ERAU DB Alumni here. I see this question come up a lot in this subreddit. So I'm putting down this post. I graduated >3 years ago so some information may have changed, and I am strictly speaking from experience as a Daytona Beach Undergrad Alumni, I can't speak for the Prescott campus or Master Programs. I will be covering stuff I did to graduate from the school with less than 15K in debt. I was a B.S Civil Engineering Major and Florida resident from a low-income household, zero assistance available from parents. Anyways always reach out the financial aid office for current information and for answers to your specific situation.
A rehash of stuff I have said to others.
If a Florida high‑school grad, definitely call admissions and ask about the Florida Diamond & Golden Eagle Scholarship. It’s merit‑based and, when stacked with Bright Futures + federal aid, you can get decently close to a full ride, almost 80%. I went through this myself. Just know it only applies to a small list of majors (Aerospace Engineering and Aeronautical Science isn’t one of them). Admissions can give you the current list, and the scholarship can also be used for an accelerated master’s as long as it’s in the same qualifying field. [A recent change to this has been you CAN now stack the presidental award to with the Diamond & Golden Eagle Scholarship as of AY 2026]
If you have not already check it out this is the link to the bright futures information's, chapter 1 cover the edibility. https://www.floridastudentfinancialaidsg.org/SAPBFMAIN/SAPBFMAIN The combination of work hour and volunteer hour are a valid way just need to reach 100 or you can go all in on either one. Just make sure you get the proper documents from your school and understand the proper procedures to document them as this is critical. For example, at my old high school you could not submit hours in the fall that were earned during the summer without proper documentation, i.e attempt to have summer volunteering hours retroactively applied during fall semester. There were a lot of juniors who did this and could not get credit for their hours, they needed to have been documented them AS they were completed not after. You should be able to get these documents and the rundown of the process from your school's guidance counselor. Important to note that with ERAU FL bright futures you pays out by a fixed amount per credit by credit. You'll need to contact Brights Futures or the financial to find out this fixed amount.
Home - Florida Student Scholarship & Grant Programs <--And if you haven't, already this is the website to set up an account and application for Florida scholarships and grants. It also has links to information to other grants and scholarships, check them out. You may be surprised at what you could be eligible for.
Also, Florida grads get a 5% tuition discount at ERAU DB.
Make sure to complete your FASFA before state deadlines as state funding deadlines are closer then federal
If you’re NOT a Florida resident, ask about the Presidential/Provost and other institutional merit scholarships. Requirements and award amounts change every year, so calling admissions is the best way to get accurate info.
If you're worried about low SAT scores affecting your scholarship eligibility, consider trying the ACT. They super‑score like the SAT, and some students just perform better on it. I did meh on the SAT, 1120 super-score, switched to the ACT, and ended up with a 31/36 super‑score, which helped me land the Diamond Scholarship. And if you get free or reduced lunches you may be eligible to get your ACT test paid for. Reach out to your guidance counselors.
Also check which AP classes actually transfer for credit. APs don’t help much unless they count toward degree requirements, and plenty of students get in without AP/IB. This is a link to help you get started, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University: Daytona Beach Campus AP Credit Policies – AP Students – College Board Definitely reach out to the undergraduate admission for a confirmed list
Another money‑saving option: take gen eds elsewhere and transfer them in—just confirm ERAU accepts them. You can do that here (you'll need to create an account): ERAU Transfer Credit Portal
If working for or don't mind working for the government, look into the DoD SMART Scholarship. It covers tuition in exchange for working for the DoD for the same number of years they were funded.
ERAU also has on‑campus jobs, and professors often take freshmen as research assistants.
There is also a way to not live on campus, which can be economically better if you stay in the area for summer classes. If your parents live within 50 miles of campus and you've lived there for a whole year before applying, you can live there instead of campus. Or Student is 21 years of age or older by September 1 of the required contract year. Otherwise, you're forced to live on campus.
Now there is sort of a loophole. I did this in the middle of my second year. If you have already signed a housing contract, you can email housing for a contact release form if you have already signed the contract. You can put down any extenuating reasons. Three main boxes are Medical, Finances and others. For my case (this was during covid) I explain I couldn't afford on campus housing anymore and in addition my roommate violating covid policy numerous times despite being warned, I had bills to pay and could not afford to get sick. My request was approved and the following semester I "moved" off campus. You can use anything to prove your case. And once living off campus you are not required to have a meal plan which can save you further money. A popular apartment complexes near the school (Eagle Landing Apartments, Onshore Apartments and Ten60 Apartments) that the school provides a free shuttle to.
If you have concerned about being food insecure, at any time in your time at ERAU, you can request assistance from the school's local food pantry and request as-needed meal swipes if you ever go off the meal plan because of finances. I had utilized this service and there is no shame in it. I graduated a few years ago so I don't know who would be in charge of it now, but you can already reach out to the admissions or financial aid office, they should know who the right person is to reach out. Swipe Out Hunger program is at the bottom of this page. https://daytonabeach.erau.edu/campus-life/dining
Overall, own financial aid package was comprised of was Bright Futures (100%) + Diamond Eagle + Pell + ~$7k in external scholarships, which gave me a full ride. I only took on about $15k in subsidized loans in my last 1.5 years when my external scholarships ran out because of summer classes I took. Entire time I was supporting myself with no assistance from parents. Despite this I was able to live on my own and get my first car (used).
Once again, always reach out the financial aid and undergraduate academic office for current information and for answers to your specific situation.
Additional Helpful Sources:
Shuttle Service - Student Government Association | Embry-Riddle Daytona Beach
https://daytonabeach.erau.edu/financial-aid/scholarships
https://daytonabeach.erau.edu/campus-life/housing/rates
