Florida Atlantic University Scholarships (2026–2027)
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Last Updated on March 6, 2026- 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
📊 Admissions Snapshot
- Acceptance Rate: ~66%
- Middle 50% ACT: 22–27
- Middle 50% SAT: 1090–1280
- Middle 50% GPA (HS): 3.68–4.31
Source: Florida Atlantic University Office of Admissions (Summer/Fall 2024 profile). Middle 50% = the range where half of admitted students fall.
Comparing multiple schools? Try the Scholarship Tool to search by GPA, test scores, and state →
FAU at a Glance
Looking for the bigger Florida scholarship picture? This page focuses on one school, but the guide below explains how scholarships work across Florida public universities.
👉 Florida Public Universities Scholarships Guide
🚨 Top 5 Things Parents Miss at FAU
- January 15 is the “everything” date. FAU uses a complete file deadline for freshman merit consideration (application + SSAR + official ACT/SAT/CLT). Waiting until “regular decision” can quietly remove your student from scholarship consideration.
- FAU is not test-optional. ACT/SAT/CLT are required, and FAU superscores ACT and SAT. Plan test dates early enough to hit FAU’s “last scores considered” window.
- National Merit = a separate clock. For Florida residents, Benacquisto depends on National Merit Finalist status and listing FAU as first choice with NMSC by FAU’s stated date (and the NMSC college-choice reporting cycle is its own deadline system).
- Wilkes Honors College isn’t “just Honors.” It’s a different campus (Jupiter), and Honors scholarships can come with campus/location expectations. Make sure your student is choosing the campus they actually want to live on.
- Florida’s summer hours rule surprises families. Many SUS students must complete 9 summer credit hours before graduation unless waived. Budget for at least one summer term even if your student starts in fall.
Parent move: If your student is near a “full package” (Benacquisto, big merit, major outside scholarships), ask Financial Aid how FAU handles cost-of-attendance caps and adjustments before you accept outside awards.
FAQ
Is FAU test-optional for fall 2026?
No. FAU requires ACT, SAT, or CLT scores for admission. They superscore ACT and SAT for admission; scholarships consider scores received by deadlines.
What is the middle 50% ACT/SAT?
22–27 ACT / 1090–1280 SAT (Admissions Snapshot).
What’s the average net price?
$10,735 (NCES/IPEDS). Net price varies by family income; see our Net Price & SAI guide.
Does FAU offer reciprocity or OOS waivers?
Florida ACM applies to graduate programs only. FAU offers the SUS Grandparent Waiver for qualifying OOS students and the non-resident HOOT tuition credit.
https://www.fau.edu/admissions/freshman/scholarships/
https://www.fau.edu/finaid/types-of-aid/scholarships/
https://www.fau.edu/finaid/types-of-aid/scholarships/finaid-nms/
https://www.floridastudentfinancialaidsg.org/PDF/factsheets/FIS.pdf
https://www.fau.edu/admissions/national-merit-scholars/scholarships-and-tuition/
https://www.fau.edu/admissions/freshman/how-to-apply/admissions-requirements/
https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/colleges/florida-atlantic-university/admissions
https://www.fau.edu/iea/documents/pdf/cds/cds-2024-2025.pdf
💰 Cost of Attendance at Florida Atlantic University
📅 2026–2027 Planning Note: The costs below reflect the most recently published figures (2025–2026). Universities typically finalize the next year’s rates in the spring, and we’ll update this page once the university releases official 2026–2027 numbers.
Planning tip: At large public universities, tuition, fees, and housing usually increase modestly each year (often in the 2–5% range). For early budgeting, families may want to plan for roughly $1,000–$1,500 more in-state or $2,000–$3,000 more out-of-state in total direct costs once new rates are published.
| In-State | Out-of-State | |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition & Fees | $5,976 | $20,760 |
| Housing & Meals | $16,414 | $16,414 |
| Total | $22,390 | $37,174 |
Why only these two lines? We include the items you actually pay the university (direct/”billable” costs): Tuition & Fees and on-campus Housing & Meals. Other items (books, transportation, personal expenses) are real, but they’re estimates and paid to third parties. FAU’s 2026–2027 estimates for those are: Books/Supplies ≈ $1,288; Transportation ≈ $2,390–$3,170; Personal ≈ $5,020. You’ll see those in FAU’s full COA page.
Reciprocity & Regional Discounts: Florida participates in the Academic Common Market at the graduate level only (no undergrad ACM). Out-of-state freshmen may look at the SUS Grandparent Waiver or FAU nonresident tuition credits where applicable.
CSS Profile: Not required for standard undergraduate aid at FAU (file the FAFSA). If you’re comparing schools that do require CSS, here’s our walkthrough: CSS Profile Guide.
FAQ — Understanding FAU’s Cost of Attendance
Why does the table only include tuition and housing?
Because those are direct, billable costs that families actually pay to FAU. Other categories—like books, transportation, and personal expenses—are indirect costs that vary from student to student and are paid to outside vendors, not the university.
How much does the full “official” cost of attendance include?
FAU’s 2026–2027 official COA adds roughly $1,288 for books, $2,400–$3,100 for transportation, and about $5,000 for personal expenses. When combined, the full nine-month estimate is roughly $31,000 for in-state and $46,000 for out-of-state students before aid.
What’s the difference between sticker price and net price?
The sticker price is what FAU charges before any aid. The net price is what families actually paid after scholarships and grants—currently around $10,735 per year, per NCES data. It’s the better measure of real affordability.
Can out-of-state students qualify for tuition breaks?
Not through the Academic Common Market at the undergraduate level. However, some students may qualify for the Florida Grandparent Waiver or special nonresident tuition waivers awarded by FAU for academic merit or financial need.
Does FAU require the CSS Profile?
No. Only the FAFSA is required for need-based aid consideration. The CSS Profile is not part of FAU’s undergraduate financial aid process.
Are meal plans and housing required for freshmen?
Yes, first-year students living on campus must select from approved residence halls and meal plans. Costs vary by housing type and meal tier; the figures above reflect standard first-year averages.
Does FAU offer payment plans?
Yes. FAU provides term-based installment plans so families can spread tuition and housing payments across the semester. There’s a small setup fee, and you must enroll before the payment deadline each term.
Will tuition or housing go up next year?
It’s possible. Florida’s Board of Governors reviews fees annually, and housing and dining rates are subject to change. Always check FAU’s tuition and housing pages for the most current figures when budgeting.
https://www.fau.edu/finaid/other/cost-of-attendance/
https://www.flbog.edu/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Cost-of-Attendance-2025-26-For-Website.pdf
https://www.fau.edu/housing/rates/
https://www.fau.edu/housing/pdf/2025-2026-firstyear-rates.pdf
https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/colleges/florida-atlantic-university/tuition-and-costs
Your “win condition” is a complete file by Jan 15 + strong scores submitted by FAU’s last-score date. Treat scholarships as competitive, not guaranteed.
Confirm FAU as first-choice with NMSC by FAU’s stated date and keep FAU’s Jan 15 complete-file rule in mind so processing doesn’t get delayed.
Make sure your family is comfortable with the Jupiter campus experience (and campus-based scholarship terms) before chasing Honors money.
File FAFSA early (FAU priority is Jan 15) and prioritize cohort-style programs (like Kelly/Strul) that can change the entire bill.
✅ Automatic Merit Scholarships
Deadline: To ensure you are processed correctly for Benacquisto, submit a complete admission application (including SSAR and official test scores) by January 15.
⚖️ Stacking Reality at FAU (what parents should assume):
- Benacquisto is its own lane. If your student qualifies, it typically becomes the “primary” package because it’s built to cover full cost of attendance (not just tuition).
- Most institutional merit is “best one wins,” not additive. Families should expect FAU to apply the single strongest institutional award rather than stacking multiple FAU merit awards on top of each other.
- Outside scholarships can trigger adjustments. If total aid goes above your student’s Cost of Attendance, FAU may reduce certain university grants/scholarships to stay within COA limits.
- Parent move: If you’re near a full package (Benacquisto + Bright Futures + outside awards), email Financial Aid and ask: “If we add an outside scholarship, what changes first?”
This isn’t a “gotcha” — it’s how most universities manage over-awards. The win is simply knowing to ask before you accept/assign outside scholarships.
| Scholarship | Award Amount | Eligibility | Separate App? | Renewable? | Who Actually Wins? | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 (≈1% of seniors nationwide) | Jan 15 (admission app + scores) |
Automatic Merit FAQ
📌 Pro Tip: Florida “Recalculated GPA” can look different than your transcript GPA.
Florida public universities typically focus on core academic courses (English, math, science, social science, and world language) when reviewing academics. So your student’s “all-courses” GPA may be higher (or lower) than the GPA used in admission/scholarship reviews — especially if electives are boosting the transcript.
Parent move: If you’re unsure, compare your student’s core-course GPA to FAU’s middle-50% range — not just the overall transcript GPA.
Does FAU weight GPAs for this award?
Yes. FAU follows Florida’s standard recalculated weighted GPA for scholarship consideration, but for Benacquisto the determining factor is National Merit Finalist status rather than GPA bands.
Is superscoring used?
FAU superscores both the ACT and SAT for admission. For Benacquisto, your eligibility depends on achieving National Merit Finalist status via the PSAT, not ACT/SAT cutoffs.
How strict is the deadline?
Very strict. FAU requires a completed admission application — including the SSAR and official test scores — by January 15. Missing this date means you will not be certified for Benacquisto at FAU.
How do cutoffs work?
Unlike other schools’ automatic merit charts, there are no GPA/ACT/SAT thresholds here. The only cutoff is National Merit Finalist designation, which is set by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation.
https://www.fau.edu/admissions/freshman/scholarships/
https://www.fau.edu/finaid/types-of-aid/scholarships/finaid-nms/
https://www.fau.edu/admissions/national-merit-scholars/scholarships-and-tuition/
https://www.floridastudentfinancialaidsg.org/PDF/factsheets/FIS.pdf
https://scholarships360.org/scholarships/benacquisto-scholarship/
https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/scholarships/benaquisto-scholarship
https://www.fau.edu/admissions/freshman/how-to-apply/admissions-requirements/
https://www.fau.edu/admissions/freshman/how-to-apply/deadlines/
https://www.fau.edu/admissions/freshman/faq-freshmen/
https://www.fau.edu/finaid/resources/p/policies/
🏆 Flagship Scholarships (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? | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Fall: Jan 15 • Spring: Aug 15 (priority) / Oct 15 (final) |
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.
Flagship Scholarship FAQ
How many International President’s Scholarships are awarded?
FAU does not publish exact numbers, but notes that funding is limited. Even strong international applicants may not receive it if funds run out.
What’s the critical deadline?
For fall applicants, January 15 is the priority deadline. For spring international admits, the deadlines are August 15 (priority) and October 15 (final). Meeting these is essential since late files are not reviewed for competitive awards.
Who actually wins these awards?
Among international students, those with GPAs above 3.5, strong standardized test scores, and documented English proficiency are considered. Selection favors the very top tier of admitted applicants.
Can these awards stack with Benacquisto?
No. Benacquisto already covers the full cost of attendance for Florida resident National Merit Finalists. If you qualify, it replaces institutional merit awards. See our guide on National Merit Scholarships for more detail.
How can students improve their odds?
Since no extra application is required, your admission file has to stand out. Submitting a polished activities list or brag sheet to recommenders, and working from our Essay Toolkit if essays are required elsewhere, can help you present the strongest case overall.
https://www.fau.edu/finaid/types-of-aid/scholarships/finaid-nms/
https://www.floridastudentfinancialaidsg.org/PDF/factsheets/FIS.pdf
https://www.fau.edu/admissions/freshman/scholarships/
🎖️ Honors College (Wilkes — Jupiter)
FAU’s Harriet L. Wilkes Honors College offers its own competitive scholarships for first-year students on the Jupiter campus. These sit apart from Boca-based Admissions awards and have their own criteria and timelines.
📍 Parent Warning: Wilkes Honors College is on the Jupiter campus.
FAU can feel commuter-friendly in Boca, but Wilkes is a separate campus experience. Before your student chases Wilkes-specific scholarships, make sure your family is comfortable with the Jupiter location, housing expectations, and day-to-day lifestyle.
Simple check: “Are we choosing FAU… or choosing the Jupiter Honors campus?” That one question prevents a lot of surprise later.
| Scholarship | Award Amount | Eligibility | Separate App? | Renewable? | Who Actually Wins? | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Henry Morrison Flagler Scholarship | Up to $7,500/semester + 4 summer programs; total value >$72,000 over 4 yrs | FL resident; admitted to Wilkes HC; live on campus 4 yrs; leadership record | Yes — invite-only app + two interview rounds | Yes — 8 semesters with required participation | Very small cohort of top FL student leaders | Admitted to HC by mid-Feb; Flagler app due late Feb (varies by year) |
| Wilkes Honors College Scholarship (Resident: Tier 1) | $6,000/yr (total $24,000 over 4 yrs) | 4.00 GPA & 1410 SAT / 32 ACT / 101 CLT | No — automatic with HC admission | Yes — maintain ≥3.0 FAU institutional GPA | Top FL residents admitted to HC | Jan 15 (complete file) |
| Wilkes Honors College Scholarship (Resident: Tier 2) | $3,500/yr (total $14,000 over 4 yrs) | 3.90 GPA & 1340 SAT / 29 ACT / 96 CLT | No | Yes — maintain ≥3.0 GPA | Strong FL residents admitted to HC | Jan 15 |
| Wilkes Honors College Scholarship (Resident: Tier 3) | $3,000/yr (total $12,000 over 4 yrs) | 3.85 GPA & 1270 SAT / 27 ACT / 90 CLT | No | Yes — maintain ≥3.0 GPA | Solid FL residents admitted to HC | Jan 15 |
| Wilkes Honors / HOOT Scholarship (Non-Resident: Tier 1) | $10,000/yr (total $40,000 over 4 yrs) | 4.00 GPA & 1410 SAT / 32 ACT / 101 CLT | No | Yes — maintain ≥3.0 GPA | Top non-resident admits to HC | Jan 15 |
| Wilkes Honors / HOOT Scholarship (Non-Resident: Tier 2) | $8,000/yr (total $32,000 over 4 yrs) | 3.90 GPA & 1340 SAT / 29 ACT / 96 CLT | No | Yes — maintain ≥3.0 GPA | Strong non-resident admits to HC | Jan 15 |
| Wilkes Honors College Scholarship (Non-Resident: Tier 3) | $1,000/yr (total $4,000 over 4 yrs) | 3.85 GPA & 1270 SAT / 27 ACT / 90 CLT | No | Yes — maintain ≥3.0 GPA | Baseline tier for non-resident admits to HC | Jan 15 |
Honors College Scholarship FAQ
Where did Benacquisto (National Merit) go?
We list Benacquisto once in the Automatic section to avoid duplicate records. If you’re a Florida National Merit Finalist and list FAU as first choice by May 1, the state program covers full cost of attendance. See our guide: National Merit Scholarship.
What dates actually matter for Honors money?
January 15 — complete file for automatic Wilkes merit consideration. Mid-February — be admitted to HC to be eligible for a Flagler invitation. Late February — Flagler application due; interviews follow.
Are the Wilkes merit tiers guaranteed if I meet the GPA/test lines?
No. The tiers are published dollar amounts tied to competitive selection. Meeting a tier makes you competitive, not guaranteed; awards go to the strongest admitted applicants until funding is allocated.
Do Honors awards stack with main-campus FAU merit?
Plan for the single highest institutional award to apply. Benacquisto (if eligible) replaces institutional awards entirely.
https://www.fau.edu/honors/future-students/financial-flagler/
https://www.fau.edu/honors/future-students/academic-scholarships/
https://www.fau.edu/honors/future-students/scholars-day/
https://www.fau.edu/honors/current-students/financial-aid-scholarships/
https://www.fau.edu/honors/documents/honorscollegescholarshippolicy102020.pdf
https://www.fau.edu/admissions/freshman/scholarships/
⭐ College Specialty
Florida Atlantic University has a very “South Florida” set of strengths — programs built around real hiring pipelines (healthcare, engineering/tech) and real geography (coastal/marine research). If your student wants a school that’s big enough to offer serious labs and clinical placements, but still feels more affordable and accessible than Florida’s most selective flagships, FAU’s best-known pockets are where families tend to get the most value.
Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute (Marine Science, Aquaculture & Ocean Engineering access) — Harbor Branch is widely known for hands-on marine research, aquaculture innovation, ocean engineering, and ocean/eco-health work. The big parent win: this is one of the few Florida options where undergrads can realistically plug into “real ocean science” facilities and projects (not just classroom marine biology).
- Nursing (Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing): A standout on campus with strong licensure outcomes and clinical opportunities tied to South Florida’s hospital systems. If your student wants a direct-to-career major, this is one of FAU’s most dependable pathways.
- Engineering + Tech (AI, Cybersecurity, Data Science): FAU’s engineering and computer science programs emphasize applied, “job-ready” areas like artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and biomedical engineering. The practical upside is access to research labs and specializations that match what employers are hiring for right now.
- Marine Science / Ocean Engineering (Coastal, lagoon, and aquaculture focus): Beyond Harbor Branch itself, FAU’s coastal location and ocean engineering emphasis make it a legit option for students interested in marine ecosystems, aquaculture/food systems, robotics, and environmental tech.
- Neuroscience + Biomedical Research (Brain Institute ecosystem): FAU has a visible neuroscience and brain-research footprint through its Brain Institute network — a good signal for students who want research exposure tied to health, behavior, aging, and brain-related disease topics.
🔗 Official Florida Atlantic University Links
Use FAU’s official university resources below to verify admissions details, scholarship policies, costs, and academic programs. Always rely on these pages for final deadlines and award terms.
-
Undergraduate Admissions:
https://www.fau.edu/about/admissions/ -
Freshman Admissions & Scholarships (Deadlines/Details):
https://www.fau.edu/admissions/freshman/scholarships/ -
Institutional Scholarships & Financial Aid:
https://www.fau.edu/finaid/types-of-aid/scholarships/ -
Tuition, Fees & Cost of Attendance:
https://www.fau.edu/finaid/other/cost-of-attendance/ -
Net Price Calculator (Estimate Your Cost):
https://tcc.ruffalonl.com/Florida%20Atlantic%20University/Freshman-Students -
Common Data Set (Admissions/Enrollment Stats):
https://www.fau.edu/iea/documents/pdf/cds/cds-2024-2025.pdf