Vista Scholarship

A limited number of scholarships are available. Scholarship funding is provided by the University of Miami. The scholarship award covers the Summer Scholars Residential Tuition and Program Fees including:

• Instruction – Tuition, lab fees, class trips, textbooks/printed materials
• Housing – Double occupancy room
• Meals on campus – breakfast, lunch, dinner 
• Student services
• Access to the Student Health Center
• Access to the Wellness Center (fitness and intramural facility)
• UM Identification Card ('Cane ID)
• Student Activities: planned programs and excursions, including transportation for off-campus events

1. To be considered for the Vista Scholarship, students must apply to the University of Miami Pre-College Summer Scholars Three-Week Credit Program and the Vista Scholarship concurrently.

   Parents/guardians are required to complete the CSS Profile and submit all supporting documentation (e.g., tax returns) by March 1.

2. To be eligible for the Vista Scholarship, students must be admitted to the Summer Scholars Three-Week Credit Program.

   Please note that admission to the Summer Scholars Program and selection for the Vista Scholarship are separate application and review processes. Communications regarding each decision will be sent separately, and admission to the Summer Scholars Program does not guarantee a scholarship award.

3. Scholarship awardees must attend the Summer Scholars Three-Week Credit Program in a residential status. (Awardees reside on campus in UM housing). 
4. Scholarship recipients are required to provide their own transportation to and from Miami. A complimentary airport shuttle is available during specified hours for students flying to and from Miami International Airport (MIA).
5. Scholarship recipients are required to be covered by an adequate health insurance plan.
6. Students must provide funds for personal expenses during the program, including spending money for off-campus meals, snacks, evening food delivery, souvenirs, toiletries and other personal needs.
7. Students should be prepared to immerse themselves into the Summer Scholars three-week campus experience. Students are not permitted to have outside commitments for the duration of the program (work, internships, outside courses, external activities, etc.).
8. The Vista Scholarship is awarded solely for the participation in the Summer Scholars Three-Week Credit Program and cannot be used toward enrollment in UM’s undergraduate degree programs, School of Law, Miller School of Medicine, or any other undergraduate, graduate, Non-Degree, or non-credit programs. 

The Vista Scholarship is designed to support students who demonstrate academic merit and "exceptional financial need," expanding access to higher education for those with limited financial resources.

To participate in the Summer Scholars Vista Scholarship selection process, applicants must: 

• Be a high school sophomore or junior at the time of application 
• Have been admitted to the Summer Scholars Residential Three-Week, Credit Program* 
• Possess a minimum GPA of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) 
• Have U.S. citizenship or U.S. permanent residency 
• Optional: have taken the PSAT, SAT or ACT 
• Demonstrate high financial need, as determined through the CSS Financial Aid Profile and your family's most recent income tax returns  

*The Vista Scholarship is available for students in the Summer Scholars Three-Week Credit
Program hosted on campus – residential status is required to receive the award. Please note
the scholarship does not apply to the UM Academies Two-Week, Non-Credit Program.

Additionally, scholarships cannot be combined with any other discount or tuition grant. If a student is eligible for multiple forms of financial assistance, then the student will be considered for only one singular form of financial assistance based on eligibility. 

Applicants who receive one of the following benefits may request an Application Fee Waiver Code which can be used to fully cover the Pre-College Application Fee.

Applicants must also submit the Vista Scholarship supplemental application which is available in the student's applicant portal. The Vista Application can be submitted at the same time as the Pre-College Application.

• Meal Assistance – Free or Reduced School Lunch
• Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
• Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
• Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
• Women Infants and Children (WIC)

Please note the Application Fee Waiver Code is only for applicants who receive one of the above benefits, and who will be submitting a Vista Scholarship Application.

The Application Fee Waiver Code must be entered before submitting the Pre-College application, as refunds are not available for application fees once the application has been submitted.  Application codes are issued individually and cannot be shared. 

Please email documentation of your eligibilty for one of assistance programs above to precollege.docs@miami.edu. Requests for an Application Fee Waiver Code will be verified and the code will be sent via email once eligibility has been determined.  

The deadline to request the Application Fee Waiver Code is February 19, 2026. The deadline to submit the Vista Application is March 1, 2026. 

1. If you have an Application Fee Waiver Code, enter the code before submitting the application fee.  
2. When completing the Pre-College application, you must select:
   • Residential status 
   • Summer Scholars Three-Week Credit academic speciality. You will have the opportunity to input your First and Second Choice. Keep in mind a limited number of scholarships are available per academic specialty. The academic program for Vista Scholarship awardees will will be confirmed with scholarship decisions. 
3. Once students submit the Pre-College application, they can complete the Vista Scholarship application. The link is available in the Application Status Portal and it is accessible only through the portal.
4. Access to the Pre-College Status Portal will be available 48-72 hours (business hours, holidays and weekends are not included) after you submit the Pre-College Application.

Include your essay with your Vista Scholarship Application, responding to the following writing prompt:  

How has your family background affected the way you see the world? (up to 300 words) 

Optional: Upload your PSAT, SAT or ACT score report in your Pre-College Student Status Portal. Unofficial score reports are accepted at time of application. Please note that an official score report could be requested for scholarship awards. 

The CSS Profile must be completed by you and your parent or guardian. If your custodial parent is remarried, the information should include his/her spouse.

Please note, there is a $25 nonrefundable application fee for the CSS Profile. 

• Register and complete the CollegeBoard CSS Financial Aid Profile Form online 
• Click on PROFILE Fall 2025/Spring 2026 
• Use the University of Miami Summer Scholars CSS Profile code: 5119 
• Complete the CSS Financial Aid Profile Form and upload required documents via IDOC
• Only applications with a completed CSS profile will be reviewed.

If you have questions about the CSS Profile and IDOC, please contact College Board.