Florida A&M 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
Florida A&M University (FAMU) is one of the nation’s leading public HBCUs, known for opening doors of opportunity and producing graduates who lead across industries. For parents navigating the costs, the good news is that FAMU offers a mix of competitive full-ride scholarships, ROTC awards, and special waivers that can make a big difference. This guide walks through what families really need to know—step by step—so you can compare options alongside our Florida state aid guide and the full College Scholarships Hub.
💰 Cost of Attendance at Florida A&M University
| Expense | In-State | Out-of-State |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition & Fees (15 credits) | $5,697 | $17,585–$17,885 |
| Housing & Meals | $13,152 | $13,152 |
| Books, Travel & Personal | $5,000 | $5,000 |
| Total (before aid) | $25,921 | $36,985 |
Out-of-State Waivers & Reciprocity: FAMU offers several ways for non-Florida students to cut costs:
- Grandparent Waiver: If your student has a Florida-resident grandparent, they may qualify to pay the in-state rate (saving about $12,000 a year). Application required; limited slots.
- Veterans & Active Duty Waiver: Qualifying service members and veterans living in Florida can have out-of-state fees waived.
- Internal Out-of-State Fee Waiver: Priority given to strong academic performers (3.3+ GPA, Pell-eligible). Application required.
- Academic Common Market (ACM): Florida participates in the ACM program, allowing students in certain majors to pay in-state rates if their home state doesn’t offer the program. Check if your student’s major qualifies.
Who qualifies? It depends—grandparent ties, military status, or residency/major through the ACM program.
How much can it save? The biggest waivers cut out-of-state tuition down to the in-state level, worth roughly $12,000 per year.
Apply or automatic? Most waivers require a separate application and documentation. They’re not automatic with admission.
✅ Automatic Merit Scholarships
As of 2025–2026, FAMU does not publish an admission-based GPA/test grid with guaranteed (automatic) freshman awards. Most major university scholarships (e.g., Life-Gets-Better, Distinguished Scholars, George W. Gore, Presidential Special) are competitive with extra steps and limited slots.
| Scholarship | Award Amount | Eligibility (Plain English) | Separate App? | Renewable? | Who Actually Wins? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| — | — | No public automatic (guaranteed) freshman merit published by FAMU for 2025–2026. | — | — | Competitive programs instead; see next section. |
Note: FAMU’s freshman page confirms standardized test scores are required (SAT/ACT/CLT). No automatic-merit grid is posted; major awards are selective. Source: Freshman Admissions (deadlines/testing). Official page.
National Merit: Florida’s state-funded Benacquisto program supports eligible Florida-resident National Merit Scholars who enroll at Florida public universities (like FAMU). See our National Merit guide for how it works and current state rules.
Deadlines that can affect merit consideration
- Early Action: Nov 1 (materials by Nov 14)
- Regular Decision: Feb 1 (materials by Feb 14)
- Final/Rolling: May 1
Source: FAMU Freshman Admissions.
FAQ
Is FAMU test-optional? No. FAMU requires official SAT, ACT, or CLT scores for freshman admission. Source: Freshman Admissions.
Do they superscore? FAMU’s official freshman page does not state a superscoring policy. Plan for no superscore and send all official scores; we’ll update if FAMU publishes superscore guidance. Source: Freshman Admissions.
Can automatic awards stack with waivers like the Grandparent Waiver? FAMU doesn’t publish a universal stacking grid for admission-based awards. Stacking depends on the specific scholarship/waiver terms in the award letter. Sources: Scholarship Offerings; Freshman Admissions.
If FAMU posts any new admission-based (automatic) tiers during this cycle, we’ll add the full grid here with GPA/test bands and renewal rules.
🏆 Competitive Scholarships
Florida A&M University’s biggest awards aren’t automatic — they’re highly selective. These scholarships typically require separate applications, essays, and sometimes interviews. Only a small number of students receive them each year, and winners often have standout academic records plus strong leadership or service profiles.
| Scholarship | Award Amount | Eligibility | Separate App? | Renewable? | Who Actually Wins? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Life-Gets-Better Scholarship | Full university scholarship (tuition, fees, housing, meals) | U.S. high school graduates with top GPA/test scores and leadership | Yes | Yes (meet GPA/SAP standards) | *Estimate*: ACT ~32+, SAT ~1400+, 4.0+ GPA plus major leadership/service |
| Distinguished Scholars Award (DSA) | Full university scholarship (tuition, fees, housing, meals) | High-achieving U.S. high school graduates | Yes | Yes | *Estimate*: ACT ~33, SAT ~1460, GPA 4.3+ (per past profiles) |
| George W. Gore Scholarship | Full tuition or near-full tuition (exact coverage varies) | U.S. high school graduates with strong academics | Yes | Yes | *Estimate*: ACT ~32, SAT ~1380, GPA ~4.0 (per prior awardees) |
| Presidential Special Scholarship (PSS) | Substantial tuition scholarship (not listed as full ride) | Competitive first-year applicants with solid academics | Yes | Yes | *Estimate*: ACT ~27+, SAT ~1260+, GPA ~3.9 |
| Adopted High School Scholarship | Full university scholarship (for select partner high schools) | Students graduating from designated “Adopted” high schools | Yes | Yes | Students from Adopted partner schools with top GPA/test and leadership |
*GPA and test score ranges are estimates based on past recipient profiles. Exact cutoffs can change each year depending on the applicant pool and funding.
Why are these scholarships competitive?
They require essays, recommendations, or interviews, and the university awards only a limited number to top applicants.
Are they worth applying for?
Yes. Full-ride scholarships like Life-Gets-Better or DSA can cover tuition, fees, housing, and meals — a potential savings of $25,000+ per year.
What’s the biggest difference from automatic merit?
Automatic awards (at other universities) are guaranteed with certain GPAs or test scores. At FAMU, these awards are competitive — meaning even strong students must apply and be selected.
How can students increase their chances?
Submit all materials early, maintain high test scores and GPA, highlight leadership/service, and prepare for interviews with authentic, confident answers.
⭐ College Specialty
Florida A&M University isn’t just a proud HBCU tradition — it’s a nationally respected institution with programs that carry real weight across Florida and beyond. Families often know FAMU for its band and campus spirit, but the academic reputation here is equally strong, especially in fields tied to science, business, and communications.
- FAMU–FSU College of Engineering: Jointly operated with Florida State, offering accredited programs across multiple disciplines with shared labs and research centers.
- School of Journalism & Graphic Communication: The first journalism program at an HBCU to earn ACEJMC accreditation; reaccredited in 2025, with a strong pipeline into media and public relations.
- School of Business & Industry (SBI): Known statewide for its professional leadership development model and strong corporate partnerships that feed internships and career pipelines.
- College of Law (Orlando campus): One of the few HBCU law schools in the nation, serving as a statewide access point to the legal profession.
🎖️ Honors College
At Florida A&M, the University Honors Program is designed for high-achieving students who want smaller classes, faculty mentorship, and a supportive academic community. It’s not automatic — students must apply or be invited — but the program provides a more personalized college experience for those ready to take on the challenge.
GPA near the top of their class (often 3.8+), competitive SAT/ACT scores*, rigorous high school coursework, and evidence of leadership or service. *Exact score ranges vary by year; use past profiles as a guide.
- Priority class registration and advising
- Honors housing and close-knit learning community
- Special seminars, research opportunities, and faculty mentorship
- Support for fellowships, graduate school prep, and leadership development
Is admission automatic?
No. Students must apply or be invited, and acceptance depends on GPA, test scores, and application essays.
Does Honors add time to the degree?
No. The program is structured to enrich a student’s academic path without extending graduation timelines.
What deadlines should families watch?
Students should apply to FAMU by early fall (often October 15) to be considered for top scholarships and submit Honors materials soon after.
Does Honors come with extra scholarships?
While many top FAMU scholarship recipients also participate in Honors, the program itself does not publish separate award amounts. Aid is typically tied to competitive scholarships like Life-Gets-Better or Distinguished Scholars.
📎 Official Links
Final Thoughts
Navigating scholarships at Florida A&M University can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to do it alone. Whether your student is aiming for a competitive full-ride, planning to join ROTC, or simply hoping to close a financial gap with first-generation aid, there’s a clear path forward here. Use this guide as your roadmap, pair it with our Florida state aid page, and know that every dollar earned is one less worry down the road.
✅ Last updated: September 18, 2025