@3scoutsmom The bill extends the Benacquisto Scholarship to OOS students. It is a full ride plus stipend with the full ride cost based on the most expensive Florida public university. It includes the University of Miami, which is private and more expensive, so it would not be a full ride there.
Slightly annoyed that everyone on CC forgets about University of Central Florida…
COA is ~$33,000 and they give $32,500 a year for national merit plus a laptop and an extra 500$ if you do lead scholars. It’s is the definition of a full ride, if I work a job on campus I will come out with a minimum of $10k in the bank.
Imo one of the best options for national merit. Great location and benefits, especially for engineering students.
Also isn’t contingent on Florida passing that bill, I’m taking the money and running as a OOS student this year
This new FL NM scholarship is wonderful news! I’m wondering if it might push other schools big NM schools to up their scholarships as to full COA too? Is this guaranteed for all four years? Does anyone know offhand what the GPA requirement is to keep this scholarship?
I think Ole Miss and Washington State U have National Merit scholarships that are available to semifinalists even if they don’t make finalist. I’d put those two on your list since it seems like making finalist is not a sure thing for you.
I believe the bill for out of state NM in FL will cover average cost of attendance - books, housing, incidentals, just like it does for the current in state winners. UCF does this now for OOS NMF, awarding full out of state cost of attendance.
My daughter will be there at UCF this Fall as NMF. Looking forward to it. We selected it over all the other state Universities in Florida and over several OOS due to the wonderful scholarship with benefits and the warm reception the Honors college gives.
Baylor gives full tuition. They also invite you to participate for an additional scholarship that includes full fees, room, and board (but not books). That extra scholarship is highly competitive, however, even among NMFs.
The other reason we chose UCF is because they told all of us that they guarantee the full scholarship for all four years, contingent on 3.0 min GPA etc., no matter what happens with the funding for Benacquisto from state of Florida. I am not sure all the other universities do that. They said they would fund it themselves if it went away, as they did in the past.
@blountwil2 The Sal at my D’s school turned down the honors program at UF for the Burnett Medical Honors program at UCF. She has Ivy stats and a hook, but the Benacquisto was too attractive for her to even look out of state.
The honors dorms are very nice and she was feels the extra attention she will get in Medical Honors program will greatly increase her chances to matriculate to UCF’s Medical school.
Also the bill has passed and the Governor gave his support before the Legislative session so it would be surprising if he does not sign it.
This thread makes me want to start nagging DS20 to start prepping for the PSAT NOW!!! but I must contain myself and wait until after APs and finals [-X
If you are in NC you should also look at places other than NC State and Chapel Hill. UNCC has the Levine (I believe) which is a full ride and UNCW has a full cost of attendance scholarship. Pembroke would throw you the world, as would A and T and Western Carolina. Finally, look to the guaranteed med school program at ECU with good scholarships. My nephews are in that state and got some great offers from the ‘lower’ state schools. They and their friends went on to top graduate schools.
Are you using two different screennames?
My son has similar stats to your child’s, and I am also starting to explore the national merit options. Be aware that many schools require a 3.5 gpa to maintain the scholarship. This would be a lot of pressure for my potential engineering student. Also, Mississippi state university has a full tuition scholarship for semifinalists.
Yea that whole 3.5 GPA requirement really bothers me when I see it as a scholarship condition. Whether you are majoring in engineering or American History or underwater basket weaving, who needs that stress?
Well said @vistajay.
You really have to read the fine print, some schools give you a chance to bring up your GPA and other with just cut you off. OU’s scholarship is broken up so students only have to maintain a 2.8 for tuition waiver and a 3.25 for the regents portion.
@3scoutsmom , OU recently came on to our S18’s list. He needs a NMF large scholarship school on there. He had Alabama but his guidance counselor, who has some experience with music school placement, told us OU has a better voice dept than Bama. So I think he will audition there and check it out.
DD16 (nmf) was accepted into the school of music at OU though that’s not her major and I’ve been very impressed with it! If you have any questions let me know. OU treat’s NM students very well and she’s very happy with her decision.
Well, I wasn’t the OP but yes I am low income and I have a 3.89 GPA and a 36 ACT. No C’s over here.