Short Term Advance Terms & Conditions

The Short Term Advance Program assists students in meeting unanticipated educational expenses (i.e. purchasing textbooks) incurred prior to the date financial aid funds are scheduled to disburse. A student may not have more than one (1) Short Term Advance per semester. Exceptions can be made for extenuating circumstances. Preference will be given to full-time students when funds are limited.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Be sure to input your correct Z Number and FAU Net ID; if you enter the wrong Z Number or FAU Net ID, your short term advance request will not load to the system.

Applications will OPEN approximately two (2) weeks prior to the beginning of each semester and will CLOSE after four (4) weeks from the beginning of each semester. REMINDER: Please remember the time frame when applying for each new semester.

  1. The maximum limit is $750 (a $5.00 processing fee will be assessed).
  2. Student Borrowers must:
    • be degree seeking.
    • be enrolled at least half-time at FAU.
      1. FALL & SPRING Terms: 6 or more credits for Undergraduate and 5 or more credits for Graduate students ( NOTE:   The Short Term Advance will NOT disburse until the week before classes begin, for instance, if you are only registered in Fall 2024 [POTS 1,2 or 4] – classes begin date = August 17, 2024, disbursements will begin August 13th.)
      2. SUMMER Term: 6 or more credits for Undergraduate and 3 or more credits for Graduate students ( NOTE:  If your half-time enrollment is based ONLY on Summer Term 3 registered hours, the Short Term Advance will NOT disburse until June 18, 2024.  If your half-time enrollment is based on a combination of Early Summer 2024 and Summer 2024, the Short Term Advance will disburse April 30th, 2024.  Otherwise, if you are registered in any combination of Summer Terms 1, 2 and 3 for the minimum half-time enrollment required, your advance will disburse May 7th.)
    • have an institutional GPA of at least 2.0 (New students are exempt from this criteria)
    • NOT have an outstanding balance with the University. Short term advances cannot be waived if previous A/R balance is from traffic & parking fines, previous short term advances, health fees and/or library fines.
    • have a bank account. Short term advances are disbursed ONLY via direct deposit to the student's bank account. No paper checks will be issued!
    • be 18 years of age or older. IF NOT, please download the Parental Short Term Advance Application located on the Forms to Download section of the FAU Financial Aid website.
  3. Advances will NOT be initiated the last two weeks of classes or between school semesters.
  4. The Short Term Advance online application will only be available for a limited time each semester. Please check the Dates and Deadlines section of the website to view tentative dates. If a Short Term Advance is needed after this date, and the student has not received a Short Term Advance during the current semester, a hardcopy application will be available on the Forms section of the website.
  5. Applications will be review and approved by the Office of Student Financial Aid. Upon approval, the application will be forwarded to the Controller's office for disbursement via direct deposit to the student's bank account on file with the University.
  6. Students may NOT have more than one (1) Short Term Advance per semester.
  7. When funds are limited, preference will be given to full-time students.

Funds will be directly deposited into the student’s bank account; however funds can be direct deposited into your existing financial institution. Student’s must complete and submit a direct deposit authorization form prior to applying, which is located online on MYFAU (click on the "Money Matters" tile). The first Short Term Advance disbursement will process before the first day of classes. If you meet the eligibility requirements, you will receive the proceeds before classes begin.

In consideration of approval of the loan application and receipt of funds, the student promises to pay the FAU Cashier's Office the principal sum amount borrowed plus a non-refundable processing fee of $5.00 on or before FORTY FIVE CALENDAR DAYS from the date funds are disbursed, or upon receipt of financial aid funds, or upon cancellation of financial aid funds, or the last day of the term, whichever comes first.

The student acknowledges and agrees to the following terms:

  1. Failure to repay this loan will prevent student from registering, receiving diploma, receiving grades, or securing an official transcript until such time as the loan is paid in full.
  2. In the event of commencement of suit to enforce payment of this Note, as the Maker of this loan, to pay all costs of such suit including, but not limited to attorney’s fees, and any other fees the court may deem reasonable.
  3. This Note will be governed by the laws of the State of Florida. In the event of litigation, venue shall be Palm Beach County. This Note is not assignable by the payee and cannot be changed or modifies without the written authorization of both payer and payee.