University of Central Florida does not publish an automatic merit grid
Orlando, Florida
No published automatic grid — how merit works here
Most colleges in our calculator publish a grid that ties exact dollar amounts to GPA and test-score thresholds. University of Central Florida does not publish an automatic merit grid — so it is not in the calculator, and this page shows no exact award amounts for it. Below is how its merit actually works, taken from the college's own official text.
How merit works at University of Central Florida
UCF states plainly in its official admissions FAQ that there are no fixed criteria for its merit scholarships. All first-year students are automatically considered, and a Scholarship Committee reviews admitted students, weighing high school academic performance, ACT/SAT/CLT results, application timing, leadership and extracurricular involvement. Funding is limited — UCF says on average just 20% of admitted students are offered a merit scholarship — and no single factor guarantees or excludes a student. Students who meet the Early Action deadlines (application October 15, materials November 15) are evaluated in the first round of scholarship reviews and receive priority consideration. UCF does not require the FAFSA for a merit scholarship, and Undergraduate Admissions can offer only one scholarship per student. Florida residents may separately qualify for the state Bright Futures program, which is a state program, not UCF institutional merit.
Merit programs at University of Central Florida (competitive — not automatic)
The named programs below are awarded by review or competition, not by an automatic grid. Any amounts mentioned are the college's published figures for that named award — selection is not automatic and no amount is guaranteed.
UCF merit-based awards for incoming freshmen (general)
How awarded: All first-year students are automatically considered; Scholarship Committee review; no fixed criteria and no separate merit application for first-year students
UCF does not publish named freshman merit tiers with GPA/test thresholds on the official FAQ page verified here. Academic departments offer separate scholarships outside the admissions process.
Published ranges (not exact awards)
Published range / typical figure — not an exact award
Typical awardee profile (as published by UCF — typical, not a threshold): It is typical of students awarded a scholarship to have earned test scores and grades above the admitted fall FTIC average of 1370 SAT, 30 ACT, 96 CLT and 4.32 GPA.
This is a range or typical figure the college publishes — it is not a promised award amount. · Official source
Published range / typical figure — not an exact award
Share of admitted students offered merit (as published by UCF): On average, just 20% of admitted students are offered a merit scholarship.
This is a range or typical figure the college publishes — it is not a promised award amount. · Official source
Deadlines
- Early Action application & fee payment deadline — priority consideration for merit scholarships (Summer & Fall): Oct. 15
- Early Action material submission deadline — first round of Scholarship Committee reviews: Nov. 15
- Merit scholarship appeal deadline (2026 cycle, as published): March 15, 2026 (appeal decisions by April 1, 2026)
- Regular Decision application deadlines (as published): Mar. 1 (Summer), May 1 (Fall), Nov. 1 (Spring)
What the college's official page says
No, there are not fixed criteria for UCF merit scholarships. A variety of factors, but especially high school academic performance, ACT, SAT, or CLT results, application timing, leadership and extracurricular involvement, play a role in awarding scholarship offers.
Merit scholarship funding is limited. On average, just 20% of admitted students are offered a merit scholarship.
no single factor guarantees or excludes you from getting a scholarship. We consider each applicant on an individual basis.
Official sources
Verified 2026-11-02
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