The scholarship covers expenses up to the scholar's need up to the full cost of attendance. In other words, the scholarship covers tuition and books, as well as living expenses after any family contributions (EFC) are made. The goal is for scholars to earn a bachelor’s degree and graduate without student loans. The UF cost of attendance can be found here.

The term first-generation refers to students who are the first in their families to attend college. More specifically, it means that a student’s parents have not earned a bachelor’s degree. Students whose parents earned a bachelor’s degree in another country are not first-generation by this definition and thus ineligible for the Machen Florida Opportunity Scholarship. Students who have siblings in college but whose parents did not earn a bachelor’s degree are considered first-generation.

No, but it is recommended that you live on-campus in your first-year so that you may become familiar with campus and participate in activities coordinated by the Department of Housing and Residence Life. Scholars may stay on campus their entire college career assuming they turn in needed forms and paperwork by established deadlines.

As a first-year scholar in the MFOS program, you must complete and pass SLS1102: First-Year Florida by the conclusion of spring semester with a C or better. Additionally, you must actively participate in the peer mentoring program as well as attend two Financial Literacy Workshops (one in the fall and one in the spring). Innovation Academy (IA) scholars must complete all requirements above however, they will complete two Financial Literacy Workshops in their spring semester. IA scholars must also take SLS1102 in the spring of their first-year. All MFOS scholars must keep a 2.0 GPA and earn 24 credits each year to remain eligible as well as reapply for aid by updating their FAFSA beginning October 1 each year. Parental income will also be reevaluated each year for scholarship renewal. The MFOS staff strongly urges scholars to submit their FAFSA as possible each year.