Scholarships Eligibility July 2024

The SFA keeps an extensive list of scholarships awarded by UF colleges, as well as other scholarship opportunities.

Florida Bright Futures Scholarship

The Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program, sponsored by the State of Florida Department of Education, awards scholarships based on students’ academic performance in high school.

UF Merit Scholarships

The review process for UF merit scholarships is comprehensive, with no automatic awards based solely on test scores or GPA. There is no separate application for these scholarships; all admitted students who apply by the November 1 first-year admission priority deadline are considered. Recipients are chosen by a committee each spring and will be notified via email by mid-March.

Readmore University of Florida Profile,Location, Fees & Courses Details June 2024

In-State Students

UF offers several merit-based scholarships for high-achieving in-state students:

• Florida Merit Scholarship: $1,000 per year (Fall/Spring), totalling $4,000 over four years
• Florida Merit Scholarship: $2,000 per year (Fall/Spring), totalling $8,000 over four years
• Presidential Scholarship: $5,000 per year (Fall/Spring), totalling $20,000 over four years
• Presidential Gold Scholarship: $8,000 per year (Fall/Spring), totalling $32,000 over four years
• Presidential Platinum Scholarship: $10,000 per year (Fall/Spring), totalling $40,000 over four years

SFA Awarded Scholarships

SFA administers and awards both non-endowed and endowed scholarships. Students are automatically considered if they:

• Apply for financial aid through the FAFSA.
• Maintain a GPA of 3.0.
• Meet the criteria specified by the donor.

Machen Florida Opportunity Scholarships

The Machen Florida Opportunity Scholarships (MFOS) aim to ensure that eligible students do not need to work or borrow money to attend UF. Instead, their financial needs are fully met through grants and scholarships.

These awards are available to Florida residents who are first-time-in-college freshmen and undergraduate renewal students from historically economically disadvantaged backgrounds whose parents have not earned a bachelor’s degree.

The program, an initiative of the University of Florida, gained support from the Florida legislature in June 2006 by creating the First Generation Matching Grant Program.

To qualify, students must satisfy the following requirements:

• Be a Florida resident.
• Graduate from a Florida high school.
• Ensure UF receives the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) before Fall term enrollment.
• Demonstrate financial need based on FAFSA information.
• Have parents who have not earned a bachelor’s degree.
• For the 2022-2023 academic year, the combined total income of parents, stepparents, or legal guardians must be below $55,000, and their assets must be below $35,000.
• Be enrolled for at least twelve credit hours per semester.
• Have no default on or refund owed to any previous aid program

Machen Florida Opportunity Scholarship Renewal Requirements

To renew the Machen Florida Opportunity Scholarship, students must meet the following criteria:

• Earn 24 academic credits in the previous Year.
• Maintain a minimum GPA of 2.0.
• Continue to meet satisfactory academic progress.
• Ensure FAFSA is submitted.
• Family income must not exceed the following limits:
  • 2nd Year: $60,500
  • 3rd Year: $66,000
  • 4th Year: $71,500
• For first-year students:
  • Attend two Financial Literacy Workshops.
  • Participate in Peer Mentor Activities.
  • Completed SLS 1102.
• For second-year students:
  • Attend two Career Workshops.
• For third-year students:
  • Complete one Life Planning Workshop.

Non-Endowed Scholarships

Jessie Ball duPont/Alfred I. duPont Scholarship

Established by Mrs. Jessie Ball duPont in memory of her husband, this scholarship is intended to be given, not loaned. Recipients are encouraged to pass on an equivalent amount to another deserving student after graduation to create a lasting support chain.

Follett Bookstore Scholarship

The Follett Bookstore provides scholarships in the form of credits at their leading campus bookstores. This credit covers the standard cost of undergraduate books and supplies (excluding computer hardware).

Gene Wright Scholarship Fund

This scholarship supports Martin County high school students entering UF as freshmen who meet the Gene Wright Scholarship eligibility requirements during their senior year in high school and the University of Florida admissions criteria.

Kenneth D. Watson Memorial Scholarship

This need-based scholarship is preferred for Gainesville High School graduates. If no eligible recipient is found from Gainesville High, it may be awarded to graduates from other high schools in Alachua County.

Robert D. and Flora E. Fuhrman Scholarship

This scholarship, established in 1982 from the estate of Robert D. and Flora E. Fuhrman, aims to assist needy students.

Metta Heathcote Scholarship

This scholarship, created by a trust fund from Mrs. Metta Heathcote, a long-time St. Petersburg resident, is available to graduates of Pinellas County high schools. Awards are based on financial need, with a preference for St. Petersburg residents.

Ryan McKee Scholarship

Established in 2010, this need-based scholarship gives preference to veterans, criminology majors, ROTC students, or graduates of Piper High School. Recipients are required to maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0.

Ryan McKee SFA Scholarship

This need-based scholarship is designated for students employed in the verification section of the UF Office for Student Financial Aid and Scholarships.

UF General Scholarship

This scholarship, funded by donations to the University’s general scholarship fund, supports various students based on need and merit.

Benacquisto Scholarship

The Benacquisto Scholarship Program is a merit-based scholarship for in-state graduates recognized as National Merit® Scholars.Eligible students receive a scholarship equivalent to the standard institutional cost of attendance for an in-state student, subtracting both the Bright Futures and National Merit® awards.

To qualify, a Florida resident must:

• Be a U.S. citizen or eligible noncitizen.
• Be recognized as a National Merit® Scholar.
• Initially, enrol at the eligible postsecondary institution during the fall academic term following high school graduation.

A National Merit® Finalist becomes a Scholar by receiving one of the following:

• National Merit® $2500 Scholarship
• Corporate-sponsored Merit Scholarship®
• College-sponsored Merit Scholarship®

Note: “Special” Corporate Scholarships and “Presidential” awards do not qualify a student for the Benacquisto Scholarship. Additionally, the Benacquisto Award does not fund summer coursework.