FGCU Foundation Scholarships

Through the generosity of many individuals, alumni, local philanthropists, nonprofit organizations and corporations, the Florida Gulf Coast University Foundation has established academic merit and financial need-based scholarships for FGCU students. The Foundation provided over $5 million dollars in scholarships this past year.

If you intend to enroll at FGCU for the coming academic year, you are eligible to apply for the Foundation scholarship. All currently enrolled and prospective students are encouraged to complete the application.

You may access the application by going to FGCU.edu/scholarships and clicking on the Foundation Scholarship Tile at the top of the page.

Foundation scholarships are awarded on an annual basis. Not receiving a scholarship in an academic year does not prevent the opportunity of applying and receiving a scholarship for future award years. However, you MUST apply each year by the listed deadline to be considered. The number of scholarships awarded depends on available funding and the qualifications of the applicants who apply.

Prospective students do not need to wait until they are accepted to apply. UIN’s (University ID Numbers) are assigned to prospective students upon submission of an Admissions application. Once you receive your UIN from the Office of Admissions, you may complete the application.

Yes. If you apply by priority deadline, you will automatically be considered for admissions merit awards. If you complete the Foundation Scholarship application, you will also be considered for foundation awards.

The FGCU Foundation Scholarship Application is available annually until May 1st. Students who apply by January 1st of each year will be given priority.

Students must complete a yearly scholarship application to be considered for funding.

The First-Generation Matching Grant Program is a need-based financial aid program supported with both institutional and state funding. First Generation students can apply for various First-Generation Matching Grants by completing the Foundation Scholarship application.

The FAFSA is the instrument used by the Foundation to determine financial need. Completing a FAFSA application is not required for FGCU Foundation scholarships; however, it is highly recommended in order to maximize eligibility for all need-based financial aid and scholarship opportunities. The FAFSA should be completed annually by our January 1st priority deadline.

Most Foundation scholarships are awarded during the spring and summer terms before the start of the upcoming academic year. 

Scholarship recipients are selected based on scholarship criteria established by the donors. Scholarships are competitive and not all students who apply will be selected to receive an award.

Students selected for a Foundation scholarship will receive an email sent to their Eagle email account. The email will include information on the scholarship for which they’ve been selected and a link to submit required post-acceptance scholarship materials needed to process the award.