UF, FSU, UCF, FIU, USF, FAU and more — early action (EA), regular decision (RD), FAFSA priority, and Bright Futures eligibility in one filterable table.
Sarah's Rule #1: Apply EA (early action) whenever you can
Most Florida universities have higher acceptance rates for EA and it removes the stress of regular decision. There's no penalty for applying early — only advantages.
Showing 15 institutions
| University | City | EA | RD | FAFSA Priority | Bright Futures | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Miami Private | Coral Gables | Nov 1 | Jan 1 | Feb 15 | Top private in FL. Strong scholarships for high-achieving students. Merit aid available. | |
| Rollins College Private | Winter Park | Nov 15 | Feb 15 | Mar 1 | Highly selective liberal arts college near Orlando. Strong financial aid. | |
| University of Florida Public | Gainesville | Oct 15 | Mar 1 | Dec 1 | Most competitive FL public university. EA highly recommended. | |
| Florida State University Public | Tallahassee | Oct 15 | Mar 1 | Dec 1 | Strong programs in business, film, and liberal arts. | |
| University of Central Florida Public | Orlando | Nov 1 | Mar 1 | Dec 1 | Largest university in Florida by enrollment. Strong STEM programs. | |
| Florida A&M University Public | Tallahassee | Oct 15 | Mar 1 | Mar 1 | Florida's historically Black university. Strong pharmacy and business programs. | |
| Florida International University Public | Miami | Nov 1 | Apr 1 | Mar 1 | Highest % Hispanic students of any FL university. Business & law strong. | |
| University of South Florida Public | Tampa | Nov 1 | Apr 1 | Mar 1 | Preeminent research university. Strong health sciences and engineering. | |
| Florida Atlantic University Public | Boca Raton | Nov 1 | Apr 1 | Mar 1 | Multiple campuses along SE Florida coast. Strong nursing and business. | |
| Florida Gulf Coast University Public | Fort Myers | Nov 1 | May 1 | Mar 1 | Growing university in SW Florida. High acceptance rate. Good value. | |
| Stetson University Private | DeLand | Nov 1 | Rolling | Mar 1 | Rolling admissions. Apply early for best scholarship consideration. | |
| Nova Southeastern University Private | Fort Lauderdale | N/A | Rolling | Apr 1 | Strong health sciences, pharmacy, and law programs. Rolling admissions. | |
| Miami Dade College State College | Miami | N/A | Rolling | May 1 | Guaranteed transfer to FL universities with AA degree. Open access. | |
| Broward College State College | Fort Lauderdale | N/A | Rolling | May 1 | AA pathway to FL universities. Strong dual enrollment program. | |
| Santa Fe College State College | Gainesville | N/A | Rolling | Apr 1 | Direct transfer pipeline to UF. #1 community college in FL multiple years. |
Coral Gables
EA
Nov 1RD
Jan 1FAFSA
Feb 15Top private in FL. Strong scholarships for high-achieving students. Merit aid available.
Winter Park
EA
Nov 15RD
Feb 15FAFSA
Mar 1Highly selective liberal arts college near Orlando. Strong financial aid.
Gainesville
EA
Oct 15RD
Mar 1FAFSA
Dec 1Most competitive FL public university. EA highly recommended.
Tallahassee
EA
Oct 15RD
Mar 1FAFSA
Dec 1Strong programs in business, film, and liberal arts.
EA
Nov 1RD
Mar 1FAFSA
Dec 1Largest university in Florida by enrollment. Strong STEM programs.
Tallahassee
EA
Oct 15RD
Mar 1FAFSA
Mar 1Florida's historically Black university. Strong pharmacy and business programs.
EA
Nov 1RD
Apr 1FAFSA
Mar 1Highest % Hispanic students of any FL university. Business & law strong.
EA
Nov 1RD
Apr 1FAFSA
Mar 1Preeminent research university. Strong health sciences and engineering.
Boca Raton
EA
Nov 1RD
Apr 1FAFSA
Mar 1Multiple campuses along SE Florida coast. Strong nursing and business.
Fort Myers
EA
Nov 1RD
May 1FAFSA
Mar 1Growing university in SW Florida. High acceptance rate. Good value.
DeLand
EA
Nov 1RD
RollingFAFSA
Mar 1Rolling admissions. Apply early for best scholarship consideration.
Fort Lauderdale
EA
N/ARD
RollingFAFSA
Apr 1Strong health sciences, pharmacy, and law programs. Rolling admissions.
Miami
EA
N/ARD
RollingFAFSA
May 1Guaranteed transfer to FL universities with AA degree. Open access.
Fort Lauderdale
EA
N/ARD
RollingFAFSA
May 1AA pathway to FL universities. Strong dual enrollment program.
Gainesville
EA
N/ARD
RollingFAFSA
Apr 1Direct transfer pipeline to UF. #1 community college in FL multiple years.
* Dates are approximate for the 2025–2026 cycle. Always verify directly on the university's website.
Waiting until November to start the application
Most EA deadlines are October or November. Starting in October isn't "early" — you're already late.
Not submitting FAFSA on October 1st
FAFSA opens October 1st. Submitting that day doesn't guarantee more money, but waiting until January or February can cost you funds.
Confusing the university deadline with the scholarship deadline
Bright Futures has its own FAFSA deadline. The university's deadline is for admissions only — the scholarship may have a different one.
The college list is the most important decision in the process. A misclassified list is an expensive mistake. Sarah reviews lists and exposes the problems before they cost acceptances.
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