Florida International University Merit Scholarships 2026 | Undergraduate Funding USA

Study at FIU with Merit-Based Scholarships

Florida International University (FIU)—one of the top public research universities in the United States—offers a variety of merit scholarships for first-time-in-college (FTIC) and transfer students enrolling in Early Fall/Fall 2026. These competitive awards recognize academic excellence and help reduce the financial cost of earning an undergraduate degree in the USA.

Whether you’re a Florida resident, out-of-state student, or an international applicant, FIU provides merit-based opportunities tailored to your achievements, test scores, and residency status.

At a Glance – FIU Merit Scholarships 2026

• Institution: Florida International University (FIU)

• Study Level: Undergraduate / Bachelor’s Degree

• Eligible Applicants: U.S. citizens, permanent residents, and international students

• Eligible Subjects: All fields of study at FIU

• Scholarship Type: Merit-based, partial to full coverage

• Application Mode: Automatic consideration (no separate application required)

• Residency Categories: Florida residents and non-Florida residents (including F-1 visa students)

Types of FIU Merit Scholarships for 2026

1. Presidential Merit Scholarship

Awarded to top-performing incoming freshmen based on GPA, standardized test scores, and overall academic record. Highly competitive and offers significant tuition support.

2. Gold and Blue Scholarship

• Florida Residents: $1,000–$2,000 per year
  Deadline: May 5, 2026

• Non-Florida Residents: $2,000–$4,000 per year
  Deadline: February 10, 2026

Available to both FTIC and transfer students. Cannot be combined (“stacked”) with other FIU merit awards.

3. FIU National Merit Finalist Scholarship

Exclusive to National Merit Finalists.

• Florida Residents: Funded through the Benacquisto Scholarship Program, covering full cost of attendance (minus other awards). Average: ~$9,000 per semester.

• Non-Florida Residents: Funded by FIU, covering:

  • 100% tuition and fees

  • On-campus housing with meal plan

  • Book stipend

• Additional Benefits:

  • Guaranteed Honors College admission

  • Priority registration

  • Research and mentorship opportunities

  • Early Assurance Program access in the College of Medicine

Requirements:

• Apply and be admitted to FIU by March 4, 2026

• Designate FIU as first-choice university with the National Merit Scholarship Corporation by May 1, 2026

4. Raise.Me Micro-Scholarships

Earn micro-scholarships for achievements such as grades, volunteer work, and extracurricular activities.

For High School Students:

• Up to $2,500/year

• Must be a Florida or DC resident

• GPA: 3.2 minimum

• Apply to FIU by November 3, 2025

• Complete Raise.Me profile by December 1, 2025

For Transfer Students:

• Must complete AA or AS from a Florida college

• GPA: 3.5 minimum

• Apply to FIU and complete Raise.Me profile by May 5, 2026

• Minimum of 45 credits recorded on Raise.Me

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must:

• Submit a complete FIU admissions application (including fee or waiver)

• Send official SAT, ACT, or CLT scores directly to FIU

• Be a U.S. citizen, permanent resident, or eligible international student (F-1 visa)

• Meet recommended final test dates for consideration:

  • ACT: October 18, 2025

  • CLT: September 22, 2025

  • SAT: October 4, 2025

Apply Also

• University of Lausanne Master’s Scholarship 2026 (Fully Funded)
• Deakin University RTP & DUPR Scholarships 2026 (Fully Funded – Australia)

Application Process

1. Apply to FIU by the correct deadline:

   • Florida Residents: November 3, 2025

   • Non-Florida Residents: December 17, 2025

2. Submit required test scores and academic documents before deadlines.

3. Create a Raise.Me profile (if eligible) before the stated dates.

4. Track application and scholarship status via the FIU student portal.

No separate scholarship application is required—FIU automatically considers eligible students.

Final Thoughts

The FIU Merit Scholarships 2026 offer valuable financial support for ambitious students aiming to pursue undergraduate studies in the USA. From partial tuition awards to full cost coverage for National Merit Finalists, there’s an option for every high-achieving applicant.

Early application is key—submit your FIU admission form, send test scores, and meet all deadlines to maximize your chances.

Official Website: Florida International University Scholarships

Apply Now