Florida Atlantic University Scholarships (2025–2026)
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- Tuition, housing, and what families actually pay on average
- Automatic merit ranges and who typically qualifies
- Competitive and hidden-gem scholarships worth a look
- Honors perks and how to stack awards the smart way
Sorting out FAU costs and scholarships shouldn’t feel like decoding a secret manual. This page breaks everything into plain English—what families actually pay, which awards are automatic with admission, which selective ones need extra steps, and the niche/departmental funding that too many students miss. If you’re new to Florida aid, start there first, then come back here for FAU specifics.
💰 Cost of Attendance at Florida Atlantic University
| Expense Category | In-State | Out-of-State |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition & Mandatory Fees | $5,952 | $20,584 |
| Housing & Meals | $15,860 | $15,860 |
| Books & Supplies | $1,320 | $1,320 |
| Transportation | $2,424 | $2,424 |
| Personal Expenses | $5,454 | $5,454 |
| Total (Before Aid) | $31,010 | $45,642 |
Reciprocity & Regional Discounts: FAU participates in the Academic Common Market but limits it to graduate students only..
COA & Waiver FAQ
Who qualifies for in-state tuition?
Florida residents who meet the state’s residency criteria for tuition purposes.
Does FAU offer out-of-state waivers?
No broad waiver program exists. Certain competitive awards (like Benacquisto for National Merit Finalists) can offset full cost of attendance.
Do I need to apply for the COA estimate?
No—the Cost of Attendance is a budget used by financial aid to calculate need. Your actual bill depends on credits, housing choice, and meal plan.
✅ Automatic Merit Scholarships
Deadline: To ensure you are processed correctly for Benacquisto, submit a complete admission application (including SSAR and test scores) by January 15.
| Scholarship | Award Amount | Eligibility | Separate App? | Renewable? | Who Actually Wins? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Benacquisto Scholarship (National Merit Finalists) | Covers full cost of attendance (tuition, fees, housing, meals, books, personal, travel) | Florida residents who are National Merit Finalists and name FAU as their first-choice college | No — awarded automatically through state coordination | Yes — up to 4 years with continued eligibility | Top Florida high school students who achieve National Merit Finalist status (about 1% of U.S. seniors) |
Automatic Merit FAQ
Do I need to apply separately?
No. Benacquisto is awarded automatically to Florida National Merit Finalists who list FAU as their first choice.
Does Benacquisto cover everything?
Yes. It covers tuition, fees, housing, meals, books, personal expenses, and transportation for up to 4 years.
What’s the deadline?
You must have a completed admission application on file by January 15 for FAU to certify your eligibility.
🏆 Competitive Scholarships
Beyond Benacquisto, FAU offers a limited pool of selective merit scholarships. These are not guaranteed — even if you meet the stated GPA or test thresholds, awards go only to a “select group” of admitted students. Families should view these as competitive honors rather than automatic benefits.
| Scholarship | Award Amount | Eligibility | Separate App? | Renewable? | Who Actually Wins? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| International President’s Scholarship | $6,000/year (renewable up to 4 years freshman; 3 years transfer) | International students (F-1 or J-1 visa) with GPA ≥ 3.5, SAT/ACT/CLT scores, and English proficiency | No — considered automatically with admission | Yes — maintain 3.0 GPA & full-time enrollment | Top international admits; funds are limited, so not every qualified student receives it |
Priority Deadline: Submit a complete admission application by January 15 for fall entry to maximize your chances. International students applying for spring should meet the August 15 (priority) or October 15 (final) deadlines.
Competitive Scholarship FAQ
Do I need a separate application?
No. Consideration is automatic with your admissions file, but selection is limited and competitive.
What’s the deadline?
For fall entry, January 15 is critical. For spring entry, international students must apply by August 15 (priority) or October 15 (final).
Does FAU superscore?
Yes. FAU superscores both the SAT and ACT for admission and scholarship review, so students should send all test dates.
Can competitive awards stack with Benacquisto?
No — Benacquisto already covers the full cost of attendance, so it replaces institutional merit aid.
⭐ College Specialty
Florida Atlantic isn’t just a generalist university — certain programs have earned national and state recognition. For Florida parents who prefer to keep their student in-state, these rankings matter when weighing FAU against other public options like UF, FSU, or UCF.
- Nursing (BSN): FAU’s undergraduate nursing program is ranked #130 nationally (U.S. News 2025) and consistently lands in the Top 5 in Florida. Why it matters: clinical placements span South Florida’s major hospital systems, boosting licensure pass rates and job placement.
- Business (BBA): Ranked #147 nationally by U.S. News (2025). Within Florida, FAU’s business school is mid-tier (behind UF/FSU/UCF, but ahead of several regional peers). Why it matters: strong ties to South Florida’s finance, real estate, and hospitality industries create internship pipelines.
- Computer Science (BS): Ranked #193 nationally (U.S. News 2025). Within the Florida State University System, FAU sits in the upper-middle tier for CS. Why it matters: the Miami–Boca–Palm Beach corridor is a fast-growing tech hub, giving graduates practical job pathways.
- Engineering: Graduate Engineering is Top 100 public nationally (U.S. News 2025, publics ~#91). Within Florida, FAU’s engineering programs fall just behind UF, UCF, and FIU but ahead of many smaller state peers. Why it matters: strong research labs in biomedical, AI, and cybersecurity feed into undergrad research opportunities.
- Marine Science & Oceanography (Harbor Branch): Not ranked in U.S. News undergraduate tables, but Harbor Branch is considered a statewide leader for oceanography and aquaculture. Within Florida, it’s one of the few programs giving undergrads hands-on access to coral reef, aquaculture, and marine robotics research facilities.
Parent takeaway: Within Florida, FAU is strongest in Nursing, Engineering, and Marine Science. For families who want to stay in-state, FAU often ranks just behind UF/FSU/UCF but ahead of many regional campuses — making it a solid choice without out-of-state tuition.
🎖️ Honors College
Florida Atlantic’s Harriet L. Wilkes Honors College is Florida’s only free-standing residential public honors college. Located on FAU’s Jupiter campus, it offers a liberal arts–style experience with the cost advantage of a public university. Admission is selective, but the payoff is smaller classes, built-in research, and close faculty mentoring.
What a Typical FAU Honors Student Looks Like:
• High school GPA around 3.8–4.0*
• SAT typically 1300–1400* or ACT 28–32*
• Strong coursework (AP/IB/AICE), leadership or research experience
• Students thrive who want small, discussion-based seminars and can handle a writing- and research-heavy curriculum.
*Estimates based on prior admitted cohorts and counselor reports; FAU does not publish official test score cutoffs for Wilkes Honors. Use these as guidelines, not guarantees.
Perks of the Wilkes Honors College:
- Priority registration and guaranteed honors housing (first two years required on campus)
- Small seminars with a 1:15 faculty–student ratio
- Required senior thesis with dedicated faculty mentorship
- Undergraduate research opportunities through Harbor Branch, Scripps, and Max Planck institutes nearby
- Dedicated advising for graduate school and fellowships
| Scholarship | Award Amount | Eligibility | Separate App? | Renewable? | Who Actually Wins? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wilkes Honors College Merit Awards | $1,000–$4,000/year (varies) | Admitted Honors College students; based on GPA, test scores, and application strength | No — awarded upon admission | Yes — must maintain GPA and full-time status | Top applicants with the strongest academic and extracurricular records; awards are limited |
Honors College FAQ
Is admission automatic if I apply to FAU?
No — you must apply separately to the Wilkes Honors College, usually by the same January 15 priority date.
Does Honors add extra time to my degree?
No — the curriculum is designed to fit within four years. The thesis requirement is built into your coursework.
Are there extra costs for Honors?
No differential tuition is charged. Standard FAU tuition applies; housing is on the Jupiter campus.
Are Honors scholarships stackable?
Yes, in most cases. Small Honors awards can stack with outside aid and some FAU merit, though not with Benacquisto (which already covers full cost).
🔗 Official Links
Final Thoughts
Here’s the bottom line for families looking at FAU:
- No automatic merit grid: Unlike schools like Alabama or Arizona, FAU doesn’t hand out set awards just for hitting a GPA/test score combo.
- One true guarantee: Florida residents who are National Merit Finalists get the Benacquisto Scholarship, which covers the full cost of attendance.
- Everything else is competitive: The International President’s Scholarship (for international students) and most freshman/transfer awards are limited and go to a select group.
- Hidden gems: Transfer and first-gen scholarships (like Link2FAU and Johnson Scholars) can quietly save thousands if you apply early through Scholarship Universe.
- Honors option: The Wilkes Honors College in Jupiter gives top students small classes, research, and faculty mentoring — almost like a private liberal arts school at public prices.
For Florida families who want to keep costs down without going out of state, FAU can be a smart pick. The key is applying by January 15, filing FAFSA on time, and knowing which scholarships are guaranteed versus competitive.
Last updated: August 2025