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Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU) is rightly named as one of the best universities to study in the Sunshine State for a multitude of reasons. They range from the university’s well-tailored educational experience to their abundance of scholarships. In fact, FGCU budgets over $100 million per year in financial aid, with FGCU Foundation Scholarship being the most generous and accessible of all.
Note the keyword ‘accessible:’ this scholarship program is available to both undergraduate and graduate students. Whether you are a freshman or a current student at FGCU, you should not miss out on this great opportunity. If you have been looking for college scholarships to help you pay your tuition fees, the FGCU Foundation Scholarship may be the right match for you.
Interested in this program? Keep reading to learn more about the scholarship and how to apply.
What is the FGCU Foundation Scholarship?
The Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU) Foundation Scholarship is a financial aid award for students attending FGCU at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. Through this scholarship, FGCU recognizes deserving students through a mix of criteria: academic performance, accomplishments, leadership, and financial need.
Applications are made annually, and both incoming and existing students are encouraged to apply. A student who does not qualify this year is allowed to reapply in the next application period. This scholarship is made possible through the generosity of many patrons, including alumni, local philanthropies, non-profit organizations, and businesses across the state.
By applying to this scholarship, you will have access to affordable post-secondary education. There is no denying that paying ever-increasing college tuition fees is not a walk in the park. Thanks to this program, however, you will be able to focus on your studies to the fullest, which ultimately increases your chances of completing your degree.
How Do You Know If You Are Eligible?
As mentioned earlier, this scholarship is open to undergraduate and graduate students majoring in any subject at FGCU. The good thing is that acceptance at FGCU is not required to apply. This implies that applicants can fill out their scholarship applications while waiting for the admission announcement.
However, you will need a University Identification Number (UIN) to submit your application. Scholarship considerations will begin once you are accepted, as will your UIN issuance. In addition, fulfillment of the following additional requirements are considered in the selection process:
- Leadership attributes,
- Academic achievements,
- Financial need,
- Work/study experience, and
- Other criteria determined by the department of choice.
How Much Money Can You Get from This Scholarship?
While there is no breakdown of the amount of scholarship that each recipient is entitled to, each financial aid package will not exceed the cost of attendance of a selected candidate. The money can be used to pay for various school-related expenses. They include tuition fees, supplies, rooms, boards, and books. There is a limit to the amount that recipients can use for each expense.
Once the award has been processed and deposited into your account, you can check the incoming amount and the split for different expense items through Gulfline. Gulfline is FGCU’s student services portal where students can access important resources such as academic and financial aid information.
What Information Do You Need to Apply?
Another plus point of this scholarship is that it does not require you much time to apply to. In fact, you will only need these to complete your application:
- Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA): FGCU will use this document to screen applicants based on their financial means so that only needy students are considered.
- Essays: Your essays will reflect your character, background, the positive values you can bring to enrich the FGCU academic community, and your personal experiences in applying those attributes in a real-world context. Ultimately, this information will assist FGCU in assessing your fit for the program.
It is important to remember that the FGCU Foundation Scholarship is a competitive program; therefore, ensuring that you submit accurate, concise, honest, and coherent information is crucial.
How Do You Apply for the FGCU Foundation Scholarship?
You will need to be an FGCU student to be considered for this scholarship. To apply for this program, you must apply to the university either before November 1 (Early Action) or March 1 (Regular Decision). Although the FAFSA submission deadline is on June 30 each year, it is important to ensure that you have enough time to complete and turn in both your admission and scholarship applications.
Not sure how to start your admission application? Click here to learn the steps to applying to FGCU as a first-time undergraduate student or here for incoming graduate students.
Next, while waiting for your admission application to be processed, start your scholarship application by clicking here. You will need your UIN number to access the application page. Check your Eagle email account periodically for award or declination notifications.
When is the FGCU Foundation Scholarship Application Deadline?
The application window lasts between October 1 and May 1 every year. However, students applying before or on January 1 will be given priority. Applications can only be submitted ONCE. Therefore, it is highly recommended for applicants to proofread their applications prior to submission.
Have questions about applying for this scholarship? Contact the FGCU’s Enrollment Services Center at 239-590-7920 or visit www.fgcu.edu/enrollmentservices.
What’s Next?
Applying to competitive scholarships can be tough. Luckily, FGCU allows their students to receive external scholarships. Consider these little-known fully-funded scholarships as your plan B. Or, for those interested in studying abroad, these student exchange programs may be just what you have been looking for.
