LEAD Scholars FAQ

No. The academic program only admits first time in college students applying before their freshman year at UCF begins. They cannot apply or reapply to the program after their first Fall semester.

Yes, we encourage it! Most of our students participate in Honors, Greek Life, Rosen, registered student organizations, and more while in LEAD Scholars. LEAD Scholars supplements their involvement on campus and introduces them to more opportunities and experiences.

*Students are not permitted to take part of both LEAD Scholars and the LEARN Program

LEAD Scholars are driven, motivated, and work hard for their goals. Your student will be surrounded by a community of future leaders of SGA, Greek life, student organizations, and community service organizations. The directors, staff, and student leaders are here for your student to help them with whatever they need. And, all 1st semester courses have a 2nd Year Peer Mentor to help them transition into a university lifestyle and be a guaranteed friend their first week of school.

Applications are open from January 1st of each year until we reach capacity. We usually receive around 600 applicants. About half of these will actually start the LEAD Scholars Academy in the fall. Every student that is first time in college and that is accepted to the University is sent an application for the LEAD Scholars Academy.

No, LEAD Orientation is not mandatory. We highly encourage attending the LEAD Scholars Orientation so students have the opportunity to meet other students who will be in the program to start making those early connections.  LEAD Scholars information will be given at each FTIC session throughout the summer.

No, LEAD Scholars is not a scholarship program; it’s a leadership program! The LEAD Scholars Academy offers a $200 fellowship stipend. To receive this, you must submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form to the Office of Student Financial Aid. This fellowship stipend is receive at the end of the fall and spring semesters (if you are in good standing with the program and have fulfilled all program requirements). We do offer four private foundation scholarships only for LEAD Scholars that students may apply for after their first semester.

There are countless benefits to participating in the LEAD Scholars Academy! Students will get priority registration and can receive a $200 stipend each semester in good standing for a total of $800 over four semesters, attend the annual REEL Retreat in August, become a member of the LEAD Student Association (LSA) or Leadership Excellence Board (LEB), participate in Homecoming, live in LEAD Housing in Neptune 157, and study in the LEAD Lounge in Ferrell Commons 165. Most importantly, LEAD offers a home away from home on one of the largest college campuses in the nation.

To remain in good standing for each of the four semesters, every LEAD Scholar is required to:

• Complete 15 approved community service hours (increased during 3rd semester to 25 hours)
• Attend 2 LEAD events (events that LSA/LEB coordinates)
• Attend 2 Impact events (educational workshops hosted by UCF departments)
• Take a LEAD Scholars course and earn at least a B average
• Maintain at least 3.0 cumulative GPA
• In the Spring: Attend 1 Leadership Week event
• For 1st Years only: Attend All Access the first week of Fall term

LEAD Scholars has a living learning community in the Academic Village, next to the Recreation and Wellness Center. Neptune 157 has 114 beds and they are on a first come, first serve basis. Acceptance into the LEAD LLC is dependent on how early your student applies for UCF Housing in general, if they complete the secondary LLC application on MyUCF after applying to the LEAD Scholars Academy, and their date of commitment to the LEAD Scholars Academy.

The LEAD Scholars Academy is a 2 year leadership development program for freshman and sophomore students at UCF. It teaches about different leadership styles among others and yourself. It helps students to realize their potential as a leader in their personal/professional lives through community service, classes, and social activities.

We conduct a telephone interview with every applicant once their entire application has been received. Students will register for their phone interview after submitting their online application. The interview is conducted by a student in the LEAD Scholars Academy and is 15 minutes long. It gives students a chance to expand on their application.

Students will be sent notification of acceptance or rejection within 3 weeks of their telephone interview.