Florida International University Merit Based Scholarships 2026

If studying at one of Florida’s leading public research universities without worrying about tuition fees sounds like your dream, Florida International University (FIU) is ready to make it happen. For the Early Fall/Fall 2026 intake, FIU is offering automatic merit-based scholarships for high-achieving first-year undergraduate applicants.

The best part? There’s no separate scholarship application—if you apply for admission with your complete academic records and test scores before the deadline, you’re automatically considered.

1# Presidential Merit Scholarship – Full Tuition & Premium Perks

The Presidential Merit Scholarship is FIU’s most prestigious award, designed for top-performing students who demonstrate exceptional academic talent.

For Florida Residents

1. 1. Covers 100% of undergraduate tuition and fees
   2. Includes a book stipend
   3. Guaranteed admission to the Honors College
   4. Priority course registration
   5. Access to the Early Assurance Program at FIU’s Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine

For Non-Florida Residents

• • Merit-based out-of-state tuition waiver worth about $12,000 per year (based on 30 credit hours)
  • Applies only toward out-of-state tuition; if residency changes to in-state, the waiver ends
  • Cannot be combined with other tuition-waiver programs like the Grandparent Waiver.

2# Gold and Blue Scholarship – Celebrating Academic Excellence

The Gold and Blue Scholarship rewards academically outstanding incoming students. The amount varies depending on residency and is distributed over four years.

• For Florida Residents – Between $1,000 and $12,000
• For Non-Florida Residents – Between $4,000 and $24,000

Note: This award cannot be combined with other FIU merit-based scholarships.

Who Can Apply?

To be considered for these scholarships, applicants must:

• Be a first-time-in-college (FTIC) student
• Be a U.S. citizen, U.S. lawful permanent resident, or an international student holding or planning to obtain an eligible visa (e.g., F-1 student visa)
• Submit a complete undergraduate application, including: Application form, and official SAT, ACT, or CLT scores sent directly to FIU

Since scholarship selection is based on your admission documents, no separate application form is required.

Application Deadlines

If you’re aiming to grab one of FIU’s coveted merit-based scholarships, timing is everything. Florida residents must have their complete application and all supporting documents in by November 3, 2025, while non-Florida residents get a little extra time until December 17, 2025.

But here’s the catch—your official test scores must also reach FIU before these dates, so plan to take your exams no later than the recommended last test dates: SAT on October 4, 2025, ACT on October 18, 2025, or CLT on September 22, 2025.

Remember, funds are limited and awarded on a rolling basis, so every day you delay could mean the difference between a full scholarship and no scholarship at all. Apply early, secure your spot, and don’t let someone else take your place.

Why International Students Should Apply?

• Access world-class education at a leading U.S. public research university
• Reduce or eliminate tuition costs
• Gain entry into elite academic programs and networking opportunities
• Secure financial support without the hassle of a separate scholarship application.

If you meet the eligibility criteria, act early and send in your application along with official test scores before the deadline. Your academic excellence could be your ticket to a fully funded U.S. education.