Whether you're a high school student starting to think about college or a university student in the middle of your program, saving money on all aspects of school from tuition to housing is probably a priority. Fortunately, learning how to optimize your chances of locking down all types of financial aid from scholarships to grants can make this dream a reality. So, sink your teeth into this Florida scholarship guide to learn all of the tips, tricks, and strategies to save some serious cash on college in the Sunshine State!
$4,000
Award Amount
2
Awards
Mar 12
Deadline
This scholarship is available for rising juniors and seniors at the University of North Florida who have declared a major in civil, electrical, or mechanical engineering. Students must have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher.
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$2,500
Award Amount
2
Awards
Mar 1
Deadline
This award is for U.S. rising juniors and seniors at the University of North Florida who have been accepted into the School of Computing. Students must have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher.
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$9,000
Award Amount
3
Awards
Mar 1
Deadline
This scholarship is available for rising juniors and seniors at the University of North Florida who are majoring in building construction management or civil engineering. Students must have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher.
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$1,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Mar 1
Deadline
This award is available to Florida high school seniors and undergraduate students who are enrolled in at least six semester hours at an eligible Florida college or university. The applicant must demonstrate unmet financial need of $200 or more (as determined by the institution) and be a first generation college student.
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$1,074
Award Amount
2,482
Awards
Mar 1
Deadline
This award is available to Florida undergraduate students who are attending an eligible Florida private postsecondary institution. Students must apply through their institution's financial aid office.
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$6,000
Award Amount
3
Awards
Feb 1
Deadline
U.S. incoming freshmen who are not residents of Kentucky and demonstrate financial need are eligible for this award. Students must attend Bellarmine University in Kentucky.
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$20,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Jan 15
Deadline
Florida high school seniors who have a weighted grade point average of 4.0 or higher and SAT scores of 1430 and ACT scores of 32 are eligible for this award upon admission to the University of South Florida.
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$116,000
Award Amount
58
Awards
Jan 15
Deadline
This scholarship is available for international and U.S. high school seniors who reside in one of the following counties in Florida: Charlotte, DeSoto, Glades, Hardee, Highlands, or Manatee and plan to attend a 4-year, 2-year or vocational/technical program in Florida.
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$16,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Mar 15
Deadline
This award is available to U.S students who are planning to attend the University of North Florida's Coggin College of Business as freshmen. Students must have a UNF recalculated grade point average of 3.5 or higher and a SAT score of 1270 or higher or an ACT score of 26 or higher.
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$20,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Mar 15
Deadline
This award is available to U.S students who are planning to attend the University of North Florida as freshmen. Students must have a UNF recalculated grade point average of 3.6 or higher and a SAT score of 1300 or higher or an ACT score of 28 or higher.
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$7,093
Award Amount
3,692
Awards
Aug 20
Deadline
U.S. students who are residents of Miami-Dade County (FL) and have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher are eligible for this award. Students must file the FAFSA and meet minimum course placement scores.
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$100,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Jan 15
Deadline
This award is available for U.S. students enrolling at Bucknell University. First generation college students, students from outside the university's traditional geographic area, and those who bring cultural and intellectual diversity to the campus will be considered.
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$4,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Jan 14
Deadline
This award is available to Florida resident undergraduate students who are enrolled as upper division undergraduates in a state-approved teacher education program at an eligible Florida institution. Students must be of African, American/Black, Hispanic/Latino, Asian American/Pacific Islander, or American Indian/Alaskan Native descent, and plan to teach in a Florida public school upon graduation.
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$2,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Feb 1
Deadline
This award is for U.S. and International students who are planning to attend Louisiana Tech University as an out-of-state transfer student. Students must have complete at least 12 semester hours of college credit and have a grade point average of 2.75 or higher.
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$1,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Feb 1
Deadline
This award is for U.S. and internatonal college juniors and graduate students who are pursuing a degree in occupational safety and health or a closely related field. Priority will be given to West Florida Chapter members or to students attending the University of South Florida. The applicant must enroll full time and have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher.
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$8,000
Award Amount
2
Awards
Apr 1
Deadline
Residents of Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, or Texas who are attending a postsecondary institution in one of the eligible states are eligible for this award. Students must have a demonstrated or expressed interest in the plastics industry.
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$750
Award Amount
1
Award
Mar 15
Deadline
Residents of Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee, or Texas who are graduating high school seniors currently bowling in a USBC-sanctioned league are eligible for this award. Students must have bowled in a sanctioned USBC league for three out of four years in high school and 75% of the league schedule. Students must have a grade point average of 2.5 or higher and an SAT/ACT score of 950/20 or higher.
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$2,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Mar 4
Deadline
This award is available for minority students who are currently attending FSU or USF. Applicants must be enrolled as a graduate student in a program of library science.
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$3,000
Award Amount
3
Awards
Mar 4
Deadline
This award is for Florida residents who are currently enrolled in a graduate program of library science. Applicants must be enrolled at the University of South Florida or Florida State University.
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$8,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Mar 1
Deadline
This scholarship is available for U.S. students who are incoming freshmen at the University of North Florida. Students must plan to be business majors, have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher, and demonstrate financial need.
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$6,000
Award Amount
3
Awards
Mar 1
Deadline
This scholarship is available for U.S. students who will graduate from Robert E. Lee High School Math and Science Magnet or Engineering Academy Program and plan to attend the University of North Florida. Students must have a grade point average of 2.5 or higher, major in building construction or engineering, and demonstrate financial need.
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$4,000
Award Amount
3
Awards
Mar 1
Deadline
This scholarship is available for U.S. students who plan to attend the University of North Florida as incoming freshmen. The student must be a resident of Duval, Baker, Nassau, St. Johns, Putnam, Flagler, or Clay counties in Florida (in order of priority); the student must also have a grade point average of 2.0 or higher and demonstrate financial need.
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$10,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Mar 1
Deadline
This scholarship is available for incoming freshmen who are residents of Duval County (Fla.) and plan to attend the University of North Florida. Students must reside in publicly assisted housing and demonstrate financial need.
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$2,000
Award Amount
2
Awards
May 1
Deadline
This scholarship is available for U.S. high school seniors whose parents are permanently separated or divorced. Students must be Florida residents and attend a Florida high school.
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$2,000
Award Amount
1
Award
May 1
Deadline
This scholarship is open to U.S. minority students who are enrolled at or have been accepted to Miami Dade College and have an interest in business, leadership, and/or entrepreneurship. Students must be residents of Miami, Florida, and have demonstrated financial need and a grade point average of 2.5 or higher.
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EXPERT INSIGHT
Florida has created a robust scholarship system that includes money earmarked for students with diverse backgrounds and life experiences. The
Bright Futures Scholarship Program covers partial to full tuition for students with exceptional grades, test scores, and community service records. Students in kindergarten through 12th grade who have been bullied in public school can apply for
The Hope Scholarship to attend private school. Citizens can receive
tax credits by contributing to scholarship funds operated by nonprofit organizations. When advising Florida students, I focus on two important aspects of the scholarship system. First, students must coordinate with their high school counselors to confirm that transcripts and records have been submitted to the Florida Department of Education. Second, in additon to completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), Florida students must create an account with their state's Office of Student Financial Assistance to apply for many of the largest scholarships.
-Dave Moniz (BA)
Are you a high school student ready to get one step closer to success as a college freshman? Perhaps a current university student thinking about your future? No matter what level of your educational career you find yourself in, if you’re thinking about pursuing a degree in Florida, it’s essential to understand your scholarship options.
From scholarships for students who thrive in academic pursuits to scholarships for students of certain faiths, you have a wide range of options to help you save on your higher education career. If you’re curious about different ways scholarships can save you money in Florida, dive into this guide and find all of the information you need to thrive!
Understanding Scholarships in Florida
Whether you’re a Florida native exploring the idea of going to college or an out-of-state student at a Florida university, knowing your scholarship options is essential. Ultimately, having a fleshed-out understanding of what type of financial aid is available can save you reams of cash when it comes to your college education.
Scholarships for college students in Florida work just like any other scholarship. Typically, these types of financial aid are awarded to students based on their achievements in academics, athletics, or extracurricular activities. However, these aren’t always the only ways students receive scholarships.
Some scholarships are awarded to students based on factors such as racial background, minority status, and religious affiliation. For Florida natives and residents, there are even scholarships you might be eligible for if you graduated from a Florida high school.
How Do You Find Florida Scholarships
Let’s face it — the process of finding scholarships can seem pretty overwhelming if you don’t know where to begin. Thankfully, knowing how to find Florida scholarships can vastly simplify the process and make you more likely to save some serious cash. Here are a few effective ways to find the perfect Florida scholarships for your distinctive needs:
Tip #1: Utilize Scholarship Search Engines:
Scholarship search engines are a tool you can use to find scholarships that are specifically tailored to your needs. From residency-based grants to academic excellence scholarships, search engines like UNIGO make it easy to find the right financial aid matches. Take advantage of our Scholarship Match Tool to easily filter scholarships to your specific criteria and get connected with the perfect financial aid resources.
Tip #2: Check with Educational Institutions:
No matter if you’re going to a Florida state school known for its sports team or a private college specializing in STEM programs, your financial aid office is an incredibly ripe and meaningful resource. The professionals working in this office have an up-to-date understanding of which scholarships you’re eligible to apply for as a student in Florida and the application processes associated with them.
Tip #3: Research State and Local Scholarships:
Like all other pursuits in your life, it never hurts to put some time, energy, and elbow grease into doing some research. From state government websites to local education bulletins, it can be helpful to do some exploring for scholarships in Florida. In the end, your efforts might just save you thousands on your university degree.
Tip #4: Tap into Ethnic, Cultural Resources, and Minority Resources:
When it comes to financial aid for university students like yourself, it’s important to take advantage of resources relating to your personal attributes and heritage. These forms of financial aid are awarded to students based on factors such as ethnic heritage, sexual orientation, and minority status. This means it’s important for you to explore options for these types of scholarships in Florida if you’re planning to significantly cut costs on your college education.
How Do I Apply For Scholarships In Florida
Whether you’re exploring Florida university options or are a current student in the state, you’re probably wondering what the scholarship application process looks like. Fortunately, understanding how to approach the process of applying for Florida scholarships can greatly increase your chances of saving some serious money on your degree.
While we’d love to tell you that there’s a simple answer for applying for all Florida scholarships, the truth is that each scholarship is different. This means that it’s important for you to take the time to understand the application requirements for each individual scholarship you apply for.
Some organizations that offer scholarships have application portals on their websites. In other cases, scholarships can be applied for through government portals. However, if you’re trying to save time and apply for as many scholarships as possible, taking advantage of tools like UNIGO’s Scholarship Match Tool is a must.
Merit-Based Scholarships In Florida
The vast majority of scholarships out there are awarded to students based on merit. This means that if you’ve excelled in academics, athletics, or other extracurricular pursuits, you probably have an amazing chance of locking down some serious financial aid.
When it comes to merit-based scholarships in Florida, the options you have available to you may be different in key ways from other states. While you’ll still be eligible to receive national and federally-funded merit-based scholarships, you’ll also have some other Florida-specific options.
These options include scholarships such as Florida Memorial University’s Academic Excellence Scholarship which covers a whopping 100% of tuition for four-year programs. So, if you’ve achieved excellence in the realm of academics or extracurriculars during your time in high school or college, it’s crucial you explore your merit-based scholarship options in Florida.
Scholarships For High School Students In Florida
While many high school students believe they have to wait until the end of their high school career to start applying for scholarships, the truth is that you’re eligible to start applying as early as your freshman year. In fact, getting a headstart on this process as a high school freshman or sophomore will significantly increase your chances of saving a substantial sum on your university education.
As a high school student, you have a wide variety of scholarship opportunities and options ranging from federal government aid to scholarships offered by private organizations. In addition, there are many scholarships out there meant specifically for students who completed their high school education in the state of Florida.
Scholarships such as the USF Presidential Award offered by the University of South Florida are awarded to Florida high school students who thrive in their academic pursuits while in high school. Beyond this, there are many scholarships available to Florida high school students ready to further their education in college.
To begin your search for Florida scholarships, it can help to explore state government websites and scholarship search engines like UNIGO. And, if you already know what university you’ll be attending, it’s essential to see what scholarships they offer to Florida high school students.
Scholarships For High School Seniors In Florida
While you’re able to start applying for scholarships as a Florida high school student as early as freshman year, that doesn’t mean you’re out of luck if you’re only starting to apply as a senior. High school seniors still have plenty of time to blast out applications and increase their chances of saving a significant amount of money on college or university costs. In fact, Florida has some amazing scholarship options for high school seniors such as the Horatio Alger Florida Scholarship program, which awards students like yourself $10,000.
A great place to start exploring your scholarship options as a Florida high school senior is by visiting your academic counselor or advisor. Not only do these professionals have an understanding of what type of scholarships align with your unique needs, but they’re also aware of Florida scholarships specific to the state.
If you’re still looking for more scholarship options and financial aid resources after you visit your counselor, resources such as government portals, private organization websites, and scholarship search engines like UNIGO are great places to continue your search.
Scholarships For College Students In Florida
Just because you’ve already started your college or university career doesn’t mean you’re not eligible for scholarships. In actuality, you’re eligible to apply for and receive a wide variety of Florida scholarships as long as you still have at least one more semester of college to complete.
These scholarships available to you as a Florida university student include awards such as the Charles Bennett Scholar Scholarship which provides students $1000 to put toward university costs. By being proactive about applying, you still have a chance to lower your education costs as a college or university student.
One of your first stops if you’re looking for Florida college scholarships should be your school’s financial aid office. The professionals working in this office will be able to connect you with amazing resources that you’ll be able to apply for as a current college student.
Scholarships For Graduate Students In Florida
Sadly, many people refrain from returning to school as graduate students because of the often exorbitant costs of obtaining an advanced degree. However, taking advantage of financial aid resources such as scholarships can make the idea of going to graduate school in Florida much more feasible and accessible.
However, while scholarships for undergraduate students in Florida can sometimes be more general, those for graduate students in the state are often more specialized. In other words, graduate student scholarships are often available only to students studying specific subjects, attending specific institutions, or pursuing specific programs.
Despite this, there are still a variety of scholarships that graduate students in Florida are eligible to apply for. If you’re a current grad student or someone who’s interested in pursuing an advanced degree, check out our Scholarship Match Tool to be paired with the perfect financial aid resources for your unique situation.
Grants For Students In Florida
Unlike scholarships, which are typically awarded based on merit, grants are usually awarded to students based on their financial need. In some cases, grants are awarded to students based on other factors such as disability and minority status.
Whether you’re a high school student thinking about attending university in Florida or a current Florida college student, it’s vital you’re aware of the grants available to you. Much like the process of seeking out scholarships, visiting your institution’s financial aid office is an absolute must for being connected with Federal and Florida-specific grants.
Florida Scholarships For Out-of-State Students
While many Florida scholarships are geared toward Florida natives and Florida high school students, that doesn’t mean out-of-state students don’t have any options. Actually, out-of-state students in Florida have access to a wide variety of scholarships and financial aid resources they may be eligible for.
For example, the University of Florida offers out-of-state students the chance to apply for a variety of merit-based scholarships such as the Sunshine Tuition Scholarship and the Gator Nation Tuition Scholarship.
Ultimately, this highlights the fact that you shouldn’t be discouraged from applying for Florida scholarships just because you’re an out-of-state or non-resident student. By being proactive and finding the right matches, you have the opportunity to seriously save on your university career.
What Florida Colleges Provide Full-Ride Scholarships?
If you’re hoping to receive a full-ride scholarship as a university student in Florida, you just might be in luck. There are a variety of colleges and universities that offer these types of scholarships to students for a range of reasons such as academic excellence, athletic accomplishments, and financial need.
Some amazing Florida colleges offering full-ride scholarships include:
- Florida Memorial University
10 Scholarships In Florida You Should Apply For
No matter if you’re a high school freshman or a university student in Florida, it never hurts to have an idea of your scholarship options. Here’s a breakdown of 10 fantastic scholarships that you should have on your radar.
- Arthur H. Henderson Memorial Kiwanis HCC Scholarship
- Pete Gilmore Memorial Kiwanis Scholarship
- Mary McLeod Bethune Scholarship
- Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program – Florida Academic Scholars (FAS)
- FL Medallion Scholars Award (FMS)
- UNF Kristin McCall Memorial Scholarship
- Florida Futures Project Annual Scholarship Competition
- UNF Irene Helen McGinley Memorial Scholarship for Urban Education
- FL Gold Seal Vocational Scholars (GSV)
- UNF Ashley Barnes Memorial Fellowship for School Counseling
Our Scholarships
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$1,500 – I Have a Dream
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$10,000 – Unigo $10K Award
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$1,500 – Sweet and Simple
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$2,500 – Superpower
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$3,000 – All About Education
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$1,500 – Fifth Month Scholarship
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$1,500 – Do-Over
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$1,500 – Flavor of the Month
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$1,500 – Make Me Laugh
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$1,500 – Shout It Out
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$2,000 – Zombie Apocalypse
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$5,000 – Education Matters
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$1,500 – Top Ten List
Written by McKenna Deen