Every figure is for a student starting in fall 2027. We work each one out again whenever we update the site.

Paying for college in Florida

What the state and its colleges give families, who gets it, and how to apply. See every Florida college priced for your income

From the state

Bright Futures Scholarships Benacquisto Scholarship Public Student Assistance Grant Private Student Assistance Grant EASE Grant First Generation Matching Grant Mary McLeod Bethune Scholarship Scholarships for Children and Spouses of Deceased or Disabled Servicemembers

Pay less for college

A SmartTuition plan shows what to pay from where, each semester.

In our Florida scenarios, with good parent credit, a SmartTuition plan saves a median of about $6,800 over four years. How we worked this out ↓

Have your award letter? Build your SmartTuition plan, $99 →

Already have a list? Put your schools side by side →

From the state

Florida's programs. Most come through the FAFSA or the state's own aid application; a few have their own.

Florida Bright Futures Scholarships

Merit scholarships for Florida high school graduates, set by a weighted GPA, a test score and hours of service. Academic Scholars, with a 3.5 GPA, get an award equal to 100 percent of tuition and fees. Medallion Scholars, with a 3.0 GPA, get 75 percent. A student renews it each year by earning credits and keeping the grades.

Sources: Florida Statutes § 1009.534, Florida Statutes § 1009.535 and Florida Statutes § 1009.532

“A Florida Academic Scholar who is enrolled in a certificate, diploma, associate, or baccalaureate degree program at a public or nonpublic postsecondary education institution is eligible for an award equal to the amount necessary to pay 100 percent of tuition and fees”

“Has achieved a 3.5 weighted grade point average as calculated pursuant to s. 1009.531”

— Florida Statutes § 1009.534, checked 2026-10

“A Florida Medallion Scholar who is enrolled in a certificate, diploma, associate, or baccalaureate degree program at a public or nonpublic postsecondary education institution is eligible, beginning in the fall 2018 semester, for an award equal to the amount necessary to pay 75 percent of tuition and fees”

“Has achieved a weighted grade point average of 3.0 as calculated pursuant to s. 1009.531”

— Florida Statutes § 1009.535, checked 2026-10

“earn at least 24 semester credit hours or the equivalent in the last academic year in which the student earned a scholarship if the student was enrolled full time”

— Florida Statutes § 1009.532, checked 2026-10

Benacquisto Scholarship

For a National Merit Scholar at a Florida public university: the scholarship pays the cost of attendance, less Bright Futures and the National Merit award. A Finalist becomes a Scholar through a National Merit, company or college scholarship, and each university has its own route.

Source: Florida Statutes § 1009.893

“who is a National Merit Scholar, and who attends a Florida public postsecondary educational institution shall receive a scholarship award equal to the institutional cost of attendance minus the sum of the student’s Florida Bright Futures Scholarship and National Merit Scholarship”

“If funds appropriated are not adequate to provide the maximum allowable award to each eligible student, awards must be prorated using the same percentage reduction.”

— Florida Statutes § 1009.893, checked 2026-10

Florida Public Student Assistance Grant

A need-based grant for Florida residents at the state universities and the Florida College System. A student applies for the Pell Grant, and the college decides the award, up to the maximum the state budget sets each year. A family far above the Pell Grant limit gets none.

Sources: Florida Statutes § 1009.50 and Florida Statutes § 1009.40

“State student assistance grants through the program may be made only to degree-seeking students who enroll in at least 6 semester hours, or the equivalent per term”

“The grants shall be awarded annually for the amount of demonstrated unmet need for the cost of education and may not exceed the maximum annual award amount specified in the General Appropriations Act.”

“A student applying for a Florida public student assistance grant shall be required to apply for the Pell Grant.”

“Recipients of the grants must have been accepted at a state university or Florida College System institution authorized by Florida law.”

“An institution may not make a grant from this program to a student whose expected family contribution exceeds one and one-half times the maximum Pell Grant-eligible family contribution.”

— Florida Statutes § 1009.50, checked 2026-10

“Residency in this state for no less than 1 year preceding the award of aid or a tuition assistance grant”

— Florida Statutes § 1009.40, checked 2026-10

Florida Private Student Assistance Grant

The same kind of grant for Florida residents who study full time at a private nonprofit college in Florida that grants bachelor's degrees. A student applies for the Pell Grant, and the award covers unmet need for tuition and fees up to the maximum the state budget sets.

Source: Florida Statutes § 1009.51

“Florida private student assistance grants may be made only to full-time degree-seeking students”

“Such grants shall be awarded for the amount of demonstrated unmet need for tuition and fees and may not exceed the maximum annual award amount specified in the General Appropriations Act.”

“A student applying for a Florida private student assistance grant shall be required to apply for the Pell Grant.”

“Recipients of such grants must have been accepted at a baccalaureate-degree-granting independent nonprofit college or university”

— Florida Statutes § 1009.51, checked 2026-10

Florida EASE Grant (Effective Access to Student Education)

A grant for Florida residents who are full-time undergraduates at a private nonprofit college in Florida that takes part. It does not depend on need, and the state budget sets the amount.

Source: Florida Statutes § 1009.89

“is not related to a student’s financial need or other criteria upon which financial aid programs are based”

“any full-time degree-seeking undergraduate student registered at an independent nonprofit college or university which is located in and chartered by the state”

“Funding for the William L. Boyd, IV, Effective Access to Student Education Grant Program for eligible institutions shall be as provided in the General Appropriations Act.”

“A student is not eligible to receive the award for more than 9 semesters or 14 quarters”

— Florida Statutes § 1009.89, checked 2026-10

First Generation Matching Grant

A need-based grant for Florida residents at a state university or a Florida College System institution whose parents did not earn a bachelor's degree. Donations to the college, matched by the state, pay for it. The college sets the application and the award.

Source: Florida Statutes § 1009.701

“if neither of the student’s parents, as defined in s. 1009.21 (1), earned a college degree at the baccalaureate level or higher”

“Be a resident for tuition purposes pursuant to s. 1009.21.”

“Be accepted at a state university or Florida College System institution.”

“met the eligibility requirements in s. 1009.50 for demonstrated financial need for the Florida Public Student Assistance Grant Program.”

“shall establish an application process, determine student eligibility for initial and renewal awards in conformance with subsection (5), identify the amount awarded to each recipient”

— Florida Statutes § 1009.701, checked 2026-10

Mary McLeod Bethune Scholarship

A scholarship of $3,000 a year for full-time undergraduates with a 3.0 high school GPA at Florida A&M, Bethune-Cookman, Edward Waters or Florida Memorial. Students with financial need get priority, and each college runs the application.

Source: Florida Statutes § 1009.73

“Be accepted at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, Bethune-Cookman University, Edward Waters College, or Florida Memorial University. 3. Enroll as a full-time undergraduate student. 4. Earn a 3.0 grade point average on a 4.0 scale, or the equivalent, for high school subjects creditable toward a diploma.”

“The amount of the scholarship to be granted to each recipient is $3,000 annually. Priority in the awarding of scholarships shall be given to students having financial need as determined by the institution.”

— Florida Statutes § 1009.73, checked 2026-10

Scholarships for Children and Spouses of Deceased or Disabled Servicemembers

Educational benefits at state expense for a child or spouse of a servicemember who died of a service-connected cause, or who has a total and permanent service-connected disability. At a public college it pays tuition and registration fees, or the amount in the state budget.

Sources: Florida Statutes § 295.01 and Florida Statutes § 295.04

“It is the policy of the state to provide educational opportunity at state expense for a dependent child, as defined in s. 1009.21 (1), of a servicemember who: 1. Died as a result of service-connected injuries, disease, or disability sustained while on active duty; or 2. Has been:”

“It is also the policy of the state to provide educational opportunity at state expense for spouses of deceased or disabled servicemembers.”

— Florida Statutes § 295.01, checked 2026-10

“A student who is enrolled in a public eligible postsecondary education institution is eligible for an award equal to the amount required to pay tuition and registration fees or the amount specified in the General Appropriations Act.”

— Florida Statutes § 295.04, checked 2026-10

From the colleges

What each college gives for grades, what it promises on aid, and its full price.

College	Merit scholarships	Promise on aid	Full price a year
AdventHealth University private	$1,000 to $3,000 a year, from a 3.01 GPA*	—	$41,047
Ave Maria University private	Students with a 3.7 GPA and a 30 ACT, 1360 SAT or 95 CLT can attend President's Scholarship Weekend in January 2027. There they compete for awards of up to $10,000 or $5,000 a year. Every attendee gets at least $2,000 a year.	—	$52,110
Barry University private	Every applicant is considered for one of five merit awards of up to $12,000, $14,000, $16,000, $18,000 or $20,000 a year, set by academic merit. They renew with a 2.0 GPA and full-time study.	—	$53,944
Bethune-Cookman University private	Admitted students use Scholarship Universe, a matching tool, to find the university's own scholarships and outside ones. Its page prints no amounts.	—	$29,509
Eckerd College private	Admitted students are considered automatically for academic scholarships of $20,000 to $28,000 a year for four years, set by high school GPA, for those seeking admission in fall 2027. They apply to tuition only.	—	$74,954
Embry-Riddle Daytona Beach private	Newly admitted students are considered automatically for the university's own merit scholarships, set by GPA, test scores and class rank. Its page prints no amounts.	—	$70,413
Flagler College private	In state: first-year students who graduated from Florida high schools get a Flagler Castillo Scholarship of $5,000 a year, for students starting in fall 2027. All applicants are considered for Presidential Merit Scholarships of $7,000 to $10,000 a year, set by weighted core GPA and test scores, for students starting in fall 2027. The amount comes in the acceptance letter.	—	$57,304
Florida A&M public	The University Scholarship Program considers admitted students with a 3.50 unweighted GPA and an SAT of 1320 or an ACT of 28, who are admitted before October 15. Its page prints no award amounts.	—	$21,734
Florida Atlantic University public	In state: admitted first-year students are considered for competitive awards of $2,000 to $20,000 over four years, set by GPA and test score. Meeting the minimum does not guarantee one. In state: the Owl Promise pays every dollar of in-state tuition and mandatory fees, through federal, state and university grants, for first-time Florida freshmen whose Student Aid Index is 0 or less. It needs 30 credit hours a year. Out of state: admitted first-year students from other states are considered for competitive awards of $4,000 to $40,000 over four years, set by GPA and test score. Meeting the minimum does not guarantee one.	—	$23,880
Florida Gulf Coast University public	In state: $2,000 to $5,000 a year, from a 3.5 GPA (not guaranteed)* Out of state: $10,000 to $15,000 a year, from a 3.5 GPA (not guaranteed)*	—	$20,228
Florida Institute of Technology private	In state: a Florida student who qualifies for the Bright Futures Academic Scholars award can be considered for the Distinguished Scholar Award. It covers full tuition and the facilities, activities and technology fees, and the deadline is February 1. In state: the Boundless Opportunity Grant pays tuition and three fees, with other aid, for Pell-eligible students from Brevard, Indian River, Osceola or Volusia County who qualify for Bright Futures. It renews for up to 4 years. All first-time full-time applicants are considered for a merit scholarship, set at admission by weighted GPA and test scores. It renews for up to 9 semesters. The page prints no amounts. Four grants of $2,500 stack with merit awards: for Eagle or Gold Award scouts, members of a robotics team, children of alumni, and students with a sibling enrolled. Each renews for up to 4 years.	—	$64,507
Florida International University public	In state: entering first-year students are considered for Gold and Blue Scholarships of $1,000 to $12,000, spread over four years. They cannot be stacked with other FIU merit aid. In state: the Golden Promise covers all tuition and fees, up to 30 credits a year for four years, for first-time Florida freshmen whose Student Aid Index is 0 or less. It needs 30 credits a year and a 2.0 GPA. Out of state: entering first-year students from other states are considered for Gold and Blue Scholarships of $4,000 to $24,000, spread over four years. They cannot be stacked with other FIU merit aid.	—	$23,851
Florida Memorial University private	For 2026-2027, a 4.0 GPA and a 25 ACT or 1200 SAT earn all tuition, room and board. A 3.5 GPA and a 21 ACT or 1060 SAT earn all tuition. A 3.25 GPA earns half of tuition. A 3.0 GPA earns $3,000 a year.	—	$32,697
Florida Polytechnic University public	In state: $1,000 to $4,940 a year, from a 2.5 GPA* Out of state: $2,500 to $23,300 a year, from a 2.5 GPA*	—	$21,968
Florida Southern College private	Nearly every first-year student gets a merit scholarship of $10,000 to $26,500, set by academic record, with no separate application. It renews each year and stacks with other aid.	—	$66,707
Florida State University public	In state: all accepted students are considered for the Vires Scholarship of $16,000 and the Mores Scholarship of $12,000, paid over eight semesters, as set for students starting in fall 2024. The criteria change each year. Out of state: a limited number of admitted students from other states get a waiver of the whole out-of-state part of tuition, valued at $73,808 over four years. It renews with 15 credit hours a term and a 3.0 GPA.	—	$21,830
Jacksonville University private	First-year awards run from $14,000 to $33,000 a year, in six bands set by unweighted high school GPA from 2.50 up. Each band has a range, and the final amount is in the offer letter.	—	$70,074
Lynn University private	First-year full-time students with a high school GPA of 2.0 or more, and an SAT of 920 or more if they send one, are considered for the Lynn Merit Scholarship. It is between $16,000 and $28,000 and renews with a 2.0 GPA.	—	$67,808
New College of Florida public	Students who qualify for a Federal Pell Grant get all of tuition and fees from grants, scholarships and waivers, not counting the Pell Grant itself. They file the FAFSA, and Florida and out-of-state students qualify. Admitted students are considered automatically for the Presidential Honors Scholarship. The amount depends on academic performance, activities and leadership.	—	$23,132
Nova Southeastern University private	First-year students can get a Dean's Award of up to $22,000, renewable, for fall 2026. A Provost Award pays up to $1,000 with a 1200 SAT or up to $2,000 with a 1400 SAT.	—	$65,769
Palm Beach Atlantic University private	All full-time day undergraduates can earn an Academic Merit Scholarship, set by high school or transfer GPA. Its page prints no amounts; the college's calculator shows them.	—	$62,532
Rollins College private	First-year applicants are considered for awards of up to $15,000, $24,000, $26,000, $30,000 or $33,000 a year, by GPA and test score. A student who applies test optional needs a higher GPA.	—	$87,910
Saint Leo University private	Two awards add to the merit awards: $3,000 for graduates of Catholic high schools, and $3,500 for residents of listed Florida counties. Each needs a 2.5 GPA and full-time study. First-year students at University Campus get an award of up to $24,000, $21,000, $20,000, $18,000 or $15,000 a year for 2026-2027. The page prints no GPA or test-score table.	—	$57,008
Southeastern University private	$6,000 to $17,000 a year*	—	$48,573
St. Thomas University private	In state: a student with a Florida Academic or Medallion Bright Futures award gets the STU Bright Futures Award, which makes up the rest of tuition after other aid. It does not cover fees, housing or meals. Awards are up to $13,000 a year with a 3.6 GPA, up to $11,000 with a 3.0, and up to $9,000 with a 2.5. Graduates of Catholic high schools with a 2.5 GPA get up to $14,000 a year.	—	$53,024
Stetson University private	First-year students are considered for scholarships of up to $40,000 (Presidential), $32,000 (Dean's) or $27,000 (Faculty-Merit). High school record, test scores and service set them, and they are not guaranteed.	—	$86,073
The University of Tampa private	High school applicants are considered at admission for a Presidential Scholarship of $10,000 to $18,000 a year, set by unweighted GPA and course rigor. Funds are limited and the amounts may change.	—	$56,505
University of Central Florida public	Every first-year applicant is considered for a merit scholarship of $6,000 to $30,000 for Florida residents, or up to $50,400 for others, spread over four years. Funds are limited and go first come, first served.	—	$22,737
University of Florida public	About 10 percent of admitted freshmen get a merit scholarship, with no pre-set criteria. Presidential scholarships are $5,000, $8,000 or $10,000 a year for four years. Out of state: about 10 percent of admitted freshmen get a merit scholarship. Out-of-state tuition waivers are up to $10,000, $16,000 or $20,000 a year for four years, with no pre-set criteria.	Machen Florida Opportunity Scholarship: a grant and scholarship package for first-generation Florida students with parent income of $55,000 or less, as awards allow (worth asking about)	$22,506
University of Miami private	All fall first-year students who apply by the deadline are considered for a President's Scholarship of up to $30,000 a year or a Canes Achievement Award of up to $20,000. A student can hold only one.	—	$99,570
University of North Florida public	In state: $1,000 to $5,000 a year, from a 3.7 GPA* In state: the Jacksonville Commitment Scholarship is worth $24,000 over four years to Pell-eligible Florida residents who graduated from a Duval County public high school. The program takes a set number of students a year. In state: the Osprey Access Scholarship pays up to $3,000 a year for up to four years to Pell-eligible Florida residents from a Florida T-1 high school with a 3.7 GPA. The Community Engagement Scholarship pays up to $2,000. Out of state: $6,000 to $14,000 a year, from a 3.5 GPA*	—	$19,982
University of South Florida public	In state: admitted first-year students are considered for competitive awards of about $16,000, $14,000 or $8,000 over four years, for the class entering in 2026. Awards are limited. Out of state: admitted first-year students from other states are considered for competitive tuition waivers of about $44,000, $36,000 or $20,000 over four years, for the class entering in 2026. Awards are limited.	—	$22,759
University of West Florida public	In state: florida students are considered for merit scholarships of $8,000, $12,000 or $16,000 over four years, set by GPA and test score, for students starting in 2027. Eligibility is not a guarantee. In state: the Argo 30 Guarantee covers the tuition and mandatory fees that other aid leaves, up to 30 credit hours a year for four years. It is for full-time Pell-eligible Florida residents earning a first bachelor's degree. Out of state: students from other states are considered for merit scholarships of $8,000, $24,000 or $32,000 over four years, set by GPA and test score, for students starting in 2027. Eligibility is not a guarantee. Out of state: students from Alabama are considered for the same merit scholarships as Florida students, $8,000, $12,000 or $16,000 over four years, for students starting in 2027. Eligibility is not a guarantee.	—	$20,296

* The finder and our college comparison show this scholarship when you enter your student's GPA.

Each college's page has a promise's conditions, in the college's own words. “Worth asking about” marks a program the college describes in words that stop short of a promise.

Full price: tuition and fees, housing and food, and books; in state at a public university. What your family would pay after grants depends on your income: the finder shows it.

5 more Florida colleges have no page here. For 0 of them, the federal data has no cost or no price by income. The rest mainly teach graduate students or run online programs. Show them

Ringling College of Art and Design
Edward Waters University
Everglades University
Ana G. Mendez University
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Worldwide

Guides to Florida's public universities

Each guide follows families at different incomes through one system, campus by campus.

How to pay for Florida's public universities

Paying the rest

Your SmartTuition plan uses your savings, your 529, your loans and your award letter.

Build your SmartTuition plan, $99 →

Best once your award letter arrives. No letter yet? Get the monthly email.

How we worked these out

What a SmartTuition plan saves

The $6,800 in the “Pay less for college” box near the top of this page is the median saving over our Florida scenarios. Each scenario is a household in Florida at one of its colleges. Its income is one of 8 from $45,000 to $200,000, and its savings are none, $40,000 or $100,000 in a 529. We price each college at the aid it reports for the income.

Every scenario has parents with good credit and $500 a month toward college. A saving is the difference, over four years, between a SmartTuition plan and the standard approach: savings first, then loans for the rest. It counts loan interest and the federal tax credit. Credit matters: parents with fair credit borrow at a higher rate, which changes the saving.

A scenario where the parents would borrow more than $65,000 is left out, as is one at a college that reports no aid for the income. The figure is for a household that lives in Florida.

Costs: each college's own published price where it has one, otherwise the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard, carried forward to fall 2027. Grants: each program’s own page. Scholarships: each college's own page, read by us and checked against it. SmartTuition.ai is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by any institution named here.