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It is well known that without assistance from an outside source, students may have trouble for the degree. Recognizing the importance of financial assistance for students, the University of Central Florida provides several types of UCF scholarships for its top students.
UCF scholarships not only cover the costs of pursuing higher education but also change the lives of students. In fact, it can go from reducing the financial burden of the rising costs of a college education to allowing students to find more time and energy to focus on studies rather than part-time work.
Overall, UCF scholarships are one piece in the puzzle of what creates a strong foundation for supporting students in their success in life. For starters, see below which UCF scholarships you may be eligible for and how to apply for them.
About University of Central Florida (UCF)
The University of Central Florida, or UCF, is a university located in Orlando, Florida, United States. UCF is a member of the State University System of Florida. Furthermore, it is currently the largest university in the state. Also, it is the third-largest university (in terms of enrollment) in the United States.
In fact, the University of Central Florida was founded in 1963 as the Florida University of Technology with the aim of providing expertise to the Kennedy Space Center, which is located just 35 miles (56 km) to the east.
Yet, over time, the university began to open various other disciplines and its name was changed to the University of Central Florida in 1978. Moreover, although the initial applicants were only 1,948 people, in 2009, the applicants reached 53,644 people from more than 140 countries, 50 states.
The main campus, covering an area of 1415-acres (573 ha), is located about 13 miles (21 km) northeast of Orlando and about 55 miles (89 km) southwest of Daytona Beach. In particular, the university offers more than 225-degree options through its twelve colleges and eleven chapters throughout Florida.
Most importantly, since its founding, UCF has produced more than 200,000 degrees, including 35,000 graduate and professional degrees. Besides, it has alumni reaching 170,000 worldwide. For starters, some of the well-known alumni are Cheryl Hines, Daniel Tosh, Blake Bortles, Ericka Dunlap, and Brandon Marshall.
List of UCF Scholarships
UCF offers merit-based awards for incoming freshmen and transfer students. In fact, all first-year students are automatically considered for a merit-based scholarship. Furthermore, there is a scholarship application process for transfer students. In particular, scholarships are offered to students who meet academic performance criteria. Also, academic departments offer UCF scholarships.
UCF College and Departmental Scholarships
In fact, many colleges and departments offer UCF scholarships to students that are specific to an area of specialization. For instance, scholarship listings are available from the following colleges and departments.
- Alumni Association
- College of Arts and Humanities
- The Burnett Honors College
- College of Business
- College of Engineering and Computer Science
- College of Graduate Studies
- College of Health Professions and Sciences
- College of Nursing
- College of Optics and Photonics | CREOL
- College of Sciences
- College of Undergraduate Studies
- Global Perspectives
- Graduate Fellowships and Assistantships
- Multicultural Academic and Support Services
- Rosen College of Hospitality Management
- Student Accessibility Services
- Study Abroad
- Transfer and Transition Services
Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program
The Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program, funded by the state of Florida, provides scholarships based on high school academic achievement. Moreover, the program has different award levels, each with its own eligibility criteria and award amounts.
The Florida Bright Futures Scholarship is a merit award based on high school academic achievement. Students may receive either the Florida Academic Scholars Award or the Florida Medallion Scholars Award at the University of Central Florida.
Florida Academic Scholars Award is the most competitive Bright Futures scholarship and the most generous one. In fact, the recipients will receive an award amount equal to 100% of tuition and applicable fees in fall, spring, and summer. For starters, applicable fees include:
- Activity and service fee,
- Health fee,
- Athletic fee,
- Financial aid fee,
- Capital improvement fee,
- Campus access/transportation fee,
- Technology fee, and
- Tuition differential fee.
Also, they will receive an additional amount of $300 per semester (fall and spring only) for college-related expenses.
On the other hand, the Florida Medallion Scholars Award scholarship is less competitive than the FAS. However, it still has a relatively high minimum test score and GPA requirements. Recipients of these UCF scholarships will receive an award amount equal to 75% of tuition and applicable fall, spring, and summer fees.
Furthermore, applicable fees include:
- Activity and service fee,
- Health fee,
- Athletic fee,
- Financial aid fee,
- Capital improvement fee,
- Campus access/transportation fee,
- Technology fee, and
- Tuition differential fee.
Nevertheless, Florida Medallion Scholar awards will not receive the $300 educational expense stipend.
Each award has different academic criteria for eligibility and provides a different award amount and/or a number of semester hours. Below are general requirements that apply to both Bright Futures awards. In order to qualify for one of these awards, you must:
- Be a Florida state resident and a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen,
- Complete the Florida Financial Aid Application (FFAA) by 8/31 the year of your high school graduation,
- Be accepted by and enroll in a degree or certificate program at an eligible Florida public or independent postsecondary institution,
- Earn a standard Florida high school diploma or its equivalent from a Florida public high school or a registered Florida Department of Education private school,
- Not have been convicted of (or pleaded no contest to) a felony charge, and
- Be enrolled for at least six (non-remedial) credit hours per term.
Ultimately, if you meet all of the above requirements, you’re on the right track to getting your own Florida Bright Futures awards.
UFC Private Scholarships
Students who are anticipating funds from an entity outside of UCF should report the funds via the Self Report Private Scholarships on their myUCF. Particularly, this report acts as a placeholder and allows financial aid to make any necessary adjustments prior to disbursing aid.
Consequently, if students do not report the funds they risk required adjustments to their financial aid potentially causing reductions of disbursed aid.
Students should not report scholarships received from Florida Bright Futures, the University of Central Florida colleges, departments, and alumni association. Automatically, these scholarships will be reported directly to the Office of Student Financial Assistance by those respective areas.
Thus, once a student receives an Award Letter from a non-UCF entity he/she should utilize the Self Report Private tool. Furthermore, when the scholarship check arrives the recipient needs to submit it to the financial aid office for processing and disbursement.
