About U-LEAD Scholars

Student Well-Being #1 Purpose

The University of Central Florida is currently seeking well-rounded and talented transfer and upper division students for the LEAD Scholars Academy U-LEAD programs. This is a selective four semester leadership development program offering unique courses and opportunities to its students. The program emphasizes academics, community service, and leadership.

As a means of targeting talented UCF students and integrating them with the academic and co-curricular aspects of college life, the U-LEAD programs were established at the University of Central Florida in 2015. Until the Fall 2015 semester, the LEAD Scholars Academy was strictly a two-year program that catered solely to FTIC students. However, this meant the LEAD was unable to provide leadership development opportunities to a majority of students, since over 2/3 of UCF students are transfer students. So in order to reach this group of students, LEAD created what were then known as the “leadership tracks”, programs for upperclassmen and transfer students.

In the Fall 2018 semester, the LEAD Scholars Academy rebranded the leadership tracks as the U-LEAD Programs, or Upperclassmen Leadership Programs. The U-LEAD programs within the LEAD Scholars Academy specifically assists in reaching the university’s goals of offering the best undergraduate education available in Florida, becoming a more inclusive and diverse institution, and becoming America’s leading partnership university. As such the LEAD Scholars Academy and U-LEAD programs exist within this context and is dedicated to providing high-quality educational experiences and leadership opportunities to prepare students for positions of leadership both inside and outside the UCF community.

U-LEAD Benefits

Students receive

  • Access to LEAD Lounge for studying, networking and professional development.
  • Awards of a $200 fellowship every semester you remain in good standing*
  • Priority class registration (following semester)
  • Eligibility to apply for additional scholarships in the spring term (requires successful completion of one semester in the program).
  • Recognition as a LEAD Scholars Academy graduate at commencement with the completion of at least 4 semesters of U-LEAD programs.

The U-LEAD program hosts many different leadership programs that help students learn about leadership, service-learning, and undergraduate research.

*Unfortunately, DACA, TSA or political asylum applicant students (or other students who are not eligible for financial aid) are ineligible to receive LEAD fellowships.*

Prospective U-LEAD Students

The application process includes a resume and online application with a short essay question. Selected students are offered many opportunities at UCF and are expected to complete service, involvement and academic requirements to stay in good standing with the U-LEAD.

For further information or to apply