Long Island University Scholarships (2026–2027)

Why are in-state and out-of-state costs the same at LIU?
LIU is a private university, so it publishes one tuition-and-fees amount for undergraduates rather than charging different rates based on residency.

What’s the difference between “billed costs” and the full cost of attendance?
Billed costs are what you typically pay directly to LIU (tuition/fees + housing/meals). The full cost of attendance adds indirect estimates like books, transportation, and personal/educational costs that affect financial aid eligibility but aren’t usually billed by the school.

Can students lower costs by commuting instead of living on campus?
Often, yes. Housing and meals are one of the largest parts of the budget. Commuting can reduce the billed total, but families should still plan for transportation and daily living expenses.

Do New York state grants like TAP stack with LIU scholarships?
In many cases, yes — state aid (for eligible NY residents) can stack with institutional scholarships and grants. The exact combination depends on eligibility, enrollment status, and the student’s full aid package.

Does LIU participate in WUE, MSEP, ACM, or other reciprocity programs?
Generally no — those programs mainly apply to public universities with residency-based tuition. At LIU, savings usually come from LIU merit/need-based aid instead of regional tuition exchanges.

How should families use the $22,620 “average net price” number?
Treat it as a starting point. Students with strong merit awards or high financial need can pay less than the average, while students who receive little aid (or choose higher-cost housing/meal plans) may pay more.

Do I need a separate scholarship application for these awards?
No. LIU’s policy pages state that scholarships and grants are usually awarded as part of the admissions and financial-aid process.

Is the FAFSA required for merit scholarships?
FAFSA filing is strongly encouraged. While some merit aid can be awarded without it, LIU uses FAFSA information to package grants and determine the full financial-aid offer.

What do I have to do to keep an LIU scholarship?
Most automatic awards require full-time enrollment (commonly 12 credits per term) and about a 3.0 cumulative GPA for renewal.

Does LIU publish a GPA-by-dollar scholarship chart?
No. LIU lists scholarship names and renewal rules publicly, but specific award amounts are communicated directly in the student’s offer letter.

My student has about a 3.0 GPA and no test scores — what’s realistic at LIU?
Long Island University is test-optional and does not publish fixed GPA or test-score cutoffs for merit scholarships. Students around a 3.0 GPA are often still considered for institutional scholarships, but award amounts vary and are communicated directly in the admission offer letter. Filing the FAFSA is especially important, since LIU packages merit-based and need-based aid together when building financial aid offers.

What happens if my student’s GPA drops below 3.0 after the first year?
Most LIU institutional scholarships require a 3.0 cumulative GPA and full-time enrollment for renewal. If a student falls below that threshold, scholarships may be reduced or discontinued. Families should contact the financial aid office as soon as possible—academic support resources and appeal options may be available, but renewal is not automatic once eligibility is lost.

Does LIU offer a general full-ride or flagship scholarship for all applicants?
No. LIU does not publish a campuswide flagship or honors-style full-ride scholarship that students can apply for separately. Most institutional aid is awarded automatically through the admissions process.

Why is the FBLA Presidential Scholarship listed as a flagship award?
Although it is limited to FBLA members, this scholarship functions like a flagship award because it can cover roughly full tuition and is competitively awarded through a national selection process.

Can this scholarship stack with LIU’s automatic merit aid?
In many cases, large external or partner scholarships replace some institutional aid rather than stack fully. Students should confirm stacking rules directly with LIU Financial Aid after receiving an offer.

If I’m not in FBLA, are there other competitive scholarships?
Not at the institutional level. Students outside FBLA should focus on LIU’s automatic merit awards and the many departmental and endowed scholarships listed in the Hidden Gems section.

Are these scholarships automatic?
No. Most hidden gem awards require additional steps such as auditions, departmental nominations, or advisor recommendations.

When should students ask about departmental scholarships?
Ideally during the first year. Many awards target continuing students and upperclassmen, so building relationships early matters.

Can hidden gem scholarships stack with LIU’s automatic merit aid?
Often yes, but stacking rules vary. Some endowed awards may replace part of institutional aid rather than add on top.

Do these scholarships have GPA requirements?
Yes. Most require satisfactory academic progress, typically around a 3.0 cumulative GPA, though exact requirements vary by award.

How do students find these opportunities?
Through academic advisors, department offices, audition notices, and internal scholarship announcements rather than the main admissions website.

• Admission-based merit scholarship (offer letter)
• LIU Grant (FAFSA-driven institutional aid)
• State grants (e.g., New York TAP, if eligible)
• Departmental or program-specific scholarships
• Outside scholarships (confirm whether they replace or reduce institutional aid)

Always ask how new awards interact with existing tuition scholarships — some may replace rather than stack.

Is the Honors Scholarship automatic?
It is not available to all admitted students. The scholarship is linked to Honors participation and is packaged after an Honors-level academic review rather than through the general automatic merit pool.

Do Honors students receive significantly more scholarship money?
Not necessarily. Honors status may include a scholarship component, but LIU does not advertise large, separate Honors-only tuition packages. The main value is academic rather than purely financial.

Does joining Honors affect automatic merit scholarships?
Usually no. Honors scholarships may replace or supplement part of an institutional award, depending on the final aid package.

Is Honors worth it at LIU?
For students who value smaller classes, close faculty relationships, and stronger preparation for graduate or professional pathways, Honors can be worthwhile — even if the financial impact is modest.

Can students apply to Honors after enrolling?
Policies vary by campus and program. Some students may be invited later based on college performance; students should ask their academic advisor about mid-year or sophomore entry options.