National Merit Scholarship FAQ’s

I want to apply to FAU and need to know where to start!

You can begin the application process to FAU by visiting the Admissions Process for National Merit Scholars webpage, where you can also make a campus visit reservation for either/both FAU campuses! 

Why should I attend FAU as a National Merit Scholar?

FAU offers unparalleled academic and honors opportunities to you as a Scholar here. From being captains of your own academic journey by engaging in hands-on learning outside the classroom, having a dedicated holistic on-campus and virtual advising team from orientation to graduation, having access to early priority class registration every semester, to having the chance to have your research published as an undergraduate student, and following in the footsteps of successful FAU scholars who've graduated from our program--the opportunities are endless! In addition, a Scholars-only workshop series with topics like "Financial Literacy", "Business Communications", "After Graduation Planning","Etiquette in the 21st Century", "Prestigious Fellowship and Research Opportunities" and "Career Fair and Job Readiness" assist you in achieving not only academic success, but personal and professional success as well. The sky truly is the limit for you as a Scholar at FAU.

How do I receive the National Merit Semi-Finalist/Finalist/Commended designation?

To participate in the National Merit Scholarship Program, you must:      

1. Take the PSAT/NMSQT in the specified year of the high school program and no later than the third year in grades 9 through 12, regardless of grade classification or educational pattern;
2. Be enrolled as a high school student (traditional or homeschooled), progressing toward graduation or completion of high school, and planning to accept admission to college no later than the fall semester following completion of high school; and
3. Be a citizen of the United States; or be a U.S. lawful permanent resident (or have applied for permanent residence, the application for which has not been denied) and intend to become a U.S. citizen at the earliest opportunity allowable. To see the full process, visit the National Merit Scholarship website

What does the financial aid package include for Scholars?

For National Merit Finalists who are Florida residents and indicate FAU as their first choice institution with the National Merit Corporation on or before May 1, those students are eligible for the Benacquisto Scholarship Program, which awards a National Merit Scholar Finalist up to the cost of attendance (including tuition, housing, books, and fees) as a student at FAU.

More information about financial aid as well as valuable scholarship information can be found if you click here.

What are the main highlights of the Boca and Jupiter campuses?

The Jupiter campus of FAU is located 35 miles north of FAU’s main campus in Boca Raton, FAU Jupiter is home to the nationally-ranked Harriet L. Wilkes Honors College. Recognized as a center of scientific activity, the campus also serves as the headquarters for two of FAU’s primary research organizations, the Max Planck Institute and the FAU Stiles-Nicholson Brain Institute. The Jupiter campus is the only free standing Honors College in the United States, and offers a much smaller and more academic-focused experience for highly talented students. You can learn more about the Jupiter campus by clicking here.

The Boca Raton campus is the main campus for FAU. More than 70 percent of FAU's 29,000 students take here, and the majority of the University's degree programs are based here. Located less than three miles from  the beautiful beaches of Boca Raton, the campus features housing for more than 4,500 students, brand-new athletics and recreational facilities, art galleries, a cafe/movie theater complex and so much more — all in a vibrant, tropical setting with a student body that is the most diverse among Florida's public universities.

Can you address campus safety and security?

The safety and well-being of our campus community is always our first priority. The FAU Police Department is here to keep our community safe. FAUPD officers train annually on defensive tactics, firearms, taser and de-escalation techniques. Officers participate in two active shooter scenarios, a department-wide and a multi-agency large scale scenario, and complete training on policies, procedures and state law. Between blue light emergency stations all over campus, NightOwls (a student-run evening safety escort service for students who need a safe ride to or from class, the library, residence halls, parking lots, or any other location on the Boca Raton Campus), the safety app OwlReady, and more---campus safety is a priority. Learn more by visiting the campus safety resource page.

How can parents stay involved with FAU?

We encourage you to remain a supporter and resource for your child here at FAU. From Owl Family Weekend activities every year to attending Family Orientation, parents are a part of the community of Owls, too! Please consider reviewing the Student Privacy & Parental Access policies before arriving on campus.