"Top Five" Academic Merit Scholarships

The University of West Florida has established new academic merit scholarships designed for the best academically prepared students from the public high schools in Florida. Students who have a class rank of number one through five after the first semester of their senior year will be awarded scholarships which will cover their tuition. These scholarships start with the fall semester 2009.

Bright Futures Scholarship recipients who receive the academic merit scholarships can use the Bright Futures monies for the remaining cost, including on-campus housing, transportation, meal plan or books.

For more information, contact the Office of Undergraduate Admissions at (850) 474-2230, 1-800-263-1074 or e-mail admissions@uwf.edu.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Academic Merit Scholarship?
The Academic Merit Scholarship is a merit-based scholarship which will cover the recipient’s tuition for undergraduate courses (1000-4000 level). The scholarships will be available for fall, spring and summer semesters and will conclude after the completion of the student’s bachelor’s degree or 120 semester hours of credit, whichever comes first.

Who is eligible for the Academic Merit Scholarship?
Eligible students who have been admitted to the University of West Florida as first-time in college freshmen, are Florida residents as determined by the UWF Office of Admissions, are attending a public high school in the state of Florida and have official high school transcripts verifying a class rank of number one through five following the first semester of the senior year.

How do I apply for the scholarship?
There is no separate application. Admitted first-time in college freshmen will be automatically reviewed for eligibility upon admission to the university. Apply Online to Attend UWF

Is this scholarship retroactive for previous year? No

Am I still eligible for the Bright Futures Scholarship as a recipient of the Academic Merit Scholarship?
Yes. Students who have received the Bright Futures Scholarship and the Academic Merit Scholarship will have their tuition covered by the Academic Merit Scholarship while the Bright Futures Scholarship funds can be utilized for remaining costs including on campus housing, transportation, a meal plan and/or books.

Can the Academic Merit Scholarship alter my financial aid package?
Yes. In some cases, if a student is receiving need-based financial aid, the financial aid package may be reduced because of state or federal guidelines.

How do I maintain my eligibility for the scholarship for future years?
Students must maintain a 3.0 cumulative GPA to be monitored at the end of each spring semester for the length of the scholarship. In addition, students must be enrolled full-time at UWF, unless in their final semester.