Florida International University (FIU), one of the most prominent public research universities in the U.S., offers a wide range of merit scholarships for first-time-in-college (FTIC) students and transfer students enrolling for Early Fall/Fall 2026. These FIU scholarships are designed to reward outstanding academic performance and reduce the financial burden on high-achieving students.

If you’re planning to attend FIU in 2026, here’s everything you need to know about eligibility, deadlines, types of scholarships, and how to apply.

Degree Level

USA Florida International University Merit Scholarships 2026 is available to undertake Undergraduate, Bachelor level programs at Florida International University.

Available Subjects

Following subjects are available to study under this scholarship program.

• All Subjects

Benefits

Types of FIU Merit Scholarships for 2026

1. Presidential Merit Scholarship

This competitive scholarship is awarded to top-performing first-year students. Eligibility is based on academic excellence, standardized test scores, and residency status.

2. Gold and Blue Scholarship

1. Florida Residents: $1,000 to $2,000
2. Deadline: May 5, 2026
3. Non-Florida Residents: $2,000 to $4,000
4. Deadline: February 10, 2026

This scholarship is awarded to both FTIC and transfer students with strong academic records. However, it cannot be stacked with other FIU merit scholarships.

3. FIU National Merit Finalist Scholarship

A prestigious award for National Merit Finalists, with generous financial and academic benefits.

1. Florida Residents: Funded by the State of Florida through the Benacquisto Scholarship Program. Covers full cost of attendance, minus other awards. Average award is around $9,000 per semester.
2. Non-Florida Residents: Funded by FIU, covering:
3. 100% tuition and fees
4. On-campus housing with meal plan
5. Book stipend

Academic perks include:

1. Guaranteed Honors College admission
2. Priority registration
3. Research and mentorship opportunities
4. Access to the College of Medicine Early Assurance Program

Requirements:

1. Apply to FIU and complete admission by March 4, 2026
2. Designate FIU as your first-choice university with the National Merit Scholarship Corporation by May 1, 2026

4. Raise.Me Micro-Scholarships

FIU partners with Raise.Me to offer micro-scholarships for high school and transfer students based on achievements such as grades, community service, and extracurriculars.

1. High School Students:
2. Up to $2,500/year
3. Must be a Florida or DC resident
4. GPA: 3.2 minimum
5. Apply to FIU by November 3, 2025
6. Complete Raise.Me profile by December 1, 2025
7. Transfer Students:
8. Must complete AA or AS from a Florida college
9. GPA: 3.5 minimum
10. Apply to FIU and complete Raise.Me profile by May 5, 2026
11. Minimum of 45 credits earned on Raise.Me

Eligibility Criteria for FIU Scholarships

To be considered for merit-based scholarships at FIU, applicants must:

1. Submit a complete admissions application, including application fee or waiver
2. Send official SAT, ACT, or CLT scores directly to FIU
3. Be a U.S. citizen, permanent resident, or eligible international student (planning to study on an F-1 visa)

Recommended last test dates for 2026 scholarship consideration:

1. ACT: October 18, 2025
2. CLT: September 22, 2025
3. SAT: October 4, 2025

FIU does not require a separate scholarship application. All students who meet the deadlines and eligibility will be automatically considered.

Eligible Nationalities

Open to applicants of all nationalities.

Eligibility Criteria

To be considered for merit-based scholarships at FIU, applicants must:

1. Submit a complete admissions application, including application fee or waiver
2. Send official SAT, ACT, or CLT scores directly to FIU
3. Be a U.S. citizen, permanent resident, or eligible international student (planning to study on an F-1 visa)

Recommended last test dates for 2026 scholarship consideration:

1. ACT: October 18, 2025
2. CLT: September 22, 2025
3. SAT: October 4, 2025

FIU does not require a separate scholarship application. All students who meet the deadlines and eligibility will be automatically considered.

Application Procedure

1. Apply to FIU by the correct deadline based on your residency status.
2. Florida Residents: November 3, 2025
3. Non-Florida Residents: December 17, 2025
4. Submit test scores and required documents on time.
5. Create a Raise.Me profile (if eligible) before the stated deadlines.
6. Monitor your FIU admission status and scholarship offers through your student portal.