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CECS LAC Scholarship Application

College of Engineering and Computer Science Latin American Caribbean Scholarship Information

Award Description

The College of Engineering and Computer Science (CECS) supports the Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) Scholarship. The CECS LAC scholarship is a multi-semester award (maximum of three semesters) for students who are citizens of Latin America and the Caribbean to be re-classified as a Florida residents for tuition purposes. The CECS Office of Graduate Affairs award a limited number of awards to students pursuing selected CECS-based MS degrees. This award has been renewed for the 2023-2024 academic year. Students interested in receiving the CECS-LAC Scholarship must submit an application after they are admitted to a CECS MS program, but before their official admission term begins.

Interested students can learn more details about the general LAC award at the following UCF Global website: https://global.ucf.edu/programs/lac/ or by contacting Mr. Sergio Ponce-Cordova at Sergio.PonceCordova@ucf.edu. Please note that your eligibility will be verified with UCF Global and the college before any award can be made. You must also maintain eligibility during the fall 2024 and spring 2025 award semesters.

Eligibility

  • Students admitted to any CECS MS program except for MS Data Analytics, MS Industrial Engineering – Healthcare Systems Engineering Track, fully online programs
  • Citizens of LAC countries (Note: to see the list of countries please see the (UCF Global site)
  • Students receiving graduate transfer credit applied towards the UCF MS are not eligible to participate
  • Students receiving Graduate Assistantships at UCF are not eligible to participate.

Application

  • Applications for Fall 2024 must be submitted by 5:00 PM ET on Friday, June 7th, 2024.
  • A short essay that explains how students will benefit from the LAC Scholarship is required as a part of this application; students interested in pursuing the MS thesis will be given more consideration than non-thesis students.
  • To begin the application:

APPLY HERE

Scholarship Requirements

Students awarded with the CECS-LAC Scholarship are required to maintain steady academic progress. In order to receive the award:

  • The student must be registered for UCF graduate-level courses; pursing the MS thesis is strongly encouraged
  • The student must be attending UCF full-time (i.e., no more or less than 9 graduate student credit hours unless the student is in their final semester)
  • The student must have a valid immigration status
  • The student must have a GPA of 3.0 or better

External Support

Several countries provide significant monetary support for students to complete their graduate studies at UCF. The support can take the form of scholarships, grants, loans, or hybrid funding. Some loans are forgivable if the student returns to their home country for a fixed period of time. For more information about these programs, please see the link below.

EXTERNAL SUPPORT

Award Timeline

Fall Awards:

January 1 – UCF Graduate Programs Application Deadline
January-February – Application Period for Country-Specific External Funding Support (see the “External Funding” link below)
March 1 – CECS-LAC Application period opens to new/continuing students for FA23/SP24 sponsorship
June 1 – CECS LAC Application period closes
June 30 – Applicants notified of pending award and reminded of eligibility requirements
July 2 – Scholarship form available from UCF Global
July 27 – CECS Office of Graduate Affairs completes the LAC Scholarship application form
Mid-August – Admitted students arrive to the US and classes begin
September 1 – UCF Financials will set student’s tuition to in-state

Spring Awards:

July 1 – UCF Graduate Programs Application Deadline
July 15 – Scholarship form available from UCF Global
Varies by Program/Country – Application Period for Country-Specific External Funding Support (see the “External Funding” link below)
November 1 – CECS-LAC Application period opens to new/continuing students for FA23/SP24 sponsorship
December 1 – CECS LAC Application period closes
December 4 – CECS Office of Graduate Affairs completes the LAC Scholarship application form
December 15 – Applicants notified of pending award and reminded of eligibility requirements
January – Admitted students arrive to the US and classes begin
February 5 – UCF Financials will set student’s tuition to in-state

2023-2024 LAC Scholarship Recipients

Angel Argueta

Computer Science MS		 Tisana Richards

Biomechanics MS		 Diana Rodriguez De Francisco

Biomedical Engineering MS
HondurasJamaicaVenezuela
“The Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) Scholarship will play a crucial role in my academic journey at CECS by providing essential financial support for my Master's program in Computer Science/Artificial Intelligence. I am dedicated to utilizing the knowledge and skills gained through this scholarship to make a positive impact in my home country and beyond. I am sincerely grateful for this opportunity and eagerly anticipate making the most of it.”Receiving the LAC scholarship is a major blessing to have. As I continue to pursue my career in biomechanics, being able to receive my master's degree without a huge financial responsibility will help me focus more on my academics and my personal goals for myself. I am looking forward to the opportunities for growth and knowledge during my time at UCF.The LAC Scholarship has been crucial for my career, one for which I cannot express enough gratitude. It has not only made it possible for me to pursue my Biomedical Engineering Master's degree but has also allowed me to immerse myself fully in the research area. Having this opportunity directly impacts me, my family, and my country. This opportunity will show other Latin Americans that pursuing an amazing program at a prestigious university is possible.
CS PhD Admission Requirements
• A strong undergraduate background in Computer Science or closely related areas (e.g. Software Engineering, IT, Computer and Electrical Engineering) • 3.0 GPA • GRE: No minimum but preferably Q:160, V:150 or above • TOEFL80/IELTS 7 (only for international students)
ECE PhD Admission Requirements
• Hold a Bachelor of Science Degree in Electrical Engineering (BSEE) or Computer Engineering (BSCpE) with 3.0 or Greater GPA • GRE at Least 308 on the Quantitative & Verbal Sections: (Q+V)>=308 • Three Letters of Recommendation for PhD – from your professors • Résumé • A Statement of Educational, Research, & Professional Career Objectives
Industrial PhD Admission Requirements
• Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree in Industrial Engineering or a closely related field with GPA of 3.0 or greater • Official transcript • An official, competitive GRE score taken within the last 5 years • Three letters of recommendations • Resume • Goal Statement
Materials Science PhD Admission Requirements
• Earned a bachelor’s or master's degree • Earned a 3.0 GPA or better • GRE is required • Application form • Official Transcript • Resume • Personal statement • Three recommendation letters
MAE PhD Admission Requirements
• Resume • Personal Essay • 3 Letters of Recommendation • Transcripts • WES/Josep Silny Evaluations • TOEFL (>=80) and IELTS (>=6.5) for International Applicants
CECE PhD Admission Requirements
3.0 GPA – can submit 2 applicants with < 3.0 per program (domestic only) • 3.0 GPA – absolute for international applicants • No GRE required for admission; is required for some fellowships • Spring 2024 Admission: GRE will be required and the WES evaluation will not be required. • International transcripts evaluation by WES or Josef Silny required • TOEFL 80, IELTS 6.5, or via UCFs ELI for international students from non-English speaking countries • Essay: 1.5 pages at most including why do you want to obtain the degree and what will it make you capable of that you can’t do with your current knowledge/credentials • 3 Letters of reference
CECE PhD Admission Requirements
3.0 GPA – can submit 2 applicants with < 3.0 per program (domestic only) • 3.0 GPA – absolute for international applicants • No GRE required for admission; is required for some fellowships • Spring 2024 Admission: GRE will be required and the WES evaluation will not be required. • International transcripts evaluation by WES or Josef Silny required • TOEFL 80, IELTS 6.5, or via UCFs ELI for international students from non-English speaking countries • Screening Process for International Students delays admission process weeks or, sometimes, a month or two • Essay: 1.5 pages at most including why do you want to obtain the degree and what will it make you capable of that you can’t do with your current knowledge/credentials • 3 Letters of reference
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CS MS Admission Requirements
• A strong undergraduate background in Computer Science or closely related areas (e.g. Software Engineering, IT, Computer and Electrical Engineering) • 3.0 GPA • GRE: No minimum, but preferably Q:160, V:150 or above • TOEFL 80/IELTS 7 (only for international students) • Lacking the background, • a prospective applicant can take the following prerequisite courses as non-degree seeking and scoring “B” or better in all of these course: • EEL 4768C Computer Architecture • COP 4020 Programming Languages I • COP 4600 Operating Systems • COT 4210 Discrete Computational Structures • and/or related industry experience.
CECE MS Admission Requirements
• 3.0 GPA – can submit 2 applicants with < 3.0 per program (domestic only) • 3.0 GPA – absolute for international applicants • No GRE required for admission; for some fellowships but mostly those are for PhD students • Spring 2024 Admission: GRE will be required and the WES evaluation will not be required. • International transcripts evaluation by WES or Josef Silny required • TOEFL 80, IELTS 6.5, or via UCFs ELI for international students from non-English speaking countries College of Engineering and Computer Science MS Admission • Essay: 1.5 pages at most including why do you want to obtain the degree and what will it make you capable of that you can’t do with your current knowledge/credentials • 3 Letters of reference
ECE MS Admission Requirements
• Hold a Bachelor of Science Degree in Electrical Engineering (BSEE) or Computer Engineering (BS-CpE) with 3.0 or Greater GPA • Two Letters of Recommendation • No GRE is required • Résumé • A Statement of Educational, Research, & Professional Career Objectives
Industrial MS Admission Requirements
• Bachelor’s Degree in Industrial Engineering or a closely related field with GPA of 3.0 or greater • Mathematics through Calculus II (MAC 2312 or equivalent) • An undergraduate course in engineering probability and statistics • Familiarity with at least one programming language (such as Python, C, C++, Visual BASIC, Java, etc.) • Official transcripts • Two letters of recommendations • Resume • Goal Statement
Materials Science MS Admission Requirements
• Earned a bachelor’s degree • Earned a 3.0 GPA or better in all work attempted while registered as an undergraduate student • Application form • Official Transcript • Resume • Personal statement • Recommendation letters
Computer Vision MS Admission Requirements
• General UCF graduate application requirements • For admission, a 3.0 GPA and an undergraduate degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, and Mathematics is desirable but not required. Applicants without a strong undergraduate background in Computer Science must demonstrate an understanding of the material covered in the following undergraduate courses, by either taking these courses or by being tested on the material. 1. EEL 4768C Computer Architecture 2. COP 4020 Programming Languages I 3. COP 4600 Operating Systems 4. COT 4210 Discrete Computational Structures • Applicants who lack background in the above courses may show knowledge in the following: 1. CAP 4453 Intro to Robot Vision 2. COP 3503C Computer Science II 3. MAS 3105 Matrix Algebra (also need Calculus 1 and 2) 4. STA 4163 Statistical Methods I
Cyber Security MS Admission Requirements
• An earned Bachelor's degree from an accredited university in a field related to cyber security, or have taken several basic computer or cyber security courses in Bachelor study, or have obtained one or two cyber security related professional certificates. • A minimum GPA of 3.0 (on a scale of 4.0) in all work attempted as an undergraduate student or in the last 60 attempted hours for the Bachelor's degree. • A personal statement (essay) not exceeding 500 words describing the applicant's academic and professional experiences and goals. • One letter of recommendation assessing the applicant's potential to do master's-level work. • Résumé. • GRE is NOT required.
Digital Forensics MS Admission Requirements
• An earned Bachelor's degree from an accredited university. • A minimum GPA of 3.0 (on a scale of 4.0) in all work attempted as an undergraduate student or in the last 60 attempted hours for the Bachelor's degree, or, a graduate degree or professional degree or equivalent from a regionally accredited US institution in a field related to digital forensics • A personal statement (essay) not exceeding 500 words describing the applicant's academic and professional experiences and goals. • One letter of recommendation assessing the applicant's potential to do master's-level work. • Résumé.
Modeling and Sim MS Admission Requirements
• The GRE is not required for admission to this program. • Résumé or Curriculum Vitae • Goal statement: The goal statement should discuss all relevant professional background and any previous academic, research, and/or teaching experience. • Two letters of recommendation: The letters of recommendation should: 1. Address the educational and career goals of the applicant. 2. Clearly address the applicant’s ability to perform graduate-level study and research. 3. The letter writers should also know the applicant well enough to discuss the applicant’s capacity to perform, excel and succeed in a graduate program. • Applicants applying to this program who have attended a college/university outside the United States must provide a course-by-course credential evaluation with GPA calculation.
Modeling and Sim PhD Admission Requirements
• A competitive score on the GRE, taken within the past five years. • Résumé or Curriculum Vitae • Goal statement: The goal statement should discuss all relevant professional background and any previous academic, research, and/or teaching experience. • Three letters of recommendation: The letters of recommendation should: 1. Address the educational and career goals of the applicant. 2. Clearly address the applicant’s ability to perform graduate-level study and research. 3. The letter writers should also know the applicant well enough to discuss the applicant’s capacity to perform, excel and succeed in a graduate program. • Applicants applying to this program who have attended a college/university outside the United States must provide a course-by-course credential evaluation with GPA calculation.
Trasportation Engineering Admission Requirements
In addition to the general UCF graduate application requirements, applicants to this program must provide:
  • One official transcript (in a sealed envelope) from each college/university attended.
  • A Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering or another closely related engineering degree.
  • Résumé.
  • Statement of educational, research, and professional career objectives.
  • Three letters of recommendation.
  • Applicants applying to this program who have attended a college/university outside the United States must provide a course-by-course credential evaluation with GPA calculation. Credential evaluations are accepted from World Education Services (WES) or Josef Silny and Associates, Inc. only.
The GRE is not required, however, taking the GRE is highly recommended for students wishing to pursue a thesis. In order to be considered for any fellowships, a GRE score is required. 

For international students interested in UCF Global Pathway Program (immersive English-language learning), please contact Dr. Ali P. Gordon for guidance.

Healthcare Systems Engineering Admission Requirements
  • Bachelor’s Degree in Industrial Engineering or a closely related field with GPA of 3.0 or greater
  • Mathematics through Calculus II (MAC 2312 or equivalent)
  • An undergraduate course in engineering probability and statistics
  • Familiarity with at least one programming language (such as Python, C, C++, Visual BASIC, Java, etc.)
  • Official transcripts
  • Two letters of recommendations
  • Resume
  • Goal Statement

For international students interested in UCF Global Pathway Program (immersive English-language learning), please contact Dr. Ali P. Gordon for guidance.


Computer Forensics Admission Requirements

Admission is open to those with a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution recognized by UCF. An application to the graduate certificate program and official transcripts must be submitted. Applicants must apply online. All requested materials must be submitted by the established deadline.

Admission to the program is competitive on a space-available basis. Final admission is based on evaluation of the applicant's abilities, past performance and the applicant's potential for completing the certificate.

For international students interested in UCF Global Pathway Program (immersive English-language learning), please contact Dr. Ali P. Gordon for guidance.

Project Engineering Admission Requirements
Admission is open to those with a bachelor's degree in industrial engineering or a closely related discipline from an accredited institution recognized by UCF. An application to the graduate certificate program and official transcripts must be submitted. Applicants must apply online. All requested materials must be submitted by the established deadline.

Applications are accepted for the fall and spring terms only.

For international students interested in UCF Global Pathway Program (immersive English-language learning), please contact Dr. Ali P. Gordon for guidance.
Quality Assurance Admission Requirements
Admission is open to those with a bachelor's degree in industrial engineering or a closely related discipline from an accredited institution recognized by UCF. An application to the graduate certificate program and official transcripts must be submitted. Applicants must apply online. All requested materials must be submitted by the established deadline.

Applications are accepted for the fall and spring terms only.

For international students interested in UCF Global Pathway Program (immersive English-language learning), please contact Dr. Ali P. Gordon for guidance.
Systems Engineering Admission Requirements
Admission is open to those with a bachelor's degree in engineering or a closely related discipline from an accredited institution recognized by UCF. An application to the graduate certificate program and official transcripts must be submitted. Applicants must apply online. All requested materials must be submitted by the established deadline.

  • In addition, applicants to this certificate must provide: Applicants applying to this program who have attended a college/university outside the United States must provide a course-by-course credential evaluation with GPA calculation. Credential evaluations are accepted from World Education Services (WES) or Josef Silny and Associates, Inc only.
Applications are accepted for the fall and spring terms only.

For international students interested in UCF Global Pathway Program (immersive English-language learning), please contact Dr. Ali P. Gordon for guidance.
Mixed Reality Engineering Admission Requirements
Admission is open to those with a bachelor's degree in computer science or a closely related discipline from an accredited institution recognized by UCF with a minimum GPA of 3.0. An application to the graduate certificate program and official transcripts must be submitted. Applicants must apply online. All requested materials must be submitted by the established deadline.

In addition, applicants to this certificate must provide:

  • Applicants applying to this program who have attended a college/university outside the United States must provide a course-by-course credential evaluation with GPA calculation.
  • Applications are accepted for the fall and spring terms only.
For international students interested in UCF Global Pathway Program (immersive English-language learning), please contact Dr. Ali P. Gordon for guidance.
Guidance Control and Dynamics Admission Requirements
For information on general UCF graduate admissions requirements that apply to all prospective students, please visit the Admissions section of the Graduate Catalog. Applicants must apply online. All requested materials must be submitted by the established deadline.
In addition to the general UCF graduate application requirements, applicants to this program must provide:
  • One official transcript (in a sealed envelope) from each college/university attended.
  • Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or closely related discipline with a minimum GPA 3.0
  • Résumé.
  • Statement of educational, research, and professional career objectives.
  • Applicants applying to this program who have attended a college/university outside the United States must provide a course-by-course credential evaluation with GPA calculation. Credential evaluations are accepted from World Education Services (WES) or Josef Silny and Associates, Inc. only.
For international students interested in UCF Global Pathway Program (immersive English-language learning), please contact Dr. Ali P. Gordon for guidance.
Travel Technology and Analytics Admission Requirements
  • The GRE/GMAT is not required
  • A goal statement. This is your opportunity to outline in 500 words why you wish to join the program, what you think you will contribute to the program, and how you feel the program will enhance you both personally and professionally in the future.
  • Updated résumé.
  • Three letters of recommendation.
  • Applicants applying to this program who have attended a college/university outside the United States must provide a course-by-course credential evaluation with GPA calculation. Credential evaluations are accepted from World Education Services (WES) or Josef Silny and Associates, Inc. only.
  • A computer-based TOEFL score of 220 or 80 on the internet-based TOEFL is required if an applicant is from a country where English is not the official language, or if an applicant’s degree is not from an accredited U.S. institution, or if an applicant did not earn a degree in a country where English is the official language or a university where English is the official language of instruction. Although we prefer the TOEFL, we will accept IELTS scores of 6.5.
Systems Engineering Admission Requirements
  • The GRE is not required for admission to this program.
  • Resume or Curriculum Vita
  • Goal statement
    • The goal statement should discuss all relevant professional background and any previous research and/or teaching experience. The statement should explain the motivation behind the pursuit of an MSSE. Future educational and career goals after the completion of the applicant’s master study should be discussed.
    • If the applicant is interested in completing a Master thesis, then the applicant must clearly describe the particular area of research interest. The applicant should identify at least one UCF faculty member who shares a similar research focus and is believed to be best suited to serve as a potential thesis advisor. 
    • The goal statement should between 500 and 1,000 words.
  • Two letters of recommendation
    • The letters of recommendation should be from faculty members, university administrators, and employers with a supervisory role of the applicant. The letters, which must be current to the application and must not be for another degree program, should address the educational and career goals of the applicant. The letter writers should also know the applicant well enough to discuss the applicant’s capacity to perform, excel and succeed in a graduate program. Letters for Master’s thesis students must discuss the applicant’s ability to perform graduate-level research.
  • Applicants applying to this program who have attended a college/university outside the United States must provide a course-by-course credential evaluation with GPA calculation. Credential evaluations are accepted from World Education Services (WES) or Josef Silny and Associates, Inc. only.
Data Analytics Admission Requirements
    • The GRE is not required for admission to this program.
    • Résumé.
    • 2 Letters of recommendation
    • Applicants applying to this program who have attended a college/university outside the United States must provide a course-by-course credential evaluation with GPA calculation. Credential evaluations are accepted from World Education Services (WES) or Josef Silny and Associates, Inc. only.

An undergraduate degree in Computer Science, Statistics, Information Technology, or Computer Engineering is desirable but not required. Applicants without a strong undergraduate background in Computer Science and Statistics must demonstrate an understanding of the material covered in upper-division undergraduate courses listed under the Articulation Section of the Curriculum Information. Applicants may choose to demonstrate their knowledge of these courses by taking these courses as non-degree seeking and scoring “B” or better in all of them.

Biomedical Engineering Admission Requirements
  • A bachelor’s degree in Biomedical, Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering, or a closely related discipline. 
  • The GRE is not required for admission to this program.
  • Résumé.
  • Statement of educational, research, and professional career objectives.
  • Applicants applying to this program who have attended a college/university outside the United States must provide a course-by-course credential evaluation with GPA calculation. Credential evaluations are accepted from World Education Services (WES) or Josef Silny and Associates, Inc. only.
Aerospace Engineering Admission Requirements
  • Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering or closely related discipline.
  • The GRE is not required for admission to this program.
  • Résumé.
  • Statement of educational, research, and professional career objectives.
  • Applicants applying to this program who have attended a college/university outside the United States must provide a course-by-course credential evaluation with GPA calculation. Credential evaluations are accepted from World Education Services (WES) or Josef Silny and Associates, Inc. only.
Mechanical Engineering Admission Requirements
  • Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or closely related discipline.
  • The GRE is not required for admission to this program.
  • Résumé.
  • Statement of educational, research, and professional career objectives.
  • Applicants applying to this program who have attended a college/university outside the United States must provide a course-by-course credential evaluation with GPA calculation. Credential evaluations are accepted from World Education Services (WES) or Josef Silny and Associates, Inc. only
Biomedical Engineering PhD Admission Requirements
  • Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Biomedical Engineering or Mechanical Engineering or closely related discipline.
  • Official, competitive GRE score taken within the last five years.
  • Résumé.
  • A written statement of experience and research, areas of current and future potential research interests, and future career goals.
  • Three letters of recommendation.
Thank you for your interest in the CECS LAC Scholarship. The application portal for the program for Spring 2024 and Fall 2024 will be opening soon. Please check back periodically for more information regarding future application submissions. To join our mailing list to be informed about the CECS LAC Scholarship, provide your information here.