University of Central Florida Scholarships (2026–2027)
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Last Updated on June 21, 2026
What This Page Covers:- 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
🧭 Quick Admissions Strategy (based on where your student falls)
- 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
🏆 Full tuition available (National Merit Scholarship Package (UCF) & Florida Bright Futures — Florida Academic Scholars (FAS))
Average Net Price
$13,351/year (in-state estimate)
Average paid for residents.
Automatic Merit
Check college site
No separate application.
Scholarships Tracked
13 opportunities
3 automatic · 3 competitive · 4 hidden gem · 3 honors
Merit Evaluation
Holistic Review / Varies
Merit depends on profile rigor.
Testing Policy
Test-required
Superscores ACT/SAT.
Key Deadlines
Priority: Nov 1 • FAFSA: Dec 1
Full-Tuition / Full-Ride
National Merit Scholarship Package (UCF) & Florida Bright Futures — Florida Academic Scholars (FAS)
Honors College
Honors Program Available
Residency & Waivers
acm_grad_only
🚨 Easy-to-Miss “Gotchas” at University of Central Florida (Read This First)
- 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/year after aid.
Does this school use waivers/reciprocity?
Yes — participates in acm_grad_only.
💰 Cost of Attendance at University of Central Florida 2026-2027
📅 2027–2028 Planning Note: The costs below reflect the most recently published figures (2026–2027). Universities typically finalize the next year’s rates in the spring, and we’ll update this page once official 2027–2028 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.
Out-of-State Waivers & Reciprocity
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.
Sources:
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
UCF awards most merit scholarships automatically through its Pegasus and Knights Achievement programs. Awards are based on a student’s academic record and standardized test performance (if submitted). UCF superscores both SAT and ACT. Applying by the November 1 Early Action deadline maximizes eligibility.
Automatic
Pegasus Provost Scholarship
📅 Deadline: Nov 1
✓ Renews (3 GPA, 8 yrs)
Holistic / Status Based
✚
Stacking & Combining
Provost stacks with Bright Futures, National Merit-related awards, and federal aid up to cost of attendance. For a Florida resident with Provost + FAS + Pell, out-of-pocket tuition can effectively be zeroed out.
💡
Strategic Detail
UCF's FAQ confirms Provost Scholarship as a distinct program in the Pegasus family, but does not publish the exact dollar amount, GPA cutoff, or test-score threshold. Awarded automatically at admission to a limited number of top applicants; renewal follows Pegasus standards (3.0 UCF GPA, 24 credits per academic year, up to 8 terms).
🕵
Who Actually Wins
A very small group of top admits — students with the most rigorous coursework, exceptional GPAs, and highest superscored test results in the incoming class. UCF does not publish cutoffs, but historically these are students who would be highly competitive at any Florida flagship. Applying by Nov 1 Early Action is essential.
Automatic
Pegasus Scholarship (Residents)
📅 Deadline: Nov 1
✓ Renews (3 GPA, 8 yrs)
Holistic / Status Based
✚
Stacking & Combining
Great news: Pegasus stacks beautifully with Florida Bright Futures and federal aid like the Pell Grant. The only ceiling is total cost of attendance — your student can't receive more aid than what UCF says it costs to attend. Most Florida families see Pegasus + Bright Futures combined make a real dent in tuition.
💡
Strategic Detail
UCF does not publish the exact Pegasus tier dollar amounts, GPA cutoffs, or test score minimums on its Financial Aid page — award levels are determined internally at admission. Third-party summaries have estimated resident tier awards in the $1,500–$7,500 per-year range; treat these as informal ballpark figures rather than published UCF policy.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Most winners: Florida residents admitted for summer or fall with strong, rigorous academic records — think honors and AP-heavy transcripts, competitive GPAs, and solid test scores. UCF doesn't publish the exact cutoffs, which means the awards are calibrated to each incoming class. Applying by the Nov 1 Early Action deadline is the single biggest lever your family controls.
Automatic
Pegasus / Knights Achievement (Non-Residents)
📅 Deadline: Nov 1
✓ Renews (3 GPA, 8 yrs)
Holistic / Status Based
✚
Stacking & Combining
Non-resident fee waivers stack, but here's the catch parents need to know: any combination of UCF-sponsored waivers can only cover up to the actual non-resident fee amount, whichever is less. Beyond that, other aid can layer on top up to cost of attendance. Practically, this can chip away at that daunting out-of-state price tag significantly.
💡
Strategic Detail
UCF does not publish specific dollar amounts, GPA minimums, or test-score thresholds for non-resident fee waivers. Third-party summaries have estimated the combined award value in the $7,500–$10,500 per-year range; treat as ballpark rather than official UCF policy. Waivers cannot exceed the actual non-resident fee assessed each term.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
High-achieving out-of-state students admitted for summer or fall with rigorous coursework and strong test scores. UCF uses these waivers strategically to attract top talent from other states — so your student's academic profile matters more than any hard cutoff. Get that application in by Nov 1 Early Action.
* 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.
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.
Sources:
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.
Full TuitionAutomatic
National Merit Scholarship Package (UCF)
📅 Deadline: Nov 1
✓ Renews (3.2 GPA, 8 yrs)
Full Tuition
Institutional National Merit package (layers with state aid where applicable)
✔ Stackable
Holistic / Status Based
✚
Stacking & Combining
This is where UCF really shines for Finalists. In-state Finalists typically pair the UCF package with the Benacquisto Scholarship (Florida's state-funded full-ride for out-of-state Finalists — wait, in-state Finalists layer Bright Futures on top). Out-of-state Finalists receive UCF's institutional National Merit package plus non-resident fee waivers, which together can approach a full-ride experience. Total aid can't exceed cost of attendance.
💡
Strategic Detail
UCF does not publish the exact institutional National Merit package amount on its public Financial Aid pages; the package structure and components vary based on residency, state-program overlap, and institutional policy. Renewal requires a 3.2 UCF GPA (higher than the 3.0 Pegasus renewal standard) and 24 UCF credits per academic year.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Most winners: National Merit Finalists who commit to UCF as their first-choice institution with NMSC by the spring deadline and meet UCF's admissions and enrollment requirements. This is a package built for a very specific student — the ~15,000 Finalists named nationally each year.
Full TuitionApp Requiredgeographic
Florida Bright Futures — Florida Academic Scholars (FAS)
📅 Deadline: Aug 31
✓ Renews (3 GPA)
Full Tuition
State-funded scholarship covering 100% of tuition and applicable fees plus book allowance
✔ Stackable
⚠ State-funded scholarship for Florida residents who meet Bright Futures FAS academic and service requirements; at UCF it covers 100% of tuition and applicable fees, including summer, up to 120 credits.
Holistic / Status Based
✚
Stacking & Combining
FAS is your Florida family's foundation piece — it stacks with UCF's Pegasus tiers, federal aid, and most institutional scholarships. Total aid still can't exceed cost of attendance, but with FAS covering tuition, Pegasus and other awards often free up money for housing, books, and living expenses.
📄
How to Apply
Have your student complete the Florida Financial Aid Application (FFAA) by Aug 31 following high school graduation. This is a state form, not a UCF form — it's the trigger that turns on all Bright Futures award levels. Eligibility criteria (GPA, test scores, service hours) are governed by the Florida Department of Education.
💡
Strategic Detail
State-funded program administered by the Florida Department of Education; UCF simply applies the award to eligible tuition charges. At UCF, FAS is calculated at $212.28 per credit hour (100% of tuition and applicable fees). Eligible students meeting the Academic Top Scholars threshold receive an additional per-credit-hour supplement. Award covers up to 5 years from HS graduation and about 120 semester credit hours.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Most winners: Florida residents who hit the FAS academic benchmarks set by the Florida DOE — historically the higher tier of Bright Futures, requiring stronger GPA, test scores, and service hours than FMS. UCF applies FAS to tuition and applicable fees at $212.28 per credit hour, including summer term, up to about 120 credit hours total.
App Required
Florida Bright Futures — Florida Medallion Scholars (FMS)
📅 Deadline: Aug 31
✓ Renews (2.75 GPA)
Holistic / Status Based
✚
Stacking & Combining
FMS still stacks with UCF's Pegasus tiers and federal aid — the mechanics are identical to FAS, just at a lower percentage. Many Florida families combine FMS + Pegasus + Pell to build a package that meaningfully lowers the family's out-of-pocket cost.
📄
How to Apply
Have your student complete the Florida Financial Aid Application (FFAA) by Aug 31 following high school graduation. FMS is the second Bright Futures tier — eligibility benchmarks are set by the Florida Department of Education and are lower than FAS but still competitive.
💡
Strategic Detail
State-funded and administered by the Florida DOE. At UCF, FMS is calculated at $159.21 per credit hour. FMS renewal requires a 2.75 postsecondary GPA (slightly lower than FAS at 3.0). Award covers up to 5 years from HS graduation and about 120 semester credit hours.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Most winners: Florida residents who hit the FMS benchmarks set by the Florida DOE — a rung below FAS but still requiring solid GPA, test scores, and community service. UCF applies FMS at $159.21 per credit hour (75% of tuition and applicable fees).
* 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.
🗓 Deadlines to Note:
• 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.
Sources:
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
💎 Hidden Gem Scholarships
These are lesser-known, high-impact programs at UCF—need-based, identity-based, departmental, ROTC, research, and study-abroad funds that can stack with other aid (up to your Cost of Attendance). Use UCF’s scholarship portal (Access to Opportunities) and apply early.
App Required⚠ All Undergrad Only
Hispanic Endowed Scholarship (CREOL—Optics & Photonics)
📅 Deadline: A2O cycle (spring, confirm inside A2O listing)
Non-Renewable
🎓 All Undergrad
✚
Stacking & Combining
Stackable up to Cost of Attendance
📄
How to Apply
Apply in A2O (college-specific)
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Optics/Photonics students, concise statement, early A2O applicants
App Required⚠ All Undergrad Only
Dively-Dupuis LGBTQ Scholarship
📅 Deadline: Historically Mar 31 (verify current A2O posting)
Non-Renewable
🎓 All Undergrad
✚
Stacking & Combining
Stackable up to Cost of Attendance
📄
How to Apply
Apply in A2O (Access to Opportunities); timed cycle
🕵
Who Actually Wins
LGBTQ students with strong leadership/activism, early A2O applicants
App Required⚠ All Undergrad Only
Ferrante Family LGBTQ Scholarship
📅 Deadline: A2O cycle (late winter/early spring; verify current A2O listing)
Non-Renewable
🎓 All Undergrad
✚
Stacking & Combining
Stackable up to Cost of Attendance
📄
How to Apply
Apply in A2O (Access to Opportunities); timed cycle
🕵
Who Actually Wins
LGBTQ students with solid GPA and engagement, early A2O applicants
App Required⚠ All Undergrad Only
First Generation Matching Grant Program (FGMG)
📅 Deadline: A2O cycle (opens early spring; selections by late spring)
Non-Renewable
$1,000–$3,000/yr
✔ Stackable
🎓 All Undergrad
✚
Stacking & Combining
Stackable up to Cost of Attendance
📄
How to Apply
Apply in A2O (Access to Opportunities) and complete First-Gen supplement; FAFSA required
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Pell-eligible first-gen students who apply early in A2O
* 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.
Range notes: When a page listed “varies,” we translated to realistic ranges using UCF’s A2O listings and official program pages; exact awards are set by donors/offices and may change with funding. Most awards stack with other aid up to the Cost of Attendance.
Hidden Gems FAQ (UCF)
- Dively-Dupuis & Ferrante LGBTQ — when do they close? Historically late March (e.g., around Mar 31); UCF now posts the live date inside A2O. Check the current A2O listing and submit early.
- First-Gen Matching Grant — how do selections work? Apply in A2O and file the FAFSA; UCF notifies selected students by late spring via UCF email. Complete any A2O post-acceptance steps to lock it in.
- OUR Student Research Grants — exact due date? The fall round typically lands in mid-October (UCF posts the specific day each year). Your faculty mentor must endorse in InfoReady, so don’t wait.
- SURF — when should we plan? Apps open in late fall for the coming summer. Build in time for a mentor letter and a focused summer plan.
- LEAD Scholars Fellowship — where’s the deadline? The stipend is tied to being admitted to LEAD. The LEAD cohort application closes in early August for fall start; some LEAD-only scholarships post separate spring deadlines.
- HUT Scholarship — is there a universal date? No. Each academic college sets HUT scholarship timelines and announces them via the HUT Webcourse/college liaisons each term. Check there each fall/spring.
Sources:
https://ucf.academicworks.com/
https://www.ucf.edu/financial-aid/types/scholarships/
https://www.ucf.edu/financial-aid/types/scholarships/first-generation-matching-grant/
https://www.ucf.edu/financial-aid/types/scholarships/rotc/
https://undergradresearch.ucf.edu/research-funding/
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.
Typical Burnett Honors Profile:
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.
Honors Perks:
- 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
App Required⚠ All Undergrad Only
National Fellowship Mentoring (Prestigious Awards)
📅 Deadline: Varies by fellowship — most nationals have early fall or winter deadlines with campus deadlines set weeks earlier
Non-Renewable
$7,500–$30,000/yr
✔ Stackable
🎓 All Undergrad
✚
Stacking & Combining
These are typically standalone national awards paid directly to your student or their graduate program — they don't stack against UCF cost of attendance in the traditional sense. Winning one can transform a graduate school application and dramatically expand the family's funding options for advanced study.
📄
How to Apply
Work with UCF's Office of Prestigious Awards (OPA), housed within Burnett Honors College. Students meet with OPA staff to identify target fellowships (Goldwater for STEM, Truman for public service, Rhodes/Marshall for UK graduate study, Fulbright for international research, etc.), then get one-on-one mentoring on essays, interviews, and campus endorsement.
✎ Essays🎤 Interview💌 Letters of Rec🌟 Finalist Event
💡
Strategic Detail
This is a mentoring and application-support pipeline, not a single scholarship. The $7,500–$30,000 range represents typical award values across the major national fellowships UCF supports. OPA guides students through campus endorsement, essays, interview prep, and finalist rounds.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Academically exceptional students with a clear intellectual or service mission — think top GPAs, sustained research or leadership involvement, and a compelling personal narrative. OPA mentorship is what takes a strong candidate to a truly nationally competitive one. Historically most successful applicants are Burnett Honors College students.
App Required⚠ All Undergrad Only
Burnett Honors College Scholarships
📅 Deadline: Fall cycle in October and spring cycle in February — exact dates posted each year in AcademicWorks
✓ Renews (3.2 GPA)
$500–$5,000/yr
✔ Stackable
🎓 All Undergrad
✚
Stacking & Combining
Burnett Honors scholarships stack neatly with Pegasus, Bright Futures, National Merit packages, and other UCF institutional aid — the ceiling is cost of attendance. Many BHC students layer several small awards from different sponsors to build a meaningful annual boost.
📄
How to Apply
Current Burnett Honors College students in good standing apply via UCF's AcademicWorks scholarship portal during the fall (October) and spring (February) application cycles. Applications typically include short essays and, for some awards, faculty input or specific supporting documents.
✎ Essays
💡
Strategic Detail
Burnett Honors College distributes over $135,000 annually in scholarships to current Honors students. Awards typically fall in the $500–$5,000 range, spanning categories like STEM, Financial Need, Leadership, Study Abroad, Undergraduate Research, and Internship Support. Fall cycle awards pay out in spring; spring cycle awards pay out in summer or fall.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Engaged, high-performing BHC students who submit thoughtful applications and maintain strong Honors GPAs. Awards span categories including STEM, financial need, leadership, study abroad, undergraduate research, and internship support — so nearly every BHC student has a plausible target scholarship if they apply during each cycle.
App Required⚠ Junior Only
Honors Undergraduate Thesis Research Grant
📅 Deadline: Fall and spring cycles — specific deadlines are posted in AcademicWorks and vary by department
Non-Renewable
🎓 Junior
✚
Stacking & Combining
Research grants layer on top of other UCF aid and are typically used for direct research costs — lab supplies, conference travel, participant compensation. They stack against cost of attendance but rarely bump against the ceiling because the amounts are modest.
📄
How to Apply
Your student must first be admitted to Burnett Honors College's Honors Undergraduate Thesis (HUT) program, secure a faculty mentor, and enroll in HUT credit hours. Then apply through their college or department's HUT scholarship cycle via AcademicWorks — many departments (Psychology, Sciences, Engineering, etc.) run their own grant competitions each term.
✎ Essays💌 Letters of Rec
💡
Strategic Detail
Multiple UCF colleges and departments partner with Burnett Honors College to offer HUT research grants each term, typically in the $500–$1,000 range. Amounts and eligibility vary by department; check the specific college's HUT scholarship page for the most accurate figures.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Most winners: Upperclassmen (usually juniors and seniors) admitted to the HUT program with a well-defined research question, a supportive faculty mentor, and a clear plan for how the funds will advance the thesis. Departments often prioritize projects with conference or publication potential.
* 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.
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.
Sources:
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.
National Spotlight:
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.
✅ Final Thoughts
For Florida families, UCF is one of the best deals in the country thanks to Bright Futures and Pegasus. Out-of-state students don’t get the same state-funded breaks, but strong academics can still unlock significant merit aid — especially if your student is a National Merit Finalist. The Burnett Honors College adds another layer, offering a smaller community and access to research grants and national fellowships inside one of the nation’s largest universities.
As with any big public university, the key is knowing which scholarships are automatic (like Pegasus), which are competitive (like National Merit), and which are hidden gems (like departmental awards or ROTC). Families who apply early, stay on top of deadlines, and stack aid sources can often bring the cost of UCF down to a very affordable level — sometimes close to zero tuition if Bright Futures or Pegasus are in play.
💡 Comparing Florida college offers? See our guide:
How to Compare Florida College Offers (Public vs Private + Bright Futures)
.
If you’re new to Florida financial aid, start with the
Florida College Aid Series overview
.
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