First-Year Applicant

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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:

• A 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.
• 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.