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!
$6,400
Award Amount
4
Awards
Jun 15
Deadline
This scholarship is open to U.S. high school seniors who are graduating from high schools in Alachua or Bradford counties (FL) and plan to attend Santa Fe College. Students must enroll in a business program, and must have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher.
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$16,000
Award Amount
10
Awards
Jun 15
Deadline
This scholarship is for U.S. students who are enrolled in the Santa Fe College zoo animal technology program. Students must have a grade point average of 2.5 or higher.
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$6,400
Award Amount
4
Awards
Jun 15
Deadline
This scholarship is open to U.S. high school seniors who reside in Archer, Florida, and will graduate from Newberry High School. Students must plan to attend Santa Fe College, and must have a grade point average of 2.0 or higher.
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$1,600
Award Amount
1
Award
Jun 15
Deadline
This scholarship is open to U.S. women who are 25 years of age or older and reside in Alachua or Bradford counties in Florida. Students must plan to attend Santa Fe College, and must have a grade point average of 2.5 or higher.
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$9,600
Award Amount
6
Awards
Jun 15
Deadline
This scholarship is open to U.S. high school seniors who are graduating from an Alachua or Bradford county (FL) high school and plan to attend Santa Fe College. Students must plan to major in education as a teacher, and must have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher.
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$6,400
Award Amount
4
Awards
Jun 15
Deadline
This scholarship is open to U.S. students who are applying to or enrolled in a nursing program at Santa Fe College. Students must have a grade point average of 2.5 or higher.
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$3,500
Award Amount
1
Award
Apr 30
Deadline
This scholarship is available for U.S. high school seniors and undergraduate students in the AIST Southeastern Chapter (Southern Virginia, Eastern Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia and Florida) who are planning to major in engineering and pursue a career in iron and steel technology. Applicants must be AIST members or dependents of AIST members.
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$1,200
Award Amount
1
Award
Apr 30
Deadline
This scholarship is open to U.S. undergraduate juniors and seniors who are enrolled in the University of North Florida College of Education and Human Services. Students must major in elementary education and have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher.
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$1,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Apr 30
Deadline
This scholarship is open to Florida resident students who will be enrolled as college juniors or seniors in the University of North Florida's College of Education and Human Services. Students must have a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or higher.
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$1,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Apr 30
Deadline
This scholarship is open to Florida students who will be enrolled as undergraduate juniors or seniors in the University of North Florida College of Education and Human Services. Students must major in sport management and earn a grade point average of 3.0 or higher.
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$1,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Jan 15
Deadline
This scholarship is available for high school seniors in Pinellas County, Florida who have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher. Applicants must have a minimum of 25 community service hours. Applicants must have a family member who was a veteran in the Korean War.
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$12,500
Award Amount
10
Awards
Feb 1
Deadline
The George Snow Scholarship Fund offers a wide variety of scholarships, each with their own criteria. However, the most common criteria is that applicants demonstrate financial need, motivation to do their best and to help themselves/others. Amounts vary, but the average award in 2019 was $12,500.00.
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$12,500
Award Amount
10
Awards
Feb 1
Deadline
The George Snow Scholarship Fund partners with Palm Health Foundation to annually provide a needs-based scholarship program that encourages individuals in the community to enter and advance in the nursing profession. Amounts vary, but the average award in 2019 was $12,500.00. Learn more and apply today!
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$500
Award Amount
1
Award
Feb 1
Deadline
This award is for U.S. and international undergraduate and graduate students who are residents of Florida. Students must have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher. Click here to learn more and apply today!
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$5,000
Award Amount
10
Awards
Dec 31
Deadline
The deadlines to submit your application are December 31, 2021, and June 30, 2022. Winners will be announced four weeks after the deadline.
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$1,500
Award Amount
1
Award
Jan 31
Deadline
The Thomas J. Rao Jr. Scholarship is available for high school seniors in Hillsborough County Florida who demonstrate finanancial need and plan to attend a college, university, or vocational school in Florida. Applicants must have a grade point average of 2.5 or higher.
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$4,800
Award Amount
1
Award
Jun 17
Deadline
The College Fund of Pinellas County, Inc. is a non-profit, tax-exempt organization run entirely by volunteers. We raise money in order to help financially disadvantaged Pinellas County residents who have excellent scholastic potential, but insufficient funds to obtain a bachelor’s degree and thereby improve themselves, their family’s living standard, and their role in the community.
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$5,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Jun 30
Deadline
The Korean American Scholarship Foundation (KASF) – Southern Regional Chapter (SRC) is pleased to announce a scholarship program in honor and recognition of 1.6 million American Veterans who served in the Korean War during the Korean War era (June 25, 1950–January 31, 1955). These men and women answered the call to fight for a country and people they never knew and never met. More than 54,000 Americans died and 103,000 were wounded.
To express our gratitude to these veterans for their sacrifices, KASF-SRC will offer their descendants an opportunity to apply for a scholarship. KASF-SRC scholarship program will recognize outstanding students who have demonstrated outstanding talents and potential for success.
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$1,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Nov 15
Deadline
Today’s young generation will be key contributors as our leaders of tomorrow. The Scott Cooper Miami scholarships are offered to students that are in Business Management, Marketing, Communications, Film, Theater, Journalism, Education or Fitness programs in an accredited college/university in the U.S. or Canada.
As leaders of tomorrow, students in these programs will be directly responsible for the many facets of business operations that organizations in the future will rely on in order to bring business sales & revenue.
The Scott Cooper Miami Scholarship program is inspiring today’s leaders in the classroom to become tomorrow’s leaders in a business environment. This scholarship program is in place to aid post-secondary students in establishing themselves in the job market, providing students with the tools to succeed in their studies.
The Scott Cooper Miami Scholarship program provides students with a one-time scholarship worth $500.00 (USD/CAD) to any post-secondary student who has accepted an offer at an accredited U.S. or Canadian post-secondary institution. The eligible programs are listed below:
Business
Business Management
Marketing
Film
Theater
Communications
Journalism
Education
Fitness
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$2,000
Award Amount
2
Awards
Jun 11
Deadline
Deivery Harris was a lifelong educator and a champion for educational justice who believed in empowering, as well as inspiring and supporting African American students. Scholarships in the amount of 1000 dollars are available to empower any and all African-American students who presently reside in any of the following counties: Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach.
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$25,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Apr 15
Deadline
Eligible students must:
Reside in either the Tampa (FL) Metropolitan Area or Cleveland (OH) Metropolitan Area
Be a high school senior or older
Have a minimum, unweighted high school GPA of 3.5 and a minimum 1280 SAT (or 28 ACT)
Be a leader or actively engaged in their school and/or community
Demonstrate financial need
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$2,500
Award Amount
1
Award
Jun 15
Deadline
At Distasio Law Firm, we fight for the rights of people who suffer from a birth injury. We have been doing this for over a decade, and we will continue to do so because we know how challenging life with a birth injury can be.
If your birth injury was a result of medical malpractice or some form of negligence from another individual, it would also be very easy to live a bitter and resentful life, rather than a hopeful one that sees the possibilities, not the limitations, that lie before you.
If you are reading about this scholarship, you did not take the easy way out. You dug deep and found a spark of motivation that propels you forward. And now you are college-bound. We want to hear your story, and we think other young people who struggle with birth injuries will want to hear it, too.
YOUR STORY COULD BE YOUR TICKET TO WINNING THIS SCHOLARSHIP
Nobody’s story is quite like yours. And nobody can tell it like you can tell it. Imagine where you were five or 10 years ago. Imagine the challenges you were facing. What pulled you through? What life lessons could another birth injury survivor have shared with you at that age to inspire you?
This is what we want to know about you. The applicant whose application and essay most touches us as a story of courage, drive, and hope will win a $2,500 scholarship from Distasio Law Firm.
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$3,000
Award Amount
3
Awards
Jun 1
Deadline
The Epilepsy Reach Foundation members and volunteers are committed to helping those living with epilepsy and their families reach success by providing guidance and support through informative resources, financial assistance for medication and education, and career services for professional development. Our mission is to empower adults and children living with epilepsy in underserved Southeastern U.S. communities by offering aid and support to enable their success.
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$1,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Jan 31
Deadline
At The Florida Probate & Family Law Firm, we understand being the first female in your family to attend college is an extraordinary accomplishment. Coming this far for yourself and your family is something to be proud of and motivates you to pursue your dreams further. This scholarship is intended to assist with college education costs and support those striving to achieve their dreams.
Describe how this experience has shaped your goals and aspirations and how you plan to use your education to impact your family, your community, and beyond in a positive way. Additionally, discuss any challenges you have faced as a trailblazer within your family and how you have overcome them. Finally, reflect on encouraging and supporting other first-generation female college students.
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$1,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Nov 30
Deadline
The Law Firm of Kevin A Moore is a workers’ compensation injury firm dedicated to helping those injured on the job. We are committed to providing legal support and advocacy for our clients. Through this scholarship, we are proud to extend that same level of support to the entire family, including students. That is why we are pleased to introduce our Beyond the Challenges Scholarship. This scholarship is aimed at those who have faced the struggle of experiencing a job injury or have a loved one who has experienced a job injury.
Facing the challenges of a job injury and recovery is far from easy. We want to hear about your journey and the lessons you have learned from the experience. For those interested in applying, we ask that you share a personal experience in which you or a loved one have faced a workplace injury. We are interested in hearing about the specific challenges you encountered, how it has impacted you, and the lessons you learned along the way.
We understand that the road to recovery can be difficult, but we believe that every individual has the power to overcome their challenges and emerge stronger than ever. We hope this $1,000 scholarship will inspire and motivate students who have faced trauma or injury and provide them with the resources they need to pursue their academic and professional goals.
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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