Financial Aid and Scholarships in Florida
Published December 20, 2023 · 3 Min Read
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Cost is usually one of the biggest considerations when deciding how, when, and where to pursue a degree. Florida boasts the lowest public school tuition rates in the country for state residents, along with some of the lowest out-of-state tuition rates.
Still, in-state public tuition rates averaged more than $4,500 per year in 2020-21. Colleges in Florida attract students from all over the world with their low tuition rates and reputable academic programs.
To help you manage the financial burden of education, the state of Florida has implemented many financial aid programs, including scholarships, grants, and investment programs.
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10 Scholarships in Florida
Below, we highlight some of the scholarship programs available in Florida. Along with these, you can find school-specific funding programs at the different in-state colleges. Please note that some scholarships require students to be U.S. citizens or permanent residents to qualify.
Benacquisto Scholarship Program
- Award Amount: Varies
- Deadline: May, November, and March 1
- Eligibility: Available to National Merit® Scholars from Florida attending one of the participating state schools full-time.
Florida Academic Scholarship
- Award Amount: Varies
- Deadline: August 31
- Eligibility: Available to Florida students with the appropriate ACT, CLT, or SAT test scores and a minimum 3.5 GPA in preparatory college courses, plus 100 volunteer hours and 100 paid work hours.
Florida Farmworker Student Scholarship
- Award Amount: Varies
- Deadline: April 1
- Eligibility: Available to Florida farmworkers or students of farmworkers with a minimum 3.5 GPA and 30 service hours.
Florida Law Enforcement Academy Scholarship Program
- Award Amount: Varies
- Deadline: N/A
- Eligibility: Available to Florida students enrolled in a law enforcement officer basic recruit training program at a Florida public college.
Florida Medallion Scholarship
- Award Amount: Varies
- Deadline: August 31
- Eligibility: Available to Florida students with the appropriate test scores and a minimum 3.0 GPA in preparatory college courses, plus 100 volunteer hours and 75 paid work hours.
Mary McLeod Bethune Scholarship Program
- Award Amount: Varies
- Deadline: Varies
- Eligibility: Available to Florida students with financial need and a minimum 3.0 GPA who are enrolled at a participating school.
Minority Teacher Education Scholars Program
- Award Amount: $4,000 per year
- Deadline: July 1 and November 30
- Eligibility: Available to minority Florida students enrolled in a participating school's teacher education program. After graduation, award recipients must teach at a Florida public school for as many years as they collected the award.
Randolph Bracy Ocoee Scholarship Program
- Award Amount: Up to $6,100 per year
- Deadline: April 1
- Eligibility: Available to Black residents of Ocoee, Florida, and the descendants of the Ocoee Election Day Riots.
Rosewood Family Scholarship
- Award Amount: Up to $6,100
- Deadline: April 1
- Eligibility: Available to the descendants of the Rosewood families victimized by the events of January 1923. Candidates must attend a state public school.
Scholarships for Children and Spouses of Deceased or Disabled Veterans
- Award Amount: Varies
- Deadline: April 1
- Eligibility: Available to the children and spouses of deceased or disabled veterans who are attending a state public school.
How to Apply for Financial Aid in Florida
When applying for financial aid in Florida, start with the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Not only does this qualify you for federal aid packages and grants, but it may be required for various national, state, and school-specific scholarships.
Next, complete the Florida Financial Aid Application (FFAA), a requirement for various state-based programs. Completed applications get sent to the Office of Student Finance Assistance.
By submitting both applications, you can also qualify for need-based state grants, such as the Florida Student Assistance Grant, First Generation Matching Grant, and José Martí Scholarship Challenge Grant.
You should also check to see if your school offers its own financial aid, because some institutions do not use or require the state aid application.
Florida Border-State Tuition Discounts
As one of 15 member states in the Academic Common Market (ACM), Florida offers in-state tuition rates to out-of-state students at many of its schools. Likewise, Florida students can attend many schools within the other member states and enjoy in-state tuition rates.
Florida has 12 schools participating in the ACM agreement, including some of the largest and most reputable schools in the country — Florida State University, Florida Atlantic University, and University of Central Florida.
Frequently Asked Questions About Financial Aid in Florida
When is the Florida FAFSA deadline?
Florida has a May 15 deadline for FAFSA applications. While you may still submit applications after this date, you could miss out on various funding opportunities.
Can you attend college for free in Florida?
Yes, you can attend college in Florida for free if you qualify for a scholarship or funding program with full tuition coverage. Along with state programs, you can earn school-specific scholarships and financial aid packages that cover your tuition.
How long do you have to live in Florida to be a resident?
In most cases, you need to live in Florida for the preceding 12 months at least to be considered a state resident. If your parents maintained residency for the previous 12 months, you may also qualify for resident status.
How do I get a full-ride scholarship in Florida?
You can earn a scholarship for your full tuition in several ways. Many of the scholarship programs listed above cover tuition in full, and their requirements include financial need, academic achievements, and specific descendancy.
You can also earn scholarships for athletic achievements and essay writing, among other things.
Page last reviewed: December 5, 2023.
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AffordableCollegesOnline.org is an advertising-supported site. Featured or trusted partner programs and all school search, finder, or match results are for schools that compensate us. This compensation does not influence our school rankings, resource guides, or other editorially-independent information published on this site.
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