Scholarships in Florida

Being home to some of the top universities in the South and the entire nation, Florida is an excellent option for students to earn their degree and scholarships in Florida can help you get there.

With 76 public and 55 private higher education institutions in the state, there are a wide range of programs and majors for students to choose from.

If you are a native Floridian or are simply drawn to the beaches and warm climate that the Sunshine State has to offer, read on to find 25 scholarship opportunities that can help you finance your journey to successfully completing your college dreams in Florida.

1. AQHF Joan Cain Florida Quarter Horse Youth Scholarship Program

Deadline: January 2nd

The American Quarter Horse Foundation (AQHF) awards an annual $1,000 one-year scholarship annually to Florida students who have been an active member of the Florida Quarter Horse Youth Association for at least two years. In order to receive the scholarship for a two or four-year undergraduate degree program, applicants must apply in their senior year of high school or while enrolled at an accredited college, university, or trade school with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher.

Contact

AQHF Joan Cain Florida Quarter Horse Youth Scholarship Program
2601 East Interstate 40
Amarillo, TX 79104
(806) 378-5029

2. Art and Frame of Sarasota Educational Supply Scholarship

Deadline: Varies

Each year, the family-owned Art and Frame of Sarasota business provides a scholarship for an outstanding student who is planning to pursue or currently is pursuing a postsecondary education at the Ringling School of Art and Design in the state of Florida. Since selection for the scholarship is based on applicants' financial need and the funds available, the number of awards and award amounts vary greatly from year to year.

Contact

Art and Frame of Sarasota Educational Supply Scholarship
1055 South Tamiami Trail
Sarasota, FL 34236
(941) 366-2301

3. Catherine P. Cornelius Endowed Scholarship

Deadline: June 15th or October 15th

For both the fall and spring semesters, the South Florida State College (SFSC) Foundation, Inc. awards the Catherine P. Cornelius Endowed Scholarships to graduate students who have enrolled in a baccalaureate program at the SFCC University Center. Eligible applicants must be enrolled at least half-time in a bachelor's degree program, have an overall GPA of 2.75 or higher, and reside within the state of Florida. Along with the application, students must demonstrate financial need by submitting a copy of their completed FAFSA form.

Contact

Catherine P. Cornelius Endowed Scholarship
600 West College Drive
Avon Park, FL 33825
(863) 784-7254

4. Christopher Fugate Memorial TSIC Endowment Scholarship

Deadline: June 15th or October 15th

For both the fall and spring semesters, the South Florida State College (SFSC) Foundation, Inc. awards the Christopher Fugate Memorial TSIC Endowment Scholarship to one student who is attending SFSC full-time and enrolled in the "SFSC Take Stock in Children" program. Applicants are required to demonstrate academic achievement with a GPA of 2.75 or higher, financial need with a completed FAFSA form, proof of residence, and official high school transcripts.

Contact

Christopher Fugate Memorial TSIC Endowment Scholarship
600 West College Drive
Avon Park, FL 33825
(863) 784-7254

5. Flight Safety International Instrument Refresher Course Scholarship

Deadline: October 1st

Sponsored by Flight Safety International, Whirly Girls International Women Helicopter Pilots awards an annual scholarship to a specially selected member Whirly Girl who possesses at least an Instrument Rating Pilot Helicopter certificate and landing currency in helicopters. In order to receive the scholarship valued at $10,000 to attend the five-day specialized training course at the Flight Safety Learning Center in Louisiana, applicants must be in good standing with the organization and have been a member for at least one year.

Contact

Flight Safety International Instrument Refresher Course Scholarship
3674 Andreas Hills Drive
Palm Springs, CA 92264
(760) 325-9250

6. Florida AWMA Scholarship

Deadline: March 12th

The Florida Section of the Air and Waste Management Association (AWMA) offers up to three scholarships for $250 each and one scholarship for $500 to provide recognition to qualified students interested in careers related to air pollution control or waste management. Eligible applicants must be juniors, seniors, or graduate students who are enrolled full-time in a four-year college or university within the state. Along with the application, candidates are required to submit official transcripts for the last two years, one letter of recommendation, and an essay.

Contact

Florida AWMA Scholarship
P.O. Box 666
Belle Glade, FL 33430
(561) 996-4779

7. Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program

Deadline: December 1st

Sponsored by the Florida Department of Education, the Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program is an umbrella program that includes all state-funded scholarships for Florida residents based on academic achievement in high school. Eligible candidates for the merit-based awards must be U.S. citizens with proof of residence in Florida, possess a standard Florida high school diploma, be enrolled in an eligible Florida public or private postsecondary academic institution, and participate in at least six semester undergraduate credit hours.

Contact

Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program
Turlington Building, Suite 1514
325 West Gaines St.
Tallahassee, FL 32399
(850) 245-0505

Scholarship Link

8. Florida Dental Assisting Student Scholarship

Deadline: Year-round

The Florida Dental Association grants the Florida Dental Assisting Student Scholarship to students who have completed at least one semester of full-time study within a Florida Board of Dentistry-approved dental assistant program. Eligible applicants must have been a resident of Florida for at least two years and be currently enrolled in an accredited college or university in the state. Although the scholarship is available year-round, candidates are asked to apply at least 60 days before receiving their funding is desired.

Contact

Florida Dental Assisting Student Scholarship
1111 E. Tennessee St. Suite 102
Tallahassee, FL 32308
(850) 681-3629

9. Florida First Generation Matching Grant Program

Deadline: December 1st

The Florida First Generation Matching Grant (FGMG) need-based program is available for undergraduate students enrolled in public state universities and community colleges whose parents have not earned a baccalaureate degree. An eligible student will be a Florida resident, a U.S. citizen, enrolled full-time in a degree-seeking undergraduate program, and be a first generation college student. Award amounts are calculated based on a student's cost of attendance for one year at college minus the expected family contribution and other grants.

Contact

Florida First Generation Matching Grant Program
Turlington Building, Suite 1514
325 West Gaines St.
Tallahassee, FL 32399
(850) 245-0505

10. Friends of 440 Scholarship Fund

Deadline: February 28th

The Friends of 440 Scholarship Fund aims to aid dependents or descendents of workers who were injured or killed in the course of their employment and who receive benefits from the Florida Workers' Compensation Law. Eligible applicants must be high school seniors with a minimum GPA of 2.7 or higher, or enrolled college students in an accredited Florida college or university with a GPA over 3.0. All scholarship recipients are required to maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher and have at least 12 credit hours per semester to remain eligible.

Contact

Friends of 440 Scholarship Fund
9100 South Dadeland Blvd. Suite 1800
Miami, FL 33156
(305) 423-8710

11. Irving Cypen Freshman Scholarship Fund

Deadline: November 15th

In honor of Irving Cypen, an important and valuable board member of the Florida Supreme Court Historical Society who passed away in 2009, the University of Florida Foundation offers the Irving Cypen Freshmen Scholarship Fund. The $3,000 scholarship is awarded to one student at the UF Frederic G. Levin College of Law who earns the highest GPA during his or her first year of full-time enrollment in the law school.

Contact

Irving Cypen Freshman Scholarship Fund
309 Village Drive
P.O. Box 117621
Gainesville, FL 32611
(352) 273-0614

12. J. Ollie Edmunds Distinguished Scholarship

Deadline: January 22nd

As a nationally competitive merit-based college scholarship program, the J. Ollie Edmunds Distinguished Scholarship is awarded to top student scholars with outstanding leadership potential on the Stetson University campus. For students who exhibit exemplary academic and personal leadership accomplishments, the scholarship pays all expenses for four years of undergraduate studies at Stetson, including tuition, academic fees, textbooks, school materials, room and board for four years, and a $1,500 summer internship. Eligible candidates must demonstrate strong discipline, integrity, character, creativity, communication skills, and extracurricular involvement.

Contact

J. Ollie Edmunds Distinguished Scholarship
421 N. Woodland Blvd. Unit 8378
DeLand, FL 32723
(386) 822-7100

13. John C. Pace Jr. Honors Scholarship

Deadline: January 3rd

Among the most prestigious academic awards for incoming students at the University of West Florida, the Pace Honors Scholarship is granted to freshmen applicants who are in the top of their high school class and the most accomplished young scholars in the region. The scholarship includes full tuition, room and board in Pace Hall, a meal plan, and full funding for off-campus educational experience. Awards are renewable for up to eight semesters as long as recipients maintain full-time status and good academic standing with a minimum GPA of 3.25.

Contact

John C. Pace Jr. Honors Scholarship
Pace Hall Building 930
11000 University Parkway
Pensacola, FL 32514
(850) 474-2934

14. Lee R. Cullens Memorial Athletic Housing Scholarship

Deadline: June 1st or October 15th

Each year, South Florida State College (SFSC) awards a scholarship to full-time students who are participating in SFCC intercollegiate athletics to help cover housing costs at the Jacaranda Residence Facility. Students must be enrolled at the college with a minimum GPA of 2.75 or higher, satisfy specific high school graduate requirements with an official transcript, and demonstrate financial need with a submitted FAFSA form.

Contact

Lee R. Cullens Memorial Athletic Housing Scholarship
600 West College Drive
Avon Park, FL 33825
(863) 784-7254

15. Let Us Play! Foundation Scholarship

Deadline: January 14th

The University of North Florida awards a scholarship each year to Florida residents who are incoming freshmen enrolled full-time at the school and has graduated from the Let Us Play! Camp. Recipients of the foundation scholarship are granted $2,000 each year for a maximum of four years for total funding of $8,000. Since selection is based on financial need, students are required to submit a copy of their FAFSA form with the completed application packet.

Contact

Let Us Play! Foundation Scholarship
Hicks Hall Building 53 Suite 1700
1 UNF Drive
Jacksonville, FL 32224
(904) 620-5555

16. Marie Silverman Scholarship

Deadline: June 1st

Sponsored by the Florida Reading Association (FRA), the Marie Silverman Scholarship is awarded to honor the state's future reading educators. In order to receive the $1,000 award, eligible applicants must be enrolled full-time in an accredited graduate program at a university in the state of Florida, pursuing a degree with a major in the field of reading, and have at least three years of successful classroom teaching experience. Along with the application, students must submit a resume, letter of acceptance, verification of full-time status, three letters of recommendation, and personal statement of commitment to literacy.

Contact

Marie Silverman Scholarship
4142 Camino Real
Sarasota, FL 34231
(850) 644-9085

17. Mary McLeod Bethune Scholarships

Deadline: May 1st

Sponsored by the Florida Department of Education, the Mary McLeod Bethune (MMB) Scholarship is designed to provide tuition assistance to undergraduate students who are enrolled at Bethune-Cookman University, Edward Waters College, Florida A&M University, or Florida Memorial University. Eligible applicants must be Florida residents, U.S. citizens, enrolled with a minimum of 12 credit hours per term, have a minimum GPA of 3.0 or higher, and not be in default in any state or federal loan.

Contact

Mary McLeod Bethune Scholarships
325 West Gaines St. Suite 1314
Tallahassee, FL 32399
(888) 827-2004

18. Military Officers Association of America JROTC Scholarship

Deadline: June 1st

The Military Officers Association of America (MOAA) awards an annual scholarship to outstanding JROTC cadets who show exceptional potential for military leadership and academic achievement. Eligible applicants for the scholarship must be in the next-to-last year of their JROTC program, be in the upper 10 percent of their high school class, and have a minimum of three JROTC credits with a minimum GPA of 3.0 or higher.

Contact

Military Officers Association of America JROTC Scholarship
201 N. Washington St.
Alexandria, VA 22314
(703) 549-2311

19. NAPA Research and Education Foundation Scholarship Program

Deadline: Varies

The National Asphalt Pavement Association (NAPA) provides the Research and Education Foundation Scholarship Program each year to undergraduate and graduate students who are enrolled full-time in a civil engineering, construction management, or construction engineering degree program. Eligible applicants for the scholarship must be enrolled at an accredited four-year college or two-year technical institution, have taken at least one course on HMA technology, and possess valuable related work experience.

Contact

NAPA Research and Education Foundation Scholarship Program
5100 Forbes Blvd.
Lanham, MD 20706
(301) 731-4621

Scholarship Link

20. NTA Florida Scholarship

Deadline: April 1st

The National Travel Association (NTA) Florida Scholarship aims to make a positive difference in the lives of future travel, tourism, and hospitality industry leaders through an endowment of $1,500 for tuition. Eligible applicants must have a minimum GPA of 3.0 or higher, be entering the second year of a two-year school or junior year of a four-year school, be a resident of Florida, and be enrolled in an accredited tourism-related program. Along with the application, students must provide an essay, official transcript, resume, two letters of recommendation, and a copy of a Florida driver's license.

Contact

NTA Florida Scholarship
101 Prosperous Place Suite 350
Lexington, KY 40509
(859) 264-6540

21. Salute to Education

Deadline: January 26th

As a non-profit high school scholarship program, Salute to Education offers tuition assistance funding to students residing in Miami-Dade and Broward counties of Florida. Eligible applicants for the scholarships must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher, be a U.S. citizen, participate in at least on extracurricular school activity, and be active in community service. All applications are judged by a panel of civic, community, and business leaders from Florida.

Contact

Salute to Education
PO Box 833425
Miami, FL 33283
(305) 799-6726

22. Selby Foundation Scholarship Program

Deadline: April 1st

The Selby Foundation Scholarship Program awards up to $7,000 per year to qualified students graduating from high school in the Florida counties of Sarasota, Manatee, Charlotte, or DeSoto to pursue a degree from an accredited four-year college or university. Selection for the award is based on financial need, grade point average, SAT or ACT scores, letters of recommendation, extracurricular involvement, interview, and personal statement. Scholarships are renewable as long as undergraduate students remain in full-time status with a minimum GPA of 3.0.

Contact

Selby Foundation Scholarship Program
1800 2nd Street Suite 954
Sarasota, FL 34236
(941) 957-0442

23. The Negro Spiritual Scholarship

Deadline: February 15th

In collaboration with the Orlando Opera, the Negro Spiritual Scholarship Foundation sponsors a vocal competition for sacred music performed by soloists in the Negro spiritual style for junior and senior high school students. Students who enter the competition must work with a voice teacher, learn a new piece of music delivered to them, and meet the high vocal standards in place. One male and one female singer will win the nationally acclaimed Grady-Rayam Prize in Sacred Music for a scholarship worth $3,000.

Contact

The Negro Spiritual Scholarship
P.O. Box 547728
Orlando, FL 32854
(407) 841-6773

24. Vinod C. Thakkar Nursing Scholarship

Deadline: June 1st and October 15th

Each year, South Florida State College (SFSC) provides a scholarship for students pursuing a degree in nursing full-time and achieving the highest academic performance for the high standards in place for nursing students. Eligible students must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher, demonstrate financial need, and be a resident of Florida. Along with the application packet and completed FAFSA form, students must submit a letter of recommendation from one of the SFSC nursing faculty members.

Contact

Vinod C. Thakkar Nursing Scholarship
600 West College Drive
Avon Park, FL 33825
(863) 784-7254

25. Wentworth Travel Scholarship

Deadline: Open

Sponsored by the Wentworth Foundation, the University of Florida Honors Program offers up to 40 scholarships of $500 each to honor students who are involved in projects with undergraduate research. The funds are designed to cover the costs of traveling to a library or archives to do research, attending a meeting to present a project, attending a professional development meeting, or participate in a competitive unpaid internship in another location. There is no deadline because the program continues to make awards until the annual fund is exhausted.

Contact

Wentworth Travel Scholarship
343 Infirmary Building
280 Fletcher Drive
Gainesville, FL 32611
(352) 392-1161

As the hefty price tag for earning a higher education degree continues to skyrocket in Florida and the rest of the nation, more students than ever before are depending on scholarships to lighten the heavy financial load. Whether you have been born and raised in Florida or are migrating south to the Sunshine State for college, it is highly recommended that you check out these 25 scholarships that are offered specifically to those attending school in Florida.