Benacquisto Scholarship (University of Florida)

The Benacquisto Scholarship Program is a Florida state-funded award for Florida-resident high school graduates recognized as National Merit Scholars, one of only nine Florida institutions (including UF) that participate as a National Merit College Sponsor. It covers the remaining institutionally posted cost of attendance after Bright Futures and the National Merit award are applied. There is no separate application — eligible students are identified automatically through their National Merit Finalist status, but must designate the University of Florida as their first-choice institution with the National Merit Scholarship Corporation by that organization's deadline of May 31, 2027. Renewal requires earning credit for all enrolled hours each term and maintaining a minimum cumulative 3.0 GPA. Since the 2022-23 academic year, the program has been limited to Florida residents; funding is state-appropriated annually and subject to change.

Eligibility

DemographicsRequires admission to University of Florida; limited to Florida residents recognized as National Merit Scholars/Finalists who designate UF as their first-choice institution with the National Merit Scholarship Corporation.

Applying

Covers the remaining cost of attendance after Bright Futures and the National Merit award are subtracted; state-appropriated funding, subject to annual change by the Florida legislature.