The Office of Student Outreach Programs at the University of Central Florida services over 450 students in the Florida area through the College Reach-Out Program (CROP), and the McKnight Center of Excellence.

The primary mission of Student Outreach Programs is to attract, motivate, and prepare select underrepresented students in 6th-12th grade to pursue and complete a college education. Students are provided with essential information, exposure, education, materials and collegial experiences to prepare for post-secondary study. Academic Skills Workshops, Personal Development Seminars, Career Exploration Modules, College Campus Visits, Guest Speakers, and Cultural Programming are administered by the Office of Student Outreach Programs to support the objectives of both CROP and the McKnight Center of Excellence.

CROP is sponsored in part by the Florida Department of Education and provides campus and school-based programs to strengthen the success of students in grades 6-12. College Tours are held every year to expose students to the many opportunities available at institutions of higher education across the state. In addition, a Summer Institute is facilitated on the UCF campus and allows students explore fields of study, provides access to college professors, and allows participants to get first hand experience with college life.

The UCF McKnight Center of Excellence is underwritten by the Florida Education Fund (FEF) in conjunction with the Florida Department of Education. Community partnerships help to identify high potential students, offer volunteer and community service opportunities, and make significant contributions to supplement program goals and objectives.