Program Costs

The University of Florida is proud to offer one of the most competitive tuition rates among online programs in forensic science. If you have any questions, please contact us at ahc-dess@ufl.edu.

Program Tuition Estimate

How much does it cost?

Tuition is $575 per credit hour plus fees for all students, regardless of location. This tuition rate is subject to change. Non-degree and certificate students pay Capital Improvement/Technology fees. M.S. students pay Capital Improvement/Technology/Financial Aid fees. More information on tuition and fees can be found on the UF Bursar website.

All students enrolled in for-credit courses will pay a GATORONE Service Fee. The $5 fee will be issued at the beginning of every fall and spring semester. More information on the GATORONE Service Fee can be found on the UF Business Services website.

Students may pay tuition via credit card, electronic check or paper check. Note that a processing fee is assessed for credit card payments. Payments can be made approximately three weeks before the semester begins. We will communicate payment instructions once UF has loaded tuition into the system.

Take your time based on what is affordable to you, and space out your courses to fit your budget. Students pay per credit hour. We don’t do payment plans, but you can create your own payment plan by determining how many credits you can pay for each semester. Because our classes are completely online, students pay the same low in-state tuition regardless of location. There are no additional travel costs or living expenses required.

If you have any questions, please contact us at ahc-dess@ufl.edu.

As per the Florida Board of Governors Regulation 8.002 (2.a.2.), you are invited to view our self-supporting programmatic tuition and fee comparison.

EEP Waivers

Our online programs are not eligible for EEP Waivers.  If you are a UF employee seeking to use your EEP benefit, the cost of enrollment in our online courses and programs will not be covered by the EEP program.

State Agency Waivers

State Agency waivers are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis, with limited capacity. Students must submit the waiver request application form each term they wish to request a tuition waiver based on state employment status.

State Agency waivers are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis, with limited capacity. Students must submit the waiver request application form each term they wish to request a tuition waiver based on state employment status.  Prior to submitting the waiver, students must contact the program coordinator at ahc-dess@ufl.edu to determine if waivers are still being accepted for the term.  The first day waivers can be received by the department is the first day of registration; please see Critical dates.

Financial Aid Eligibility

Master’s degree students are eligible for private and federal loans. Graduate certificate students are not eligible for federal financial aid but may be eligible for private loans. Non-degree-seeking students are not eligible for federal or private loans. Please contact our Financial Aid Coordinator about possible private student loan eligibility.

Students seeking federal student loans must complete their Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as early as possible.

• Financial aid applicants are responsible for ensuring the timely completion of several steps through FAFSA and UF’s One.UF in order for funds to be disbursed by the tuition due date.
• UF’s Federal School Code is 001535.

Minimum credits for eligibility for financial aid:

• Fall and spring semesters: 5 credits
• Summer semester: 4 credits

For more information or questions, contact the Pharmacy Financial Aid Coordinator:
Email: pharmacysfa@cop.ufl.edu

Veterans Affairs and Military Students

All non-degree, graduate certificate, and master’s degree students are eligible to receive benefits from the G.I. Bill or V.A. Tuition Assistance. The UF Office of Student Veterans also maintains a list of scholarships.

For more information or questions about your benefits, please contact VAcounselor@ufl.edu.

UF Office of Student Veteran Services

Scholarships

Congratulations to our scholarship recipients for 2025! Please continue to check our website for updates regarding scholarships. We will start accepting applications in the Spring 2026 term for scholarships to be awarded in the Fall 2026 term.

FORENSIC SCIENCE Scholarship Recipient

Hailey Cristini

"This scholarship opportunity is a great honor and something that has helped motivate me to stay passionate about forensic science. I greatly appreciate the support from the University of Florida, and I look forward to continuing this program. Go Gators!"

AFTE Scholarship

To recognize outstanding forensic science students and to encourage students to pursue a career in the firearm and tool mark identification field of the forensic science profession, the Association of Firearm and Tool Mark Examiners (AFTE) has established a scholarship program.

Students enrolled in a natural, physical, or biological science degree program at an accredited university with the objective of a forensic science career can apply to receive a one-time scholarship award of two thousand dollars ($2,000.00). The application process is not difficult, but it does require an official transcript and three letters of recommendation.

The eligibility requirements and application instructions can be found on the AFTE website at: https://afte.org/resources/scholarship-program

Questions regarding the application process should be directed to:

Robyn Ostby, AFTE Scholarship Committee Chair: AFTEScholarship@gmail.com

The Edward Washington Memorial Scholarship

To be eligible to apply, students must be M.S. degree-seeking and have completed at least one semester in one of the following M.S. programs: M.S. in Forensic Science, M.S. in Forensic Drug Chemistry, M.S. in Forensic Toxicology, or M.S. in Forensic DNA and Serology.

The Edward Washington Memorial Scholarship is named for Master Sergeant Edward Washington, a former student in the Master of Science in Pharmacy with a major in Pharmaceutical Sciences and a concentration in Forensic DNA & Serology, who passed away in 2022.

Edward was an exemplary student and person, one who served his country for many years while working to further his education at the University of Florida.

• Criteria: based on financial need and academic performance. Preference given to a child or spouse who lost a parent/spouse while in active military service.
  • Applicants must have a minimum GPA of 3.0 and be in good standing with the University (not on academic probation).
• Amount: Three scholarships will be awarded in the fall in the amount of $2,000 per scholarship.
• Timeline: selection of students in the spring term for the award in the fall term. Scholarship recipients only will be notified via their UFL email.

Please apply here: Edward Washington Memorial Scholarship.

Edward Washington Scholarship Recipient

Kylie Gaskin

"This scholarship significantly eases the financial burden of graduate school, allowing me to focus fully on developing my skills in forensic DNA analysis. It enables me to engage deeply with my coursework and research, preparing me to contribute to the advancement of justice through accurate and reliable genetic evidence interpretation."

Edward Washington Scholarship Recipient

Hannah Gentile

"Receiving the Edward Washington scholarship will ease my financial burden, allowing me to focus on my coursework and development in my online graduate program. It motivates me to pursue my academic goals with greater confidence and dedication, helping me make the most of this opportunity."

Edward Washington Scholarship Recipient

Jiandely Gonzalez Quiles

"This scholarship is the definition of how a gesture can encourage a person's education as it stimulates my enthusiasm for learning and pushes me to become closer to my goals. It's gratifying to feel heard and recognized for what I've achieved, and at the same time, it inspires me to continue with even greater strength."

M.S. in Forensic Science Online Graduate Scholarship

To be eligible to apply, students must be M.S. degree-seeking and have completed at least one semester in one of the following M.S. programs: M.S. in Forensic Science, M.S. in Forensic Drug Chemistry, or M.S. in Forensic DNA and Serology.

• Amount: one scholarship will be awarded in the fall term in the amount of $2,000.
• Criteria: based on financial need and academic performance. Applicants must have a minimum GPA of 3.0 and be in good standing with the University (not on academic probation).
• Timeline: selection of students in the spring term for the award in the fall term. Scholarship recipients only will be notified via their UF email.

Please apply here: M.S. in Forensic Science Scholarship.

Additional Costs

• There is a $30 application fee for master’s degree and graduate certificate applications. There is no application fee associated with the non-degree seeking option.
• Some courses do require textbooks.