National Merit Scholar package
VerifiedCollege program
- Award
- Florida residents: State of Florida Benacquisto Scholarship covering 100% of cost of attendance in fall and spring (reduced by Bright Futures and any NMSC award), plus USF National Merit Tradition of Excellence Award ($20,000; $5,000 per year) and a $2,000 Passport study abroad scholarship. Non-Florida residents: USF Golden Achievement Program scholarship covering 100% of cost of attendance in fall and spring (reduced by any NMSC award), plus the $2,000 Passport Scholarship.
- Deadline
- Designate USF as first choice with NMSC by the May 31 deadline.
- How to apply
- Apply to USF, become a National Merit Finalist, and designate USF as your first-choice school with NMSC by May 31.
- What you'll need
- No separate application: you are considered when you apply for admission
- Who can apply
- High school graduates who are National Merit Finalists and selected USF as first choice with NMSC. Residency as determined by USF. NMSC requires entrants to be US citizens or US lawful permanent residents intending to become citizens.
- Good to know
- The page does not name an entry year (its linked National Merit guide is labeled 2026). These awards replace other Office of Admissions awards (Florida residents keep the Tradition of Excellence award). Semifinalists are considered for scholarships upon admission.