have been received. If, upon review of final transcripts, student records are not satisfactory, they may be placed on academic probation, have their admission status revoked, changed to non-degree or transient status, may become ineligible for financial assistance, and may, in some cases, be withdrawn from the University. In addition to the required documentation mentioned above, students must have a satisfactory conduct record at all schools attended.

Admissions Categories

Students may submit applications to the University for one of the following categories:

A. Freshman (First-Time-In-College: FTIC or Associate in Arts High School Student)

B. Dual Enrollment/Early Admit

C. Transfer

D. Second Bachelor’s Degree

E. Graduate

F. Non-Degree Seeking

For additional information regarding the admission requirements please review FPU-2.001FPU-2.002FPU-2.005 and FPU-2.006.

Freshman Applicants

Any student who meets Florida Board of Governors regulation for minimum admission requirements is encouraged to submit an application. Meeting these minimum requirements does not guarantee admission. An applicant’s total high school record (including grades, test scores, educational objective, quality of courses complete, and personal achievements and honors) will be considered in the selection process. The University reaffirms its Equal Educational Opportunity (EEO) commitments and seeks to increase diversity among the student body.  For additional information see FPU-2.003.

Dual Enrollment

Dual Enrollment is for students who desire to dual enroll on a part-time basis, taking one or two courses, while completing their high school course work. Students must submit an application for admission by the published application deadline date, as well as the following items:

  • Official copy of high school transcript(s)
  • Official copy of SAT or ACT exam results

If determined to be academically admissible, the student will need to submit a signed letter from the high school administration and parent or guardian specifically listing the course/courses the student is eligible to take at Florida Poly. All letters are required prior to course registration.
For additional information see FPU-2.0021AP.

High School Diploma

Freshmen who are applying for admission to the University are required to have a standard high school diploma from a Florida public or regionally accredited high school, or its equivalent.

Entrance Examination Scores & Requirements

All FTIC applicants for admission, fitting Florida Board of Governors Regulation 6.002, must submit test scores in accordance with Florida Board of Governors Regulation 6.008. Students applying for admission having earned an Associate in Arts in High School, as outlined in Florida Board of Governors Regulation 6.005, are not required to submit test scores outlined in BOG 6.008. All applicants must have earned a minimum number of high school academic units (year-long courses that are not remedial in nature) to be considered for admission. A grade point average (GPA) will be computed only on academic courses. Plus (+) and minus (-) will not be included in the high school GPA recalculation. Grades in International Baccalaureate (IB), Advanced Placement (AP), Cambridge Advanced International Certificate of Education (AICE), honors and dual enrollment courses will be given additional weight in the computation of the academic GPA. The high school academic unit requirements are as follows:

Academic Unit Requirements

For freshman applicants earning a high school diploma, the following college preparatory academic units (year-long courses or equivalents) normally offered in grades nine through twelve are required by Florida BOG regulation 6.002:

Academic Subjects

Units Required

English (three of which must have included substantial writing)

4

Mathematics (at or above the Algebra I level)

4

Natural Science (two of which must have included substantial laboratory requirements)

3

Social Science (included: history, civics, political science, economics, sociology, psychology, and geography)

3

Foreign Language (both credits must be in the same language)

2

Additional academic electives from the above five subject areas and courses recommended by the Florida Association of School Administrators, or other groups, and courses recommended by the Articulation Committee and approved by the Department of Education

2

TOTAL UNITS:

18

For additional information see the BOG regulation page.

Applicant Eligibility

An FTIC student may be admitted if he/she has a high school grade point average (GPA) of 3.00 or higher on a 4.00 scale as calculated by the University, and presents test scores in accordance with 6.008.

As stated in Florida Board of Governors Regulation 6.002, students with a high school GPA of 2.5-2.99 on a 4.00 scale as calculated by the university must obtain the  minimum scores as outlined in BOG regular 6.008.

Florida Polytechnic University reserves the right under Florida BOG regulation (6.002) to establish admission criteria that exceeds Florida BOG minimums.

Admission to the University is limited by space availability. The degree of competition for space depends on the number and qualifications of those who apply for admission. To increase the chance of admission, high school students should present credentials that are stronger than the minimum requirements for consideration as listed above. If the number of qualified applicants exceeds the number that the University is able to enroll, a waiting list will be established.

A student applying for admission who does not meet established requirements may bring to the University other important attributes or special talents and may be admitted if, upon appeal and in the judgment of the Admissions Committee, the student can be expected to do successful academic work.

The University will provide appropriate advising for each student admitted under this alternative. For additional information see the BOG regulation page.

Home-schooled Applicants

Home-schooled applicants should submit a home-schooled transcript that includes a list of all coursework (both completed and in progress), showing final grades and units earned for each course completed. A brief description of the methods used for evaluation should accompany the home-schooled transcript. If home-schooled applicants previously attended another school, or completed courses through the Florida Virtual School or dual enrollment at a local college or university, official transcripts are required, and those courses should also be reflected on the home-schooled transcript. SAT and/or ACT results must also be submitted.

Transfer Applicants

Florida Polytechnic University welcomes transfer applications to the university. Students should apply online at floridapoly.edu and arrange to have official transcripts sent from all colleges attended. The Office of Admissions computes a grade point average (GPA) for each institution attended, as well as a cumulative GPA on all college courses attempted. This computation does recognize plus or minus grades and only recognizes grade forgiveness when it is used as part of an awarded statewide articulated Associate in Science (AS) degree or an Associate in Arts (AA) degree from a Florida public institution. Students who have fewer than 30 completed college credit hours will be required to meet freshman admission requirements to be considered for admission.

Applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 and be in good standing as a degree-seeking student at the last institution attended to be considered for admission to Florida Polytechnic University.

Meeting these minimum requirements does not guarantee admission.

Transfer students, as all students, are required to complete at least one-fourth of the credits applied towards the pursued degree, half of the major course credits, and the last thirty (30) credits in residence at Florida Poly. In addition, students must complete 30 hours in residence at Florida Polytechnic University to be eligible to receive baccalaureate honors recognition at the time of graduation. For additional information see FPU-2.004.

Transfer Process

The standard process for enrollment is as follows:

If the student has or is planning to have 30 or more college credits at the time of matriculation:

  • The student submits official transcripts from each postsecondary institution attended.
  • The student submits an online application.

If the students is not planning to have fewer than 30 credits:

  • The student submits official transcripts from each postsecondary institution attended.
  • The student submits official SAT or ACT score reports.
  • The student submits official high school transcripts.
  • The student submits an online application.

At this point, the application is complete and all required supplemental documents have been submitted. 

Admission decisions will be made as soon as those required supplemental documents have been received.

  1. If admitted to the university, the Registrar will review college transcripts to determine applicable transfer credit.  This transfer credit evaluation is then shared with the student.
  2. The student is required to submit a $200 tuition deposit to officially accept their seat in the incoming class.
  3. The Registrar will create a first-semester schedule for each transfer student who has submitted a tuition deposit, based on each student’s applicable transfer credit.

The Office of Admission will be in regular contact via phone and email throughout each of these steps.  This ensures the student is aware of his or her standing and advances through the process as quickly and efficiently as possible.

For additional information see FPU-2.004.

International Students

Florida Polytechnic University is authorized under Federal law to enroll non-immigrant alien students. Applicants are classified as international if they are not United States citizens, dual citizens, or permanent residents, and if they are applying for an F-1 student. International students may apply to study in any degree program or major for which the University has been granted authorization by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security or U.S. Department of State to enroll international students.

International students must meet admission criteria at the level of entrance for the program to which they apply, as well as the following:

1. International students must have all credentials and admission information submitted to the Office of Admissions prior to the published deadline on the Admissions website for international students. Students whose applications are not completed by these respective dates (all elements of the application process including submission of required documents, transcripts and evaluations, test scores and application fee, etc.) may be changed to the next fall or spring term for admission.

2. For academic work completed at non-U.S. institutions, a credential evaluation is required for all undergraduate and graduate programs. All coursework required for an admissions decision must be evaluated by an international evaluation agency.  Agency recommendations are listed on the University’s international admission website. All documents submitted become the property of Florida Polytechnic University and cannot be returned or forwarded. A course by course evaluation is required for any college courses taken and is recommended for high school equivalency unless a GPA is included in the evaluation. If so, then a document by document evaluation will suffice. Students need to request that the agency send the results directly by mail to the Office of Admissions as an official document.

3. International students currently attending any institution in the United States must submit a visa clearance form issued by Florida Polytechnic University to be completed by their current school designating Florida Polytechnic University as their transfer institution and confirming their status.

4. Applicants must demonstrate English proficiency in accordance with University policy, and will be required to submit satisfactory evidence to demonstrate English proficiency based on the following options:

  • A qualifying Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) score of 500 on the paper based test, 173 on the computer-based test, or 61 on the iBT Internet-based test
  • A score of at least 6 on the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) exam
  • A score of 77 on the Michigan English Language Assessment Battery (MELAB)
  • Completion of the associates or higher degree at a regionally accredited American college or university, or any government recognized college or university where English is the primary language of instruction subject to the approval of the AVP for Admissions and Financial Aid or his/her designee.
  • Proving they are from a country where English is the only official language.
  • Establishing that a prior bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral degree was earned from a country or university where English is the only official language of instruction. 2
  • A 510 Critical Reading SAT score or 20 ACT (English section).
  • Presenting a minimum grade of “B” in both English Composition I and English Composition II, or the equivalent, taken at a regionally accredited, not-for-profit postsecondary institution in the United States.
  • Completion of four years of English in an accredited high school in the United States, where English is the primary language of instruction.
  • A documented English proficiency assessment and interview exam by qualified, fulltime Florida Poly faculty and a full-time admissions representative.

5. The applicant must file a Financial Statement confirming availability of specific funds to finance the first year of study before the University issues the appropriate documents for obtaining a visa. The Financial Statement cannot be more than 6 months old, prior to the beginning of the term for which the applicant has submitted their application.

  • A student must be a US citizen or eligible noncitizen to receive federal student aid.

6. No international student in F-1 non-immigrant status shall be permitted to register, or continue enrollment, without demonstrating that the student has adequate medical insurance coverage for illness and accidental injury and which meets the minimum requirements set forth in FPU-2.005 and the Board of Governors Regulation 6.009.

7. International students are subject to the same University policies and procedures that apply to all students, such as admission, enrollment, immunization, etc. Additionally, international students are obligated to follow and comply with the laws and regulations set by the United States Department of State, United States Department of Homeland Security and/or the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services, which may determine the student’s eligibility for enrollment, residency status, limitations on credit hours or semesters of study, limitations on enrollment of distance learning courses and length of presence in the U.S.

Second Bachelor’s Degree Applicants

Second Bachelor’s Degree applications are processed by the Office of Admissions. Guidelines for which office students should make application to are outlined as follows:

Graduates from other regionally-accredited four-year U.S. institutions who apply for admission to work toward a second undergraduate degree must meet the regular requirements of the University (as defined in the “Undergraduate Degree Requirements” section of the Catalog). Students must meet all transfer GPA requirements. Note: If a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited four year U.S. institution includes credit from a non-regionally accredited institution, the credit from the non-regionally accredited institution may not be included as transfer credit. This would result in the transfer of less than the total number of credit hours awarded within the baccalaureate degree.

Readmission of Withdrawn Students

Any student who has previously been enrolled in courses at Florida Polytechnic University and has been administratively withdrawn or has withdrawn from the university must reapply to the University for admission. Students applying for readmission will be evaluated on current admissions requirements. Readmission applications can be completed through the online application

Appeal of Admissions Decision

An applicant who is denied admission to the University may, within ten (10) days of the date of the written notification of denial of admission, appeal the decision to the Admissions Appeals Committee by sending a written appeal and supporting documentation to the Office of Admissions.  

An applicant admitted to the University but denied admission to a limited access program may also appeal the denied admission to the specific program appeals committee by sending a written appeal and supporting documentation to the Office of Admissions. The applicant’s supporting documentation may include reasons why reconsideration is warranted and should highlight extenuating circumstances and/or appropriate alternative evidence of academic achievement, ability, motivation and responsibility that indicates the applicant’s potential for success at Florida Polytechnic University.

The committee will meet approximately every four weeks, as necessary, to consider appeals. The committee will review the appeal, make a decision, and send a written notice of the decision to the applicant within 10 days of the committee’s decision.

For additional information see FPU - 2.001.

TUITION DEPOSIT AFTER ADMISSION

  • Freshmen are required to submit a $200 non-refundable tuition deposit no later than May 1 to secure their place in the class.
  • The tuition deposit will not be reimbursed if the student does not enroll in the term offered for admission.
  • The tuition deposit will be credited to the student’s account and applied toward the first-semester tuition. If there is a credit balance on the account at the end of drop/add, the balance will be refunded.
  • This deposit is waived for those students who provide proof of an applicable fee waiver.

Required Prior to Enrollment

All students are required to do the following prior to enrollment:

  • Complete the Florida Residency Declaration for Tuition Purposes
  • Complete the Enrollment Acknowledgment Form
  • Complete and submit the Student Immunization History Form or Medical or Religious Exemption Request Form
  • Complete and submit the Mandatory Immunization and Health Form
  • Complete the Student Financial Responsibility Statement
  • Provide official standardized test scores
  • Provide Final Official Transcripts from all institutions attended
  • Submit any Accelerated Mechanism Credit. Applicants must submit official score reports for credit earned from each appropriate testing agency (e.g., AICE, AP, CLEP, or IB. All tests taken are required to be sent regardless of score or awarding credit.)
  • Attend New Student Orientation and pay the $35.00 Orientation Fee. Information regarding orientation may also be viewed on the website at https://floridapoly.edu/student-affairs/incoming-phoenixes/index.php.

Florida Residency Declaration for Tuition Purposes

All students are required to complete the declaration form regardless of Florida Residency status. Students who are not eligible for Florida Residency must select that they are a Non-Florida Resident. Those students who are eligible to will need to meet the criteria.

The Florida Residency Declaration can be completed in the Application Portal after a student has committed to attending Florida Polytechnic University. The Application Portal can be found here: https://floridapoly.edu/admissions-and-aid/first-time-students/undergraduate.php

Final Transcripts

All Final High School Transcripts are required for First Time in College Students, as well as transfer students entering the university without an Associate in Arts/Associate in Science or Bachelor’s degree. Final High School Transcripts may also be required to meet the Foreign Language requirement to graduate with a Bachelor’s Degree from the university.

All official college transcripts are required from all college or universities previously attended for both transfer and graduate students. Students who have taken Dual Enrollment courses will need to submit an official transcript from the college or university where the credit was awarded.

 All final supporting documents must be received by the Office of Admissions no later than six (6) days after the first day of classes.

Those enrolled students who have not submitted official completed records by the deadline will be placed on administrative hold. Students with these incomplete records will not be permitted to register for a future term until all official transcripts and other required documentation have been received. If, upon review of final transcripts, student records are not satisfactory, they may be placed on academic probation or have their admission status revoked. For more information relating to the acceptance of coursework from prior institutions see the Transfer of Coursework section under Academic Information.