Scholarships Awarded based on the Application
The Admissions Office awards a limited number of scholarships for admitted freshmen who apply by the priority deadlines. No separate application is needed, and no additional materials or updated information can be submitted for review.
The review process incorporates the same holistic approach used in admissions decisions. Scholarships are awarded based on grades and standardized test scores, as well as extracurricular involvement, leadership, community service, and your personal essay. Our incoming freshman class is always outstanding in all of the above-mentioned areas, which makes awarding scholarships challenging!
With scholarships limited and no pre-set criteria, students with similar test scores, grades, extracurricular activities, and more may receive different scholarship decisions. Each year approximately 10 percent of admitted freshman are awarded a merit scholarship.
If selected for one of our merit-based scholarships, students will be notified via email and status page update by mid-March.
UF does not send notifications to students not selected for scholarships. If you do not hear from us, this means we were not able to offer you a scholarship.
Presidential Scholarships
UF currently offers a limited number of merit-based Presidential scholarships designed for high-achieving students:
- Presidential Scholarship: $5,000 per year (Fall/Spring, total $20,000 over 4 years)
- Presidential Gold Scholarship: $8,000 per year (Fall/Spring, total $32,000 over 4 years)
- Presidential Platinum Scholarship: $10,000 per year (Fall/Spring, total $40,000 over 4 years)
UF's Presidential scholarships can be combined with Bright Futures and the Benacquisto Scholarship offered by the Florida Department of Education.
Out-of-State Tuition Waiver
UF currently offers a limited number of merit-based tuition waivers designed to reduce the out-of-state tuition for selected students:
- Alumni Scholarship: up to $8,000 per year (Fall/Spring, total up to $32,000 over 4 years)
- Sunshine Scholarship: up to $16,000 per year (Fall/Spring, total up to $64,000 over 4 years)
- Gator Nation Scholarship: $20,000 per year (Fall/Spring, total $80,000 over 4 years)
If a student's residency is updated to in-state for tuition purposes after being awarded a merit-based tuition waiver, they will no longer be eligible, and the award will be cancelled.
The out-of-state fee waiver cannot be combined with another tuition-wavier scholarship (offered by the School of Music, for example) since both scholarships waive the same portion of non-resident tuition.
Admissions Honors Scholarship
For students offered the opportunity to join the University Research Scholars Program, a $2,000 residential tuition waiver will be awarded ($500 waived each fall and spring term). No separate application is needed, and no additional materials or updated information can be submitted for review.
This residential tuition waiver applies to tuition for both Florida residents and non-Florida residents alike, so residency for tuition purposes classification is not considered. This award can combine with the merit-based scholarships listed above (Presidential and Out-of-State Tuition Waivers) but would reduce the amount billed to any Florida PrePaid account.
Other Scholarships Available at UF
Bright Futures Scholarships
The Florida Department of Education offers the Florida Bright Futures Scholarships for high school graduates. For more information, refer to Florida Student Financial Aid or call (888)827-2004 prior to your high school graduation. Additional questions can be directed to the UF's Office of Student Financial Aid & Scholarships (SFA).
National Merit Finalists/Benacquisto Scholarship
UF offers a $500 annual National Merit Scholarship to National Merit Finalists who indicate UF as their first-choice institution with the National Merit Corporation by their deadline of May 31. The National Merit Scholarship Corporation sends periodic rosters of finalists who have indicated UF as first choice beginning in early March and continuing monthly through the beginning of June.
UF's National Merit Scholarship qualifies as a college-sponsored scholarship under the requirements for the Benacquisto Scholarship, which is offered by the Florida Department of Education and covers the remaining institutionally posted cost of attendance (minus Bright Futures and the qualifying National Merit Scholarship) for in-state residents.
The Benacquisto Scholarship Program is a state-funded program that is appropriated by the legislature each year, so funding is subject to change. For more information, view the Benacquisto Scholarship requirements.
John V. Lombardi Scholarship
The Honors Program offers the John V. Lombardi Scholarship for incoming students who demonstrate intellectual curiosity and creativity, civic responsibility and leadership potential. Scholars receive a semester stipend for up to eight semesters and four fully-funded summer enrichment experiences including study abroad and a weeklong domestic leadership excursion. The application cycle for these awards begins in the fall of each year. Students should apply during their senior year in high school. High schools may nominate up to two graduating seniors for these awards, and home-schooled students may be nominated by their advisor. See the Honors Application Information page for links to application and nomination instructions available annually on or before September 1.
Stamps Scholarship
The Honors Program partners with the Stamps Scholars Program to award four-year scholarships to support talented students during their undergraduate studies. Stamps Scholars pursue their educational interests while developing leadership skills and cultural competency by participating in cohort-based summer enrichment experiences with John V. Lombardi Scholars. The application cycle for these awards begins in the fall of each year. Students should apply during their senior year in high school. High schools may nominate up to two graduating seniors for these awards, and home-schooled students may be nominated by their advisor. Visit the Lombardi & Stamps Scholars Programs Overview page to learn more and find application materials on the Honors Application Information page, available annually on or before September 1.
Machen Florida Opportunity Scholars
The Machen Florida Opportunity Scholars program provides financial resources and individual support with the primary goal of graduating first generation, low-income undergraduate students. By addressing systemic barriers and challenges, the Machen Florida Opportunity Scholars program provides a full grant and scholarship financial aid package as well as a comprehensive support program to ensure students thrive at UF. To be eligible, students must first be admitted into the University of Florida as a first-year student. Upon completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), students are invited to complete the MFOS Supplemental Form if they meet the initial eligibility criteria. Specifically, the program supports students whose annual family income is less than $55,000 and assets are less than $35,000.
Grandparent Waiver of Out-of-State Tuition and Fees
Out-of-State students who have a grandparent who is a resident of Florida may qualify for a waiver of out-of-state tuition and fees. Visit the residency section of our website for more information on this waiver and application process.
What do I need to submit to be awarded a merit-based scholarship?
There is no separate application for our merit-based scholarships, as all admitted freshman students who apply by the priority deadline and receive their decision on our February Decision Day are considered for these scholarships. The criteria used are the same holistic criteria used in our admissions decisions.
There are no minimum criteria for these, as students are evaluated based on the strength of that year's applicant pool. Generally, recipients are above the middle fifty percent of our admitted student profile. If selected for a merit-based scholarship, the offer will arrive via email in early March.
Scholarships at UF are very limited in availability. Because there are no pre-set criteria, students with similar test scores, grades, extracurricular activities, etc. may receive different scholarship decisions. In 2021, we were able to award scholarships to approximately ten percent of our admitted freshmen.
I've received scholarship offers from other colleges/universities, will UF match them?
No, UF cannot match offers made by other colleges or universities and there is no scholarship appeal process. Our freshman class is comprised of outstanding scholars with involvement in various activities.
How do I accept my scholarship offer?
Students just need to confirm enrollment by the confirmation deadline.
I've received a scholarship from a third party, where do I tell them to send it?
Congratulations! Our guidelines for sending additional scholarships are posted online at https://www.sfa.ufl.edu/pdf/DonorGuidelines.pdf.
Mailing Address for Scholarship Checks:
University of Florida
Office for Student Financial Aid & Scholarships
Attn: Disbursem*nts
P. O. Box 114025
Gainesville, FL 32611-4025
*For FedEx or overnight delivery address, omit the PO Box number and add our physical address of S-317 Criser.
How does one of UF's merit-based scholarships work with the Florida PrePaid Plan?
Florida PrePaid will apply first to tuition due. Then, any other funds awarded (Presidential Scholarship, grants, loans) apply to the student's account balance with the Bursar's office, followed by final qualifying Bright Futures award amounts. Students should follow up with the University Bursar to ensure the process runs smoothly.
How does one of UF's merit-based scholarships work with Bright Futures?
Students must apply for the Bright Futures scholarship during their senior year in high school. Contact your school or the Office of Student Financial Assistance at the Florida Department of Education if you have any questions.
Will the scholarship cover my admissions tuition deposit?
No, scholarships are predicted awards based on enrollment for the upcoming year. You will need to submit the tuition deposit to confirm your enrollment. The deposit will be credited to your account and possibly reimbursed by your scholarship when it is disbursed in the Fall.
