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).

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

UF offers two scholarships to in-state Florida college transfer students selected to the All-Florida Academic First Team. Applicants must have a lower-division GPA of at least 3.8 and submit an application.

UF offers up to ten scholarships to students transferring to UF from Florida colleges. Scholarships are awarded based on academic merit and other factors, including financial need. Applicants must submit an application for consideration and have a completed FAFSA on file with the UF Office for Student Financial Affairs.

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.

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.

UF will send you an email notification if you are awarded one of our limited merit-based scholarships. The notification will also be posted to your online be posted to your online Check Status page as a "Scholarship Offer" link which will bring you to an online form to review the details of the award and indicate if you accept or decline the offer. Scholarships that are not accepted by the posted deadline will be cancelled.

Congratulations! Our guidelines for sending additional scholarships are posted online at https://www.sfa.ufl.edu/pdf/DonorGuidelines.pdf.

Mailing Address for Scholarship Checks:

*For FedEx or overnight delivery address, omit the PO Box number and add our physical address of S-317 Criser.

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.

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.

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.