First-Year Applicant

Ready to take the first step on your FIU journey? From our lush, expansive campus grounds to our nationally-ranked research programs to our diverse student population, there are a million reasons to choose FIU. We’re creating more opportunities for first-year students like you every term. Follow this checklist to apply. If you need help, contact an admissions counselor.

Applicants who have applied to FIU through Common App should not submit a separate application through FIU's application portal.

Important Dates

FIU will have an early, non-binding date for applicants who wish to compete for academic scholarships; after this release date admission decisions will be rolling.

Non-Binding Early Application
Early Fall 2024 and Fall 2024
Completed ApplicationOctober 23
Official Transcript and Test ScoresNovember 7
Decision AvailableNovember 15

 

Rolling Admissions Deadlines (Domestic Applicants)
Early Fall 2024 and Fall 2024
Completed ApplicationMarch 25
Official Transcript and Test ScoresApril 1
Decision AvailableRolling

 

Rolling Admission Deadlines (International Applicants)
Early Fall 2024 and Fall 2024
Completed ApplicationMarch 5
Official Transcript and Test ScoresMarch 19
Decision AvailableRolling

 

Spring Deadlines
Spring 2024
(Domestic Applicants)
Spring 2024
(International Applicants)
November 14, 2023October 16, 2023
Spring 2025
(Domestic Applicants)
Spring 2025
(International Applicants)
November 12, 2024October 18, 2024

Financial Aid Deadlines  Scholarship Deadlines

We’re Here to Help

Get guidance from application to graduation. Visit the I’m First website or talk with an FIU admissions counselor for advice on your FIU journey.

1. Take the SAT, ACT or CLT

Students should take the SAT, ACT and/or CLT in their junior year, but no later than the fall of their senior year. Test scores submitted after the deadline will not be considered on applications or scholarships for the upcoming term. Official scores for the SAT can be sent through CollegeBoard.org (code: 5206), ACT scores through ACT.org (code: 0776) and CLT scores through cltexam.com.

2. Apply for Financial Aid 

Filing for FAFSA before the deadline will make it easier to calculate and deliver your financial aid awards. You should file for FAFSA even if you aren’t sure you’ll qualify. Search for scholarships you could qualify for early as deadlines to apply may vary.

3. Start your Application

The online application takes about 20-30 minutes to complete and will require a $30 application fee. Interested applicants can apply to FIU through Common App or FIU's application portal. If you have applied through Common App, you should not submit a separate application through FIU's application portal.

When you begin the online application, be prepared to pay the fee or use an SAT/ACT fee waiver. If you are using an SAT/ACT fee waiver please select “Pay by Check” when submitting the application and upload your waiver to your student portal on MyFIU or send it directly to your admissions counselor for processing.

4. Submit Transcript(s)

FIU requires all incoming students, whether first-year or transfer students, to submit all official academic transcripts from every high school or college/university attended prior to submitting their application. Applications will not be reviewed until they are complete. Your transcript(s) should be sent directly from all secondary schools, colleges, and universities you have attended.

Transcripts received by FIU become the property of FIU and will not be returned to the applicant or forwarded to any other institution. Please do not send us your original transcript/diploma if no other copy exists.

For international credentials, a certified copy issued by the previous institution’s registration office may be submitted. Please note that the translation is separate from the official transcript requirement (both are necessary).

5. Submit Exam Scores

Submit scores separately from the testing agency. This applies to Advanced Placement (AP), CLEP, International Baccalaureate (IB), or any other exam credit scores. AP scores must be a 3 or higher. Scores submitted after the application deadline will not be considered on your application. See accepted exam credits. The only scores accepted as "official" from a high school transcript are SAT and ACT scores.

6. Submit Residency Documentation

Residency status is used primarily to determine whether students pay in-state or out-of-state tuition. Whether you are a Florida resident, U.S. resident, or international student, you are required to submit proof of residency. Failing to provide residency documentation will delay your enrollment.

Residency Forms and Information

Residency Status

Your proof of residency is used for tuition and financial aid purposes only. Undocumented or DACA students may qualify for in-state tuition in certain circumstances and some private scholarships.

7. Check Application Status

When you finish your application, you will be assigned a Panther ID and within 1-3 business days you will have access to your MyFIU account where you can check your application status

If you receive your acceptance letter, congratulations! You're on your way. Start the Admitted checklist to secure your spot at FIU.

If your application is denied, not all hope is lost. You may Appeal a denied decision if your grades have changed or if you retook a test for a higher score.

Students who have received a letter of deferred admission or alternate term admission:

  • deferred admission decision means that we have not been able to make a decision based on the academic credentials you have submitted. We would like for you to send us your first semester grades in January and/or any new SAT or ACT scores you may have. In addition to receiving a letter, we will also contact you via email. Please make sure to check your email regularly for updated information regarding your deferred admission status. Communicating continued demonstrated interest is not required when you are deferred admission. We will render final decisions for the class entering in 2024 no later than March 25.
  • If you were admitted to Early Fall (Summer B) but applied for fall, this is the pathway you have qualified for based on your academic credentials. Due to the thoroughness of our process, it is unusual for us to make a change or reverse a decision. We will only consider new and compelling information as part of an appeal. You will need to provide documentation for the following:
    • One or more of your grades from grades 9 through 11 has changed resulting in a higher core GPA.
      • Supporting documentation may include an appeal letter written by the student and high school and/or dual enrollment transcript(s)
    • A medical condition, illness or surgery that negatively impacted your academic performance.
      • Supporting documentation may include an appeal letter written by the student and documentation or a letter from a health care provider outlining the severity and duration of the medical condition and how that impacted the student. Detailed medical documentation of the condition (e.g. lab or test results) is not required or reviewed.
    • Extenuating life circumstances that negatively impacted academics and/or participation in extracurricular activities that were not disclosed or fully explained in the original application.
      • Supporting documentation may include an appeal letter written by the student and a letter of explanation corroborating circumstances from a school counselor (not a general recommendation letter) or another person who can support the extenuating circumstances.

Rolling admission does not indicate a faster or automatic decision; FIU employs a comprehensive process to evaluate your academic criteria. This process can take up to four weeks once an application and all supporting documents are received.

Other Steps

  • Home Education Students

    Students completing a home education program according to section 1002.41, Florida Statutes, meet this minimum admission requirement; however, FIU may request additional documentation to demonstrate college readiness.

    Student applying for admission who has participated in a non-traditional high school program must present credentials determined to be equivalent to a standard high school diploma and high school transcript. An applicant whose high school educational program are not measured in Carnegie Units must present the following:

    • Transcript or grade report for four years
    • SAT or ACT score for the term they are applying to (ex. SAT = 1160 for Early Fall or 1200 for Fall)

    Homeschooled and GED applicants who wish to major in one of the STEM programs or the College of Business are required to complete the ALEKS for math placement during new student orientation.

  • International Students

    International students must submit English language proficiency exams and other documents to apply to FIU. Visit International Applicant to learn about how to apply, life at FIU and much more. 

    International Application Process

  • GED Students

    Applicants presenting a GED must present official GED results and official transcripts or any partial high school completion. Applicants with a GED from any state must achieve a total battery score of 600, with no sub score lower than 150 and a minimum test score of 1090 SAT or a minimum composite score of 21 on the ACT.

    • SAT or ACT score for the term they are applying to (ex. SAT = 1090 for Early Fall or 1200 for Fall)

    Homeschooled and GED applicants who wish to major in one of the STEM programs or the College of Business are required to complete the ALEKS for math placement during new student orientation.