State college grants for Florida students

Key takeaways:

• Florida has several state grants for its college students, including need-based and merit-based awards.
• Bright Futures is a merit-based scholarship which can cover up to 100% of tuition and fees at public institutions in the state.
• Most financial aid in Florida requires you to complete the Florida Financial Aid Application (FFAA) and Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

On average, students pay $38,270 a year to attend college. Most states have financial aid programs to help students cover the cost, including Florida. Below, we’ve outlined some Florida college grants you might qualify for, including Bright Futures, the Benacquisto Scholarship, and others, to help make higher education more affordable.

Florida college grants

1. BRIGHT FUTURES SCHOLARSHIP

The most well-known scholarship program in Florida is the Bright Futures Scholarship which can cover up to 100% of tuition and mandatory fees. Renewable each year, the amount you receive depends on the school you’re attending and the award you qualify for.

Florida Academic Scholars (FAS) receive enough money to cover their 100% tuition and fees, if they are attending a public institution in Florida. Florida Medallion Scholars (FMS) receive enough to cover 75% of tuition and fees at public institutions. A comparable amount is granted if you decide to attend a private institution.

In order to qualify for Bright Futures, a student must:

• Be a Florida resident.
• Achieve a minimum GPA – 3.5 for FAS or 3.0 for FMS.
• Earn a minimum score on the ACT, SAT, or CLT. For FAS, you need a 29 CT, 1330 SAT, or 95 on CLT. For FMS, you need a 24 ACT, 1190 SAT, or 92 CLT.
• Complete a number of volunteer or work service hours. For FMS, you need 100 volunteer hours, 100 paid work hours, or a combination of both totaling 100 hours. FAS requires 75 volunteer hours, 100 paid work hours, or a combination of both totaling 100 hours.
• Finish the required high school credits in English, Math, Natural Sciences, Social Sciences, and Language.
• Complete their Florida Financial Aid Application (FFAA) before August 31^st after their high school graduation year.
• Be attending a participating public or private Florida college.

Students can also be named Gold Seal Vocational Scholars (GSV) and Gold Seal CAPE Scholars (GSC). For more information about the Bright Futures Scholarship, check out the handbooks here. Requirements, including minimum GPA and standardized test scores, can change each year.

2. BENACQUISTO SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM

For Florida students who have been named a National Merit Scholar, there is the Benacquisto Scholarship Program. It awards any money the student needs to cover education expenses that weren’t already paid for by the National Merit award or Bright Futures.

In addition to being named a Scholar, students must

• Be a Florida resident and earn a high school diploma or equivalent in Florida.
• Enroll full time in a bachelor’s program.
• Be attending a participating institution.

The award can also be renewed if the student maintains a 3.0 GPA.

3. FIRST GENERATION MATCHING GRANT PROGRAM (FGMG)

A need-based grant program, FGMG is for undergraduate students who are the first in their family to earn a bachelor’s degree. Award amounts, deadlines, application procedures, and more are set by the school, if they are a participating member of the program.

In order to be eligible, students also need to

• Complete the FAFSA
• Meet application procedures set by their college.
• Be a Florida resident.
• Be enrolled for at least 6 credit hours.

4. FLORIDA FARMWORKER STUDENT SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM (FFSS)

For students who are farmworkers or the child of a farmworker, there is the FFSS program. It covers tuition and specific fees for up to 50 students each year who have demonstrated financial need.

In addition to being a Florida resident, students have to

• Have at least a 3.5 GPA from high school.
• Complete at least 30 service hours.
• Have a 90% attendance rate.
• Have had no disciplinary action.
• Meet the definitions of a farmworker, child of one, or retired farmworker.
• Complete their FFAA and FAFSA by specific deadlines.

It’s renewable, but recipients must maintain a 2.5 GPA or higher.

5. And more

 Other Florida programs you may want to look into include:

• William L. Boyd, IV, Effective Access to Student Education Program (EASE): EASE provides tuition assistance to students attending participating private Florida institutions
• Florida First Responder Scholarship Program: Eligible students in approved training for law enforcement, emergency medical, paramedic, or firefighting programs.
• Florida Law Enforcement Academy Scholarship Program: This program offers financial assistance for students enrolled in approved basic recruit training programs for law enforcement within the Florida College System or a technical center.
• Florida Public Postsecondary Career Education Student Assistance Grant (FSAG-CE): FSAG-CE provides financial assistance (minimum $200) for students enrolled in certificate programs at Florida College System institutions and career centers.
• Honorably Discharged Graduate Assistance Program: Active duty and honorable discharged members may receive supplemental need-based benefits to cover living expenses during school breaks.
• Florida Work Experience Program (FWEP): Similar to the federal Work-Study program, FWEP provides working hours to help cover the cost of college.
• José Martí Scholarship Challenge Grant: This fund offers financial assistance to students of Hispanic origin with a minimum 3.0 GPA.
• Mary McLeod Bethune Scholarship (MMB): Students at select schools with demonstrated financial need and a 3.0 GPA can receive the MMB scholarship.
• Minority Teacher Education Scholarship (MTES): Minorities who have completed at least 60 hours and are enrolled in in a teacher education program may receive the MTES for $4,000.
• Randolph Bracy Ocoee Scholarship Program: This program provides financial assistance for college to direct descendants of victims of the Ocoee Election Day Riots and African American residents of Ocoee, Florida.
• Rosewood Family Scholarship: 50 eligible students who are direct descendants of Rosewood families affected by January 1923 events can receive up to $6,100 for college.
• Scholarships for Children and Spouses of Deceased or Disabled Veterans: Eligible students can receive financial assistance for up to 110% of the required credit hours for a bachelor’s degree or certificate program.

Where Can You Find More Information about Florida State Grants?

If you want to learn more about the Bright Futures Scholarship or one of the other scholarships, grants, and programs we listed above, head over to the Florida Student Scholarship Grant Programs page from the Office of Student Financial Assistance website. There you can find fact sheets, handbooks, and other details regarding eligibility, award amounts, applications, and more. For other college and financial aid resources, visit the Florida Department of Education (FLDOE) website.

Florida has several state grants, scholarships, and programs for its college students, both merit and need based. However, for some, these awards may not be enough to cover all costs associated with college. Our Scholarship Search Tool can help you discover other awards you may qualify for and make the search for scholarships a breeze.