As a means of targeting talented first-year students and integrating them with the academic and co-curricular aspects of college life, the LEAD Scholars Program was established at the University of Central Florida in 1995. The LEAD Scholars Program 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.

UCF is committed to accenting the individual and excellence – as well as educating the whole person and producing future leaders who exhibit leadership, academic excellence, and service. The LEAD Scholars Program exists 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.

LEAD Scholars is more than a leadership program—it is a diverse and inclusive community at UCF. UCF and LEAD Scholars stand for opportunity. Accepted students in turn grasp this opportunity and turn it into reality by getting involved, learning about leadership and becoming change agents in our community.

As the only academic and co-curricular leadership program in Florida, LEAD Scholars offers many exciting opportunities in academics, leadership opportunities, student organizations, research, and campus life to our students. LEAD Scholars is a spring board to leadership at UCF. Feel free to watch current and past LEAD Scholars as they explain and showcase their leadership on our video page.

The application process includes a resume, essay, project, and phone interview and focuses on  academics, leadership and community service during your high school years. 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 Program.

If selected, there are several important steps to complete for admission. A student will need to commit to the program and pay a one-time LEAD Student's Association (LSA) fee of $125. This fee helps to fund the many events that the LSA and committees provide and covers the cost of the first semester class materials. You must also attend one of the LEAD Scholar sessions offered at all first-time-in-college (FTIC) Orientation programs. If you are selected early enough, you will be invited to attend a special LEAD Scholars Orientation session (usually in June).

The LEAD Scholars Program 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).

Eight (8) credit hours of elective credit is earned in our leadership classes by the end of the program experience.

Program Requirements

• Maintain a 3.0 cumulative UCF GPA
• Maintain a "B" average in LEAD Scholars courses
• Complete 10 hours of community service
• Accumulate a minimum of 24 credit hours each academic year
• Participate in LSA and University leadership events
• Uphold the LEAD Scholars Program and UCF Creeds

LEAD Housing

To be assigned to LEAD Housing on campus, you must have a housing contract on file with the UCF Housing and Residence Life office. You must also indicate your interest in LEAD Scholars Housing on your LEAD Scholars application. Spaces are filled on a first-come, first-serve basis. Those who apply and are admitted earlier will have the best chance of attending one of the two 80-person REEL Retreats. You will receive REEL Retreat information in a separate mailing after you are selected or inside your selection envelope at Orientation (depending on the time of year in which you accepted).