Florida International University Scholarships & Aid Guide

Florida International University Scholarships (2025–2026)

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What This Page Covers:
  • Tuition, housing, and what families actually pay on average
  • Automatic merit ranges and who typically qualifies
  • Competitive and hidden-gem scholarships worth exploring
  • Honors perks and how to stack awards strategically

📊 Admissions Snapshot

  • Acceptance Rate: ~55%
  • Middle 50% ACT: 21–27
  • Middle 50% SAT: 1070–1250
  • Middle 50% GPA (Weighted): 4.10–4.70

Source: FIU Admissions FAQ, Common Data Set, and BigFuture. Ranges reflect middle 50% of admitted freshmen for Fall and Summer entry. (Refs: admissions.fiu.edu, BigFuture, Testbook, FIU CDS 2024–25.)

Comparing multiple schools? Try the Scholarship Tool to search by GPA, test scores, and state →

📌

FIU at a Glance

🏆 Full-Ride Opportunity: National Merit Finalists receive a package covering tuition, fees, housing, and meal plan (varies by residency and stacking). See flagship/competitive →
Average Net Price
$10,742
What families actually paid on average
Automatic Merit (OOS)
~$1,000–$6,000 / yr
Gold & Blue awards; admission-based
Typical Qualifiers
GPA 4.1–4.7 (weighted) • ACT 21–27 / SAT 1070–1250*
Based on recent admitted and recipient data*
Superscore Policy
ACT: Yes • SAT: Not stated
Test scores required for admission & scholarships
Key Deadlines
Scholarship priority: Nov 3 (FL) / Dec 17 (Non-FL)
For Gold & Blue consideration (Fall 2026 admission)
Honors College
Yes • Competitive • Separate application
Perks: priority registration, research, advising
Full-Tuition / Full-Ride
Automatic: No • Competitive: Yes
Includes National Merit & Presidential/Ambassador awards
Residency & Waivers
ACM (UG): No • WUE/MSEP: N/A
Florida participates in ACM at grad level only
* GPA/test ranges are approximate, based on award text + recipient data + student profile stats. Actual thresholds can shift with funding and applicant pool.
Sources: FIU Admissions FAQ & CDS 2024–25; BigFuture; Data USA; FIU Merit Scholarships; Testbook.

FAQ

Is FIU test-optional?
No. Florida SUS schools require an SAT, ACT, or CLT for admission. FIU uses scores for both admission and scholarships. (FIU Admissions FAQ)

What are FIU’s middle 50% scores?
ACT 21–27 and SAT 1070–1250 for most entering freshmen. Higher ranges apply for Fall Direct admits. (FIU Admissions FAQ, BigFuture)

What’s FIU’s average net price?
About $10,742 per year (Data USA & BigFuture). Actual net price varies by family income. (NCES/DataUSA)

Does FIU offer full-tuition or full-ride scholarships?
Yes — competitively. National Merit Finalists can receive packages covering tuition, fees, housing, and meals. Other top-tier options include Presidential and Ambassador awards. See flagship →

Does FIU participate in tuition reciprocity?
No undergraduate reciprocity. Florida is in the Academic Common Market at the graduate level only. (SREB notices)

Sources:
https://admissions.fiu.edu/cost-and-aid/scholarships/
https://scholarships.fiu.edu/browse-scholarships/merit-scholarships/
https://scholarships.fiu.edu/
https://admissions.fiu.edu/cost-and-aid/national-merit/
https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/colleges/florida-international-university/admissions
https://aim.fiu.edu/cds/CDS2024.pdf
https://onestop.fiu.edu/finances/estimate-your-costs/
https://regulations.fiu.edu/FIU-1101-2025-08-05.pdf

💰 Cost of Attendance at Florida International University (2025–2026)

📊 These are the estimated costs before any aid for full-time undergraduates living on campus.
Expense In-State Out-of-State
Tuition & Fees ≈ $6,170 ≈ $18,570
Housing & Meals ≈ $13,080 ≈ $13,080
Total ≈ $19,250 ≈ $31,650
Why only these two lines? We show the core, direct-billed charges you actually pay to the university. Other expenses are real but not billed by FIU, so they’re not in the total above. Typical planning amounts:
  • Books & Supplies: ≈ $1,350
  • Transportation & Personal: ≈ $5,160

Want your true out-of-pocket? Read our plain-English Net Price & SAI guide.
CSS Profile: FIU does not require CSS Profile for undergraduate aid (FAFSA only). If you’re applying to other CSS schools, see our CSS Profile Guide.

📉 Federal Average Net Price: ≈ $10,742 (varies by family income). Use FIU’s Net Price Calculator for a personalized estimate.

FAQ — Understanding FIU’s Cost of Attendance

Why does this table only include tuition and housing?
Because these are the direct, billed charges families pay to FIU. Other items like books, transportation, and personal expenses vary by student and aren’t billed by the university, so they’re not included in the table.

How accurate are these estimates?
They reflect the 2025–26 official rates published by the Florida Board of Governors and FIU’s OneStop office. Costs can vary slightly depending on housing type, meal plan, or number of credits taken.

What’s the difference between total cost and net price?
The total cost (≈ $19K in-state / $31K out-of-state) shows what’s charged before aid. The net price is what families actually pay after grants and scholarships. FIU’s average net price is about $10,742 per year.

Are books, travel, and personal costs really that high?
FIU estimates around $6,500 combined for those expenses—but they’re flexible. Students living close to campus or commuting can spend far less; out-of-state students traveling home often spend more.

Does FIU offer payment plans?
Yes. FIU allows families to split tuition and housing charges into multiple payments throughout the term. Plans can be set up through the OneStop Student Center before each semester’s deadline.

Can out-of-state students reduce their tuition?
Possibly. While Florida doesn’t participate in ACM/WUE for undergraduates, FIU offers several nonresident tuition waivers tied to academic merit or National Merit status. Some can bring OOS tuition close to in-state levels.

Does FIU require the CSS Profile?
No. FIU only requires the FAFSA for financial aid and scholarships. The CSS Profile is not used for need-based aid at FIU.

Will tuition increase next year?
Florida’s public universities are subject to annual state approval for tuition and fees. While changes are generally modest, families should recheck FIU’s tuition and housing pages each summer for the newest rates.

What if my student lives off campus?
The “Housing & Meals” line changes based on living arrangement. Commuters typically spend less than the on-campus estimate, though total costs can vary depending on rent, transportation, and meal choices.

🌎 Reciprocity & OOS Waivers: Florida does not offer undergrad ACM/WUE/MSEP reciprocity for FIU. However, FIU offers competitive out-of-state tuition waiver pathways (e.g., Ambassador Merit, National Merit). See the scholarship sections for details.
Sources:
https://onestop.fiu.edu/finances/estimate-your-costs/
https://www.flbog.edu/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Cost-of-Attendance-2025-26-For-Website.pdf
https://housing.fiu.edu/rates-payments/rental-rates/
https://admissions.fiu.edu/cost-and-aid/
https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/fiu-9635/paying
https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/colleges/florida-international-university/tuition-and-costs

✅ Automatic Merit Scholarships

FIU considers admitted students automatically for select merit awards. Policy note: FIU does superscore SAT/ACT for admission and scholarship review (ACT superscore excludes the Science section beginning with 2025–26). Earlier admission improves odds as awards depend on funding and space.
Scholarship Award Amount (per year) Eligibility (GPA/Test) Separate App? Renewable? Who Actually Wins? Deadline
Gold & Blue (Florida Residents) $1,000–$12,000 FIU weighted GPA (recalculated) + test scores (SAT/ACT superscored). Awards vary within range. No — automatic with admission review Yes — typically up to 8 semesters (see renewal terms) In-state admits with top academics/rigor submitted by priority dates; cannot stack with other FIU merit. Priority: ~Nov 3 (Florida residents)
Gold & Blue (Non-Florida Residents) $4,000–$24,000 FIU weighted GPA (recalculated) + test scores (SAT/ACT superscored). Awards vary within range. No — automatic with admission review Yes — typically up to 8 semesters (see renewal terms) Strong OOS admits; higher academics/rigor land the higher end; cannot stack with other FIU merit. Priority: ~Dec 17 (Non-FL residents)

Note: Amounts are published as ranges and depend on residency, GPA/test profile (superscored), funding, and timing. Renewal generally requires 30 FIU credits per year and a 3.0 FIU GPA. Gold & Blue awards typically do not stack with other FIU merit awards.

FAQ — Automatic Merit at FIU

Do these scholarships have firm cutoffs?
Not fixed cutoffs. FIU posts ranges (e.g., $1k–$12k in-state; $4k–$24k OOS). Awards scale with your FIU-recalculated weighted GPA, superscored SAT/ACT, rigor, and when you apply.

Which GPA does FIU use?
FIU uses its own weighted, recalculated GPA for admission and scholarship review.

Does FIU superscore?
Yes. FIU superscores SAT/ACT for admission and scholarship review. For ACT, the 2025–26 superscore uses only English, Math, and Reading (Science is excluded).

When are the automatic merit deadlines?
Priority dates are typically ~Nov 3 for Florida residents and ~Dec 17 for non-residents. Submit scores and materials by the earlier of admission/scholarship dates.

Can Gold & Blue stack with other FIU merit?
Generally no — Gold & Blue do not stack with other FIU merit programs.

What are the renewal requirements?
Plan on maintaining about 30 credits per year and a 3.0 FIU GPA to keep most FIU merit awards.

Sources:
https://scholarships.fiu.edu/browse-scholarships/merit-scholarships/
https://scholarships.fiu.edu/browse-scholarships/merit-scholarships/policies-renewal/
https://admissions.fiu.edu/cost-and-aid/scholarships/

🏆 Flagship Scholarships (Competitive Scholarships)

These scholarships require a separate application or extra materials (essays, interviews, or nominations). Awards are limited and highly competitive.
Scholarship Award / Coverage Eligibility & Criteria Separate App? Renewable? Who Usually Wins? Deadline
Presidential Merit Scholarship FL: full tuition & fees + book stipend
OOS: large tuition reduction		 Top GPA/test scores (superscored). FIU recalculated weighted GPA. ✅ ✅ Very top admits; strongest academics, early applicants. Dec 3 2025
(some sources Dec 1)
Ambassador Merit Scholarship Partial tuition support (varies by cohort) Honors College + leadership/service + academics ✅ ✅ Honors admits with leadership & involvement Dec 4 2025
National Merit Finalist (FIU) FL: Benaquisto (full COA minus Bright Futures)
OOS: tuition + fees + housing & meals + stipend		 Must be NMSC Finalist, designate FIU #1, meet FIU deadline ✅ ✅ National Merit Finalists selecting FIU Mar 4 2026
(FIU #1 by May 1)
Scholarship Deadlines / Priority Dates:
  • Presidential Merit: Dec 3, 2025 (some sources list Dec 1)
  • Ambassador Merit: Dec 4, 2025 (per Scholarships.com)
  • National Merit (via FIU): FIU admission must be complete by March 4, 2026, and FIU must be designated #1 by May 1, 2026

⚠️ These deadlines and amounts are current best approximations—always confirm via FIU’s official Scholarship & Honors pages. See also our National Merit Scholarship guide. FIU is not currently listed as a Stamps partner. (Stamps Scholarship info)

FAQ — Flagship Scholarships at FIU (2025 – 26)

Are there fixed award amounts?
No — FIU publishes ranges (e.g. Presidential and Ambassador vary). Your actual award depends on your academic profile, residency, and when you apply.

Which deadline matters most?
For Presidential and Ambassador, the competitive deadlines align roughly with the non-resident merit deadline (Dec 3) or slightly after. For National Merit, the admission must be complete by March 4, 2026.

How many awards are given?
FIU does not publicly list fixed counts for Presidential or Ambassador awards. They are limited and depend on budget and applicant pool.

When is Gold & Blue considered relative to these?
Gold & Blue automatic merit is considered first (by Nov 3 for FL, Dec 17 for non-FL). Those who meet it and then also apply for competitive awards may be upgraded depending on merit.

Sources:
https://admissions.fiu.edu/cost-and-aid/scholarships/
https://scholarships.fiu.edu/browse-scholarships/merit-scholarships/
https://admissions.fiu.edu/cost-and-aid/national-merit/
https://scholarships.com/scholarships/florida-international-university-presidential-scholarship
https://scholarships.com/scholarships/florida-international-university-ambassador-scholarship
https://www.scholarshipsads.com/usa-florida-international-university-merit-scholarships-2026

Hidden Gem Scholarships at FIU

These awards are easy to overlook but can meaningfully lower what you pay the university. Most require FAFSA on time and simple, targeted actions.
Scholarship Award Amount Eligibility Separate App? Renewable? Who Actually Wins? Deadline
First Generation Scholarship (State-Matched) Varies (need-based; state match) FL resident; first-gen bachelor’s; US citizen/eligible non-citizen; demonstrate financial need; ≥6 credits/term. via FIU Scholarship Search meet need /enrollment First-gen Floridians who file FAFSA on time and enroll at least half-time. FAFSA priority Mar 1; portal cycles Jan–Mar*
FIU’s Golden Promise 100% tuition & fees (up to 30 credits/yr; 120 credits) FL resident; FAFSA Student Aid Index (SAI) ≤ 0; meet enrollment & progress terms. FAFSA only yes Pell-eligible FL students with SAI ≤ 0 who file early and take full loads. FAFSA priority Mar 1
FIU Opportunity Grant Varies (institutional need-based) Meet FIU FAFSA priority; demonstrate financial need; full-time (exceptions last term). FAFSA only depends (aid review) Students with documented need who hit the Mar 1 priority. FAFSA priority Mar 1
Wertheim FIU Marching Band Scholarship $1,500 per Fall semester (full-time FIU members) Enrolled at FIU; participate in marching band; meet ensemble requirements. via Band; ensemble per-term Band members (all majors) who commit to the Fall season. No fixed date; apply before Fall band camp
Dependent Tuition Waiver (FIU employees’ dependents) In-state tuition & most fees waived, up to 10 credits/term Qualifying dependent of eligible FIU employee; term-by-term approval. waiver form term-based Children of FIU staff/faculty who submit on time each term. Per term (submit before tuition due date)
Disclaimers: (1) “Varies” amounts (First-Gen, Opportunity) are need-based and depend on funding—FIU does not publish fixed dollar values per student. (2) Golden Promise covers tuition/fees (not housing/meals) and requires SAI ≤ 0 and satisfactory progress. (3) Band scholarship is awarded in the Fall term for participating members.
Other opportunities to check (amounts vary by year):
  • Departmental & College-specific scholarships (apply in the FIU Scholarship Search portal; most open Jan–Mar).
  • Veteran & Military Student scholarships (e.g., George & Bernice Cooke Scholarship) — see FIU Veterans hub.
  • Study Abroad/Global Learning awards (Gilman + FIU program funds; typically applied after matriculation).
  • FIU Alumni Association scholarships (includes a $1,000 Legacy Scholarship; competitive, limited awards each year).

FAQ — Hidden Gems at FIU

What’s the actual deadline for First-Gen & Opportunity?
Both hinge on FAFSA timing. File by FIU’s March 1 priority to be in the first funding round; most FIU Scholarship Search listings for first-gen also open in Jan–Mar.

Does Golden Promise really cover everything?
It covers tuition and mandatory fees up to 30 credits/year (max 120) for FL residents with SAI ≤ 0. It does not cover housing/meals. File FAFSA by Mar 1 for priority.

How do you actually get the Marching Band award?
Be enrolled at FIU and participate in the Wertheim FIU Marching Band in the Fall; full-time members receive $1,500 for the semester. Apply/coordinate before Fall band camp.

Is the Dependent Tuition Waiver automatic?
No — it’s a term-by-term waiver up to 10 credits/term covering in-state tuition and most fees for eligible dependents of FIU employees; submit before tuition due.

Where should we actually apply?
Through the FIU Scholarship Search portal (AcademicWorks) once admitted; most opportunities post in spring.

Make applications easier: Brag Sheet Builder • Reference Request Kit • Essay Toolkit
If your student is in the National Merit pipeline, see our National Merit guide.
Sources:
https://firstgen.fiu.edu/scholarship-program/scholarship-criteria/
https://firstgen.fiu.edu/
https://onestop.fiu.edu/finances/types-of-aid/fius-golden-promise/
https://scholarships.fiu.edu/browse-scholarships/
http://bands.fiu.edu/scholarship-opportunities/
https://hr.fiu.edu/employees-affiliates/benefits/

🎖 FIU Honors College Scholarships

FIU’s Honors College has its own scholarships and feeder-program opportunities. Some are for incoming transfers (especially from Miami-Dade and Broward College), while others reward current Honors students in specific majors or programs.
Scholarship Award Amount Eligibility Separate App? Renewable? Who Actually Wins? Deadline
Presidential Honors Scholarship Full in-state tuition & fees Transfer from select FL community colleges; ≥3.5 GPA; letter from CC president. Yes Yes Top community-college grads endorsed by their president. FIU portal (Jan–Mar cycle)
FIU / Community College Honors Scholarship $1,000/semester
(up to 4 semesters)		 Honors College transfer from MDC or BCC; maintain 3.3 GPA. Yes Yes MDC/BCC Honors transfers who remain active and meet GPA. FIU Honors portal (Jan–Mar)
Other Honors Awards (via FIU Scholarship Search):
  • Vidal-Duart Scholarship: Business or engineering Honors students with financial need.
  • Dean’s Advisory Board Scholarship: Academic performance + financial need, for current Honors students.
  • Honors Study Abroad Scholarships: Need-based support for Honors students participating in approved study abroad.

FAQ — FIU Honors College Scholarships

Do freshmen qualify for these Honors scholarships?
No. The listed table awards are designed for transfers from Miami-Dade, Broward, or select Florida community colleges. Freshmen from high school are instead considered for FIU’s general automatic and flagship merit.

What GPA is required to renew?
The Presidential Honors expects a 3.5+ GPA, while the Community College Honors scholarship requires a 3.3 GPA minimum. Dropping below these may cancel renewal.

When are the application windows?
Most Honors awards are posted in the FIU Scholarship Search portal during the January–March cycle. Filing FAFSA by March 1 is strongly recommended to ensure eligibility.

How competitive are Vidal-Duart or Dean’s Advisory awards?
Very. They are offered to a limited number of students each cycle, often fewer than a dozen, and focus on high academic achievement plus financial need within Honors majors.

Do Honors awards stack with other scholarships?
Usually yes. They can be combined with Pell, state aid, and departmental awards, but typically cannot stack with FIU’s top flagship merit awards (Presidential Merit, Ambassador).

Where can I ask specific questions?
Honors students can email hcscholarships@fiu.edu or browse the FIU Scholarship Search portal for current listings and deadlines.

Sources:
https://honors.fiu.edu/college-transfer-scholarships/
https://fiu.academicworks.com/
https://honors.fiu.edu/honors-college-scholarships/
https://honors.fiu.edu/studyabroad/scholarships-funding/
https://news.fiu.edu/2022/cdr-maguire-inc.-ceo-and-cdr-health-care-inc.-ceo,-both-alumni,-give-1.2-million-to-fiu-for-scholarships
https://honors.fiu.edu/deans-advisory-board-scholarship/

⭐ College Specialty

Florida International University (FIU) is Miami’s public research hub, recognized nationally for its student diversity and commitment to hands-on, career-ready learning. Beyond being one of the country’s top producers of minority graduates, FIU has carved out niches in business, hospitality, public health, and international relations—areas that directly connect with Miami’s global economy.

Hospitality & Tourism Management — consistently ranked Top 10 in the nation (Source: QS World Rankings 2024)

Why it matters: Miami’s tourism industry provides students with direct pipelines to global hotel brands, cruise lines, and event management careers.

  • International Business — ranked #2 in the nation by U.S. News (2025)
  • Law School (Trial Advocacy) — nationally ranked specialty
  • Public Health — highly regarded in Florida, strong NIH research funding
  • Engineering — particularly civil and biomedical engineering with regional recognition
  • Architecture — among the top programs in Florida with strong Latin American design focus

Florida International University proves you don’t need to chase private colleges to find big opportunities. Between automatic merit, competitive awards, and Honors College perks, families can actually plan ahead—without guessing at the real numbers. If your student is looking for strong programs and a chance to stand out, FIU is worth a serious look.

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