UCF is ranked among the top 20 colleges in the nation – 9th among public universities – and second in Florida for its number of enrolled National Merit Scholars. Our top-notch academic programs, competitive scholarship packages and exciting location attract some of the most talented and accomplished students from across the country.
Packages and Benefits
Florida residents who advance to become National Merit Finalists will be awarded the Benacquisto Scholarship in addition to the Florida Bright Futures Scholarship.
Out-of-state National Merit Finalists are eligible for our competitive National Merit Scholarship package valued at more than $25,000 per year for four years.
As a National Merit Finalist, you can apply for special privileges at UCF, including:
- Guaranteed admission to The Burnett Honors College*
- Guaranteed admission to the LEAD Scholars Academy*
- Guaranteed on-campus housing
*With application
Visiting the Campus
When you request your visit, tell us who and what you would like to see and provide a few dates that work for you. As a National Merit student, you can:
- Engage with a faculty member from your academic area(s) of interest
- Meet with the Assistant Dean of The Burnett Honors College
- Meet with the Director of the LEAD Scholars Program
- Tour UCF Housing facilities, including the Towers residence hall
- Take a private campus tour and meet with current UCF National Merit Scholars
2025 National Merit Scholar Newsletter
Congratulations! The honor of being named a National Merit Semifinalist is a distinction reserved for the most talented high school students in the nation. At UCF, we recognize, celebrate and honor your exceptional achievements. Our UCF Scholar newsletter is written to help inform you of opportunities, address common questions, and offer guidance on joining our community of creators, doers, thinkers and leaders. We invite you to read below and see how UCF can help you unleash your potential and achieve your goals.
Read the 2025 National Merit Scholar Newsletter
We’re Here to Help
We know that the college admissions process can be daunting. That’s why we work one-on-one with National Merit students and their parents to answer questions and help determine if UCF is the right fit.
Your personal contact for the National Merit Scholarship Program is Hayden Lau. Feel free to contact Hayden with any questions or if you would like to schedule a campus visit.
If you’d like to get the perspective of a current National Merit scholar, jump to our student section to read biographies of just some of the 300+ National Merit scholars enrolled at UCF.
Scholars Program Student Assistants
Each year, National Merit scholars from across the nation make the decision to join the UCF Knights family. With 340 National Merit students currently enrolled at UCF, you’re in good company. But don’t take our word for it. The Scholars Program student assistants are happy to share their UCF experience with you. And when you visit campus, you’ll have the opportunity to meet one of these students and hear from them firsthand.
Thao-My Nguyen
thaomynguyen@knights.ucf.edu-
- Year
- Senior
- Hometown
- Durham, North Carolina
- Major
- Health Sciences with a minor in Health Informatics and Information Management
- Future Goals
- Attend Physician Assistant school and open my own business
- Favorite Thing about UCF
- UCF goes above and beyond to make sure you have all the resources you need. You’ll never be alone during your time here as a Knight.
Raj Khuperkar
raj.khuperkar@ucf.edu-
- Year
- Senior
- Hometown
- Troy, Michigan
- Major
- Biomedical Sciences
- Future Goals
- To attend medical school and eventually open my own private practice.
- Favorite Thing about UCF
- UCF is such a large university that everyone is bound to find a community they can grow in. It’s a campus full of opportunities, friends and fun!
Nivedha Srinivasan
nivedha.srinivasan@ucf.edu-
- Year
- Junior
- Hometown
- Windermere, FL
- Major
- Biomedical Sciences with minors in Information Technology and Health Informatics and Information Management
- Future Goals
- Attend graduate school and work in the field of epidemiology and bioinformatics.
- Favorite Thing about UCF
- I love the opportunities that are available to students at UCF! You can find a multitude of research opportunities, student organizations and jobs right on campus.
Ritisha Suresh
ritisha.suresh@ucf.edu-
- Year
- Junior
- Hometown
- Sanford, FL
- Major
- Biomedical Sciences
- Future Goals
- Attend medical school with the aim of becoming a physician.
- Favorite Thing about UCF
- I love how UCF provides you with so many opportunities. You can take advantage of whichever ones suit your career aspirations. They truly want to see you excel in your academics and personal lives.