Sand, sunshine, surfing, Florida has a lot to offer college or university students. College students who live in the state can attend the public colleges and universities at a steep discount. Throw in some great third-party scholarships and you’re good to go!
With Florida’s 1,350 miles of coastline, students can learn and play in a beautiful setting. The state has has 83 public and 56 private colleges to offer. The state is also home to loads of community colleges. There is also an extensive community college system. Florida has a diverse landscape of top-notch schools. Stem majors might be interesting in the Florida Institute of Technology or University of Florida. Florida State University is one of the top schools in the State. Liberal arts students may find Eckerd College attractive. Florida is also home to one of the foremost aviation schools in the country, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. The University of Florida was named the 50th best national university by the U.S. News.
Of course, everyone is aware of how expensive college is these days. Even attending a public university as a resident of the state can feel expensive. Sure part of your bill will be covered by federal financial aid. But federal student aid often includes a lot of loans. Who doesn’t want to reduce their student loans? Scholarships and third party financial aid can go a long way toward reducing student loan debt. Don’t leave money on the table! Make sure you are optimizing and maximizing your financial aid. With the right choice of school and financial aid like these scholarships, college can be a lot less stressful. Check out our list of the top 20 scholarships in Florida and lower your out-of-pocket costs for higher learning.
Exploring the Top Scholarships in Florida
1. Angelica G. Muns Nursing Scholarship
The Angelica G. Muns Nursing Scholarship is named for an Air Force Lieutenant Colonel. He served during WWII. The award is $2,000 annually from the Community Foundation of Ocala-Marion County. The scholarship is for students completing a BS in Nursing or RN-BSN program. They must study at an accredited in-state college or university with a 3.0 minimum GPA. After graduation recipients will need to work at a Marion County acute healthcare facility for some time.
Contact
Angelica G. Muns Nursing Scholarship
116 S Magnolia Avenue Suite 3
Ocala, FL 34471
(352) 507-8116
barbara@ocalafoundation.org
2. APA Florida Minority Scholarship
The Florida Chapter of the American Planning Association offers a $1,200 Minority Scholarship. The scholarship is for Black, Hispanic, Native American, Asian American, and Pacific Islander students. Applicants must be enrolling full-time in a PAB-accredited urban planning program in Florida. They must document financial need and be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident. They must intend to practice as planners in local or state government. They also must have a cumulative GPA above 3.0 and attach two letters of recommendation.
Contact
APA Florida Minority Scholarship
2017 Delta Blvd. Suite 201
Tallahassee, FL 32303
(850) 201-3272
fapa@floridaplanning.org
3. B. Harold Farmer Scholarship Fund
The Florida City and County Management Association offers three scholarships in Florida. Among these is the $2,500 B. Harold Farmer Scholarship Fund. It honors the municipal manager’s 25-year career. Eligibility criteria requires enrolling full-time in an accredited Florida-based university. Eligible majors include, public administration, government, public affairs, and public policy. All these majors are preparations for careers in city management. Applications to these Florida scholarships must include a resume and official transcript. Applicants will write and submit and essay and two letters of recommendation.
Contact
B. Harold Farmer Scholarship Fund
301 S Bronough Street Suite 300
Tallahassee, FL 32302
(850) 222-9684
crussell@flcities.com
4. Clara Augustine Public Health Scholarship
The Clara Augustine Public Health Scholarship is sponsored by the Florida Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Foundation. The $1,000 scholarship is awarded to graduate students. They must be completing a master’s (MPH) or doctoral degree program focused on public health. Applicants must be a Florida resident. They must have at least one semester of college remaining. They must maintain a 2.5 or higher GPA. And they must intend to go into diatetics. Similar Florida scholarships include the Sister Helen Marie Pellicer scholarship. And the Anne Brezina Dietetic Intern Scholarship.
Contact
Clara Augustine Public Health Scholarship
P .O. Box 12608
Tallahassee, FL 32317
(850) 386-8850
cstapell@eatrightflorida.org
5. Doris W. Frey Memorial Scholarship
The Southwest Florida Community Foundation grants nearly $500,000 yearly in scholarships. This includes the Doris W. Frey Memorial Scholarship. This program is geared towards public or private high school seniors. Applicants must live in in Florida’s counties of Charlotte, Collier, Hendry, Glades, and Lee. They must be committed to religious vocations of Christian service. Candidates for these Florida scholarships must be entering accredited undergraduate programs in Florida. Eligible areas of study include Christian ministry, education, pastoral counseling, and holistic nursing.
Contact
Doris W. Frey Memorial Scholarship
8771 College Parkway Suite 201
Fort Myers, FL 33919
(239) 274-5900
scholarships@floridacommunity.com
6. Charlotte Liddell Scholarship Fund
The award for this scholarship varies. Any eligible nursing student can apply. Preference is given to students studying psychiatric nursing in South Florida. Students must be enrolled in an ACEN or CCNE accredited nursing program. They must have completed one semester in their nursing program. They must have resided in Florida for at least one year. High school graduation is a requirement. Undergraduate students must a have a 2.5 or higher GPA. Grad students must have a 3.0 or higher GPA. The scholarship is only for Florida students, who are studying in Florida. Only nursing students may apply.
Contact
Leslie Homsted
1235 E. Concord St
Orlando, FL 32803
(407)-896-3261
receptionist@floridanurse.org
7. Eric Primavera Memorial Scholarship
The Florida Engineering Society administers the Eric Primavera Memorial Scholarship. The scholarship is sponsored by KCI Technologies. The award is $1,000. It supports undergraduate and graduate students attending ABET-accredited engineering schools in Florida. Eligible candidates must attain at least junior standing in their program. They must carry a 3.0 or higher GPA. Students must be enrolled full-time. Students must be recommended by an engineering professor. Preference is given to students at the Florida Institute of Technology.
Contact
Eric Primavera Memorial Scholarship
125 South Gadsden Street
Tallahassee, FL 32301
(850) 224-7121
Kelly@fleng.org
8. Florida Bright Futures Scholarship
Florida’s Office of Student Financial Assistance offers the Bright Futures Scholarship Program. These are lottery funded scholarships. The Bright Futures program provides up to $103 per semester credit for the state’s high-achieving high school seniors. That adds up to $12,000 over 120 credits available just through the Bright Futures Scholarship. Eligible recipients for Bright Futures scholarships must be deemed Florida Academic Scholars. They must have a minimum SAT score of 1290 or ACT score of 29. They also must have 100+ hours of community service. Applicants must have taken at least six non-remedial credits at an accredited in-state public college or university.
Contact
Florida Bright Futures Scholarship
325 West Gaines Street
Tallahassee, Florida 32399
(888) 827-2004
osfa@fldoe.org
9. Friends of 440 Scholarship Fund
The Friends of 440 Scholarship Fund Scholarship ranges from $500 to $6,000. It helps financially needy Floridians. They must be legal dependents of workers who’ve been injured or killed. They must, as a result of this, have received benefits via the Florida Workers’ Compensation Law. These need-based scholarships cover the cost of study for full-time undergraduate students. Students must have a 3.0 or higher GPA. Applications for these Florida scholarships must include IRS tax returns and FAFSA forms. Students must submit official transcripts and a personal statement.
Contact
Friends of 440 Scholarship Fund
9100 South Dadeland Blvd.
Miami, FL 33156
(305) 423-8710
info@440scholarship.org
10. Greater Everglades Student Scholarship
The Florida Chapter of the Wildlife Society offers two undergraduate scholarships every year. The $2,000 Greater Everglades Student Scholarship is the undergraduate award. Eligible applicants are college juniors and seniors who are attending a four-year Florida college or university. They must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 in undergraduate study. Eligible majors include wildlife management, ecology, biology, and other related fields. They must be residents of the state of Florida. Graduate students conducting research on Florida’s wildlife should consider the Courtney A. Tye Memorial Scholarship.
Contact
Greater Everglades Student Scholarship
1475 Regal Court
Kissimmee, FL 34744
(407) 870-8603
monica.folk@fltws.org
11. Ingebord Crede Memorial Scholarship
The Ingebord Crede Memorial Scholarship offers up to $3,000. It’s presented annually by the Community Foundation for Palm Beach and Martin Counties. This organization administers dozens of scholarships. So even if this one doesn’t fit, check out the website. It goes to college or university bound high school seniors in South Florida. Undergraduate students must study English literature, history, or secondary education to qualify. Applicants must legally reside in Palm Beach or Martin County. They must rank in their class’s top 15 percent. And they must demonstrate financial need. Priority is given to children of military families. Check with the scholarship to see if you must attend a Florida college or university.
Contact
Ingebord Crede Memorial Scholarship
700 South Dixie Highway Suite 200
West Palm Beach, FL 33401
(561) 659-6800
grants@cfpbmc.org
12. J. Walker Field Scholarship Program
Deadline: March 1st
The J. Walker Field Scholarship Program honors the former Florida District Governor. It is administered by the Florida Kiwanis Foundation. The foundation offers several scholarships so this is just an example. This is a one-time $1,000 award. It is awarded annually to 13 graduating high school seniors who’ve been members of Key Club International for at least two years. Applicants must graduate from high school and have been accepted into an accredited Florida college. They must have performed 150+ community service hours. They must have achieved an unweighted GPA of 2.75. They must have been nominated by Kiwanis advisors.
Contact
J. Walker Field Scholarship Program
5545 Benchmark Lane
Sanford, FL 32773
(321) 591-3808
lgl@cfl.rr.com
13. José Martí Scholarship Challenge
The Office of Student Financial Assistance has another option for scholarships in the state of Florida through the José Martí Scholarship Challenge. To qualify for $2,000, initial applicants must be Florida high school graduates. They must be of a Spanish-speaking culture with one natural parent born in Central America, South America or another Hispanic nation. They must hold an institutional GPA of 3.0 or higher. They must demonstrate financial need. Funding aids undergraduate students carrying 12+ credits at partnering post-secondary institutions.
Contact
José Martí Scholarship Challenge
325 West Gaines Street
Tallahassee, Florida 32399
(888) 827-2004
osfa@fldoe.org
14. Mary McLeod Bethune Scholarship
The Mary McLeod Bethune Scholarship grants $3,000 for a maximum of eight semesters. It is gifted by the Florida Department of Education to degree-seeking undergraduates. They must be attending their first bachelor’s degree program. Eligible schools include Bethune-Cookman University, Edward Waters College, Florida A&M University and Florida Memorial University. The Florida Department of Education requires applicants to be a U.S. citizen or legal non-citizen. They must be Florida high school graduates. They must be enrolled full-time. They must have a 3.0 or higher GPA. They must demonstrate significant financial need.
Contact
Mary McLeod Bethune Scholarship
325 West Gaines Street
Tallahassee, Florida 32399
(888) 827-2004
osfa@fldoe.org
15. Miami HEAT Scholarship Program
Deadline: January 28th
The Miami HEAT is the NBA’s 10th most valuable franchise. It gives back to the Florida community by hosting a scholarship program valued at $25,000 total. Annually, five graduating high school seniors are selected for $5,000 in college assistance. Eligible counties are Miami-Dade, Broward, Monroe, and Palm Beach. Applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents. They must be Florida high school graduates. They must attain an unweighted GPA of 3.2 or better. They must also demonstrate financial need. The Alec Kessler Student-Athlete Scholarship requires varsity sport participation, as well.
Contact
Miami HEAT Scholarship Program
601 Biscayne Boulevard
Miami, FL 33132
(786)777-1000
16. Roy W. Likins Scholarship Fund
The Roy W. Likins Scholarship Fund honors the late president of Palm Coast Utility Corporation. The Florida Section of the American Water Works Association supports the Fund. It’s valued at $2,500 annually. Eligible to apply are upperclassmen and graduate students in Florida. Eligible majors include hydrology, water resources engineering, and wastewater treatment. Related majors may qualify. Applicants must have completed 65+ college credits. They must have a cumulative GPA of 3.0. They must show dedication to the drinking water industry.
Contact
Roy W. Likins Scholarship Fund
1205 State Road 16
St. Augustine, FL 32084
(904) 209-2703
byoung@sjcfl.us
17. Sandy Ulm Scholarship Award
The Florida Association for Media in Education distributes the Sandy Ulm Scholarship Award for $1,000. It recognizes her outstanding 29-year career as a school library media specialist. This is a graduate scholarship. Students must be majoring in educational media, reading education, or library science. Of course these can be combined as well through a certificate program. They must have a 3.0 or higher GPA. They must be either living or working in Florida. They must have FAME membership. They must be working toward Florida media specialist certification. This can be done through a certificate program.
Contact
Sandy Ulm Scholarship Award
P.O. Box 941169
Maitland, FL 32794
(863) 585-6802
FAME@floridamediaed.org
18. Sarah E. Huneycutt Scholarship
The Sarah E. Huneycutt Scholarship valued at $3,000 per year. It’s administered by the Florida State Golf Association. The scholarship supports female high school seniors statewide. They must exhibit great interest and talent for golf. They can’t have received another collegiate golf scholarship. The scholarship is for Florida high school graduates. Scholars must reside in Florida and have U.S. citizenship. They must have a 3.0 GPA. The must meet a high moral standard. They must demonstrate financial need. They must take at least 9 credits per semester.
Contact
Sarah E. Huneycutt Scholarship
12630 Telecom Drive
Tampa, FL 33637
(813) 632-3742
kyle@fsga.org
19. Walter A. Friedly Memorial Scholarship
Accounting scholarships in Florida like the $2,000 Walter A. Friedly Memorial Scholarship are abundant. This is thanks to the Florida Society of CPAs. Broward County residents are eligible. They must be enrolling at least half-time for the fourth or fifth year of an accounting major. Applicants must attend the following Florida colleges: Florida Atlantic University, Florida State University, or University of Florida. Other aspiring Certified Public Accountants should consider the 1040K Race Scholarship. The James Wilcox Endowed Scholarship is also a good choice.
Contact
Walter A. Friedly Memorial Scholarship
325 West College Avenue
Tallahassee, FL 32301
(850) 224-2727
wilsonb@ficpa.org
20. William G. and Marie Selby Scholarships
William G. and Marie Selby’s Foundation bestows $7,000 scholarships yearly. These are for graduating high school seniors and associate degree transfers from specific counties. These counties include Sarasota, Manatee, Charlotte, and DeSoto. They must have limited financial means for earning a bachelor’s degree. Selected students for these Florida scholarships must be enrolling full-time at an accredited Florida college. They must have a 3.0 GPA. They must show potential for personal growth. Selby Scholars also benefit from attending an Annual Symposium with local community leaders.
Contact
William G. and Marie Selby Scholarships
1800 2nd Street Suite 954
Sarasota, FL 34236
(941) 957-0442
dballinger@selbyfdn.org
According to a 24/7 Wall St. report, Florida is the eighth cheapest state for attending college. It replaced South Carolina. The “Sunshine State” has an average yearly tuition cost of $6,336. This makes it the cheapest state for in-state tuition. In-state tuition at Florida colleges in the State University System of Florida is quite affordable. However, out-of-state students are charged nearly four times what their peers pay. In many ways the greatest source of financial aid is attending an in-state university. Private, non profit universities also up the investment. For instance, the University of Miami sets full-time tuition at $44,400 per year.
From the Gulf to the Atlantic, these college scholarships and federal student aid in Florida reel in free money for costly college courses. Many scholarships are available through the Florida Department of Education. Some we have included but we didn’t want to fill the whole list with them. So make sure to check out the other options. An important note is that some you might qualify for automatically when you submit the Florida financial aid application. It’s really important to do both the FAFSA and the Florida financial aid application. This helps you access Florida financial aid. If you don’t fill out both you can miss out of Florida financial aid. Another note is that legitimate scholarships should have a free application. If a scholarship doesn’t have a free application, that’s suspicious and should probably be avoided.
Another tip is to always make sure to check with your college’s financial aid office for other scholarships you might be able to pursue. Even high school students can contact financial aid offices directly after they are accepted to ask about additional aid sources. Don’t be afraid to ask. Financial aid officers are there to help meet your financial need.
Don’t be discouraged if you don’t see tuition assistance programs here that you don’t qualify for. Notice how there are so many hyper-local scholarships? Well those exist in most communities. We couldn’t fill the whole list with them so we used some as examples. You should definitely check with your local community organizations about possible scholarships for tuition assistance.
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