University of Miami Scholarships (2025–2026)

What This Page Covers:

Tuition, housing, and what families actually pay on average
Automatic merit ranges and who typically qualifies
Competitive and hidden-gem scholarships worth a look
Honors perks and how to stack awards the smart way

Sending a student to the University of Miami can feel exciting but also overwhelming—especially when you see the sticker price. The good news is that UM offers automatic merit, big-name full tuition awards, and access to Florida programs like Bright Futures that can lower the cost dramatically. This guide breaks it all down in plain English, so families in Florida and beyond know what to expect and how to plan. For more state aid options, check out our Florida guide or return to the full College Scholarships Hub.

💰 Cost of Attendance at University of Miami

Expense	On-Campus	Off-Campus
Tuition (12–20 credits)	$63,456	$63,456
Mandatory Fees	$1,974	$1,974
Housing & Meals	$25,030	$26,000
Books & Supplies	$1,326	$1,326
Personal Expenses	$4,254	$4,254
Transportation	$2,040	$2,040
Loan Fees	$38	$38
Total	$98,118	$99,088

Average Net Price: According to federal data, families actually paid about $41,028 per year after scholarships and grants (2022–2023). This is what most households spent out of pocket—before any loans.

Out-of-State Waivers & Regional Programs: Because UM is a private university, there is no in-state discount or public reciprocity program (like Academic Common Market or WUE). Instead, Florida residents may bring state aid such as Bright Futures, which reduces tuition on a per-credit basis. Example: a student with the Florida Academic Scholars level could save around $6,300/year toward UM tuition.

Who qualifies? Florida residents meeting Bright Futures GPA/test/service criteria.
How much? FAS ≈ $212/credit (≈$6,300/year); FMS ≈ $160/credit (≈$4,800/year).
Automatic? No — students must complete the Florida Financial Aid Application (FFAA).

Heads up for parents: The University of Miami requires the CSS Profile in addition to the FAFSA for financial aid. This extra form digs into family finances in more detail, so plan ahead.

✅ Automatic Merit Scholarships

UM automatically considers first-year applicants for merit during admission. Amounts vary based on academic strength, curriculum rigor, and overall application context. Recipients generally may receive only one Undergraduate Admission merit award.

Scholarship	Award Amount	Eligibility	Separate App?	Renewable?	Who Actually Wins?
President’s Scholarship	Up to $28,000/yr	Top academics in a rigorous high-school curriculum; holistic review; test-optional allowed.	No	Yes — typically ≥12 credits/term and ≥3.0 UM GPA/year	Unweighted GPA ~3.8–4.0 with strong rigor; test scores (if submitted) often at/above UM middle-50% (ACT ~30–33 / SAT ~1340–1450)
’Canes Achievement Award	Up to $16,000/yr	Solid academics and contributions; holistic review; test-optional allowed.	No	Yes — typically ≥12 credits/term and ≥3.0 UM GPA/year	Unweighted GPA ~3.6–3.9 with college-prep rigor; test scores (if submitted) near UM middle-50%

Range note: Broad ranges reflect holistic review and funding; exact cutoffs are not published. Estimates disclaimer: Asterisks (*) mark GPA/test bands inferred from UM’s class profile and typical merit patterns, not official cutoffs.

Related programs: UM participates in National Merit (college-sponsored awards) and offers the prestigious Stamps Scholarship via a separate competitive (invitation) process.

Automatic Merit — Quick FAQ

How do I get considered? You’re automatically considered when you apply to UM; for strongest consideration (including Premier review), submit a completed application by November 1.

Do they superscore the SAT/ACT? Yes. UM superscores both SAT and ACT. You can self-report scores; UM will recompute the highest section scores across test dates when available.

Can I stack multiple UM merit awards? No. Students typically receive only one Undergraduate Admission merit scholarship. Outside/state aid (e.g., Bright Futures) may stack but total aid cannot exceed COA.

What are the renewal rules? Plan on enrolling full-time (≥12 credits each semester) and maintaining about a 3.0 UM GPA each academic year (checked after spring).

🏆 Competitive Scholarships

The University of Miami sets aside a handful of highly selective awards that go beyond automatic merit. These are limited in number, require strong academics and leadership, and often include an invitation-only process with interviews or essays. Applying by November 1 is essential for consideration.

Scholarship	Award Amount	Eligibility	Separate App?	Renewable?	Who Actually Wins?
Stamps Scholarship	Full cost of attendance + enrichment funds (up to 8 semesters)	Top academic achievers; leadership and service; invitation-only after Nov 1 application	Yes — by invitation, with interview	Yes — full-time, satisfactory progress	National-level scholars with rigorous coursework, leadership, and standout applications
Isaac Bashevis Singer Scholarship	Full tuition (up to 8 semesters)	Highest academic achievers; apply by Nov 1; invitation-only process	Yes — by invitation	Yes — full-time, satisfactory progress	Students with near-perfect GPA and rigor; often test scores well above UM’s middle-50% if submitted
Ronald A. Hammond Scholarship	Full tuition for four years	U.S. citizens/permanent residents; emphasis on first-generation and underrepresented backgrounds; apply by Nov 1	Yes — by invitation, finalist essay required	Yes — full-time + 3.0 UM GPA	High-achieving first-generation students with strong academics, leadership, and service
George W. Jenkins Scholarship	Comprehensive award (tuition + support); very limited	Students with significant adversity and leadership/service records; apply by Nov 1	Yes — by invitation/nomination	Yes — full-time, satisfactory progress	Exceptional leaders with compelling life stories and strong academics

Competitive Scholarship FAQ

Are these automatic? No. You must apply by November 1 to be considered, and finalists are invited to interviews or additional steps.

How many students get them? Very few. Stamps, Singer, Hammond, and Jenkins are awarded to a small fraction of admitted students each year.

Can I combine these with other UM awards? No. If you earn one of these Premier scholarships, it replaces other automatic merit awards from admission.

What kind of student wins? Those with top academics, leadership, service, and unique impact. Think students at the very top of the applicant pool nationally.

💎 Hidden Gem Scholarships

Not every scholarship at the University of Miami comes through admission. Some awards come from the state of Florida or from military service pathways, and they can make a real difference when stacked with UM merit.

Scholarship	Award Amount	Eligibility	Separate App?	Renewable?	Who Actually Wins?
Florida Bright Futures (FAS & FMS)	FAS ≈ $6,300/yr; FMS ≈ $4,800/yr	Florida residents who meet GPA, coursework, and test/service requirements	Yes — Florida Financial Aid Application (FFAA)	Yes — FAS requires 3.0 GPA; FMS requires 2.75 GPA	Florida high school graduates with qualifying academics and service hours
Army ROTC Scholarship	Covers full tuition & fees; includes book allowance and monthly stipend	U.S. citizens who meet academic, medical, and fitness standards	Yes — ROTC application	Yes — maintain academic/fitness standards and service commitment	Students interested in Army officer careers who are physically fit and academically solid
Air Force ROTC Scholarship	Type 1: full tuition; Type 2: up to $18,000/yr; plus stipend and book allowance	U.S. citizens who meet academic, medical, and fitness standards	Yes — AFROTC application	Yes — maintain academic/fitness standards and service commitment	High-achieving students, often STEM majors, with leadership and fitness strength
Navy/Marine Option ROTC Scholarship	Covers full tuition & fees; includes stipend and book allowance	U.S. citizens meeting Navy/Marine academic, fitness, and leadership standards	Yes — NROTC application	Yes — maintain academic/fitness standards and service commitment	Students preparing for Navy or Marine service with strong academics and fitness
George W. Jenkins Scholarship	Full cost of attendance for 4 years (tuition, fees, housing, meals, books)	Students with a record of overcoming significant adversity; requires counselor nomination and strong academics	Yes — nomination by high school counselor	Yes — maintain full-time enrollment and satisfactory academic progress	Exceptional leaders with resilience, service, and solid academic performance
Frost Band of the Hour Stipend	$2,000 for new members; larger stipends for returning members each year	Undergraduate students who join the Frost Band of the Hour marching band	Yes — marching band audition and commitment	Yes — as long as the student participates annually	Committed musicians who perform with the UM marching band and return year after year

Disclaimer: Award amounts and GPA/test requirements listed above are based on the most current published ranges. Some figures (e.g., ROTC award levels, Bright Futures per-credit values) are updated annually by federal or state agencies. Always verify with the official program for the exact year of entry.

Departmental Scholarships: Many academic departments at UM offer their own merit scholarships to majors; amounts and eligibility vary and require checking with each department.
Campus Groups & Activities: Additional awards may exist through clubs, Greek organizations, or campus organizations, but these are broad opportunities with variable dollar amounts and should be confirmed directly with each group.

Hidden Gem FAQ

Can Florida Bright Futures be used at UM? Yes. Even though UM is private, Bright Futures awards a set per-credit amount for students who qualify, which adds up to thousands each year.

Do ROTC scholarships cover everything? They cover full tuition and fees, plus stipends and books. You may still be responsible for housing and meals if you choose the tuition option.

Can ROTC stack with UM scholarships? Typically not with another full-tuition award. But some students use ROTC to cover tuition and then apply other aid toward housing or meals.

When should students apply for ROTC? As early as junior year of high school, since national boards begin reviewing applicants months before college decisions.

⭐ College Specialty

The University of Miami is a private R1 Research University with a reputation that stretches from the sciences to the arts. Families often hear about its sunny location and spirited student life, but what truly sets UM apart are its nationally ranked programs and the career pipelines they create. Here’s where Miami stands out most.

Top Highlight: Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric, and Earth Science — Consistently recognized among the nation’s leading programs for oceanography, climate research, and marine biology, with direct access to coastal labs and NOAA partnerships.

Frost School of Music — Ranked among the top music schools nationally for performance, music business, and engineering; graduates often work in the music industry hub of Miami.
Bascom Palmer Eye Institute — Ranked #1 in the U.S. for ophthalmology by U.S. News & World Report for nearly two decades; offers undergraduate research access in vision science and pre-med pipelines.
Miami Herbert Business School — Recognized for global business and finance programs, leveraging Miami’s role as a hub for international trade and Latin American markets.
Health Sciences (UHealth and Miller School of Medicine) — UM’s research hospitals and labs provide undergraduates unique opportunities for hands-on experience in medicine and public health.

🎖️ Honors College

At the University of Miami, the Foote Fellows Honors Program is one of the most distinctive academic pathways. Admission is by invitation at the time of acceptance, and it’s designed for students who want flexibility and access to the university’s top opportunities. There are no extra tuition costs, but there are real perks that set Foote Fellows apart.

What a Typical UM Foote Fellow Looks Like:
High school GPA near the top of the class, a rigorous AP/IB/AICE curriculum, strong leadership or service, and—if submitted—test scores at or above UM’s middle-50% range.

Honors Perks that Matter:

Waived general education requirements in many areas, giving more freedom to double-major or explore electives
Priority registration and small, discussion-based seminars
Faculty-mentored research projects and guidance for national fellowships
Special lectures, advising, and recognition on the transcript at graduation

Scholarship	Award Amount	Eligibility	Separate App?	Renewable?	Who Actually Wins?
Marta S. and L. Austin Weeks Endowed Scholarship	Full tuition (4 years)	Exceptional incoming freshmen with outstanding academic records and demonstrated leadership/service	Yes — invitation or nomination process	Yes — maintain full-time enrollment and strong GPA	Top applicants in the incoming class; often those also considered for Premier Honors-level awards

Note: This award is available to incoming freshmen and often overlaps with the pool of students invited into the Foote Fellows Honors Program or considered for Premier scholarships.

Honors Program FAQ

Is admission automatic? No. Students are invited based on their admission application; you cannot apply separately as an incoming freshman (though some schools allow an “earn-in” after the first year).

Does Honors add time to graduation? No. In fact, because general education requirements are waived, many Foote Fellows finish on time or even early while pursuing extra majors or minors.

Are there extra scholarships for Honors? Not through the Foote Fellows Program itself. Scholarships like Stamps, Singer, and Hammond are separate competitive awards managed by Undergraduate Admission.

When will I know if I’m invited? Honors invitations come with your admission decision, especially if you apply by the early deadline.

📎 Official Links

Final Thoughts

Choosing the University of Miami is about more than just the sunshine—it’s about investing in a school that offers serious academics, nationally known programs, and scholarships that can make the cost more manageable. From automatic awards to big-name competitive scholarships and Florida Bright Futures, families have multiple ways to bring the price down. Remember: the earlier your student applies, the better the odds of being considered for UM’s top opportunities.

✅ Last updated: September 12, 2025