Sand, sunshine, surfing, and scholarships in Florida attract many college students to America’s third most populous state.
Florida’s 1,350 miles of coastline offer a beautiful, subtropical learning environment for over 1 million students. Since Rollins College was first formed in 1885, education in Florida has grown rapidly to 83 public and 56 private colleges. Whether you prefer being a STEM major at Florida Institute of Technology, liberal arts student at Eckerd College, or future aviator at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Florida has a diverse landscape of top-notch schools. In fact, the University of Florida was named the 50th best national university by the U.S. News.
Check out the following 20 scholarships for Floridians to magically lower your out-of-pocket costs for higher learning.
1. Angelica G. Muns Nursing Scholarship
Deadline: July 22nd
Named for a U.S. Air Force Lieutenant Colonel who served during WWII, the Angelica G. Muns Nursing Scholarship presents $2,000 annually from the Community Foundation of Ocala-Marion County. Future Florida nurses who are completing a Bachelor of Science in Nursing or RN-BSN program at an accredited in-state college with a minimum 3.0 GPA may apply. Recipients must agree to practice healthcare at a Marion County acute healthcare facility post-graduation.
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
Deadline: October 30th
The Florida Chapter of the American Planning Association (APA) offers a $1,200 Minority Scholarship to Black, Hispanic, Native American, Asian, and Pacific Islander students who are enrolling full-time within a PAB-accredited urban planning program in Florida. Suitable applicants must document financial need, have U.S. citizenship or permanent residency, intend to practice as planners in local or state government, possess a cumulative GPA above 3.0, and attach two recommendations.
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
Deadline: February 17th
The Florida City and County Management Association (FCCMA) has created three scholarships in Florida, including the $2,500 B. Harold Farmer Scholarship Fund to honor the municipal manager’s 25-year career. Eligibility criteria requires enrolling full-time in an accredited public administration, government, public affairs, or public policy at a Florida-based university to reach career aspirations in city management. Applications must include a resume, official transcript, two-page essay, and recommendation letters.
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
Deadline: November 1st
Valued at $1,000, the Clara Augustine Public Health Scholarship is awarded by the Florida Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Foundation to graduate students completing master’s (MPH) or doctoral degrees focused on public health. Eligible FAND members must reside in Florida, have at least one semester remaining, sustain a minimum 2.5 GPA, and have career aspirations in dietetics. Similar Florida scholarships include the Sister Helen Marie Pellicer and 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
Deadline: March 3rd
The Southwest Florida Community Foundation grants nearly $500,000 yearly in scholarships like the Doris W. Frey Memorial Scholarship. This program is geared towards public or private high school seniors in Florida’s Charlotte, Collier, Hendry, Glades, or Lee counties who are committed to religious vocations of Christian service. Qualified recipients must be entering accredited undergraduate programs in Florida for Christian ministry, education, pastoral counseling, or holistic nursing.
Contact
Doris W. Frey Memorial Scholarship
8771 College Parkway Suite 201
Fort Myers, FL 33919
(239) 274-5900
scholarships@floridacommunity.com
6. Dr. Robert W. Sims Memorial Scholarship
Deadline: February 15th
Resuming in 2017, the Dr. Robert W. Sims Memorial Scholarship awards $3,000 through the Florida Association of Educational Data Systems. Selected recipients will be U.S. citizens and Florida residents who are attending any accredited public or private universities in-state for majors in computer science, information technology, educational technology, and related fields. Scholarships include complimentary registration to the FAEDS Conference in Daytona Beach.
Contact
Dr. Robert W. Sims Memorial Scholarship
3047 Boulevard Center Drive 2nd Floor
Jacksonville, FL 32207
(904) 348-7807
FAEDS-Scholarships@listserv.faeds.org
7. Eric Primavera Memorial Scholarship
Deadline: February 12th
Sponsored by KCI Technologies, the Florida Engineering Society has created the Eric Primavera Memorial Scholarship for $1,000 to support undergraduate and graduate students attending ABET-accredited engineering schools in Florida. Eligible candidates must attain at least junior standing, carry a minimum “B” average, maintain 12+ credits per semester, and 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
Deadline: August 31st
Florida’s Office of Student Financial Assistance (OSFA) offers the lottery-funded Bright Futures Scholarship Program to provide up to $103 per semester credit for the state’s high-achieving high school seniors. Eligible recipients must be deemed Florida Academic Scholars with a minimum SAT score of 1290 or ACT score of 29 with 100+ hours of community service. Florida residents must have earned a standard diploma for taking at least six non-remedial credits at accredited in-state public colleges.
Contact
Florida Bright Futures Scholarship
325 West Gaines Street
Tallahassee, Florida 32399
(888) 827-2004
osfa@fldoe.org
9. Friends of 440 Scholarship Fund
Deadline: February 28th
The Friends of 440 Scholarship Fund helps financially needy Floridians who are the legal dependents of employees who’ve been injured or killed and received benefits via the Florida Workers’ Compensation Law. Ranging from $500 to $6,000, these need-based scholarships cover baccalaureate study for undergraduates taking at least 12 credits per term with a minimum 3.0 GPA. Applications are incomplete without IRS tax returns, official transcripts, FAFSA forms, 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
Deadline: December 16th
The Florida Chapter of the Wildlife Society confers two scholarships in Florida, including the $2,000 Greater Everglades Student Scholarship. Appropriate applicants are college juniors and seniors who are attending a four-year college in Florida with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 in undergraduate study for wildlife management, ecology, biology, or related fields. Post-baccalaureate 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
Deadline: January 29th
Offering up to $3,000, the Ingebord Crede Memorial Scholarship is presented annually by the Community Foundation for Palm Beach and Martin Counties to college-bound high school seniors in South Florida who intend to study English literature, history, or secondary education. Qualified incoming freshmen must legally reside in Palm Beach or Martin County, rank in their class’s top 15 percent, and exhibit financial need. Priority is given to children of military families.
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
Established in 2012 to honor the former Florida District Governor, the J. Walker Field Scholarship Program provides one-time $1,000 awards annually to 13 graduating high school seniors who’ve been members of Key Club International for at least two years. The Kiwanis Florida Foundation seeks individuals who’ve been accepted into an accredited Florida college, performed 150+ community service hours, achieved an unweighted GPA of 2.75, and 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
Deadline: April 1st
The Office of Student Financial Assistance (OSFA) grants another option for scholarships in Florida through the José Martí Scholarship Challenge. To qualify for $2,000, initial applicants must graduate from Florida public or private high schools, be of Spanish culture with one natural parent born in Mexico or another Hispanic nation, hold an institutional GPA of 3.0 or higher, and demonstrate unmet financial need. Funding aids degree-seeking 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
Deadline: May 15th
Granting $3,000 for a maximum of eight semesters, the Mary McLeod Bethune Scholarship is gifted by the Florida Department of Education to degree-seeking undergraduates who are earning their first bachelor’s degree at Bethune-Cookman University, Edward Waters College, Florida A&M University, or Florida Memorial University. Eligibility requirements include being a U.S. citizen or legal non-citizen, sustaining 12+ credits per semester, earning an overall GPA above 3.0, and documenting 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
As the NBA’s 10th most valuable franchise, the Miami HEAT gives back to the Florida community by hosting an scholarship program valued at $25,000 total. Annually, five graduating high school seniors from Miami-Dade, Broward, Monroe, and Palm Beach counties are selected for $5,000 in college assistance. Recipients must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents, attain an unweighted GPA of 3.2 or better, and demonstrate financial need. The Alec Kessler Student-Athlete Scholarship requires varsity sport participation too.
Contact
Miami HEAT Scholarship Program
601 Biscayne Boulevard
Miami, FL 33132
(786)777-1000
16. Roy W. Likins Scholarship Fund
Deadline: May 15th
To honor the late president of Palm Coast Utility Corporation, the Florida Section of the American Water Works Association (FSAWWA) supports the Roy W. Likins Scholarship Fund for $2,500 annually. Upperclassmen and graduate students in Florida who’re majoring in hydrology, water resources engineering, wastewater treatment, or related fields may apply. Selection criteria includes completing 65+ college credits, maintaining a cumulative GPA of 3.0, and showing 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
Deadline: February 15th
The Florida Association for Media in Education (FAME) proudly distributes the Sandy Ulm Scholarship Award for $1,000 to recognize her outstanding 29-year career as a school library media specialist. Suitable candidates must be currently registered for an accredited master’s program in educational media, reading education, or library science. Other qualifications include carrying a minimum “B” average, living or working in Florida, having FAME membership, and working towards Florida media specialist certification.
Contact
Sandy Ulm Scholarship Award
P.O. Box 941169
Maitland, FL 32794
(863) 585-6802
FAME@floridamediaed.org
18. Sarah E. Huneycutt Scholarship
Deadline: June 1st
Valued at $3,000 per year, the Sarah E. Huneycutt Scholarship is administered by the Florida State Golf Association (FSGA) to support female high school seniors statewide who exhibit great interest and talent for golf but haven’t received a collegiate golf scholarship. Scholars must reside in Florida, have U.S. citizenship, possess a minimum GPA of 3.0, show high moral standard, demonstrate need for financial assistance, and take at least nine 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
Deadline: March 5th
Accounting scholarships in Florida like the $2,000 Walter A. Friedly Memorial Scholarship are abundant thanks to the Florida Society of CPAs. Each year, Broward County residents who’re enrolling at least half-time for the fourth or fifth year of an accounting major are selected. Attending Florida Atlantic University, Florida State University, or the University of Florida is required. Other aspiring Certified Public Accountants should consider the 1040K Race Scholarship or James Wilcox Endowed Scholarship.
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
Deadline: April 1st
William G. and Marie Selby’s Foundation bestows $7,000 scholarships yearly for graduating high school seniors and associate degree transfers from Sarasota, Manatee, Charlotte, or DeSoto counties who have limited financial means for earning a bachelor’s degree. Selected students must be enrolling full-time at accredited Florida colleges, obtain a minimum overall GPA of 3.0, and exhibit personal growth potential. 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. The “Sunshine State” has an average yearly tuition cost of $6,336. In-state tuition in the State University System of Florida is quite affordable, but out-of-state students are charged nearly four times what their peers pay. Private, nonprofit 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 scholarships in Florida reel in free money for costly college courses.