Skip to content
Apply for a loan
How can we help you today?

Find the college or grad school tools
and resources you need.

Easy scholarships Financial aid Loan options Grad school
Scholarships

Florida International University (FIU) scholarships


Here's a scholarship you can apply for in minutes.

Enter Sallie's $2,000 scholarship Find more scholarships

Key takeaways about FIU scholarships

  • FIU offers merit scholarships, need-based aid, grants and departmental scholarship opportunities for eligible students.
  • For students entering in Early Fall/Fall 2027, FIU offers several merit opportunities, including the Presidential Merit Scholarship and Gold and Blue Scholarships.
  • Transfer students may qualify for FIU merit scholarships, departmental awards and private scholarships.
  • Eligible international students may qualify for certain FIU merit scholarships and other funding opportunities.
  • Private scholarships can supplement FIU financial aid and may help reduce what students need to borrow.

FIU scholarships: Where to start

If you're looking at Florida International University and wondering how you'll pay for college, you're definitely not alone. Tuition is only part of the picture—housing, books, transportation and everyday expenses can all affect your budget.

Enter to win Sallie’s $2,000 scholarship

No essay | Apply in 2 minutes or less
Enter $2,000 scholarship

The good news is that scholarships can make a meaningful difference. Research from Sallie’s “How America Pays for College 2026” found that 61% of families used scholarships to help pay for college, with an average of $8,291 received among scholarship users. Even more encouraging, 76% of families using scholarships said the funding made college attendance possible.

FIU students may be able to combine university scholarships, grants, federal or Florida aid, work opportunities and private scholarships. This guide explains where to start and how to build a practical scholarship strategy.

How much does FIU cost?

What you'll pay to attend FIU can vary based on factors such as residency, academic program, housing choices and financial aid.

To explore estimated costs, financial aid information, admissions information and other details about attending FIU, visit Florida International University's profile on Scout College Search. It's a helpful starting point for comparing costs and planning how you'll pay for college.

Remember that the published cost isn't necessarily your final cost. Scholarships, grants and other financial aid can lower what you and your family need to cover.

Does FIU offer scholarships?

Yes. FIU offers scholarships for incoming and current students, including merit scholarships, departmental scholarships and opportunities available through individual colleges, schools and programs.

FIU also maintains FIU Scholarship Search, where students can explore university and other scholarship opportunities.

Merit scholarships

FIU offers merit-based scholarships to eligible incoming first-year and transfer students. Merit awards generally recognize academic achievement and are considered through the admissions process.

Need-based aid

Students may also qualify for grants and other need-based financial aid. The FAFSA® can help determine eligibility for federal grants, work-study, federal student loans and some other forms of aid.

Departmental scholarships

Individual FIU colleges, schools and departments may offer their own awards. Students can search for these opportunities through FIU Scholarship Search and check with their academic program.

Private and external scholarships

Students can also apply for scholarships funded by organizations outside FIU. FIU maintains external scholarship listings as another place to look for opportunities.

FIU Scholarship Search is FIU's scholarship matching and application platform. After applying to FIU and receiving a Panther ID, students can use their FIU credentials to access it.

Students can complete a general application, receive recommended opportunities based on their information and apply for scholarships in one place.

Don't treat Scholarship Search as a one-time task. Scholarship opportunities and deadlines can change throughout the year, so checking back regularly may help you find new options.

FIU merit scholarships explained

FIU's current merit scholarship information covers students entering in Early Fall/Fall 2027. Eligible first-year students are automatically considered for FIU merit scholarships when they complete the required admissions process by the applicable deadline; FIU says a separate merit scholarship application isn't required.

Presidential Merit Scholarship

For students entering in Early Fall/Fall 2027, FIU's Presidential Merit Scholarship provides significant support to selected first-year students.

For the 2027–28 academic year, FIU lists the Florida resident award as 100% of undergraduate tuition and fees plus a book stipend. Non-Florida residents may receive an out-of-state merit-based tuition reduction.

Students should review FIU's current merit scholarship page for application timing and other requirements.

Gold and Blue Scholarships

FIU's Gold and Blue Scholarships recognize strong academic performance. For students entering in Early Fall/Fall 2027, FIU lists Gold and Blue Scholarships ranging from $1,000 to $12,000 for Florida residents and $4,000 to $24,000 for non-Florida residents. FIU says these first-year awards are distributed over four years.

Student Award range for students entering in 2027
Florida resident $1,000–$12,000
Non-Florida resident $4,000–$24,000

FIU says scholarship funding is limited, so students should review the current admissions timeline and scholarship information when applying.

FIU National Merit Finalist awards

FIU also offers funding for eligible National Merit® Finalists. For students entering in 2027, the funding structure differs for Florida residents and non-Florida residents.

Because the benefits depend on residency and other funding, review FIU's current National Merit information for the latest details.

Raise.Me Micro-Scholarships

Raise.Me allows eligible high school students to earn micro-scholarships for achievements such as academics and extracurricular activities.

For students entering FIU in Early Fall/Fall 2027, FIU says eligible students may earn up to $2,500 per academic year through Raise.Me Micro-Scholarships.

Does FIU offer full scholarships?

FIU offers some awards that can cover 100% of undergraduate tuition and fees for eligible students. For example, FIU lists that level of support for the Florida resident Presidential Merit Scholarship for students entering in 2027.

Some National Merit funding can also cover substantial educational costs. The exact benefits depend on the award and student circumstances, so review FIU's current scholarship information rather than assuming every merit award is a full ride.

FIU financial aid explained

Scholarships are one part of paying for FIU. Students may use a combination of scholarships, grants, Florida aid programs, work opportunities, family contributions and student loans.

Aid type Repayment required? Generally based on
FIU scholarships No Scholarship-specific criteria
Federal Pell Grant No Federal eligibility and financial need
Florida Bright Futures No Florida program eligibility
Federal Work-Study No Financial need and employment
Private scholarships No Varies by award
Federal student loans Yes Federal eligibility
Private student loans Yes Lender requirements

Students seeking federal financial aid should submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) each year.

FIU notes that the FAFSA® is used for federal grants, loans, work-study and some scholarships. It is not required for automatic consideration for FIU's merit-based scholarships.

Scholarships for FIU transfer students

Yes, transfer students can qualify for FIU scholarships. FIU's current scholarship information includes transfer merit awards as well as scholarships offered through colleges, schools and departments.

For students entering in Early Fall/Fall 2027, FIU lists Gold and Blue Scholarship awards of:

Transfer student 2027–28 award range
Florida resident $1,000–$2,000
Non-Florida resident $2,000–$4,000

FIU also offers Transfer Raise.Me Micro-Scholarships for eligible students. Rather than trying to track every requirement yourself, start with FIU's current transfer scholarship information and Transfer & Transition Services scholarship resources.

Scholarship options for Miami Dade College transfers

FIU's current transfer scholarship resources don't identify a separate universitywide scholarship exclusively for Miami Dade College transfer students.

Students transferring from Miami Dade College can still explore FIU transfer merit scholarships, Transfer Raise.Me opportunities, scholarships through their FIU college or school and private scholarships.

Scholarships for international students at FIU

International students may have fewer financial aid options than domestic students, but FIU does provide some scholarship pathways.

FIU's current merit scholarship policy says international students with an F-1 visa or another eligible visa may be eligible for scholarships. International students can also search FIU Scholarship Search for opportunities that fit their circumstances.

FIU also directs international students to Florida Linkage Institute programs, which may provide out-of-state tuition waivers for eligible students from participating regions.

International students generally aren't eligible for need-based federal or state financial aid, so it's especially important to review scholarship eligibility carefully and explore outside funding.

Private scholarships for FIU students

Don't stop your search with FIU scholarships.

Research from "How America Pays for College 2026" found that 3 out of 4 students who didn't use scholarships simply never applied. That means some students may miss potential funding simply because they don't start searching.

Private scholarships can come from community organizations, employers, professional associations, foundations and national scholarship programs. Scholly® Scholarships can also help you find opportunities based on your background, interests and goals.

Florida and local scholarships

Scholarships from Florida organizations, community foundations, local businesses and civic groups can be worth adding to your search. Local awards may have different eligibility requirements and applicant pools than large national scholarships.

First-generation scholarships

Students who are the first in their family to attend college may qualify for school-based or private opportunities. FIU also has a First-Generation Scholarship for eligible undergraduate students.

STEM scholarships

Students studying engineering, computer science, technology, mathematics and other technical fields can explore STEM scholarships from professional groups, employers, foundations and other organizations.

Healthcare scholarships

Students pursuing nursing, public health, medicine or other healthcare fields may find scholarships through employers, professional associations and community organizations.

Business scholarships

Students studying business, accounting, finance, hospitality or entrepreneurship may find scholarship opportunities through companies, professional organizations and industry groups.

Scholly Scholarships

Find scholarships that are right for you

Easily search through thousands of college scholarships based on your background, major, state you live in, and more.

Hot tip! Smaller scholarships may have less competition, increasing your odds of winning.

Find scholarships now

How to apply for FIU scholarships

Scholarship applications get easier when you have a simple system.

1. Apply to FIU on time for merit consideration

FIU automatically considers eligible first-year students for merit scholarships through the admissions process.

For Early Fall/Fall 2027 merit consideration, FIU currently lists a November 2, 2026 deadline for Florida resident first-year applicants and a December 16, 2026 deadline for non-Florida resident first-year applicants. Other scholarship deadlines vary.

2. Complete the FAFSA®

Submit the FAFSA® if you're seeking federal financial aid and other aid that uses FAFSA® information.

Remember that FIU says the FAFSA® isn't required for consideration for its automatic merit scholarships.

3. Use FIU Scholarship Search

Complete your profile in FIU Scholarship Search and review recommended scholarships.

4. Search for private scholarships

Look beyond FIU to state, local, major-specific, career-related, employer and community scholarships.

5. Prepare reusable application materials

Save strong essays, activity lists and recommendation materials so you're not starting from scratch with every application. Just make sure you tailor each submission to the actual prompt.

6. Keep applying throughout college

Scholarships aren't only for incoming first-year students. Current undergraduates, transfer students and graduate students can continue searching throughout school.

Tips to increase your scholarship chances

Scholarships can be competitive, but a good system can make the process easier to manage.

Apply to a mix of scholarships

Don't focus only on the largest awards. FIU scholarships, department awards, local scholarships and private opportunities can all be part of your strategy.

Prepare early

Gather your resume, activity list, essays and recommendation requests before deadlines start piling up.

Don't rule yourself out based only on GPA

Research from "How America Pays for College 2026" found that 48% of families believe scholarships are only for top students.

Academic achievement matters for some awards, but other scholarships may consider interests, goals, work experience, service or other qualifications. Read the criteria before deciding whether to apply.

Stay organized

Keep scholarship names, deadlines, required materials and application status in one place so opportunities don't slip through the cracks.

Can scholarships reduce student loan borrowing?

Yes. Scholarships can reduce the amount you need to cover through savings, income, payment plans or student loans.

Even smaller awards can add up when you combine scholarships from different sources.

Scholarship stacking can help lower costs

Here's a hypothetical example of how multiple scholarships could work together. These amounts don't represent typical FIU scholarship awards.

Example scholarship Example award
Local scholarship $1,000
Private scholarship $2,500
Departmental scholarship $1,500
Total example scholarship funding $5,000
Potential impact Up to $5,000 less to borrow or pay out of pocket

Whether you can combine specific awards depends on their rules and how they interact with your financial aid package.

Scholarships for graduate students at FIU

Graduate students at FIU may find funding through their academic department or program, FIU Scholarship Search, fellowships and assistantships.

Fellowships

Graduate fellowships may support academic work, research or professional development. Availability and requirements depend on the fellowship.

Assistantships

FIU colleges and departments may offer graduate, teaching or research assistantships on a competitive basis. Students should ask their academic program about current opportunities.

Department and program funding

Some FIU graduate programs offer their own scholarships and funding. FIU Admissions recommends checking with the relevant department and reviewing the University Graduate School's graduate funding resources.

Private graduate scholarships

Graduate students can also search for private graduate scholarships based on their degree program, career goals, professional interests or other eligibility criteria.

Find more scholarships with Sallie

Finding legitimate scholarships can take time. Scholly® Scholarships can help simplify the search by surfacing opportunities aligned with your background, interests and goals.

Simplified applications can also help you keep momentum. Scholly® Easy Apply Scholarships lets you apply to multiple scholarships with one quick application. You can also enter Sallie's $2,000 No Essay Scholarship in 2 minutes or less, and graduate students can apply for Sallie's $5,000 Grad No Essay Scholarship.

Additional scholarship resources for FIU students

These resources can help you find opportunities based on your major, education level and personal experiences.

Your next steps

Start with FIU's current scholarship information and financial aid requirements, then build outward.

Apply by the relevant admissions deadline if you want to be considered for FIU merit scholarships. Complete the FAFSA® if you're seeking federal or other need-based aid. Then check FIU Scholarship Search and continue looking for private, local and major-specific opportunities.

You don't need one enormous scholarship for the search to pay off. Multiple awards can work together to lower college costs and potentially reduce what you need to borrow.

FAQs about FIU scholarships

Does FIU offer full scholarships?

FIU offers some scholarships that can cover 100% of undergraduate tuition and fees for eligible students. For students entering in 2027, FIU lists that benefit for the Florida resident Presidential Merit Scholarship, while eligible National Merit Finalists may receive other substantial funding.

What GPA do I need for FIU scholarships?

There isn't one GPA requirement for every FIU scholarship. Requirements vary by award, and FIU's merit scholarships have their own current criteria. Review the individual scholarship before applying rather than assuming one GPA applies to every opportunity.

Does FIU give scholarships to transfer students?

Yes. FIU offers scholarship opportunities for transfer students. For Early Fall/Fall 2027 entrants, FIU lists Gold and Blue Scholarships for eligible Florida and non-Florida residents, along with Transfer Raise.Me opportunities.

Are there scholarships for international students at FIU?

Yes, some FIU scholarships are available to eligible international students. FIU's current merit scholarship policy includes international students with an F-1 visa or another eligible visa, and students can also explore FIU Scholarship Search and applicable Florida Linkage Institute opportunities.

What scholarships are available for Florida students?

Florida students can explore FIU merit and departmental scholarships, Florida Bright Futures, first-generation funding, local scholarships and other private awards.

Can scholarships cover housing at FIU?

Some scholarships may be used for education-related expenses beyond tuition, depending on the award's rules and the student's financial aid package. Check the terms of each scholarship to understand what expenses it can cover.

How do I apply for FIU scholarships?

Start with the FIU admissions process for automatic merit consideration, use FIU Scholarship Search for additional opportunities and submit the FAFSA® if you're seeking federal or other need-based aid. You can also apply separately for private scholarships.

What is the FIU scholarship deadline?

Deadlines depend on the scholarship. For Early Fall/Fall 2027 first-year merit consideration, FIU currently lists November 2, 2026 for Florida residents and December 16, 2026 for non-Florida residents. FIU lists May 1, 2027 for transfer Gold and Blue Scholarship consideration. Other scholarship deadlines vary.

What is the easiest way to find scholarships for FIU students?

Start with FIU Scholarship Search and FIU's scholarship pages, then expand to local, Florida, major-specific and private opportunities. Scholarship matching tools such as Scholly® Scholarships can also help you find opportunities that fit your interests and goals.

Need more money for college?

Private student loans can help you cover additional eligible school-certified expenses.
Learn more

SLM Education Services, LLC does not provide, and these materials are not meant to convey, financial, tax, or legal advice. Consult your own financial advisor, tax advisor, or attorney about your specific circumstances.

The school referenced on this page is not affiliated with Sallie Mae and does not endorse Sallie Mae loans.

No purchase necessary. Void where prohibited. Odds of winning depend on number of entries received. See Official Rules and Entry Periods on each scholarship page.

FAFSA® is a registered service mark of U.S. Department of Education, Federal Student Aid.