Bethune–Cookman University Scholarships (2025–2026)
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- Tuition, housing, and what families actually pay on average
- Automatic and competitive scholarships available to new freshmen
- Honors-level Presidential Scholarship details (potential full ride)
- How to layer Florida state aid and institutional awards
📊 Admissions Snapshot
- Acceptance Rate: ~100% (broad-access)
- Middle 50% ACT: 15–21
- Middle 50% SAT: 860–1040
- Average HS GPA: ~3.0
Source: College Board & B-CU Institutional Research. Middle 50% = range where half of admitted students fall.
Comparing multiple schools? Try the Scholarship Tool to search by GPA, test scores, and state →
Bethune–Cookman at a Glance
Last verified: October 23, 2025
Bethune–Cookman rewards top students through the Presidential Scholarship, awarded via the Harold V. Lucas, Sr. Honors College. External sources describe this award as a full ride covering tuition, room, board & books, though official materials list it as a competitive institutional award without explicit coverage details.
For high-achieving students (GPA 3.75+, ACT 26+ or SAT 1200+), this can be among the most generous private HBCU offers in Florida. Apply early for admission and the Honors College to maximize consideration.
FAQ
Is this college test-optional? Yes — test-optional for admission, but ACT/SAT required for Presidential Scholarship review.
What’s the middle 50% ACT/SAT? ACT 15–21 | SAT 860–1040 (College Board 2024).
What’s the average net price? About $14,892 after grants & scholarships (IPEDS 2024).
Does this school offer full-ride awards? The Presidential Scholarship is widely described as a full ride through the Honors College, though official confirmation of book/fees coverage varies by source.
Scholarships & Financial Aid — Bethune–Cookman University: https://www.cookman.edu/financial-aid/scholarships/index.html
Harold V. Lucas, Sr. Honors College — Program Information: https://www.cookman.edu/academics/honors/index.html
Admissions Requirements — Bethune–Cookman University: https://www.cookman.edu/admissions/
College Board (BigFuture) Profile & Net Price: https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/colleges/bethune-cookman-university/tuition-and-costs
U.S. Department of Education — College Scorecard Data: https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?132590-Bethune-Cookman-University=
💰 Cost of Attendance at Bethune-Cookman University (2025–2026)
| Expense | In-State | Out-of-State |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition & Mandatory Fees | $14,794 | $14,794 |
| Housing & Meals | $10,396 | $10,396 |
| Estimated Total (before aid) | $25,190+ | $25,190+ |
Notes: Figures reflect charges paid directly to B-CU. Tuition is $6,922 per term (12–18 hours) and mandatory university fees are $475 per term (total $14,794/year). Standard on-campus room is $3,688 per term and the Gold Plus meal plan is $1,510 per term (total $10,396/year). Other indirect costs (books/supplies, transportation, and personal expenses) vary by student and are not included here because they are not paid directly to the university.
Florida Residents Save More: Instead of reciprocity, B-CU students benefit from state grants and scholarships.
- EASE Grant: A state-funded award for Florida residents attending eligible private colleges like B-CU. Amounts are set by the Legislature each year (including an EASE Plus supplement for some high-demand programs).
- Bright Futures: Pays a per-credit-hour rate at eligible Florida institutions; award amounts per credit are set each year in the state budget.
- Mary McLeod Bethune Scholarship: Need-based state scholarship for eligible Florida HBCU students.
Example: A Florida student taking 30 credits may stack state aid (e.g., EASE + Bright Futures) with institutional scholarships to reduce the direct charges shown above.
Cost & Aid FAQs
Who qualifies for Florida aid? Full-time Florida residents who meet each program’s rules (credit load, GPA, and required applications such as FAFSA and/or the FFAA for Bright Futures).
How much do these programs really save? Depending on eligibility and annual state-set amounts, Florida grants and scholarships can significantly reduce the sticker price before B-CU awards are applied.
Do I need a separate application? Bright Futures requires the FFAA; EASE and other state programs are administered through OSFA with school certification once you file required applications.
University COA page (Undergraduate): https://wildcat.cookman.edu/ICS/Cost_of_Attendance-Undergraduate.jnz
University Tuition & Fees page: https://www.cookman.edu/osas/tuition.html
Housing (Residence Life rate per term): https://www.cookman.edu/studentexperience/residence-life.html
College Scorecard (Average net price): https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?132602-Bethune-Cookman_University=
Florida OSFA — State Programs (overview): https://www.floridastudentfinancialaidsg.org/
Bright Futures (rule/award framework): https://www.fldoe.org/core/fileparse.php/20395/urlt/7-2.pdf
EASE Grant factsheet: https://www.floridastudentfinancialaidsg.org/pdf/factsheets/ease.pdf
✅ Automatic Merit Scholarships
Bethune-Cookman reviews admitted first-year students for institutional merit automatically. The university does not publish a tiered GPA/ACT/SAT grid; awards are individualized based on the full academic profile and timing of application.
| Scholarship | Award Amount | Eligibility | Separate App? | Renewable? | Who Actually Wins? | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Presidential Scholarship | Full tuition, room, board, and book allowance (renewable to 4 years) |
First-year admits with min. unweighted GPA 3.5+ and ACT 23+ (SAT 1130+). Academic rigor and early application improve odds. Submission of ACT/SAT is required for scholarship consideration. |
No (automatic with admission, when criteria are met; limited by funds) | Yes – must keep 3.5 GPA as a full-time student; see award letter for details | Top applicants with strong academics and test scores who apply early (by Dec 1); priority to highest achievers if funds run short. | Dec 1 (priority); May 1 (final) |
| Institutional Merit (automatic consideration) | Varies (individualized based on academics, rigor, leadership, and timing) | Admitted first-year students reviewed automatically; submit ACT/SAT to be considered for academic scholarships even though admission is test-optional. | No (awarded through admission review) | Usually Yes (maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress; terms in award letter) | Students with stronger unweighted GPAs (≈3.2–3.8*), solid course rigor, and early applications tend to receive larger offers; test scores, if submitted, can help with merit review. *Estimate based on B-CU’s holistic process and peer HBCU patterns; use as directional guidance only. | Dec 1 (priority); May 1 (final) |
Note: Because B-CU does not publish a public tier grid, award ranges are individualized and may vary year-to-year with funding and applicant strength.
Automatic Merit FAQs
How do I get considered? Apply for admission and submit your high school transcript. You’ll be reviewed automatically for merit; submitting ACT/SAT scores is required for scholarship consideration even though admission itself is test-optional.
Are there priority dates? Yes—B-CU advises applying before the December 1 scholarship deadline for full consideration. Applying earlier can improve funding options. Final deadline is May 1 for fall admits.
Do test-optional applicants qualify? You can be admitted test-optional, but B-CU states that test scores need to be submitted for academic scholarship consideration. If you have scores, send them.
Can B-CU merit stack with Florida programs like Bright Futures or EASE? Generally, institutional aid is coordinated with federal/state aid and outside scholarships up to your Cost of Attendance; your final package may be adjusted so total aid does not exceed COA.
B-CU Academic Scholarships — https://www.cookman.edu/admissions/scholarships/academic-scholarships.html
B-CU Freshman Merit FAQ — https://www.cookman.edu/admissions/scholarships/faq.html
B-CU Admissions Dates & Deadlines — https://www.cookman.edu/admissions/dates-and-deadlines.html
B-CU Financial Aid Office — https://www.cookman.edu/financialaid/
HBCU Lifestyle review — https://hbculifestyle.com/bethune-cookman-university-merit-scholarship-program/
🏆 Competitive Scholarships
Unlike automatic awards, competitive scholarships require extra steps—an essay, interview, portfolio, or simply being selected from a limited pool. These are the types of scholarships where the university is looking for students who stand out, not just meet the admission bar.
| Scholarship | Award Amount | Eligibility | Separate App? | Renewable? | Who Actually Wins? | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No university-level competitive scholarships are currently published for Bethune-Cookman University (2025–2026). We will re-check official pages in the next update cycle. | ||||||
Competitive Scholarship FAQs
Does Bethune-Cookman offer a Presidential or Dean’s Scholarship? There is a university Presidential Scholarship, but it is classified as an automatic award that covers full tuition, room, board, and books for incoming first-years meeting GPA/test benchmarks, not a competitive apply/separate pool. For 2025–26, no separate university-level competitive scholarships beyond the automatic or donor programs are listed in official sources[web:604][web:597][web:599].
Where should my student look instead? Check the Hidden Gem Scholarships section below—this is where state programs, UNCF awards, and special identity-based funds are listed.
Could B-CU add new competitive awards later? Yes. Competitive programs sometimes open mid-year or are tied to specific donors. It’s smart to recheck the financial aid site and your B-CU student portal each semester.
B-CU Scholarships — https://www.cookman.edu/financialaid/Type_of_Aid/Scholarships/
B-CU Office of Financial Aid — https://catalog.cookman.edu/content.php?catoid=47&navoid=2042
UNCF and Donor Scholarships — https://uncf.org/scholarships
HBCU Lifestyle (award summaries) — https://hbculifestyle.com/bethune-cookman-university-merit-scholarship-program/
🎖️ Honors College
Bethune-Cookman’s Honors Experience Program is built for top-performing students who want smaller classes, close mentoring, and chances to present their work on big stages. Admission is not automatic—you’ll need to apply when the university opens the window each spring. While there isn’t a scholarship named “Honors College Scholarship,” Honors students are often the ones who qualify for B-CU’s top awards.
GPA of 3.5 or higher*, rigorous high school or early college coursework, leadership in clubs or service, and the drive to complete research or creative projects.
*Estimate based on honors program norms; B-CU posts updated criteria each spring.
- Faculty mentoring and research support
- Presentation opportunities at the Southern Regional Honors Council
- Leadership development programs and recognition events
- Smaller, discussion-based courses with other motivated peers
Specific Scholarships for Top-Performing Students
| Scholarship | Award Amount | Eligibility | Separate App? | Renewable? | Who Actually Wins? | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Presidential Scholarship | Covers tuition, room, board, and a book voucher (after federal/state aid) | Incoming students with ≥3.75 GPA and SAT ≥1240 or ACT ≥26 | No — awarded by admission review | Yes (must maintain strong GPA and progress toward degree) | The very top of the applicant pool, often those who also pursue the Honors Experience Program | March 24 (priority for all financial aid; earlier = better) |
Honors FAQs
Is there a separate Honors scholarship? No. There isn’t a named “Honors College Scholarship.” But Honors students are strong contenders for the university’s most competitive awards, like the Presidential Scholarship.
What other aid can Honors students stack? In addition to the Presidential Scholarship, high-achieving Honors students may qualify for Institutional Merit Scholarships, the STEM-Ex Scholarship (for STEM majors with need), and Florida programs like Bright Futures and EASE.
Does Honors add time to a degree? No. Honors classes and projects are designed to fit inside a regular four-year program.
When should I apply? The Honors Experience Program application opens each spring. Applying early maximizes your chance for selection and for top scholarship review. March 24 is the institutional priority deadline for all financial aid and scholarships.
B-CU Honors Experience — https://www.cookman.edu/academics/honors/
Presidential Scholarship — https://catalog.cookman.edu/content.php?catoid=47&navoid=2042
Priority Dates and Financial Aid — https://catalog.cookman.edu/content.php?catoid=47&navoid=2042
Merit/Award Summaries — https://hbculifestyle.com/bethune-cookman-university-merit-scholarship-program/
⭐ College Specialty
Bethune-Cookman is a private HBCU with deep roots in Florida’s educational history. While it’s not classified as an R1 research university, it has carved out strong reputations in fields that matter both locally and nationally. Parents should know that students here don’t just earn a degree—they join programs that are respected across the state and, in some cases, the country.
- Business (ACBSP-accredited): Recognized for teaching excellence and continuous improvement, aligning with employers in Florida’s business sector.
- Music (NASM-accredited): Nationally accredited program that trains performers and educators, with graduates moving on to advanced study and professional ensembles.
- Experiential Learning (QEP: RISE): A campus-wide initiative that emphasizes research, innovation, service, and experiential learning—helping students develop hands-on skills that employers notice.