Small, private, and on a lake. About 2,600 undergrads on Lake Virginia in Winter Park, a few minutes from Orlando. Florida residents and out-of-state families see the exact same sticker price.
Almost nobody pays sticker. Rollins says 94 percent of students get financial aid, and the federal average net price lands far below the posted cost of attendance.
No application fee. It costs nothing to apply and see what scholarship number comes back.
A four-year promise with teeth. If your student follows the Finish in Four rules and still needs a ninth semester, Rollins waives the tuition for it.
🏆 Full ride available (Alfond Scholars, up to 10 per year)
Average Net Price
$39,201/year
Average paid.
Automatic Merit
Up to $33,000/yr (holistic, set at admission)
No separate application.
Scholarships Tracked
16 opportunities
6 automatic · 2 competitive · 8 hidden gem
Typical Qualifiers
GPA above 2.8 plus SAT above 1150 or ACT above 23
Entry-level benchmarks for automatic merit.
Testing Policy
Test-optional admission
Automatic merit has a no-test path
Scores optional for competitive awards
Superscores ACT/SAT.
Key Deadlines
Priority: Nov 15 • FAFSA: TBD
Full-Tuition / Full-Ride
Alfond Scholars (up to 10 per year), plus Boys and Girls Club and Rosen Scholars for eligible Orlando students
Honors College
Honors Program Available
Financial Aid Forms
FAFSA Only
🚨 Easy-to-Miss “Gotchas” at Rollins (Read This First)
November 15 is the scholarship date that matters. Applying Early Decision I or Early Action by Nov 15 gets your student considered for the full range of scholarships, the Alfond full ride, and the Central Florida Award. Later applicants still get merit, but Rollins only promises the full range to the Nov 15 crowd.
Test-optional costs more GPA. Rollins considers test-optional students for every scholarship, but the GPA bar jumps (a 3.9 for the top Dean’s tier instead of a 3.2 with scores), and a 3.4 GPA in core classes is the floor for any scholarship on that path. If your student has a decent score, send it. Rollins superscores both the ACT and SAT.
The amounts are ceilings, not a price list. Every tier says “up to.” Two students with the same numbers can get different awards because Rollins also weighs leadership, service, and involvement.
The Alfond full ride already counts your state and federal money. Pell Grants or Bright Futures fill part of the package rather than landing on top of it.
Raise.me does not add up. If your student earns Raise.me micro-scholarships, Rollins pays the Raise.me total or its own package, whichever is higher, not both.
The visit money has a clock on it. For the fall 2027 class, an official campus visit between June 1 and Dec 18, 2026 plus an application by Nov 15, 2026 is worth $1,000 a year. Virtual tours do not count.
FAQ
Is this college test-optional? Yes, for admission. Rollins College is test-optional for admission, but scholarships can work differently (see the next question).
Do you need test scores for scholarships at Rollins College? Test-optional students are considered for every scholarship, but the GPA bars run much higher (3.9 for Dean's vs 3.2 with scores) and a 3.4 core GPA is the floor.
What is the middle 50% ACT/SAT? ACT: 25-30; SAT: 1160-1370.
Average net price? About $39,201/year after aid.
Does this school use waivers/reciprocity?
No. It is a private school, so everyone pays the same rate.
💰 Cost of Attendance at Rollins College: 2026–2027 Rates
Figures verified against official sources in October 2026.
📅 Planning for 2027–2028? These are the 2026–2027 rates, the newest Rollins College has published. Colleges usually release next year's costs in the spring, and we update this page when they do.
Budgeting tip: costs typically rise 2% to 5% a year. For 2027–2028, plan on roughly $1,700 to $4,200 more than the total below.
✔ Same price for every student, no matter which state you live in.
All students: billed cost per year
$83,570
Tuition, fees, housing, and meals for two semesters
Tuition & mandatory fees
$65,410
Housing & meals (typical)
$18,160
Total billed cost
$83,570
Average federal net price: $39,201 per year.
This is what first-time, full-time students who received grant aid paid after grants and scholarships, based on the most recent federal data. It counts books and living costs, so it can run higher than the billed total above. Families who got no grants are not in this average, so many middle-income families pay more. New to Net Price & SAI? Read our guide.
📌 Regional Tuition & Waiver Options
Rollins is a private college, so there is no in-state or out-of-state tuition and no regional exchange program to apply for. Every undergraduate sees the same published price whether you live in Winter Park or Washington State. What actually changes your number is the academic scholarship decided at admission, need-based Rollins Grant money from the FAFSA, and, for Florida residents, Bright Futures, the EASE Grant, and FSAG, which all follow students to private colleges in Florida.
Same Price for Every Family, Then the Discounts Start
Rollins is private, so there is no in-state discount to chase and no regional exchange program to apply for. The number that actually moves is your discount: the academic scholarship decided at admission, need-based Rollins Grant money from the FAFSA, and, for Florida residents, state aid that follows students to private colleges. If your student lives at home instead of on campus, the official budget drops to about $73,960 because housing and meals mostly come off the bill.
FAQ: Cost of Attendance at Rollins College
What does Rollins cost for 2026-2027?
Tuition is $65,410 and on-campus housing and food add $18,160, so the bill Rollins actually sends is $83,570. The full official budget, which also counts books, personal expenses, transportation, and loan fees, is $87,820 for students living on campus.
Do Florida residents pay less than out-of-state students?
No. Rollins charges everyone the same tuition. Florida families come out ahead only because state programs like Bright Futures, the EASE Grant, and the Florida Student Assistance Grant can be used at Rollins.
What do families actually pay after aid?
The most recent federal average net price is about $39,201 a year for first-year students who got grant or scholarship aid. By income, it ran from roughly $27,000 for families earning under $30,000 to about $41,000 for families over $110,000. Those figures lag a year or two behind current tuition, so use the Rollins net price calculator for your own estimate.
How much does Rollins tuition go up each year?
Rollins publishes its history. Direct costs rose 3.6 percent for 2026-2027 after a 4.2 percent jump the year before. Rollins does not say its academic scholarships grow with tuition, so plan on your out-of-pocket share creeping up a little each year.
How much Florida state aid can my student use at Rollins?
Bright Futures pays $212 per credit hour for Academic Scholars and $159 for Medallion Scholars. The EASE Grant adds $3,500 a year for any full-time Florida resident at a private college, need or not. Families with high need can also get the Florida Student Assistance Grant, up to $3,260. National Merit Scholars from Florida who pick Rollins can qualify for the Benacquisto Scholarship, which Rollins says typically runs about $20,000 a year.
Does Rollins give need-based aid on top of scholarships?
Yes. The Rollins Grant goes up to $55,000 a year based on the FAFSA, and the Rollins Opportunity Grant adds $10,000 a year for strong students who also show need. Rollins uses the FAFSA only for US students, not the CSS Profile. The school code is 001515.
What is the Finish in Four guarantee?
If a first-time, full-time student hits the credit, GPA, and advising checkpoints and still needs classes past eight semesters, Rollins waives the tuition for the extra time. Housing and meals are not covered, athletes playing a fifth season and 3/2 program students are excluded, and the extra time is capped at one academic year.
Can international students get need-based aid?
Yes, which is rare. Rollins offers need-based aid to international applicants through its own international aid application, and internationals are also considered for academic scholarships.
November 15: The big one. Application complete (Early Decision I or Early Action) for the full range of academic scholarships, Alfond Scholars consideration, and the Central Florida Award (which also needs the FAFSA by this date).
Mid-December: Last call for the official campus visit that earns the Visit Rollins Scholarship (Dec 18, 2026 for the fall 2027 class). Bonner Leaders applications open for admitted students.
Early January: Tuition Exchange paperwork due Jan 5. Scholarship offers keep going out with admission letters.
February: Priscilla Parker theatre applications (early February), Bonner Leaders applications close (late February), and Alfond finalist interviews.
Parent rule of thumb: treat November 15 as your real deadline, even if your student is still deciding where to go. Early Action is not binding, so it costs nothing to get in by then.
Academic Merit Scholarships at Rollins College
Every applicant is considered for these automatically. There is no separate scholarship application, and the award shows up with the admission decision. The catch is that Rollins decides holistically: each tier is an “up to” amount, and the GPA and score numbers below are the minimum to be considered, not a promise. Rollins superscores both the ACT and SAT.
Find your student's tier
Enter the numbers you have. We'll highlight the automatic award your student would actually get and tuck the rest out of the way. Leave it blank to browse everything.
Residency
Based on published cutoffs for entering freshmen. Always verify with the college before finalizing plans.
Start with your state. The awards in this first group come from the state, not the college. They are decided by residency and the FAFSA, and they stack on top of whatever automatic merit award the college gives below. If you live out of state, use the toggle above and these will step aside.
State AidAutomatic
Bright Futures Florida Academic Scholars
📅 Deadline: Varies ✓ Renews (3 GPA)
$6,360/yr
✔ Stackable
Holistic / Status Based
✚
Stacking & Combining
Florida aid stacks on top of Rollins scholarships, except inside the Alfond package, whose total already counts state awards.
💡
Strategic Detail
Paid at $212 per credit hour at Rollins. Complete the Florida Financial Aid Application by Aug 31 after graduation and the Rollins Florida Residency Affidavit (Oct 25 for fall funding). Renew with a 3.0 GPA.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Most winners: Florida high school grads who hit the Academic Scholars GPA, test score, and service hour requirements.
State AidAutomatic
Bright Futures Florida Medallion Scholars
📅 Deadline: Varies ✓ Renews (2.75 GPA)
$4,770/yr
✔ Stackable
Holistic / Status Based
✚
Stacking & Combining
Florida aid stacks on top of Rollins scholarships, except inside the Alfond package, whose total already counts state awards.
💡
Strategic Detail
Paid at $159 per credit hour at Rollins. Same Florida application and residency affidavit as Academic Scholars. Renew with a 2.75 GPA.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Most winners: Florida high school grads who meet the Medallion Scholars GPA, test score, and service hour requirements.
State AidAutomatic
Effective Access to Student Education Grant
📅 Deadline: Varies ✓ Renews (2 GPA)
$3,500/yr
✔ Stackable
Holistic / Status Based
✚
Stacking & Combining
Florida aid stacks on top of Rollins scholarships, except inside the Alfond package, whose total already counts state awards.
💡
Strategic Detail
$3,500 per year. Requires the Florida Resident Affidavit and 12+ credits each semester; renew with a 2.0 GPA and 24 credits per year.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Most winners: Any full-time Florida resident at an eligible private college like Rollins. It is not need-based.
State AidAutomatic
Florida Student Assistance Grant
📅 Deadline: Varies ✓ Renews (2 GPA)
$3,260/yr
✔ Stackable
Holistic / Status Based
✚
Stacking & Combining
Florida aid stacks on top of Rollins scholarships, except inside the Alfond package, whose total already counts state awards.
💡
Strategic Detail
Up to $3,260 per year. Renew with continued high need, a 2.0 GPA, and 24 credits per year.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Most winners: Florida residents with significant financial need on the FAFSA.
State AidAutomatic
Benacquisto Scholarship
📅 Deadline: Varies ✓ Renews
$20,000/yr
✔ Stackable
Holistic / Status Based
✚
Stacking & Combining
Florida aid stacks on top of Rollins scholarships, except inside the Alfond package, whose total already counts state awards.
💡
Strategic Detail
Rollins says it typically runs about $20,000 per year (its scholarship hub says $15,000 to $20,000); the state sets the exact figure. Update your college choice with NMSC to Rollins by May 1.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Most winners: Florida high school grads named National Merit Scholars (a $2,500 NMSC or corporate-sponsored award) who list Rollins as their first-choice college with National Merit.
One award, not a pile. Colleges apply your student's single best automatic award. Automatic scholarships almost never stack with each other, though some stack with housing, departmental, or outside money. The stacking notes on each card tell you which.
Automatic
Dean's Scholarship
📅 Deadline: Nov 15 ✓ Renews (3 GPA, 4 yrs)
$33,000/yr
✔ Stackable
🏫 3.2+ GPA✎ ~26 ACT✎ ~1240 SATAwarded for an outstanding academic record combined with leadership potential. Rollins says applicants with SAT above 1240 or ACT above 26 and GPA above 3.2 are considered. Test-optional applicants need a GPA above 3.9. Test-optional applicants are considered too, but Rollins sets a higher GPA bar on that path and requires at least a 3.4 GPA in core high school courses for any scholarship consideration.
✚
Stacking & Combining
You receive one academic tier, not several. It does stack with the Visit Rollins Scholarship, a Cram Science Scholarship, Florida state aid, federal grants, and need-based Rollins Grant money.
💡
Strategic Detail
Up to $33,000 per year, decided holistically at admission. The amount is a ceiling, not a guarantee. Renewable for eight fall/spring semesters with a 3.0 GPA and 24 credit hours per year.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Usually students well above Rollins' middle range: strong grades in a rigorous schedule plus scores above 1240 SAT or 26 ACT, or a near-perfect GPA on the test-optional path, along with real leadership on the resume. Increased Dean's awards also go to some Alfond finalists who do not win the full ride.
Automatic
Alonzo Rollins Scholarship
📅 Deadline: Nov 15 ✓ Renews (3 GPA, 4 yrs)
$30,000/yr
✔ Stackable
🏫 3.0+ GPA✎ ~25 ACT✎ ~1210 SATAwarded for academic performance plus service and involvement. Rollins says applicants with SAT above 1210 or ACT above 25 and GPA above 3.0 are considered. Test-optional applicants need a GPA above 3.7. Test-optional applicants are considered too, but Rollins sets a higher GPA bar on that path and requires at least a 3.4 GPA in core high school courses for any scholarship consideration.
✚
Stacking & Combining
You receive one academic tier, not several. It does stack with the Visit Rollins Scholarship, a Cram Science Scholarship, Florida state aid, federal grants, and need-based Rollins Grant money.
💡
Strategic Detail
Up to $30,000 per year, decided holistically at admission. The amount is a ceiling, not a guarantee. Renewable for eight fall/spring semesters with a 3.0 GPA and 24 credit hours per year.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Students around the top of Rollins' typical admit profile who also show sustained service or involvement. Test-optional students generally need an unweighted-looking GPA in the high 3s to land here.
Automatic
Presidential Scholarship
📅 Deadline: Nov 15 ✓ Renews (2.8 GPA, 4 yrs)
$26,000/yr
✔ Stackable
🏫 3.0+ GPA✎ ~24 ACT✎ ~1180 SATAwarded for academic performance plus service and involvement. Transfer applicants with a college GPA above 3.4 are also considered. Rollins says applicants with SAT above 1180 or ACT above 24 and GPA above 3.0 are considered. Test-optional applicants need a GPA above 3.5. Test-optional applicants are considered too, but Rollins sets a higher GPA bar on that path and requires at least a 3.4 GPA in core high school courses for any scholarship consideration.
✚
Stacking & Combining
You receive one academic tier, not several. It does stack with the Visit Rollins Scholarship, a Cram Science Scholarship, Florida state aid, federal grants, and need-based Rollins Grant money.
💡
Strategic Detail
Up to $26,000 per year, decided holistically at admission. The amount is a ceiling, not a guarantee. Renewable for eight fall/spring semesters with a 2.8 GPA and 24 credit hours per year.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Solid B+ to A- students with scores near the middle of Rollins' admitted range and a record of involvement. This is a common landing spot for test-optional applicants with GPAs in the mid 3s.
Automatic
Centennial Scholarship
📅 Deadline: Nov 15 ✓ Renews (2.8 GPA, 4 yrs)
$24,000/yr
✔ Stackable
🏫 2.8+ GPA✎ ~24 ACT✎ ~1170 SATAwarded for academic performance plus service and involvement. Transfer applicants with a college GPA above 3.2 are also considered. Rollins says applicants with SAT above 1170 or ACT above 24 and GPA above 2.8 are considered. Test-optional applicants need a GPA above 3.2. Test-optional applicants are considered too, but Rollins sets a higher GPA bar on that path and requires at least a 3.4 GPA in core high school courses for any scholarship consideration.
✚
Stacking & Combining
You receive one academic tier, not several. It does stack with the Visit Rollins Scholarship, a Cram Science Scholarship, Florida state aid, federal grants, and need-based Rollins Grant money.
💡
Strategic Detail
Up to $24,000 per year, decided holistically at admission. The amount is a ceiling, not a guarantee. Renewable for eight fall/spring semesters with a 2.8 GPA and 24 credit hours per year.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Students with steady B-range grades and scores close to the published floor. Many transfer students also land in this band.
Automatic
Achievement Scholarship
📅 Deadline: Nov 15 ✓ Renews (2.8 GPA, 4 yrs)
$15,000/yr
✔ Stackable
🏫 2.8+ GPA✎ ~23 ACT✎ ~1150 SATAwarded for individual academic achievement, initiative, and creativity. Rollins says applicants with SAT above 1150 or ACT above 23 and GPA above 2.8 are considered. Test-optional applicants need a GPA above 2.8. Test-optional applicants are considered too, but Rollins sets a higher GPA bar on that path and requires at least a 3.4 GPA in core high school courses for any scholarship consideration.
✚
Stacking & Combining
You receive one academic tier, not several. It does stack with the Visit Rollins Scholarship, a Cram Science Scholarship, Florida state aid, federal grants, and need-based Rollins Grant money.
💡
Strategic Detail
Up to $15,000 per year, decided holistically at admission. The amount is a ceiling, not a guarantee. Renewable for eight fall/spring semesters with a 2.8 GPA and 24 credit hours per year.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Admitted students near the bottom of the published thresholds. Rollins lists a 2.8 test-optional bar here, which conflicts with its own 3.4 core-GPA floor for test-optional scholarship consideration, so families below 3.4 should ask Admission directly.
Automatic
Visit Rollins Scholarship
📅 Deadline: Nov 15, 2026 ✓ Renews (4 yrs)
$1,000/yr
✔ Stackable
First-time, first-year students entering fall 2027. One qualifying visit only; extra visits do not add more money.
✚
Stacking & Combining
Added on top of your academic tier. Not available to students whose Alfond, Rosen, Boys & Girls Club, full athletic, tuition exchange, or military package already covers tuition and housing.
💡
Strategic Detail
$1,000 per year for four years ($4,000 total). Added automatically, no separate application. Rollins calls this a new program, so check the dates each cycle.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Most winners: Any rising senior who tours campus (a daily tour or an in-person Discover Rollins event) and applies by Nov 15, then enrolls. It is guaranteed once the conditions are met; virtual tours do not count.
Data last verified Oct 31, 2026.* GPA/test bands are estimates based on official selectivity and prior cohort profiles. "Who Actually Wins" insights are pulled from external peer-sourced data where students and parents have reported real-world award results. Because colleges can change funding thresholds and deadlines at any time, always verify these details with the institution before finalizing your application strategy.
Note: Your student receives one academic tier, not several. That tier can still combine with the Visit Rollins Scholarship, a Cram Science Scholarship, Florida state aid, and need-based grants. All tiers renew for eight fall and spring semesters with 24 credit hours a year and a 3.0 GPA (Dean’s and Alonzo Rollins) or 2.8 GPA (Presidential, Centennial, and Achievement).
Academic Merit: FAQs (Rollins College)
How much merit money does Rollins give?
The published tiers are Dean’s (up to $33,000 a year), Alonzo Rollins (up to $30,000), Presidential (up to $26,000), Centennial (up to $24,000), and Achievement (up to $15,000). The Alfond Scholars full ride sits above all of them but runs through a separate selection process.
What GPA and test scores does each tier need?
With scores, Rollins considers students above roughly a 3.2 GPA and 1240 SAT or 26 ACT for Dean’s, and down to above 2.8 with 1150 SAT or 23 ACT for Achievement. Those are floors for consideration. Strong leadership and service push students toward the top of each range.
Can my student still get merit if they apply test-optional?
Yes, but the GPA bar is higher. Test-optional students need a GPA above 3.9 for Dean’s, 3.7 for Alonzo Rollins, 3.5 for Presidential, and 3.2 for Centennial, and Rollins requires at least a 3.4 in core courses for any scholarship on that path. Rollins also lists 2.8 for Achievement, which conflicts with that 3.4 floor, so a test-optional student under 3.4 should ask Admission directly.
Is there a deadline for merit scholarships?
Apply by November 15 (Early Decision I or Early Action) for the full range of scholarships. Students who apply Early Decision II (Jan 5) or Regular Decision (Feb 1) are still considered, but Rollins only promises the full range to the November group.
What is the Visit Rollins Scholarship?
It is an extra $1,000 a year ($4,000 total) for students who take an official in-person tour or attend a Discover Rollins event and apply by November 15. For the fall 2027 class, the visit window runs June 1 to December 18, 2026. It is added automatically if your student enrolls.
Can transfer students get academic scholarships?
Yes. Transfers with a college GPA above 3.4 are considered for Presidential awards and above 3.2 for Centennial. Phi Theta Kappa members finishing an AA at a Florida community college can add a separate Phi Theta Kappa scholarship.
Rollins’ flagship award is the Alfond Scholars Program: up to 10 full rides a year covering tuition, fees, a double room, and a meal plan, worth $83,570 for 2026-2027. The money comes from a family foundation gift and from the profits of The Alfond Inn, a Winter Park hotel Rollins owns. There is no separate essay contest. Your student simply has to apply Early Decision I or Early Action with everything in by November 15, and Rollins picks finalists from that pool.
📋 What Alfond Scholars Sign Up For
Completing the Rollins Honors Program
A service immersion course during the first-year Intersession
At least one off-campus experience, such as study abroad or a Washington semester, in the first three years
Keeping a 3.33 GPA and living on campus all four years
Working with Rollins’ office for national fellowships on awards like Rhodes, Goldwater, and Truman
✅ Can You Stack Scholarships at Rollins?
Aid Type
Stacks with Merit?
Rollins Parent Translation
Academic tiers
One per student
Your student gets one tier (Dean’s, Alonzo Rollins, Presidential, Centennial, or Achievement), not two.
Alfond Scholars
Replaces
It is the whole package. Federal and state grants you already qualify for are counted inside the total, not added on top.
Cram Science Scholarship
Yes
Usually $5,000 added on top of an academic tier for science and math majors.
Florida state aid
Yes
Bright Futures, EASE, and FSAG layer on top of an academic tier for Florida residents.
Need-based Rollins Grant
Yes
Fills remaining need from the FAFSA after merit. Need-based awards are not negotiable, per Rollins.
Raise.me micro-scholarships
No
Rollins pays your Raise.me total or its own package, whichever is higher.
Outside of Alfond, Rollins does not run a big menu of essay-and-interview competitions. Most of the money comes through the automatic academic tiers, with the Cram award as the one real add-on for students who reach the finalist round.
Full RideAutomatic
Alfond Scholars Program
📅 Deadline: Nov 15 (Early Decision I or Early Action, complete application) ✓ Renews (3.33 GPA, 4 yrs)
Full Ride
Tuition, fees, double room, and 15-swipe meal plan (valued at $83,570 for 2026-2027)
✘ Not stackable
🏫 3.8+ GPA✎ ~32 ACT✎ ~1410 SAT👥 ~Up to 10 per year winners/yrFall first-time students entering the College of Liberal Arts. Test-optional and international applicants are considered.
💡
Strategic Detail
Up to 10 awarded each year, renewable for three more years (more than $280,000 over four years per Rollins). The package total includes any federal and state grants you already qualify for, so Pell or Bright Futures money fills part of it rather than adding on top. Scholars must complete the Honors Program, take the first-year Intersession Service Immersion course, do at least one off-campus experience such as study abroad, keep a 3.33 GPA, and live on campus all four years. Rollins' scholarship hub mentions only Early Action, but the dedicated Alfond page allows ED I or EA.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Students with top-of-class records, usually SAT above 1410 or ACT above 32 with GPAs above 3.8, or a GPA above 3.9 on the test-optional path, plus a demanding curriculum and real extracurricular depth. Winners say they want to chase national awards like Rhodes, Goldwater, or Truman. Finalists who miss the full ride are also weighed for bigger Dean's awards, Cram Science awards, and the Honors Program.
Automatic
Donald J. Cram Science Scholarship
📅 Deadline: Considered from the Nov 15 ED I and Early Action pool; finalists interview in late February ✓ Renews (3 GPA, 4 yrs)
$5,000/yr
✔ Stackable
👥 ~Up to 10 per year winners/yrFor majors in computer science, mathematics, physics, or chemistry.
✚
Stacking & Combining
Usually awarded on top of one of Rollins' academic tiers rather than replacing it.
💡
Strategic Detail
Up to 10 awarded per year at $5,000 each. Renewable with a 3.0 GPA and 24 credit hours per year.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Strong science students who plan to major in computer science, math, physics, or chemistry, typically pulled from the same high-achieving pool Rollins reviews for Alfond.
Data last verified Oct 31, 2026.* GPA/test bands are estimates based on official selectivity and prior cohort profiles. "Who Actually Wins" insights are pulled from external peer-sourced data where students and parents have reported real-world award results. Because colleges can change funding thresholds and deadlines at any time, always verify these details with the institution before finalizing your application strategy.
❓ Flagship / Competitive Scholarship FAQs
What does it take to become an Alfond Scholar?
Rollins says finalists typically have SAT scores above 1410 or ACT scores above 32 and GPAs above 3.8, along with a demanding course load and real extracurricular depth. Test-optional students with GPAs above 3.9 and international students are considered too.
Is there a separate Alfond application?
No. Your student applies Early Decision I or Early Action with every piece in by November 15. Rollins names finalists in late December, holds virtual interviews with faculty, staff, and students in late February, and notifies winners in mid-March.
What if my student is a finalist but does not win?
Finalists are still weighed for a larger Dean’s Scholarship, a Cram Science Scholarship, and an invitation to the Honors Program, so making the interview round is worth something on its own.
Who gets the Cram Science Scholarship?
Up to 10 students a year planning to major in computer science, math, physics, or chemistry. It pays $5,000 a year on top of an academic tier and renews with a 3.0 GPA.
Does Rollins have other full rides?
Yes, but they are tied to who you are, not just grades. The Boys and Girls Club Scholars and Rosen Scholars programs cover full tuition, room, and board for eligible Central Florida students. Both are covered in Hidden Gems below.
How should my student prepare?
The interview is where finalists separate. Families can use our Essay Toolkit and Brag Sheet Builder to organize what makes their student stand out.
🧠 Parent Strategy: Rollins Takes Care of Its Own Backyard
Some of Rollins’ best money is aimed at Central Florida families, and most out-of-town parents never notice it. If you live near Orlando, check these before anything else:
Orange County public high school? Look hard at the Central Florida Award. It covers full need up to tuition with no loans for families with AGI of $80,000 or less, but only through Early Decision I and a FAFSA filed by November 15.
Boys and Girls Club member? There is a full tuition, room, and board program with spring interviews.
Live in Parramore or Tangelo Park? The Rosen Scholars program offers the same full package.
Service-minded kid anywhere? Bonner Leaders pays $3,000 a year for about nine hours a week of nonprofit work and training.
Parent translation: the Central Florida Award only works with a binding Early Decision application. If your family needs to compare offers in the spring, talk that through before November.
💎 Hidden Gem Scholarships
These awards are not on the academic tier list, and several need their own application, audition, or a specific zip code or school. Talent awards in theatre and music, the Bonner service program, tuition exchange for children of college employees, and a transfer award for Phi Theta Kappa members round out the list.
Automatic
Barbara Lawrence Alfond Central Florida Award
📅 Deadline: Nov 15 (Early Decision I application and FAFSA); supplemental materials by Nov 24; enrollment deposit by Jan 15 ✓ Renews (2 GPA, 4 yrs)
Varies
✔ Stackable
⚠ Orange County (FL) public high school grads; family AGI $80,000 or less; Early Decision I only.
Must attend one of the 23 listed Orange County public high schools for at least two years before graduating and be admitted ED by Dec 15.
✚
Stacking & Combining
Built to cover full FAFSA-demonstrated need up to tuition with grants. Eligible students who are not chosen still get a $5,000 Central Florida Scholarship on top of their other aid, up to the cost of tuition.
💡
Strategic Detail
Renewable for three more years with a 2.0 GPA and satisfactory academic progress.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Most winners: Orange County public high school seniors from families with AGI of $80,000 or less who are sure enough about Rollins to apply binding Early Decision. Funding is limited, so meeting the criteria does not guarantee the full award.
App Required
Bonner Leaders Program
📅 Deadline: Late February (the fall 2026 cycle closed Feb 22, 2026); Rollins' academic scholarship page still lists March 15 ✓ Renews (4 yrs)
$3,000/yr
✔ Stackable
👥 ~10 to 14 per year winners/yrIncoming first-year students already admitted to Rollins. Recipients serve about seven hours a week at an Orlando-area nonprofit plus two hours of training (older Rollins pages say 6 to 8 or 8 to 10 hours).
✚
Stacking & Combining
Paid on top of academic scholarships. Students eligible for federal work-study are encouraged to apply.
📄
How to Apply
Opens in mid-December for admitted first-year students. Written application, then an interview round.
✎ Essays🎤 Interview
💡
Strategic Detail
$3,000 per year across a four-year program, with 10 to 14 students selected each year and a fall retreat before classes.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Admitted students who already have a service track record, such as nonprofit volunteering, church or mission work, school clubs, family caregiving, or a job, and who can commit about nine hours a week.
Full RideAutomatic
Boys & Girls Club Scholars
📅 Deadline: Interviews in early spring, drawn from admission applications already received ✓ Renews (4 yrs)
Full Ride
Full tuition, room, and board
✘ Not stackable
⚠ Boys & Girls Club members only.
Rollins does not publish GPA or score cutoffs or the number of awards.
💡
Strategic Detail
Full tuition, room, and board. Students on this award do not also receive the Visit Rollins Scholarship.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Most winners: Members of the Boys & Girls Club (Rollins pictures the Central Florida chapter) who apply for admission and advance through a competitive spring interview.
Full RideAutomatic
Rosen Scholars
📅 Deadline: Interviews in early spring, drawn from admission applications already received ✓ Renews (4 yrs)
Full Ride
Full tuition, room, and board
✘ Not stackable
⚠ Parramore and Tangelo Park (Orlando) residents only.
Rollins does not publish GPA or score cutoffs or the number of awards.
💡
Strategic Detail
Full tuition, room, and board. Students on this award do not also receive the Visit Rollins Scholarship.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Students who live in Orlando's Parramore or Tangelo Park neighborhoods, apply for admission, and come through a competitive spring interview.
App Required
Priscilla L. Parker Theatre Scholarship
📅 Deadline: Feb 7, 2027 (Parker application); apply to Rollins by Feb 1, 2027 ✓ Renews (4 yrs)
$10,000/yr
✔ Stackable
Holistic / Status Based
✚
Stacking & Combining
Rollins does not publish stacking rules for this award; confirm with Theatre & Dance how it combines with your academic tier.
📄
How to Apply
Apply to Rollins by Feb 1, 2027. Submit the Parker application (headshot, theatre resume, two reference letters, Rollins personal essay) by Feb 7, 2027. Attend the all-day Priscilla Experience on Feb 28, 2027: monologues, a song cut for musical theatre, or a five-minute portfolio for design, tech, stage management, directing, or dramaturgy, plus an interview.
✎ Essays🎤 Interview💌 Letters of Rec🌟 Finalist Event
💡
Strategic Detail
$10,000 per year ($40,000 total), renewable annually.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Students with real stage or production experience who audition well and present a strong portfolio. It is open to performers and to design and tech students.
App Required
Rollins Music Scholarships
📅 Deadline: Not published; schedule your audition through the Department of Music Non-Renewable
Varies
✔ Stackable
Holistic / Status Based
✚
Stacking & Combining
Rollins does not publish stacking rules for these awards; confirm with the Department of Music.
📄
How to Apply
Schedule an audition and visit with the Department of Music; scholarship consideration is part of the audition.
🎤 Interview
💡
Strategic Detail
Talent-based, audition required. Amounts are not published.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Most winners: Talented musicians on any instrument or in any concentration who audition. Rollins lists about two dozen named endowed funds but no dollar amounts.
App Required
Tuition Exchange (ACS and TE)
📅 Deadline: Jan 5 (admission application, ACS or TE certification, and all documents) Non-Renewable
$40,000/yr
✘ Not stackable
⚠ Parent must work at a participating ACS or Tuition Exchange school.
👥 ~10 per program winners/yr
💡
Strategic Detail
10 awards under each program. Students not selected are still considered for Rollins academic scholarships. Rollins does not state renewal terms.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Most winners: Children of employees at participating ACS or Tuition Exchange schools whose parent's employer certifies them. Selection runs through the regular admission review.
Automatic⚠ Transfer Only
Phi Theta Kappa Transfer Scholarship
📅 Deadline: Considered with the transfer application (fall priority Mar 1) ✓ Renews (2.8 GPA, 4 yrs)
$3,000/yr
✔ Stackable
🏫 3.5+ GPA👥 ~Unlimited winners/yr🎓 TransferPhi Theta Kappa member, 3.5 GPA, and an AA degree from a Florida community college (or in the final semester when applying).
✚
Stacking & Combining
Rollins does not publish whether this combines with transfer academic scholarships; ask Admission.
💡
Strategic Detail
Two Rollins pages say $3,000 per year; the main scholarship hub says $6,000. We list $3,000. Transfer students are also considered for academic scholarships (Rollins quotes $24,000 to $26,000 on its transfer aid page and $6,000 to $24,000 on its hub).
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Most winners: Phi Theta Kappa members finishing an AA at a Florida community college with a 3.5 or better GPA. Rollins says there is no cap on the number of awards.
Data last verified Oct 31, 2026.* GPA/test bands are estimates based on official selectivity and prior cohort profiles. "Who Actually Wins" insights are pulled from external peer-sourced data where students and parents have reported real-world award results. Because colleges can change funding thresholds and deadlines at any time, always verify these details with the institution before finalizing your application strategy.
❓ Hidden Gems FAQ
Who qualifies for the Barbara Lawrence Alfond Central Florida Award?
Students who attended one of the 23 Orange County public high schools for at least two years, apply Early Decision I and file the FAFSA by November 15, and come from a family with AGI of $80,000 or less. Funding is limited. Eligible students who do not get the full award still receive a $5,000 Central Florida Scholarship. It renews with a 2.0 GPA.
How does the Bonner Leaders Program work?
Admitted first-year students apply starting in mid-December, then interview. Rollins picks 10 to 14 students a year. Each gets $3,000 a year and serves about seven hours a week at an Orlando-area nonprofit plus two hours of training. The fall 2026 cycle closed February 22, so plan on a late-February deadline.
Are there arts scholarships?
Yes. The Priscilla Parker Theatre Scholarship pays $10,000 a year for performers and for design, tech, stage management, directing, and dramaturgy students. For fall 2027, the application is due February 7, 2027 and the audition day is February 28. Music scholarships are audition-based for any instrument or concentration, but Rollins does not publish amounts.
My spouse works at another college. Does that help?
Possibly. Rollins awards 10 ACS Tuition Exchange scholarships (covering tuition) and 10 Tuition Exchange, Inc. scholarships ($40,000 in 2025-2026). Your employer has to certify your student, and everything is due January 5.
Is there money for transfer students?
Yes. Phi Theta Kappa members with a 3.5 GPA and an AA from a Florida community college can get a renewable Phi Theta Kappa scholarship. Two Rollins pages say $3,000 a year while the main scholarship page says $6,000, so confirm the amount with Admission.
Rollins runs an Honors Program (some Rollins pages call it the Honors Degree Program), not a separate honors college. Rollins describes it as highly selective. There is no separate honors application. Your student applies to Rollins by November 15, and Rollins invites students from that pool. Alfond finalists are explicitly considered for invitations.
How to get in: Apply to Rollins by November 15; no extra essay, fee, or test scores required
What it looks like: Five interdisciplinary seminars starting sophomore year, a cohort that moves through together, community projects, and a senior thesis
Scholarship tie-in: None on its own. Honors is required for Alfond Scholars, but joining Honors does not add money
Honors Program Scholarships
This institution does not offer designated Honors College scholarships at this time.
Right now Rollins does not attach a dedicated scholarship to the Honors Program. The money for top students lives in the Alfond Scholars full ride and the Dean’s tier, both covered above. If Rollins adds an honors award, it will show up here.
Deadline Note: Because Honors invitations come out of the same review as scholarships, the date to hit is November 15. Students who apply later can still be admitted to Rollins, but they miss the pool Rollins draws Alfond finalists and Honors invitations from.
Other Programs for High Achievers (Beyond Honors)
3/2 Accelerated Management Program: A Rollins bachelor’s plus an MBA from Rollins’ Crummer Graduate School of Business in five years total.
Collaborative Research Fellowships: Eight weeks of summer research one-on-one with a faculty mentor, with campus housing and a living stipend covered.
Phi Beta Kappa: Rollins earned a chapter of the nation’s oldest academic honor society in 2022.
Women in Finance: A free program with advising, alumni mentors, technical training, and internship help for students aiming at finance careers.
Honors Program: FAQs (Rollins College)
Does my student need a separate Honors application?
No. Rollins reviews students who apply by November 15 and extends invitations from that group. There is no extra essay or fee.
Does the Honors Program come with a scholarship?
Not by itself. Honors students still receive their regular academic tier, and Alfond Scholars are required to complete Honors as part of their full ride.
Can test-optional students get into Honors?
Yes. Rollins says test-optional applicants are eligible for academic scholarships, the Alfond program, and the Honors Degree Program.
What is different about Honors classes?
Honors students take five interdisciplinary seminars starting in their second year, moving through with the same cohort, plus community projects and a senior thesis. Rollins encourages study abroad along the way.
Rollins is a small liberal arts college that happens to be very good at business. That combination is the thing to understand. Your student gets small classes and professors who know their name, but the most popular major by a wide margin is business administration, and Orlando is a few minutes away for internships.
Nationally Known Program: Business, plus a fast track to an MBA. Business administration graduates more Rollins students than any other major, and international business is a long-standing strength. Students who want a graduate degree can use the 3/2 Accelerated Management Program to finish a bachelor’s and an MBA from Rollins’ Crummer Graduate School of Business in five years. Rollins bills Crummer as Florida’s top-ranked MBA program.
Fulbright pipeline: The U.S. State Department named Rollins a top producer of Fulbright students for 2024-2025, which is notable for a school this size and fits the Alfond Scholars push toward national awards.
Phi Beta Kappa: Rollins earned a chapter of the country’s oldest academic honor society in 2022, a sign the liberal arts side is as strong as the business side.
Popular majors beyond business: Communication, psychology, biology, and environmental studies are where most other students land.
Research with professors: The Collaborative Research Fellowship pays for eight weeks of summer research with a faculty mentor, including housing and a stipend.
Women in Finance: A free program with alumni mentors, technical training, and internship help for students targeting finance jobs.
🔗 Official Rollins College Links
Use Rollins’ own pages below to double-check scholarship amounts, deadlines, and costs. Rollins updates these every cycle, so treat them as the final word.
Big picture? Rollins posts a sticker price near $88,000 and then discounts almost everybody. The discount is a judgment call, not a chart. Your student’s academic tier depends on grades, scores, and what they have done outside class, and it tops out at $33,000 a year unless they land one of ten Alfond full rides.
So the game plan is simple. Get the application in by November 15. Send test scores if they help, because test-optional means a much higher GPA bar for money. Book an in-person visit before mid-December for the extra $4,000. And if you live in Central Florida, check the local programs first: the Central Florida Award, Boys and Girls Club Scholars, and Rosen Scholars can change the math completely. Florida families should also count on Bright Futures and the $3,500 EASE Grant traveling with them to this private campus.
For a student who wants a small liberal arts college with a serious business program and a real shot at national awards like the Fulbright, Rollins can make sense. Just run the net price calculator before you fall in love with the lake.
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Written by Leo Dimilo
I started CollegeReadyParent while working through college costs for my own kid, and quickly figured out that the number a school advertises and the number a family actually pays are two very different things. Since then I’ve gone school by school pulling apart award letters, scholarship pages, and cost sheets to find what families are supposed to just know. This site is the version of that research I wish someone had handed me.
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