Benacquisto Scholarship Program
Offered by Florida Department of Education, Office of Student Financial Assistance · Free to apply
The Benacquisto Scholarship is Florida's award for National Merit Scholars and National Achievement Scholars who graduate from a Florida high school. It covers the full estimated cost of attendance, including tuition, fees, on-campus room and board, books, supplies, transportation and miscellaneous expenses, reduced by any Bright Futures and National Merit money the student already receives. For a qualifying student it is the highest-value state award in Florida and functions as a full ride at a Florida institution. Qualification is formula-based rather than competitive, subject to legislative appropriation.
How hard is the Benacquisto Scholarship Program to win?
This is not a competition. Aid is allocated by a published formula, so meeting the criteria and filing on time is what determines whether the money arrives.
- Estimated odds
- qualifying students generally receive it
- Paperwork
- ~2 hrs to file
What drives the odds here
Odds on a scholarship are mostly a question of how many students can enter. Each rule below changes the size of that field.
- Fewer rivalsOpen only to Florida residents
- Fewer rivalsOpen to a single grade level only
How Solyo estimates this: State programs that allocate by published formula are modelled on qualification and filing, not on competition, because there is no selection committee choosing between applicants. These are estimates derived from each award's published structure, not reported acceptance rates, which almost no scholarship provider discloses. Treat them as a way to rank where the hours go, not as a guarantee.
Who can apply for the Benacquisto Scholarship Program?
These are the eligibility rules Solyo verified against the official award page, translated into plain English. Your student must meet each one.
- Must be a resident of Florida
- Open to high school seniors
- Requires recognition as a National Merit Scholar or National Achievement Scholar.
- Must graduate from a Florida high school and enrol at an eligible Florida institution.
- Application timing is set by your institution.
What the application takes
No essay, recommendation letters, or transcript are required. This is one of the lighter applications in the directory.
Deadline and application cycle
The current deadline is May 31, 2027. This award runs on an annual cycle, with deadlines around May 31 each year.
- Applications close
- May 31, 2027
Does your student actually qualify?
See if your student qualifies in 30 seconds. Solyo checks 20+ criteria against their real profile: GPA, state, grade level, intended major, and more, across every award in this directory at once.
Common questions about the Benacquisto Scholarship Program
How much is the Benacquisto Scholarship Program worth?
The Benacquisto Scholarship Program awards full estimated cost of attendance, less Bright Futures and National Merit awards and is renewable in later years.
When is the Benacquisto Scholarship Program deadline?
The current deadline is May 31, 2027. This award runs on an annual cycle, with deadlines around May 31 each year.
Who is eligible for the Benacquisto Scholarship Program?
Key requirements: Must be a resident of Florida; Open to high school seniors.
Does the Benacquisto Scholarship Program require an essay?
No essay is required. The application is light on requirements. Expect to spend about 2 hours on it.
How hard is it to win the Benacquisto Scholarship Program?
This is not a competition. Aid is allocated by a published formula, so meeting the criteria and filing on time is what determines whether the money arrives. Solyo classifies this award as formula-based, meaning qualifying students generally receive it. Plan on about 2 hrs of paperwork.
Is the Benacquisto Scholarship Program free to apply?
Yes. The Benacquisto Scholarship Program is free to apply. Legitimate scholarships never charge an application fee, and Solyo verifies every listed award against its official page.
More state grants & programs
- 802 Opportunity GrantFull tuition and the $100 administrative fee at CCV (last-dollar)
- Access Missouri Financial Assistance ProgramVaries by SAI and school type per statutory table (amounts prorated if funding is short)
- Alabama Student Grant ProgramUp to $3,000/yr ($1,500 per semester; actual amount depends on state funding)
- Alaska Education Grant$500-$4,000/yr based on need and enrollment level
- Alaska Performance Scholarship$3,500-$7,000/yr depending on tier
- Arizona Promise ProgramFull tuition & mandatory fees at Arizona public universities (last-dollar)
Lists this award appears on
Award details are curated by Solyo and verified against the official scholarship page. Deadlines and requirements can change between cycles, so always confirm on the provider's site before applying.