University of Central Florida Scholarships (2026–2027)
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Last Updated on May 21, 2026- Tuition, housing, and average family net price
- Automatic merit ranges and qualifier benchmarks
- Flagship and hidden-gem awards
- Honors and stacking strategy
📊 Admissions Snapshot
- Acceptance Rate: ~45%
- Middle 50% ACT: 27
- Middle 50% SAT: 1265
- Average GPA: 4.22
- Below the typical ranges: This becomes a reach. UCF is more selective than people expect, so make sure you have true safety schools with automatic merit lined up.
- In the typical ranges: You’re competitive for admission, but merit is not guaranteed. Apply early (October/November window) to stay in the best scholarship consideration pool.
- Well above the ranges: You’re in range for Pegasus scholarships and Honors College. This is where the bigger money and perks start to open up—but nothing here is purely “automatic” at the top tiers.
Comparing multiple schools? Try the Scholarship Tool to search by GPA, test scores, and state →
📌 University of Central Florida at a Glance
- UCF is NOT test-optional. SAT/ACT/CLT scores are required for admission—and that alone trips up a lot of families.
- Merit is not formula-based at the top. Pegasus scholarships look “automatic,” but higher tiers depend on the strength of the applicant pool each year.
- Early Action timing matters. Applying by the October/November window is key if you want priority consideration for merit.
- Florida residents have a huge advantage. Programs like Bright Futures and Benacquisto can dramatically lower costs—but out-of-state families don’t have that safety net.
FAQ
Is this college test-optional? No — University of Central Florida is test-required.
What is the middle 50% ACT/SAT? ACT: 27; SAT: 1265.
Average net price? About $13,351/yearyear after aid.
Does this school use waivers/reciprocity? Yes — participates in acm_grad_only.
UCF National Merit/Benacquisto: https://www.ucf.edu/financial-aid/types/scholarships/benacquisto/
UCF Financial Aid - Pegasus: https://www.ucf.edu/financial-aid/types/scholarships/pegasus-gold-silver-bronze/
Florida DOE/UCF Bright Futures: https://www.ucf.edu/financial-aid/types/scholarships/florida-bright-futures/
UCF Financial Aid - Pegasus: https://www.ucf.edu/financial-aid/types/scholarships/pegasus/
Burnett Honors College: https://honors.ucf.edu/honors-scholarships/
A2O portal: https://ucf.academicworks.com/
UCF Financial Aid: https://www.ucf.edu/financial-aid/types/scholarships/first-generation-matching-grant/
CollegeScorecard / Admissions: https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/
💰 Cost of Attendance at University of Central Florida 2026-2027
📅 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 official 2026–2027 numbers are released.
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.
| Category (2026–2027) | In-State | Out-of-State |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition & Mandatory Fees (2 semesters) | $5,954 | $22,482 |
| Housing & Meals (typical) | $13,412 | $13,412 |
| Total (Direct Costs) | $19,366 | $35,894 |
Average Federal Net Price: $13,351 — this is what families actually paid after grants and scholarships (no loans), based on the most recent federal data. Your specific cost could be significantly lower or higher depending on your financial aid eligibility and merit scholarships. New to Net Price & SAI? Read our guide.
UCF participates in the Academic Common Market (Graduate Only), which allows eligible students from SREB states to pay in-state tuition for certain graduate programs not available in their home state. UCF does not participate in WUE or other regional undergraduate reciprocity programs.
Non-resident students who graduate from a Florida high school within 24 months may also apply for a Florida tuition waiver that reduces tuition to in-state levels.
Savings Example: Without a waiver, out-of-state tuition is about $22,482 versus $5,954 in-state — a potential savings of nearly $16,500 per year.
Note: The Academic Common Market applies to a limited set of graduate programs, not all majors at UCF.
FAQ — Cost of Attendance at UCF
Why is UCF’s in-state tuition so low?
Florida heavily subsidizes tuition for residents through state funding, keeping the in-state rate among the lowest of any large public university. The biggest costs for most families are housing, meals, and transportation—not tuition itself.
Do out-of-state students ever pay close to in-state prices?
Sometimes. Students who graduate from a Florida high school within 24 months can qualify for a special non-resident waiver that drops tuition to in-state levels. A few high-merit scholarships can also cover the out-of-state difference, but those are competitive.
What makes the “net price” number different from tuition?
Net price reflects what families actually pay after grants and scholarships—not the sticker price. For many UCF students, aid from Bright Futures, Pell Grants, or institutional awards lowers their real cost to near or below $14K a year.
Do these numbers include everything?
No. The table lists what you pay directly to UCF for tuition, fees, housing, and meals. Books, transportation, and personal spending are separate and vary widely by student—usually adding another $5–6K per year.
https://finaid.ucf.edu/cost/
https://studentaccounts.ucf.edu/tf-tuitionratescurrent/
https://registrar.ucf.edu/out-of-state-waiver/
Automatic Merit Scholarships — University of Central Florida
Amounts shown are per-year estimates converted from UCF’s four-year totals. Waivers and merit awards generally cannot be combined to exceed the full non-resident fee cap. Actual thresholds vary annually based on funding and applicant strength.
Automatic Merit — FAQs (University of Central Florida)
Does UCF superscore ACT and SAT?
Yes. UCF uses superscoring for both exams to determine scholarship eligibility.
Do I need a separate application?
No. Students who apply for admission by the November 1 Early Action priority deadline are automatically considered for Pegasus and Knights Achievement awards.
Are these awards renewable?
Yes. They renew for up to eight semesters if students maintain the required GPA and complete at least 24 credit hours per academic year.
Can Pegasus and Knights Achievement stack with other aid?
They can combine with Bright Futures and federal aid, but admissions waivers usually cannot stack beyond the non-resident fee limit.
When will students hear about awards?
Merit notifications typically arrive with admission decisions or shortly after. Applying early ensures the best chance for funding.
https://www.ucf.edu/financial-aid/types/scholarships/pegasus-gold-silver-bronze/
https://www.ucf.edu/financial-aid/types/scholarships/pegasus/
https://honors.ucf.edu/university-honors/first-year-entry/
🏆 Flagship Scholarships (Competitive Scholarships)
These aren’t automatic like Pegasus. They’re selective, come with extra steps, and usually go to students who meet specific statewide or national criteria. To avoid confusion: Florida Academic Scholars (FAS) and Florida Medallion Scholars (FMS) are the two main tiers within the state’s Bright Futures program.
• Bright Futures (FAS/FMS): Submit the FFAA by August 31 after HS graduation.
• National Merit: Designate UCF as first choice by the NMSC spring deadline; UCF Early Action priority is Oct 15 and Nov 15.
• Pegasus (priority consideration): Apply to UCF by November 1.
Disclaimer: Bright Futures FAS is a full tuition award, not a “full ride.” Housing, meals, and personal costs are extra. Requirements and renewal rules are set by the Florida DOE and can change annually. Always verify benchmarks before applying.
❓ Flagship / Competitive Scholarship FAQs
Do National Merit Finalists get a different package if they’re in-state vs. out-of-state?
Yes. Florida residents who are Finalists receive Benacquisto funding (plus Bright Futures if eligible). Out-of-state Finalists receive UCF’s National Merit package valued at $25k+/year.
What dates actually matter for National Merit at UCF?
Apply to UCF by Early Action Oct 15/Nov 15 for priority merit consideration, and make sure you designate UCF as your first-choice with NMSC by their spring deadline.
Can Bright Futures stack with Pegasus or National Merit?
Bright Futures is state funding and commonly combines with UCF awards. Your final package depends on need-based aid and institutional stacking rules in your offer letter.
What should students prepare for these applications?
Use our Essay Toolkit to draft stronger responses and our Brag Sheet Builder to organize activities and service hours for National Merit and Bright Futures documentation.
Where can I learn more about National Merit and Bright Futures on CRP?
See our National Merit guide for how the UCF package works, and review Florida’s Bright Futures details before you file the FFAA.
https://www.ucf.edu/financial-aid/types/scholarships/benacquisto/
https://www.ucf.edu/financial-aid/types/scholarships/florida-bright-futures/
https://www.nationalmerit.org/s/1758/start.aspx
Burnett Honors College (University of Central Florida)
The Burnett Honors College at UCF offers a more personalized, small-college experience within one of the nation’s largest universities. Honors students benefit from smaller classes, exclusive housing, individualized mentoring, and pathways to research, scholarships, and national fellowships.
GPA: 4.1–4.5 weighted
SAT: 1310–1450 or ACT: 28–32
Strong AP/IB/AICE/dual-enrollment coursework
Leadership, service, or research experience
*Based on UCF’s freshman profile; not strict cutoffs.
- Priority registration each semester
- Small, discussion-based Honors seminars
- Dedicated Honors housing in Towers at Knights Plaza
- Access to the Honors Undergraduate Thesis program
- Mentorship through the Office of Prestigious Awards (national scholarships)
Honors-Linked Scholarships & Grants
Honors College — FAQs (University of Central Florida)
Is admission automatic?
No. Students must apply separately to the Burnett Honors College after submitting their general UCF application. Essays, recommendations, and academic records are required for review.
Does Honors add time to your degree?
No. Honors courses replace general education requirements and don’t extend degree time. The optional Honors Undergraduate Thesis may require an additional semester depending on research scope.
Are there Honors-specific scholarships?
Yes, but they are modest and project-based. Honors students mainly receive research grants, donor-funded awards, and national fellowship mentoring — not large automatic merit packages.
When should students apply?
The priority deadline for Honors is typically in early January, with final consideration through spring. Students applying to UCF by November 1 have the best odds for admission and scholarships.
https://honors.ucf.edu/university-honors/first-year-entry/
https://honors.ucf.edu/honors-scholarships/
https://www.ucf.edu/financial-aid/types/scholarships/
⭐ College Specialty
UCF is the largest university in Florida by enrollment, but size isn’t its only strength. It has earned national recognition in several fields that matter for students seeking career-ready majors.
UCF is best known nationwide for Hospitality Management. The Rosen College of Hospitality Management is consistently ranked among the top 5 hospitality programs in the world and sits in the heart of Orlando’s global tourism hub, giving students unmatched access to internships and employers.
- Engineering & Computer Science — Ranked in the top 75 public engineering schools (U.S. News 2024). Strong aerospace and defense pipelines with Lockheed Martin, Siemens, and NASA’s Kennedy Space Center.
- Optics & Photonics (CREOL) — One of only a few dedicated optics colleges in the U.S., consistently ranked among the top 25 graduate optics programs (U.S. News 2024).
- Game Design & Digital Media (FIEA) — The Florida Interactive Entertainment Academy has been ranked the #1 graduate game design program in the U.S. by Princeton Review multiple times.
These specialties matter because they connect students directly to Florida’s largest industries — tourism, aerospace, defense, and tech — turning Orlando into a living laboratory for internships and post-grad jobs.
🔗 Official Links
- 📎 University of Central Florida Homepage
- 📎 UCF Burnett Honors College
- 📎 Scholarships & Financial Aid at UCF