Benacquisto Scholarship – Guide, Requirements and How to Apply

The Benacquisto Scholarship Program is a merit scholarship available to high school graduates who have been named a National Merit Scholar. Eligible scholars will be awarded an amount equal to the institutional cost of attendance for an in-state student less the total of the Bright Futures and National Merit® awards. It is not necessary to submit an initial application.

The cost of attendance (COA) is the overall cost of attending Florida A&M University full-time each term, which may include, but is not limited to, tuition and fees, on-campus room and board (university meal plan), books, supplies, travel, and miscellaneous charges.

Host Schools

This scholarship is open to select schools in Florida namely:

1. Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.
2. Florida Atlantic University.
3. Florida International University.
4. Florida State University.
5. New College of Florida.
6. The University of Central Florida, University of Florida.
7. The University of Miami.
8. University of South Florida.

Values/Inclusions

$2500 worth in Scholarship funds

Requirement

This scholarship was open to both Florida residents and non-Florida residents up to the 2021/2022 academic session. However, beginning with the academic year 2022/2023, non-Florida residents will no longer be eligible for the Benacquisto Scholarship Program.

Thus, if a Florida resident student wants to receive initial funding, he/she must:

1. Obtain a high school diploma in Florida that meets the state’s requirements (unless the student completes a home education program or earns a high school diploma from a non-Florida high school while living with a parent on military or public service assignment away from Florida).
2. Be a 2022 National Merit® Scholar.
3. Enroll in the fall 2022/2023 semesters in the eligible schools after graduating from high school.
4. Scholarship eligibility must be maintained by continued enrolment at the school where the scholarship was first awarded.
5. This program will cover all costs until a baccalaureate degree program is finished or for 100% of the credit hours necessary to finish one, whichever comes first.
6. Enrolled students in a single program of study that requires more than 120 hours may apply for extended hours of funding by submitting the “Extended Hours Application” below.
7. Following high school graduation, a student may receive an award for up to 5 years but not for longer than 10 semesters.
8. To remain eligible for a Merit Scholarship® sponsored by a College, recipients must continue to enroll in the school where they were first supported.

How to apply

Students can apply for the Benacquisto Scholarship without submitting the Florida Financial Aid Application (FFAA). However, after an application has been submitted and reviewed, students could qualify for other state help.

Acceptance Rate

Since one of the criteria involves being a National Merit Scholar, It has a low-acceptance rate.

Deadline

Contact

Address: Florida Department of Education

Office of Student Financial Assistance

State Scholarship and Grant Programs

Suite 1344

325 West Gaines Street

Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0400

Phone: 888-827-2004

Email: OSFA@fldoe.org