High-Impact Practice (HIP) Scholars
Get “HIP” & Begin your Academic Adventure today!
High-Impact Practices provide students with an opportunity to expand their learning inside and outside of the classroom whether that be through undergraduate research, internships, studying abroad or other hands-on learning experiences. The High-Impact Practices (HIP) Scholar’s program provides a platform for students to explore their interests and get involved in a HIP experience. These include faculty-mentored research or a UCF-approved, non-profit internship.
HIP Scholars spend the first semester in the exploratory phase of the program where they work to discover an experience. Scholars who successfully secure an experience will move into the structured HIP experience (research or community-based experience) for the second semester. Students who move into a structured opportunity will receive a $2,000 stipend for their involvement in our educational milestones. This program is sponsored by a U.S. Department of Education Developing Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSI) grant (P031S20083) in collaboration with the Division of Student Success and Well-Being and the Office for HSI Initiatives in the University Relations Division.
NwStudent Eligibility:
- All majors with a 2.75 GPA or higher (UCF and/or cumulative)
- Sophomore or Junior status at the time of application with at least 30 credit hours completed at UCF or a state college
- At least two additional semesters remaining at UCF
- Full-time (12 credit hours) status in Spring (while in the Exploratory program), minimum part-time (6 credit hours) status Spring, Summer, or Fall semester of HIP experience
- Successful completion of the program includes the ability to participate in a time-intensive HIP opportunity in the second semester (135 hours total). Interest in getting involved in on-campus research experience with UCF faculty OR a community-based engagement experience.
Due to the nature of the program, UCF Online students are not eligible. Please contact HIP@ucf.edu to learn more about other opportunities.
Preference Given To:
Pell Grant eligible, transfer, and/or first-generation college students (Neither parent has earned a bachelor’s degree in the U.S.)
Program Benefits:
- Get one-on-one mentoring and support
- Create a personalized map of your journey
- Guidance through the program
- Join a community of scholars
- Attend Scholars’ events and workshops
- Receive $2,000 stipend
- Pipeline into other programs and experiences
Application Cycle:
Applications for the Spring 2026 semester open August 22, 2025 and close October 20th, 2025 at 11:59 pm
New Spring 2026 Scholars selected in late November 2025
The 2026 HIP Scholars Cohort begins in January 2026 and ends in August 2026
Questions: Email HIP_Scholars@ucf.edu or give us a call at (407) 882–2300
