FAQs
Attention applicants:
The 2012 Scholarship Competition is now closed. Scholarship awardees will be notified soon.
Note: ALL applications have been automatically submitted. All saved applications will be considered, even if the applicant did not explicitely hit the 'submit' button.
General questions
How many scholarships will be awarded?
Approximately 87 awards
How much are scholarships for?
Awards range from $500 to $4000, with most awards averaging $1500. Most are one-time awards, although a few may be extended as long as recipients meet the requirements listed and funding is available. This year, scholarships total up to $136,500.
What are the criteria used in evaluating scholarship applications?
Read the specific application criteria for each scholarship. GPA is an important application criterion.
Who evaluates the scholarship applications?
Raters may include university-wide faculty and staff, as well as donor representatives.
How many scholarships can I apply for?
You can apply for all scholarships for which you are eligible. You only need the one letter of recommendation for all scholarships.
Where are the descriptions of the scholarships?
Here.
Who can apply
Are these scholarships only for attendance at FIU?
Yes.
Can I apply for scholarships if I am not yet a student at FIU?
Yes, you can apply for scholarships if you have applied to FIU, been accepted, and have paid your deposit.
Can I apply if I am planning to graduate from FIU in the Fall term?
Yes. If you are graduating in the Fall term you will receive the full scholarship amount in the Fall term.
Can I apply if I am planning to graduate from FIU next Spring or Summer term?
Yes.
Can I apply if I am a graduate student?
Yes. A number of scholarships are open to both undergraduates and graduate students, and some scholarships are exclusive to graduate students.
Can I apply if I am an international student?
Yes. You may apply to any scholarship that does not require citizenship or residency requirements. International students should also visit the Florida Institutes link for other scholarship opportunities.
If I am in the process of being admitted to graduate school (Master’s or Doctoral programs), do I qualify for these scholarships?
Getting to the application
How do I get to the application?
The application is found online in your Panthersoft Student Center. Log onto http://my.fiu.edu. Click on Self Service, and proceed to the Student Center tab. Under Academics you will see a link that reads ‘Scholarship Application’. Click on this link to enter the application center.
Letter of recommendation
Who can write a letter of recommendation for me?
Letters must be from professionals such as current, previous, or former professors, employers, or community members with whom you have worked or volunteered. Letters from family and/or friends are not appropriate. Letter writers do not need to be from FIU.
How early should I request my letter of recommendation?
As soon as you determine that you are eligible for at least one scholarship, ask your first choice for a letter of recommendation. It may take someone over a week to find the time to write your letter, and you should give them as much time as possible. Don't wait until the end of the semester, when your professor has papers and exams to grade, to request a letter: call, visit, or email them today.
How do I ask someone to write a letter of recommendation for me?
Call, talk to, or send a polite email to a current or former professor, employer, or community leader with whom you have worked. Tell them that you are applying for a scholarship competition and ask them if they can write a strong letter of recommendation for you. If they agree, and most will, send them a copy of your resume, if you have one, or email them a message detailing some of the coursework or other work that you did for their class or under their supervision. Tell them the application deadline and remind them of it politely in your email.
How do I know if my recommender has sent in my letter of recommendation?
You will receive an email from the University-Wide Scholarship Committee when your letter of recommendation has been received. Be sure to check your email on a regular basis to make sure that the letter has arrived. It is your responsibility to follow up with your recommender, usually with a polite email, if your letter has not arrived. Letters will not be accepted after the application deadline. Take the time to inform your recommender when your letter has arrived. Take this time to thank your recommender again for taking the time to support your efforts. After the process is over, it will also be important to let your recommender know the result of your application.
Assembling my application
Do I have to print out the application form and submit it?
No. The application is completely online. You will apply through your student Panthersoft account. You will need to upload and save all required attachments (essays, documentation, etc.) with your application.
How do I attach my essay(s) to my application?
The online application form, at the top, has a button that reads ‘Attach essay.’ Save your essay as a Word or PDF file. Click on the ‘Attach essay’ button. Click on the ‘Browse’ button and search your computer for your essay. Click on the essay. Click ‘Upload.’ The essay will now be attached to your application.
How do I attach any forms that need to be signed or scanned?
Scan your document using a scanner and save it, preferably as an Adobe PDF file. Attach it in the same way that you attach the essay (described above) where requested in the application.
What is the difference between the SAVE and the SUBMIT buttons?
There is a HUGE difference between these buttons. Use the SAVE button to save your scholarship selections and any essays or other attachments that you have saved to your application. You can use the SAVE button multiple times. You can ONLY use the SUBMIT button ONCE—once you use it, your application will be frozen and you will not be able to make any changes or apply for any more scholarships. ONLY click on SUBMIT once you are completely sure that you are done with your application. Do not SUBMIT until you are completely done. Incomplete applications will not be considered.
Where can I find a scanner at FIU?
At MMC, PC 413, and at the BBC Hubert Library, 1st Floor area.
GPA Questions
What GPA will be used in evaluating my application?
1. For already-enrolled, degree-seeking, FIU undergraduate students: your FIU cumulative GPA as of Spring 2011;
2. For high school students who will start at FIU in Summer or Fall 2012 : your high school cumulative GPA that was reported on your application to FIU.
3. For transfer students: the cumulative GPA from the institution from which you are transferring.
What is the minimum GPA for applying for scholarships?
For undergraduates, the minimum GPA for most scholarships is 3.0, though at least one scholarship allows a minimum GPA of 2.5. However, a higher GPA makes an application much more competitive. For graduates, the minimum GPA is 3.3, though a higher GPA makes an application much more competitive.