Navigating the FSU National Merit Scholarship Landscape

Florida State University (FSU) offers a variety of scholarships to recognize and support talented students. Among these, the National Merit Scholarship program stands out as a prestigious opportunity for high-achieving students. This article provides a comprehensive overview of the FSU National Merit Scholarship requirements, eligibility criteria, and related awards.

Understanding Merit-Based Scholarships at FSU

Scholarships offered by the Office of Admissions are typically awarded upon acceptance as a first-year student. The criteria for these scholarships can fluctuate annually, influenced by the academic profile of the incoming class and the availability of funds. Academic merit, demonstrated through a rigorous curriculum and strong test scores, is a primary factor in the competitive selection process. Early application for admission is highly recommended due to the limited availability of scholarship funds.

National Merit Finalist Scholarships

Benacquisto Scholarship

This prestigious scholarship is available to National Merit Finalists graduating with a standard high school diploma and who are awarded a National Merit, Corporate National Merit, or College-sponsored National Merit Scholarship. To receive this award, you must qualify as a National Merit Finalist and list FSU as your first-choice institution with the National Merit Scholarship Corporation by May 1 in your high school senior year. This scholarship also guarantees admission into FSU’s distinguished University Honors Program once National Merit Finalist standing has been confirmed.

Eligible scholars will receive an award equal to the institutional cost of attendance for an in-state student minus the sum of Bright Futures and any National Merit award. It is important to note that the value of the Bright Futures can vary each term based on credit hour enrollment, so the overall total of the Benacquisto Award can fluctuate per student.

Out-of-State National Merit Scholarship

Florida State University's Out-of-State National Merit Award scholarship package has a total value of approximately $75,776 distributed across four years. This scholarship guarantees admission into FSU’s distinguished University Honors Program once National Merit Finalist standing has been confirmed.

It includes a 100 percent out-of-state tuition waiver, a $16,000 Vires scholarship, and a $2000 NMSC stipend (if college sponsored).

Additional Scholarship Opportunities at FSU

Besides the National Merit scholarships, FSU offers a range of other scholarships to support students with diverse backgrounds and achievements.

Presidential Scholars Program

The Presidential Scholars program is open to high school seniors who are admitted into the Florida State University Honors Program. Students who apply to the University Honors Program will automatically be considered for this scholarship program, which is invitation-only following an interview process.

The scholarship has a total value of $42,000, plus an out-of-state tuition waiver valued at $57,776 distributed across four years. Recipients of this award must take a minimum of 15 credit hours per semester and maintain a grade point average of 3.0 or higher at Florida State.

Vires Scholarship

The Vires Scholarship is an award for Florida Residents inspired by the Latin word Vires, one of the three torches found on our university seal symbolizing strength. Applicants are automatically considered for the Vires Scholarship. A separate application is not required. The Florida State University's Vires Scholarship is a total amount of $16,000, which will be distributed throughout eight semesters in $2,000 increments at the beginning of each fall and spring term.

Mores Scholarship

The Mores Scholarship is an award for Florida Residents inspired by the Latin word Mores, one of the three torches found on our university seal symbolizing character. Applicants are automatically considered for the Mores Scholarship through our holistic review. A separate application is not required. The Florida State University's total value of the award is $12,000, which will be distributed throughout eight semesters in $1,500 increments at the beginning of each fall and spring term.

Partner Promise Scholarship

The Florida State University Partner Promise Scholarship is an award for Florida residents graduating from one of our partner schools. Applicants from partner schools are automatically considered for this scholarship. The total amount of this award is $12,000, which will be distributed throughout eight semesters in $1,500 increments at the beginning of each fall and spring semester. Partner schools include: Duval County: Andrew Jackson High School, Riverside High School, Jean Ribault High School, William M. Leon County: Amos P. Godby High School, Rickards High School, SAIL High School, and Lincoln High School.

Out-of-State Tuition Reduction Waivers

Out-of-State tuition reduction waivers are awarded to a limited number of admitted non-Florida first-year students. Admitted first-year students are automatically considered for this scholarship based on academic performance in the classroom and test scores. A separate application is not required.

The scholarship is a 100 percent reduction (waiver) of the out-of-state portion of the tuition cost, valued at approximately $481 per semester hour ($14,444 based on 30 semester hours for the academic year, a total value of $57,776 distributed across four years). Please note that this award is prorated based on your actual enrollment each term.

Students who are selected for this scholarship must be recommended by their fine arts major program after the completion of an audition, interview, and/or portfolio review. The scholarship is a 50 percent reduction (waiver) of the out-of-state portion of the tuition cost, valued at approximately $240 per semester hour ($7,222 based on 30 semester hours for the academic year, a total value of $28,888 distributed across four years). Please note that this award is prorated based on your actual enrollment each term. The waiver amount is only applied toward tuition and does not include other fees, nor does it apply toward study-abroad programs.

IB Diploma Scholarship

Applicants are automatically considered for the IB Diploma Scholarship. A separate application is not required. The Florida State University's total value of the award is $8,000, which will be distributed throughout eight semesters in $1,000 increments at the beginning of each fall and spring term. Only first-year applicants admitted to the Tallahassee Campus for the summer or fall term are eligible for this award.

Sunshine Award

Applicants are automatically considered for the Sunshine Award. A separate application is not required. The Florida State University's total value of the award is $4,000, which will be distributed throughout eight semesters in $500 increments at the beginning of each fall and spring term. The Sunshine award scholarship is awarded at the director’s discretion to students whose applications stood out during our holistic review process.

FSU S8 Program

Funded by the National Science Foundation's (NSF) Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Scholarships (S-STEM) Program (Award Number: 2322362), the FSU S8 Program is dedicated to increasing the number of academically talented, low-income students with demonstrated financial need. Over its six-year duration, the FSU S8 Program will provide scholarships to 40 unique students. First-year students will receive a renewable, last-dollar scholarship up to $15,000 per academic year for full-time students and up to $7,500 for part-time students for four to six years. The application package for the S8 Program includes the following items. Complete FAFSA: Complete the 2024-2025 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). To submit a FAFSA application, go to studentaid.gov/.

Other Scholarship Programs

Southern Scholarship Foundation: The Southern Scholarship Foundation was established to provide outstanding students needing financial assistance with an opportunity to obtain a college education. The Foundation provides rent-free housing to deserving students in a cooperative living environment. The SSF currently operates 14 scholarship houses at Florida State University.
Military Scholarships: The military offers various scholarship programs for students who are interested in attending college and serving their country through the Armed Forces.
Athletic Scholarships: Available to men and women who represent the University in intercollegiate sporting events.
QUEST Scholars Program: The QUEST Scholars Program of FSU's Center for Academic Retention & Enhancement (CARE) is an invitation-only program designed to support students who are first-generation or from select schools/communities. The goal of the program is to build community, gain skills, and have an impactful FSU experience. QUEST Scholars can expect to have access to transition, academic and developmental services to thrive at Florida State and set the stage for a positive post-graduation experience. Participants in the program benefit from CARE resources such as academic advising, financial aid and financial wellness advising, tutoring, study rooms, wellbeing services, and specialized workshops on experiential learning opportunities. For renewal information please visit our renewal requirements page.
Illuminate Scholars and Enrichment Program: The Illuminate Scholars and Enrichment Program (Illuminate Program) from the Division of Undergraduate Studies is designed to promote student engagement, belonging and participation in experiential learning. The Illuminate Program includes structured workshops, support from professional staff, and an annual scholarship. Illuminate Scholars can expect to have access to a variety of college-related services to enrich their Florida State experience and set the stage for a positive post-graduation experience. For renewal information please visit our renewal requirements page.
Grandparent Waiver: In 2021, the Florida Legislature amended Section 1009.26, Florida Statutes, to create the Grandparent Waiver. Out-of-state first-year students admitted for the summer or fall semester, whose grandparent(s) currently reside in Florida, may be eligible for a tuition and fee waiver of the out-of-state tuition costs up to 110% of total degree hours. Florida State University has been allocated a small number of Grandparent Waivers for first-year students. Eligible recipients will be selected on a first-come, first-served basis as determined by the date the student submitted all necessary documentation. The awards are renewable until graduation with continuous full-time enrollment (a minimum of 12 hours per semester for fall and spring).
Bright Futures Scholarship: This scholarship is for Florida residents and is the umbrella program for all state-funded scholarships based on academic achievement in high school. To apply for a Bright Futures Scholarship, submit a completed Florida Financial Aid Application (FFAA) during your last year in high school (after December 1 and prior to graduation). It is your responsibility to know and meet the requirements of the Bright Future Scholarship Program before high school graduation. Beginning Fall 2021, students who have been awarded the Bright Futures Academic Scholarship will no longer receive $300 towards additional educational expenses for the fall and spring semesters. The new award is calculated at $213.55 per credit hour, which covers most of the core fees at Florida State University, but does not take into account additional costs like online or lab fees. The Florida Department of Education has determined that the award should cover 100% of the following fees; tuition, capital improvement, financial aid, athletics, health, activities & services, differential, transportation, and technology, which comes to a total of $213.55 per credit hour. FSU also assesses a $2 per credit hour Student Affairs Facilities Use Fee, a $20 per semester Facilities Use Fee, and a $5 per semester FSUCard fee that are not included in the fees allowable for Bright Futures calculation.

Maintaining Scholarship Eligibility

To maintain scholarship eligibility, students must meet certain renewal requirements. Students who meet the renewal requirements will see their award disbursed to their student account a few weeks prior to the start of the semester. Be advised that it is your responsibility to monitor your account and there may be a difference between the time that your award is disbursed and when it appears in your account.

FSU is required to report grades and hours earned at the end of spring so that the state can determine if a student meets renewal for their state awards. Students who fail to meet renewal requirements for any of the state programs due to an extenuating circumstance may appeal to restore eligibility.

Enrollment Requirements

Recipients of the Presidential Scholars award must take a minimum of 15 credit hours per semester and maintain a grade point average of 3.0 or higher at Florida State. Students in special programs will be expected to maintain full-time enrollment and adhere to the academic map for their major.

Underload Requests

Students who require accommodations and/or have a medical need that will necessitate taking fewer than 15 hours per semester while at FSU should register with the FSU Office of Accessibility Services (OAS). The request for an underload must be submitted by the last day of course registration for the upcoming semester. Allow three to five business days for a review of your request.

Course Drops

Students who need to drop a course are permitted to do under urgent circumstances, but please keep in mind your records will be reviewed to ensure you are maintaining consistent, successful degree progress and course completion. Note: Benacquisto scholars are not permitted to complete course drops after the drop/add period.

Scholarship Disbursements and Waivers

Scholarship funds are not made available until right before the start of the semester.

Tuition Waivers

The Florida Prepaid Plan qualifies a student as a Florida resident for tuition purposes. If you are receiving Florida Prepaid, you are not eligible for an out-of-state tuition waiver. Instead, we update your scholarship to reflect the in-state Vires scholarship. In the event you have Florida Prepaid and Bright Futures, Florida Prepaid will be applied to the tuition cost first. Then, any other funds awarded (scholarship, grants, loans) will be applied to your account balance, followed by the Bright Futures awards.

I am receiving a waiver from both the admissions office and my department, but the departmental waiver has not yet appeared. Departmental waivers are processed separately from admissions awards.

International Programs

Admissions scholarships can be utilized towards FSU FSU International Programs with the exception of the Out of State Tuition Waivers. There are no out-of-state fees associated with International Programs. Both in-state and out-of-state students pay the same program fees for study abroad experiences. No awards can be applied to Global Exchange.

Graduate Coursework

FSU Admissions scholarships can only be applied to academic pursuits at our institution. Students who complete their undergraduate studies at FSU may request that their remaining disbursements be applied to graduate-level coursework at FSU.

Additional Financial Aid Resources

To ensure the greatest likelihood of receiving financial support to attend Florida State University, you should apply early for admission and financial aid. The Office of Financial Aid awards assistance each year to eligible students in the form of scholarships, grants, work-study, and loans. Additionally, Florida State has resources that can help you find private sources of aid to attend college. In order to apply for need-based financial aid, applicants must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for the appropriate academic year. To begin researching scholarships, you might start in your own school or community library or with your guidance counselor at your present school. Local civic organizations and businesses may also offer scholarships. Florida State University's campus-wide and centralized award management system for FSU Foundation scholarships. Renewable scholarships for entering first-year and returning students who have a distinguished record of community involvement and a desire to continue to learn through service.

Modification Requests

We may work with students in limited cases to modify the requirements of their scholarship for a given term. Examples of adjustments include credit underloads, scholarship disbursement for summer terms, and the continuation of available scholarship funding for graduate coursework. To make this request please complete the Admissions Scholarship Modification Request Form below and provide the valid reason for requesting the modification (i.e., medical/personal circumstances, graduation term, rigorous courseload that term). These requests require approval and are reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

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