Distinguished Scholars Award
 

The Distinguished Scholars Award Program is a merit scholarship for U. S. high school graduates.  Eligible scholars will receive an award to cover the cost of tuition minus the sum of Bright Futures, the National Merit® award or other scholarship and awards.  The scholarship will cover fees associated with tuition, but minus the postal fee and the $35 orientation fee. The scholarship also provides base-rates for double-room occupancy and campus meal plan, minus fines.

Scholarship Eligibility Requirements:

• Be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident
• Have a FAMU recalculated grade point average of 4.00 or better (pursuant to F.S. 6.002 and 1003.437)
• Have a SAT score of at least 1400 (Must earn a *700 on the SAT math section)
• Have an ACT score of 32 (Must earn a *32 on the ACT math section)
• Earn a standard US high school diploma or its equivalency (unless the student completes a home education program or earns a high school diploma from a non-US high school while living with a parent who is on military or public service assignment away from the US). 
• Earned a minimum score of 76 on the ALEKS. 

Recipients are eligible to receive an award for a maximum of eight (8) consecutive semesters.  Students must maintain enrollment in the degree program under which this award was made.  Students may not change majors.  A student must enroll in fifteen credit hours per semester and meet all eligibility requirements for renewal each semester.  Awards are not made during the summer term.

Eligibility for renewal is determined at the end of each semester.  You will not be renewed if you do not comply with scholarship deadlines, policies and the bullets below.  For automatic renewal, an award recipient must comply with the policies of the University Scholarship program and the bullets below:

•Enroll in a minimum of 15 credit hours each semester.
•You cannot drop or withdraw from a course(s) after the official university drop and add period has ended (see University Registrar's calendar).
•Earn a "C" or better in all courses each semester.  If you do not earn "C" or better in each course, the scholarship will be terminated.
• Earn a cumulative GPA of 3.3 or better at the end of each semester (effective fall 2020).
• Maintain the academic program at time of admission (under the scholarship program, you cannot change your major or degree program).
•Must enroll in degree program required courses each semester (must follow academic map).
•Validated (submission of verification documents) and completed FAFSA on file in the FAMU Office of Financial prior to January 1.
•Earn 22 hour of community service at the end of each semester (must be documented in iSTRIKE via the Office of Student Activities)
•Recipients must participate in scholarship activities (President's Convocation, Scholar's Speaker Series, etc.,).
•Freshmen are required to visit the office weekly and to participate in study and tutorial sessions (Office visits are tracked electronically).
•Sophomores, juniors and seniors are required to visit the office bi-weekly and to participate in study and tutorial sessions (Office visits are tracked electronically).
•  Establish professional Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn accounts and follow FAMU Scholars.

• If you opt out of Black Board communications from the scholarship office, your scholarship terminates at the time you opt out.

• Your FAMU email is the official mode of electronic communication for scholarship purposes per BOT Regulation 5.003 (3)(a)(b)(c).

•Failure to comply with the above bullets or other policies of the University Scholarship Program will result in the loss (termination) of your scholarship. 
•Loss of scholarship (termination) will not be reinstated at a later date. 
Freshman year only (cumulative grade point average reviewed at the end of the spring semester)

Scholarship awards are limited.  Awards will be made based upon the competitiveness of the current pool of candidates and until funds are exhausted.

Revised February 2020