Freshman Scholarships
UWF offers generous academic merit scholarships, including opportunities to compete for full tuition, on-campus housing, and meal plans.
Maximize Your Opportunities
To maximize your scholarship opportunities, Complete Your Application with all required items by the Dec. 1, 2024, Scholarship Priority Consideration Deadline (for students beginning Summer/Fall 2025 only). Your file is complete when UWF has received your application, Self-reported Student Academic Record (SSAR), and ACT/SAT scores and subscores. Send all items in advance to allow time for UWF to receive them.
Some scholarships require the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). You are strongly encouraged to complete the FAFSA regardless of scholarship requirements, eligibility for Florida Bright Futures or other tuition coverage, and income. Some students qualify for nonrepayable aid to help cover expenses beyond tuition.
Admissions Academic Merit Scholarship
| Total / Annual Award | Test Scores | High School GPA | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Florida and Alabama | Out of State | SAT or ACT or CLT | (Cumulative Weighted) |
| $16,000 / ($4,000) | $32,000 / ($8,000) | 1400+ or 31+ or 101+ | 4.00+ |
| $12,000 / ($3,000) | $24,000 / ($6,000) | 1260-1390 or 27-30 or 89-100 | 3.80-3.99 |
| $8,000 / ($2,000) | $8,000 / ($2,000) | 1160-1250 or 24-26 or 79-88 | 3.70-3.79 |
*In addition to an SAT, ACT, or CLT score, certain subject-area scores are required. Awards and requirements are subject to change annually. Eligibility is not a guarantee of an award. Students starting summer or fall only will be considered; scholarship coverage excludes summer terms.
Consideration Deadline: Dec. 1
Admissions Academic Merit Scholarships, also called Academic Excellence, Nautilus, and Argonaut Awards, are based on GPA and test scores. To be considered for this scholarship, you must have a completed UWF freshman application file that meets all admission requirements by the Dec. 1, 2024, Scholarship Priority Consideration Deadline. This means UWF must have received all items required to Complete Your Application by Dec. 1. Awarded students will be notified in December.
Admissions Academic Merit Scholarship FAQ
Direct costs are charges associated directly with attending UWF: tuition and mandatory fees, on-campus housing, and meal plans. They do not include such items as a parking pass.
Learn more:
Students who live on campus will have the full value of their award and Florida Bright Futures scholarships applied to their tuition and fees, on-campus housing, and meal plan costs. The Florida Bright Futures scholarship applies directly to tuition and fees. The Admissions Merit Scholarship will cover any remaining University expenses, specifically on-campus housing and meal plans, up to the value of your award. If any funds remain, then you will receive an $800 per-semester textbook stipend.
Yes. The Admissions Merit Scholarship is a University award and will be applied first to your direct costs. Any remaining balance will be covered by your private scholarships/federal funds. If any awards remain once your bill is covered, they will be disbursed to you per University guidelines. For more information on disbursement of remaining aid, please contact Student Accounts.
Full-Ride Scholarships | Value: $50,000+
Select Florida resident students invited to President's Scholarship Competition will compete for the Pace Presidential Scholarship. Recipients are among UWF's Top Scholars. Students must have a completed application file by the Dec. 1, 2024, Scholarship Priority Consideration Deadline to be considered. Invitations will be sent in December to students who qualify to compete.
The Pace Presidential Scholarship, in conjunction with Florida Bright Futures, covers tuition, mandatory fees, a meal plan, on-campus housing, an $800 per-semester book stipend, and a one-time paid research or study abroad experience valued at up to $1,500. The award will not exceed direct costs.
Students who do not receive the Pace Presidential Scholarship will maintain their original Admissions Academic Merit Scholarship.
National Merit Finalists are named Top Scholars. UWF's National Merit Finalist Scholarship recipients are awarded full tuition and mandatory fees, a meal plan, on-campus housing, an $800 per-semester textbook stipend, and a one-time paid research or study abroad experience valued at up to $1,500.
This full-ride, competitive scholarship is for Pell Grant-eligible, first-time-in-college Florida resident students who have shown strength of character, or “Argo Spirit,” by overcoming obstacles, fighting for something important, or making an impact while in high school. This can be in the form of leadership, family contribution, or community engagement.
The application includes a video essay. High school GPA and standardized test scores are not taken into consideration. Winners will be awarded full tuition, on-campus housing, a meal plan, and an $800 per-semester book stipend.
To be considered, students must complete the FAFSA and Argo Spirit Scholarship application and be admitted no later than March 1, 2025.
The Argo Spirit Scholarship Application will open in early Spring 2025.
More Opportunities
Sponsored by Quint and Rishy Studer, the Pensacola Pledge Scholarship is for first-time-in-college students graduating from high school in Escambia County or Santa Rosa County in Florida. Students must complete their UWF application and apply for the scholarship by March 1, 2025, to be considered.
Through generous support from alumni, friends, corporations, foundations, and others, UWF is able to offer various foundation scholarship opportunities. Applications are available through the UWF Scholarship Portal in MyUWF. Access to the portal is granted after new student orientation registration and Argonet account upgrade. Admissions Foundation Scholarships are only offered for students beginning in summer/fall, and the application deadline is June 1, 2025.
UWF's awards several military-affiliated scholarships and provides information on other scholarships available to active duty, veterans, and their dependents. The MVRC also provides information on military-affiliated waivers.
Renewal Criteria
Some scholarships are renewable, and others are one-time awards. Generally, a 3.00 cumulative UWF GPA is required for renewal. If there is a higher minimum standard and/or credit hour requirement, it will be included in the award notification. Renewable UWF scholarships require continuous, full-time enrollment of 12+ credit hours, excluding summer, at UWF with good academic standing. Students must also complete at least 24 credit hours per academic year. Once lost due to academics, a scholarship will not be reinstated if GPA improves.
All freshman admissions scholarships are applicable for eight consecutive semesters (fall and spring only) or upon undergraduate degree completion, whichever comes first, so long as renewal requirements are maintained.