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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.

Accepting new scholars this Fall 2025!

Applications now closed

Check back August 18th, 2025 for applications for the Spring 2026 cohort

 

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.

Student Eligibility:

  1. All majors with a 2.75 GPA or higher (UCF and/or cumulative)
  2. Sophomore or Junior status at the time of application with at least 30 credit hours completed at UCF or a state college
  3. At least two additional semesters remaining at UCF
  4. 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
  5. 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:

  1. Get one-on-one mentoring and support
  2. Create a personalized map of your journey
  3. Guidance through the program
  4. Join a community of scholars
  5. Attend Scholars’ events and workshops
  6. Receive $2,000 stipend
  7. Pipeline into other programs and experiences

Application Cycle:

Accepting scholars each Spring semester

Applications now closed for Spring 2025 semester. Applications were due October 25th, 2024 at 11:59 pm

Questions: Email HIP_Scholars@ucf.edu or give us a call at (407) 882–2300

Want to learn more about the HIP Scholars Program? 

Join us for one of our info sessions. 

All info sessions will be hosted hybrid in CSEL 121

You can register here

 

                      Make an appointment with an HIP Scholars Mentor!

 
                                                                                                                          Peer Mentor Alex
                                                                                                                       Peer Mentor Angelica