🔍 Discover 🏆 LinkedIn Top 50 📚 Saved Schools 🗺️ Trip Planner ❓ Help Log In
← Back to University of South Florida

💰 University of South Florida Merit Scholarships

Total Scholarships
8
Automatic
3
In-State Awards
$500-$10,000/yr
Out-of-State Awards
$500-$10,000/yr
Multi-Year Awards
$2,000-$2,500 total
Typical Requirements for Automatic Merit
Requirements vary by scholarship

University of South Florida offers 8 merit scholarships. Awards run $500-$10,000/yr for out-of-state students. Against tuition of $15,473, students receiving the largest award pay about $5,473 a year before other aid.

What you'd actually pay at University of South Florida

Tuition & fees
$15,473
Largest annual award
$10,000
=
Students receiving it pay about
$5,473/yr

Tuition and fees only — housing (about $14,440), books and travel are extra. Awards must still be won and may carry renewal conditions. Need-based aid is separate and may reduce this further.

Official Scholarship Information
View complete details on University of South Florida's website
Visit School Website →

Automatic merit scholarships at University of South Florida — no separate application

3 awards granted on your admission application, based on GPA and test scores.

Florida Residents - Benacquisto Scholarship Program (National Merit Finalists)
Florida residents (as determined by the institution) * Scholarship covering your full cost of attendance during fall and spring semesters as determined by the State of Florida Benacquisto Scholarship Program. This merit scholarship for high school graduates who achieve the National Merit® Scholar Finalist designation covers 100 percent of the cost of attendance, minus the amount that you receive from Bright Futures and the National Merit Scholarship Corporation. If you qualify for this award, it will replace all other awards from the Office of Admissions, excluding the Tradition of Excellence National Merit Scholarship award * USF National Merit Tradition of Excellence Award ($20,000/$5,000 per year) * Scholarship options for study abroad (USF Passport Scholarship - $2,000) NON-Florida residents (as determined by the institution) * Scholarship covering your full cost of attendance, fall and spring sessions as determined by the USF Golden Achievement Program. This merit scholarship is for high school graduates who achieve the National Merit® Scholar Finalist designation (finalist who select USF as their first choice school with NMSC) and covers 100 percent of the cost of attendance, minus the amount that you receive from the National Merit Scholarship Corporation. If you qualify for this award, it will replace all other awards from the Office of Admissions. * Scholarship options for study abroad (USF Passport Scholarship - $2,000)
Eligibility: This merit scholarship is for high school graduates who achieve the National Merit® Scholar Finalist designation (finalist who select USF as their first choice school with NMSC).
How to apply: ["National Merit\u00ae Scholar Finalist designation"]
🔗 Award replaces other Office of Admissions awards, except the Tradition of Excellence National Merit Scholarshi Source ↗
Non-Florida Residents - USF Golden Achievement Program (National Merit Finalists)
Florida residents (as determined by the institution) * Scholarship covering your full cost of attendance during fall and spring semesters as determined by the State of Florida Benacquisto Scholarship Program. This merit scholarship for high school graduates who achieve the National Merit® Scholar Finalist designation covers 100 percent of the cost of attendance, minus the amount that you receive from Bright Futures and the National Merit Scholarship Corporation. If you qualify for this award, it will replace all other awards from the Office of Admissions, excluding the Tradition of Excellence National Merit Scholarship award * USF National Merit Tradition of Excellence Award ($20,000/$5,000 per year) * Scholarship options for study abroad (USF Passport Scholarship - $2,000) NON-Florida residents (as determined by the institution) * Scholarship covering your full cost of attendance, fall and spring sessions as determined by the USF Golden Achievement Program. This merit scholarship is for high school graduates who achieve the National Merit® Scholar Finalist designation (finalist who select USF as their first choice school with NMSC) and covers 100 percent of the cost of attendance, minus the amount that you receive from the National Merit Scholarship Corporation. If you qualify for this award, it will replace all other awards from the Office of Admissions. * Scholarship options for study abroad (USF Passport Scholarship - $2,000)
Eligibility: This merit scholarship is for high school graduates who achieve the National Merit® Scholar Finalist designation (finalist who select USF as their first choice school with NMSC).
How to apply: ["National Merit\u00ae Scholar Finalist designation", "select USF as first-choice school (non-Florida residents)"]
🔗 Award replaces other Office of Admissions awards. Source ↗
USF Admissions Scholarships
Eligibility: To increase your chances of qualifying for the maximum amount of admissions scholarships, all you have to do is submit your completed admissions application by the priority deadline. Scholarships are available for both in-state and out-of-state students. If you receive a scholarship, you will be notified in your acceptance letter.
How to apply: ["submit completed admissions application by the priority deadline"]
Source ↗

Other scholarships at University of South Florida (5)

These require a separate application, or the school does not publish their eligibility criteria.

USF National Merit Tradition of Excellence Award
$5,000/yr
Florida residents (as determined by the institution) * Scholarship covering your full cost of attendance during fall and spring semesters as determined by the State of Florida Benacquisto Scholarship Program. This merit scholarship for high school graduates who achieve the National Merit® Scholar Finalist designation covers 100 percent of the cost of attendance, minus the amount that you receive from Bright Futures and the National Merit Scholarship Corporation. If you qualify for this award, it will replace all other awards from the Office of Admissions, excluding the Tradition of Excellence National Merit Scholarship award * USF National Merit Tradition of Excellence Award ($20,000/$5,000 per year) * Scholarship options for study abroad (USF Passport Scholarship - $2,000) NON-Florida residents (as determined by the institution) * Scholarship covering your full cost of attendance, fall and spring sessions as determined by the USF Golden Achievement Program. This merit scholarship is for high school graduates who achieve the National Merit® Scholar Finalist designation (finalist who select USF as their first choice school with NMSC) and covers 100 percent of the cost of attendance, minus the amount that you receive from the National Merit Scholarship Corporation. If you qualify for this award, it will replace all other awards from the Office of Admissions. * Scholarship options for study abroad (USF Passport Scholarship - $2,000)
Eligibility: This merit scholarship is for high school graduates who achieve the National Merit® Scholar Finalist designation (finalist who select USF as their first choice school with NMSC).
How to apply: ["National Merit\u00ae Scholar Finalist designation"]
Source ↗
USF Passport Scholarship (study abroad)
$2,000 one-time
Florida residents (as determined by the institution) * Scholarship covering your full cost of attendance during fall and spring semesters as determined by the State of Florida Benacquisto Scholarship Program. This merit scholarship for high school graduates who achieve the National Merit® Scholar Finalist designation covers 100 percent of the cost of attendance, minus the amount that you receive from Bright Futures and the National Merit Scholarship Corporation. If you qualify for this award, it will replace all other awards from the Office of Admissions, excluding the Tradition of Excellence National Merit Scholarship award * USF National Merit Tradition of Excellence Award ($20,000/$5,000 per year) * Scholarship options for study abroad (USF Passport Scholarship - $2,000) NON-Florida residents (as determined by the institution) * Scholarship covering your full cost of attendance, fall and spring sessions as determined by the USF Golden Achievement Program. This merit scholarship is for high school graduates who achieve the National Merit® Scholar Finalist designation (finalist who select USF as their first choice school with NMSC) and covers 100 percent of the cost of attendance, minus the amount that you receive from the National Merit Scholarship Corporation. If you qualify for this award, it will replace all other awards from the Office of Admissions. * Scholarship options for study abroad (USF Passport Scholarship - $2,000)
Eligibility: This merit scholarship is for high school graduates who achieve the National Merit® Scholar Finalist designation (finalist who select USF as their first choice school with NMSC).
How to apply: ["National Merit\u00ae Scholar Finalist designation"]
Source ↗
College-Sponsored Merit Scholarships
$500-$2,000/yr
Along with bragging rights, National Merit Scholars share in awards valued at $39 million: * Awards range from $2,500 National Merit Scholarships to corporate- and college-sponsored scholarships. * Variable and fixed renewable corporate-sponsored awards range from $500 to $10,000 a year, with single-payment one-time awards of $2,500 to $5,000. * Sponsor colleges offer renewable awards of $500 to $2,000 a year for up to four years of undergraduate study. * There are also Special Scholarships for the 1,000 or so outstanding applicants who don’t become finalists.
Eligibility: Admission to the program is based on PSAT/NMSQT scores.
How to apply: ["take PSAT/NMSQT in junior year", "advance to Semifinalist/Finalist standing", "submit required materials to National Merit Scholarship Corporation"]
Source ↗
Corporate-Sponsored Merit Scholarships
$500-$10,000/yr
Along with bragging rights, National Merit Scholars share in awards valued at $39 million: * Awards range from $2,500 National Merit Scholarships to corporate- and college-sponsored scholarships. * Variable and fixed renewable corporate-sponsored awards range from $500 to $10,000 a year, with single-payment one-time awards of $2,500 to $5,000. * Sponsor colleges offer renewable awards of $500 to $2,000 a year for up to four years of undergraduate study. * There are also Special Scholarships for the 1,000 or so outstanding applicants who don’t become finalists.
Eligibility: Admission to the program is based on PSAT/NMSQT scores.
How to apply: ["take PSAT/NMSQT in junior year", "advance to Semifinalist/Finalist standing", "submit required materials to National Merit Scholarship Corporation"]
Source ↗
National Merit Scholarship (NMSC) - one-year award
$2,500 one-time
Along with bragging rights, National Merit Scholars share in awards valued at $39 million: * Awards range from $2,500 National Merit Scholarships to corporate- and college-sponsored scholarships. * Variable and fixed renewable corporate-sponsored awards range from $500 to $10,000 a year, with single-payment one-time awards of $2,500 to $5,000. * Sponsor colleges offer renewable awards of $500 to $2,000 a year for up to four years of undergraduate study. * There are also Special Scholarships for the 1,000 or so outstanding applicants who don’t become finalists.
Eligibility: Admission to the program is based on PSAT/NMSQT scores.
How to apply: ["take PSAT/NMSQT in junior year", "advance to Semifinalist/Finalist standing", "submit required materials to National Merit Scholarship Corporation"]
Source ↗

Deadlines that affect merit consideration at University of South Florida

Regular Decision
Rolling

Common questions about University of South Florida scholarships

How much merit aid does University of South Florida give?

Published awards range $500-$10,000/yr. University of South Florida lists 8 merit scholarships in total.

Does University of South Florida give merit scholarships to out-of-state students?

Yes. Awards for out-of-state students run $500-$10,000/yr.

Is there a full-ride scholarship at University of South Florida?

Not a full ride. The largest published award covers about 65% of tuition.

When is the scholarship deadline at University of South Florida?

Merit consideration usually follows the admission deadline, which is Rolling. Confirm scholarship-specific dates with the financial aid office.

💡 Tip: Award amounts and cutoffs change year to year. Confirm current figures with University of South Florida's financial aid office before making decisions — or check their scholarship page.

More on University of South Florida

Other FL schools with automatic merit scholarships