College grants are monies provided to students to help pay tuition and to assist with other educational expenses. Grants, unlike loans, do not have to be repaid. The primary basis for awarding a grant is based on the student’s financial need. Florida’s college students have access to a number of grants.
Eligible Florida college students may apply for a federally funded Pell Grant. These grants are typically awarded to low-income undergraduate students. There are over 5,400 participating post-secondary schools where students may use their Pell Grants. The amount of the grant depends upon the student’s expected family income, the cost of enrollment, and the student’s course load.
In addition to these federal grants, the state of Florida offers many grant opportunities to eligible students. Most state-funded student aid programs require that recipients be Florida residents. Residency typically means that students must reside within the state of Florida for at least twelve months immediately prior to the first day of classes for the academic year for which the grant is awarded.
There are a number of grants available to eligible Florida residents. One of the grants available to Florida undergraduate students is the ABLE (Access to Better Learning and Education). Another very popular grant is the First Generation Matching Grant Program (FGMG). FGMG grants are only offered to students who have demonstrated a financial need, and whose parents have not earned a baccalaureate or higher degree.
FGMG is one of the state of Florida’s decentralized program grants, which means each participating institution determines application procedures, deadlines, student eligibility, and award amount. This program is available at Florida state universities and community colleges.
Like the FGMF, the William L. Boyd, IV, Florida Resident Access Grant (FRAG) is a decentralized program. It provides tuition assistance to undergraduate students attending eligible private, non-profit Florida colleges or universities.
College students in Florida who are of Hispanic descent may be eligible for the Jose Marti Scholarship Challenge Grant Fund. Like most other grants, this is a need-based program. This grant, however, is a merit scholarship. Application must be made during the student’s senior year in high school. Students who have already completed high school may apply, but priority is given to high school seniors. This grant’s viability is subject to funds from private sources as well as by State appropriations.
Most grants are renewed annually. However, renewal is not automatic. Virtually all grants require that students earn a prescribed number of credits. Usually enrollment must be for a minimum of “half” time and the grant award may be adjusted depending on the number of hours the student attends. Additionally, the student must maintain a specified GPA.
The amount of money awarded by a grant is dependent upon a number of factors. Since the majority of grants are government-funded, these amounts can fluctuate from year to year. For the 2010-2011, the maximum Pell grant for a full-time student will be approximately $2,775 per semester. For 2009-2010, the maximum FRAG grant was $2,529. Students not qualifying for the maximum amount may still be eligible for some grant money.
Florida students may apply online at www.FloridaStudentFinancialAid.org to complete the initial application. The application process is fairly simple, and can usually be completed in about fifteen minutes. Program deadlines vary and the student must make sure that the application is completed prior to the deadline.
Some programs, including the FRAG and the FGMG, require that students apply directly through their college or university. The school’s financial aid office can provide complete, detailed information on these grants, and can assist prospective students with completing and filing the necessary paperwork.
Each year, millions of dollars are left untouched by prospective or current students that are in the dark about scholarships and grants for college. There are a variety of federal, state and private corporations and organizations in Florida that offer funds for school and grants that are awarded based on academic merit or need.
Below is a complete list of State of Florida Grant and Scholarship Programs administered by the Office of Student Financial Assistance with application process, amount of award, and eligibility and renewal requirements.
To be eligible for the Access to Better Learning and Education (ABLE) Grant, the student must:
Visit www.floridastudentfinancialaid.org to learn more about the ABLE Grant Program.
To qualify to have testing costs included in the COA, the student will:
Visit the fact sheet on this program at www.floridastudentfinancialaid.org to learn more.
To qualify for a First Generation Matching Grant, the student must:
To learn more, visit www.floridastudentfinancialaid.org.
To qualify for a Florida Bright Futures Scholarship, the student must:
For more, visit www.FloridaStudentFinancialAid.org.
ATS – The Academic Top Scholars award, announced by the Florida Department of Education before the end of the fall term after all term one disbursements are reported, is awarded to the Florida Academic Scholar with the highest academic ranking in each county (based on the product of multiplying the Bright Futures GPA and the highest qualifying SAT/ACT test score).
The recipient receives a cost per credit hour award established by the Florida Legislature in the General Appropriations Act in addition to the Florida Academic Scholars award. For current year award amounts visit www.FloridaStudentFinancialAid.org.
NEW – Complete and submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The FAFSA does not have to indicate financial need; however, it must be complete and processed error-free prior to a student’s first disbursement of the 2011-12 academic year. Visit the website at www.fafsa.ed.gov for online processing.
See the fact sheet at www.floridastudentfinancialaid.org for more info.
To be eligible for the Florida Fund for Minority Teachers Program, a student must:
For more, see the fact sheet on this scholarship at www.floridastudentfinancialaid.org.
To qualify for a Florida Public Postsecondary Career Education Student Assistance Grant, the student must:
For more, see the fact sheet on this grant at
To be eligible for a Florida Resident Access Grant, the student must:
For more information, see the fact sheet on this grant at www.floridastudentfinancialaid.org.
To be eligible for a Florida Student Assistance Grant, the student must:
For more information, see the fact sheet on this grant at www.floridastudentfinancialaid.org.
To qualify for the Florida Work Experience Program, the student must:
For more information, see the fact sheet on this program at www.floridastudentfinancialaid.org.
To qualify for a Jose Marti Scholarship, the student must:
For more information, see the fact sheet on this grant fund at www.floridastudentfinancialaid.org.
To qualify for a Mary McLeod Bethune Scholarship, the student must:
For more, see the fact sheet on this scholarship at www.floridastudentfinancialaid.org.
The Robert C. Byrd Honors Scholarship Program provides scholarships to outstanding high school seniors who show promise of continued academic achievement. This program is offered through the U.S. Department of Education (ED) and administered by the Florida Department of Education (FDOE), Office of Student Financial Assistance (OSFA).
As established by ED, the maximum annual award amount is $1,500 per year. Program funds may be used at eligible institutions across the United States.
For more, consult the fact sheet on this program at www.floridastudentfinancialaid.org.
To qualify for a Rosewood Family Scholarship, the student must:
To learn more, consult the fact sheet on this program at www.floridastudentfinancialaid.org.
Eligible recipients of these scholarships must be the child or spouse of a servicemember who:
The child or spouse will:
Additional Specific Initial Eligibility Requirements for Children:
To learn more, see the fact sheet on this scholarship at www.floridastudentfinancialaid.org.
To qualify for this program, the student must:
To learn more, see the fact sheet on this program at www.floridastudentfinancialaid.org.
The Barnes Scholarship is worth up to $15,000 a year for four years at an accredited U.S. college or university. Four winners are selected each year from public and private high school in West Central Florida (counties of Pinellas, Hillsborough, Pasco, Hernando and Citrus). The award is based on academic achievement, financial need, community service and evidence of having overcome significant hurdles in life to succeed academically.
The application deadline will be in mid-October each year.
The scholarship is named for its founder, Andrew Barnes, former CEO and chairman, of Times Publishing Company.
For more information about the Barnes Scholarship, contact:
Director of the St. Petersburg Times Fund, Inc.
or visit www.tampabay.com.
The Bridgewater College State Incentive Grant is a renewable grant awarded to incoming freshmen and transfers who are residents of the following states: Delaware, Florida, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania or West Virginia.
The Central Florida Orchid Society is offering a $3,000 Scholarship to upper-level full-time students pursuing degrees in Horticulture and the Agricultural and Life Sciences. The recipient of the scholarship may enroll in the following major courses of study or a closely related field:
To learn more, visit www.cflorchidsociety.org.
The EMU National Scholars Program is a four-year award that pays 30 credit hours per year (15 per semester) of out-of-state tuition differential.
The student must be a new freshman or new transfer student with a minimum 3.50 GPA and a resident of a state other than Michigan or Ohio to be considered. Freshmen recipients must live in university housing the first two years of this award.
Applicants for the Florida Dental Assisting Student Scholarship must have lived in Florida for at least two years; be enrolled in a dental assisting program approved by the Florida Board of Dentistry; and have completed a minimum of one grading period with a 2.5 GPA.
Students must show current financial status on application; provide a letter of reference from their dental assisting program director validating their financial need, and provide a grade transcript from dental assisting program or high school, or GED scores.
To learn more, visit www.enotes.com.
The JSU Alabama McGee Scholarship is for approximately $2,000. Any Non-Alabama resident with 28 or above ACT score or SAT score of 1260 or above may apply. Visit the JSU website for more information.
Applicants for the Teach and Inspire Scholarship must:
Graduating seniors are welcome to apply within two weeks of their official graduation date. Visit the JSU website to find out more.
In order to qualify for the Heidelberg College Out of State Grant, the applicant must be resident of a state other than Ohio and attend Heidelberg College. This grant is renewable for four years as long as the student is making satisfactory academic progress. Visit the Heidelberg College website for more info.
An annual college scholarship is rewarded as an inspiration to a survivor in order that they may achieve their full potential in life. Residents of the Jacksonville, Florida area and New York Metropolitan area including Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Passiac and Union Counties in New Jersey who have had a diagnosis of leukemia or cancer prior to the age of 21 are eligible.
Academic record, leadership ability, moral character and need are some of the attributes considered in selecting the winner each spring. The recipient must be enrolled or planning to enroll full time in an accredited college or university and will receive $1,500 yearly for up to four years.
The application deadline for the Jacksonville area is April 20, and May 20 for the NY/NJ area.
Aileen Lee Scholarships are awarded to incoming freshmen at the University of Oregon each academic year in recognition of students who have demonstrated a commitment to excellence throughout their high school career in leadership, service and academic excellence.
Scholarships shall be awarded to the members in good standing of the Federation of Public Employees or the Federation of Private Employees, their spouses, registered domestic partners, children, legal dependents, or grandchildren. Membership in good standing is defined as being a dues-paying member for a minimum of one year, with dues current.
Scholarship recipients can only be awarded a scholarship one time. The Federation staff is ineligible to participate in the Scholarship fund. Scholarship recipients will receive the awards payable to their educational institution only and the awards can be used for tuition, books and dorms. A scholarship recipient will not lose the award for non use in the two years if in that period the recipient was in active military duty.
The number of scholarships and the amount will be determined in the near future.
Please Call Chris at (954) 797-7575 x228 and request an application and fill out the application in its entirety.
The subject of the 500-word (minimum) essay should be on “Organized Labor’s contribution to the welfare of the people of North America.” The essay may include charts, graphs, attachments and media devices such as videos or CDs. Also include copies of your transcripts showing your grade point average, documentation on voluntary activities and a brief written essay on your long-term career goals.
The winner’s essay questions may be posted on our upcoming website; therefore, please submit a hard copy as well as a diskette or CD of the essay question.
Learn more at www.federationmembers.org.
The Verizon Foundation has provided scholarships for students who major in the fields business, engineering and information technology. Additional fields include computer electronics, network administration and international business.
Applicants must meet the following eligibility requirements:
To learn more, visit www.uncf.org.
Scholarship assistance will be awarded to a member of the American Quarter Horse Association or American Quarter Horse Youth Association. Applicant must be a Florida resident and member of the Florida Quarter Horse Association to qualify. Scholarships will be awarded based on financial need, academic merit and American Quarter Horse involvement.
Recipient will receive a $1,000 one-year scholarship.
The “Negro Spiritual” Scholarship Foundation works with Orlando Opera to sponsor a vocal competition for sacred music performed by the solo voice in characteristic Negro spiritual style.
Senior high school students of eleventh or twelfth grade level who are of Afro-ethnic descent may enter a statewide vocal competition to rehearse and perform these arranged Negro spirituals. Students who enter the competition must work with a voice teacher to learn a new piece of music sent to them, and to meet the high vocal standards of this competition. Winners (one male and one female) claim the coveted Grady-Rayam Prize In Sacred Music, a college tuition assistance grant for $3,000.
Runners up (one male and one female) gain $2,000 as a college tuition assistance grant. All singers who make it to the final round receive a cash award of one hundred dollars.
Visit the foundation’s website to learn more.
Salute to Education is a non-profit high school scholarship program for students in Miami-Dade and Broward Counties. Since its inception in 1994, STE has granted over $2.83 million in scholarships to over 2,700 students.
The scholarship application is available in late August/early September with a deadline date of January 26th. Students must have a 3.0 GPA, must be a U.S. citizen, participate in one school activity and be active in community service.
The applications will be judged by a panel of civic, community and business leaders. Students may apply in 1 of 10 categories. To learn more, visit salutetoeducation.com.
The Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange (CBYX) for Young Professionals is a full-year work-study fellowship program with a strong focus on cultural exchange. CBYX annually provides 75 young Americans with an understanding of everyday life, education, and professional training in Germany.
The program begins in July and includes two months of intensive German language training in Germany (no prior German language knowledge required), four months of classroom instruction at a German university or college of applied sciences, and a five-month internship in each participant’s career field.
The CBYX for Young Professionals program is intended primarily for young adults in business, vocational, scientific, engineering, technical, and agricultural fields, though applicants from all fields are encouraged to apply. Participants actively participate in securing their internship positions with assistance from our partner organization in Germany, the Deutsche Gesellschaft fur Internationale Zusammenarbeit, and are expected to cover incidental expenses as well as represent the U.S. diplomatically while abroad.
Program highlights include:
Learn more at www.cdsintl.org.
The purpose of this scholarship is to provide financial support to a deserving student with a history of migrating for employment in agriculture who has successfully completed one year of college.
This support will cover expenses beyond what the youth is entitled to in federal/state and other scholarship assistance. This scholarship is designed to assist the youth in obtaining a baccalaureate degree without being encumbered with substantial debt.
This scholarship is made available through a generous endowment from a concerned individual for the education of children of migrant farmworkers. The donor wishes to remain anonymous.
The award will provide up to $2,000 per year for a maximum of three years and, if needed, additional support not to exceed $2,000 per year for three years for repayment of approved educational loans accrued for post-secondary education resulting in a baccalaureate degree. The student has the option to apply for two additional years of financial assistance at the same level for graduate studies.
To learn more, visit www.migrant.net.