— By Samantha Vargas

A conversation with Senior Director of Academic Support Services, Laura Castillo, detailing the broader impact of donor-funded scholarships.

At Florida International University (FIU), scholarships often determine whether a student can stay enrolled and reach graduation. Powered largely by philanthropy, initiatives like All In for FIU Scholarships make it possible to meet students’ most urgent needs, from general scholarships to emergency and completion support. The average scholarship award is $1,200 per semester and represents the approximate cost of one course, plus books and fees.

That flexibility allows the Office of Scholarships to respond in real time, helping students cover financial gaps before those challenges interrupt their ability to continue their academic journeys at FIU. Here’s how donor-funded scholarships make that impact possible.

Q: How does philanthropic support, like completion scholarships, impact student success and university outcomes?

A: Completion scholarships are especially important because 75 percent of students run out of aid before their final year. Having support for that last semester has helped increase graduation rates significantly. Retention is another major factor. Many students do not return after their first year, often because of financial barriers. [Donor]-funded retention grants allow us to step in, clear balances, and help students continue. Emergency aid is also critical. It supports students facing unexpected challenges like medical expenses, transportation issues, or family loss. With emergency aid, 93 percent of students funded are retained, so we know it is very effective. Florida uses a performance-based funding model where universities are ranked on metrics like net tuition, graduation, and retention. Scholarships directly impact those metrics. The more scholarships a student has, the less they pay in tuition.

Q: What is the difference between general and restricted scholarship funds?

A: Right now, about 98 percent of our gifts are restricted, which makes it difficult because we have to match each student to very specific criteria. We do a lot of proactive outreach to identify students in need, but once we find them, we still have to search through funds to find the right fit. It can feel like Tetris trying to piece together the right support. With unrestricted scholarships, we can respond quickly. If a student does not fit into any specific criteria, we can still support them. That flexibility makes a big difference in the student experience and allows us to help more students, faster.

Q: If a student receives a Pell Grant, do they still face financial gaps?

A: Yes. What it costs to attend school is more than tuition. A Pell Grant may cover tuition, but it does not pay for housing, food, transportation, or medical expenses. Students still need to eat, pay bills, and manage everyday life. When those needs are not met, it creates a domino effect. They may struggle academically, lose financial aid, and fall further behind. That is why we focus on supporting students holistically. Emergency aid exists because we saw students struggling with personal and financial challenges that could stop them from continuing.

Q: How do fundraising initiatives like All In for FIU Scholarships support your work?

A: [All In for FIU Scholarships] gives us the resources we need to respond to students. While we receive funding from the state and tuition, [donor] support allows us to be more responsive and targeted in how we help.  All In for FIU Scholarships has been especially meaningful because we have never had a scholarship campaign like this. Seeing donors invest in our students and believe in their success helps us keep going and make sure we are using those investments in the best way possible.

Behind every scholarship is a student trying to keep going. Whether it’s covering a final semester, clearing a balance, or helping someone through an unexpected crisis, donor-funded support provides the flexibility to respond when it matters most. At FIU, that support doesn’t just open doors. It helps ensure students can walk through them and reach graduation.

Student Testimonials

“These emergency funds are an investment in students that can have an impact on our communities and society. Investing in the future always pays off.” – Natalie Sandoval, Current Public Policy Student

“I want to extend my sincerest love, gratitude, and thanks to FIU, the FIU Foundation, and all the various committees that have extended me the gracious scholarships I have received…. I have no regrets about where I chose to do my undergraduate, and I could not be prouder to represent this institution.” – Anthony Vitello ’25, BA in English, Scholarship Recipient

For more information about giving to All in for FIU Scholarships, please contact: 

Jacob Arnell
Director of Development for University Programs, FIU Foundation 
Email: jarnell@fiu.edu | Phone: 305-348-7429