Apply Today to These 20+ Florida Scholarships

Updated on October 10, 2023

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Florida offers many scholarships, from institutional grants to awards for specific majors. Browse your Florida scholarship options today.

Plan to attend college in Florida? Applying for scholarships can greatly lower your expenses and set you up for less debt after graduation.

According to the National Center for Education Statistics, the average annual cost of attending an in-state public college in Florida was $15,543 in 2020-21. For private institutions, that average was a much higher $41,843 a year.

While the best colleges in Florida offer an exceptional education, you don’t want to get saddled with tons of debt. The 20-plus Florida scholarships and grants below can help you reduce those steep costs — and might even cover your full tuition.

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General Florida Scholarships and Grants

General Florida scholarships are typically open to anyone, no matter what field you’re studying. Here are some of the best ones you can get.

Benacquisto Scholarship Program

Award Amount: Varies

Deadline: N/A

Eligibility: The Benacquisto Scholarship Program targets Florida high school diploma-holders (or the equivalent) who were National Merit Scholars. You must be enrolled at a Florida college or university.

Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program

Award Amount: Varies

Deadline: August

Eligibility: To qualify, you must be a high school senior, meet minimum GPA requirements (a 3.0-3.5, depending on the subject) on 16 college preparatory courses, and earn a minimum ACT or SAT score. You’ll also need to complete Florida Financial Aid Application before August 31 of your graduation year and complete 75-100 required volunteer service hours or paid work hours. The Florida Medallion Scholarship covers 75% of tuition and applicable fees in the fall and spring.

Florida Student Assistance Grant Program

Award Amount: Varies

Deadline: Varies

Eligibility: To be eligible, you must be a Florida resident, enroll for a minimum of six credits per term at a state college, and meet Florida’s general eligibility requirements. You can’t owe debt on other federal grants or loans, and you cannot already have a bachelor’s degree.

William L. Boyd, IV, Effective Access to Student Education Program

Award Amount: $2,840

Deadline: Varies

Eligibility: To qualify, you must be a Florida resident enrolled in at least 12 credits per term. You must meet Florida’s eligibility requirements, not be enrolled in a degree in theology or divinity, and not already have a bachelor’s degree. Participating institutions set application procedures, deadlines, and other eligibility requirements.

Subject-Specific Scholarships in Florida

The following Florida scholarships target students studying specific majors, like nursing, engineering, and law enforcement.

Florida Engineering Society Scholarships

Award Amount: $1,000

Deadline: June for fall semester; January for spring semester

Major: Engineering

Eligibility: To qualify, you must be enrolled at a Florida university, declare a major in engineering, and be an active member of an FES chapter. You also need a minimum 2.75 high school GPA. This scholarship is open to college sophomores, juniors, and seniors.

Florida Law Enforcement Academy Scholarship Program

Award Amount: Full tuition and fees + $1,000 (minus any other state financial aid)

Deadline: Varies

Major: Law enforcement

Eligibility: Application processes vary by institution. Ask for an application and get information on requirements at eligible Florida colleges’ financial aid offices.

Florida Nurses Foundation Scholarships

Award Amount: Varies

Deadline: June

Major: Nursing

Eligibility: The Florida Nurses Foundation offers over 30 scholarships. To qualify, you’ll need a minimum 2.5 undergraduate GPA or a minimum 3.0 graduate GPA. In addition, you must be a Florida resident and submit two letters of reference. Individual scholarships may have additional criteria.

Florida Scholarships for Specific Student Populations

Student-specific scholarships in Florida target those from certain backgrounds, such as a historically underserved community. See whether you qualify for these Florida scholarships below.

First-Generation Matching Grant Program

Award Amount: Varies

Deadline: Varies

Eligibility: For this grant, you must be a Florida resident, be a first-generation college student, not have a bachelor’s degree, and not owe debt on any state or federal grants or scholarships. You must also fill out the FAFSA. Individual schools determine application processes, deadlines, student eligibility, and award amounts.

Florida Farmworker Student Scholarship Program

Award Amount: Full tuition and fees

Deadline: April

Eligibility: Complete the Florida Financial Aid Application by the deadline to apply. You must be a farmworker or the child of a farmworker. You must also be a Florida resident, complete 30 service hours, and have a high school GPA of 3.5 or higher with at least a 90% attendance record.

José Martí Scholarship Challenge Grant Fund

Award Amount: $2,000

Deadline: April

Eligibility: Applicants must identify as Hispanic, attend a Florida public or private college, have a minimum 3.0 GPA, and demonstrate financial need. To apply, fill out the Florida Financial Aid Application.

KASF Korean War Veteran Descendant Scholarship Application

Award Amount: $500-$5,000

Deadline: June

Eligibility: You must have Korean heritage and be a full-time student at a designated Southern region state with a minimum 3.0 GPA to qualify. You must also demonstrate financial need.

Minority Teacher Education Scholars Program

Award Amount: $4,000

Deadline: November

Eligibility: To apply, you must be a Florida resident, identify as a student of color, and be admitted to a teacher education program. The application requires a 100-to-300-word essay.

Randolph Bracy Ocoee Scholarship Program

Award Amount: $6,100

Deadline: May

Eligibility: Applicants must submit the FAFSA and Florida Financial Aid Application. To be eligible, you must be either a direct descendent of a victim of the Ocoee Election Day Riots of November 1920 or a current Black resident of Ocoee, Florida.

Rosewood Family Scholarship

Award Amount: Up to $4,000

Deadline: April

Eligibility: In addition to completing the Florida Financial Aid Application and FAFSA, you must be a descendant of the Rosewood families affected by the historical incidents of January 1923 and provide documentation of your ancestry. You may not apply if you already have a bachelor’s degree, and you must be a full-time college student.

Scholarships for Children and Spouses of Deceased or Disabled Veterans

Award Amount: Varies

Deadline: April

Eligibility: To qualify as a child, you must be between 16 and 22 years of age and the dependent of a qualified veteran. Alternatively, you can qualify if you’re married to a veteran with a disability or if you’re a widow or widower of a veteran who has died. Complete the online Florida Financial Aid Application to apply.

School-Specific Scholarships for Florida Colleges

School-specific Florida scholarships are offered by institutions to their students, including the University of Florida and Florida State University. Find school-specific scholarships you may qualify for below.

Florida State University Mores Scholarship

Award Amount: $12,000

Deadline: December

Eligibility: All FSU first-year applicants are automatically considered for the Mores Scholarship.

Florida State University Partner Promise Scholarship

Award Amount: $12,000

Deadline: December

Eligibility: To qualify, you must be a Florida resident and a graduate of one of FSU’s partner schools. You must also be enrolled in at least 15 credit hours and maintain a cumulative 3.0 GPA.

Florida State University Vires Scholarship

Award Amount: $12,000

Deadline: December

Eligibility: All FSU first-year applicants are automatically considered for the Vires Scholarship.

Florida Tech Panther Fund Merit Scholarship

Award Amount: Up to 100% of tuition and fees for in-state students; up to 50% for out-of-state students

Deadline: N/A

Eligibility: Applicants to Florida Tech will be automatically considered for this scholarship. To qualify, you must submit both the Florida Financial Aid Application and the FAFSA. You must also be eligible for the Bright Futures Florida Academic Scholars award.

Mary McLeod Bethune Scholarship Program

Award Amount: $2,210

Deadline: Varies

Eligibility: To apply, you must plan to attend college at Bethune-Cookman University, Edward Waters University, Florida A&M University, or Florida Memorial University. Participating institutions determine application procedures, deadlines, and student eligibility.

University of Florida Lombardi and Stamps Scholar Programs

Award Amount: $24,000 ($3,000 per semester)

Deadline: Closed for 2023

Eligibility: To be eligible, you must be admitted to UF and its Honors Program. You can apply for the Honors Program when you submit your first-year application.

University of Florida Machen Florida Opportunity Scholars Program

Award Amount: Full tuition and fees

Deadline: December

Eligibility: To be eligible, you must be a first-year student who qualifies as historically low income and is a first-generation college student. Winners will be selected based on the information they provide on their UF applications and the FAFSA.

3 Tips for Finding Florida Scholarships

When looking for scholarships in Florida, don’t be afraid to expand your search beyond the ones listed above. Here are some tips to help you fund your education in the Sunshine State.

1. Check Prospective Schools’ Websites

Schools want to attract top students, and scholarships are one way to do that. In addition to providing state and federal scholarships, many Florida colleges offer institutional scholarships funded by alumni and local donors.

You can typically find info on what scholarships different schools offer by visiting their websites. For example, the University of Florida lists scholarships on its admissions website.

2. Use Scholarship Directories

The internet houses a vast repository of scholarships and scholarship websites. Consider browsing scholarship websites like Cappex and Unigo to find the best Florida scholarships for you.

You can also check out our vast collections of scholarships, including lists of scholarships for women, scholarships for Black students, and scholarships for healthcare students.

3. Talk to a Financial Aid Rep or Academic Advisor

Searching for scholarships in Florida can be overwhelming. That’s why it’s often helpful to talk to a financial aid or academic advisor at your school. These professionals have insider knowledge and may be able to point you toward scholarships you haven’t heard of.

Remember, their job is to help you!

Frequently Asked Questions About Florida Scholarships

What scholarships do I qualify for in Florida?

Florida residents can qualify for a vast array of scholarships. Be sure to check application and eligibility requirements before applying. You can find scholarships in Florida using the links above or by contacting colleges’ financial aid departments.

How do you qualify for a merit scholarship in Florida?

To qualify for a merit scholarship in Florida, you must typically be a U.S. citizen or eligible noncitizen. Some merit scholarships require that you earn a Florida high school diploma or equivalent, while others are available for students from any state.

Many merit scholarships in Florida consider factors like GPA, application essays, letters of recommendation, SAT or ACT scores, or other criteria that emphasize your academic prowess.

Do Florida schools give scholarships?

Yes, many Florida schools give out scholarships. You can check your prospective college’s website to see what kinds of scholarships it offers. For example, Florida State University runs FS4U, a scholarship database specifically for FSU students.

Can students go to college for free in Florida?

Yes, some Florida colleges allow you to attend for free, usually through a combination of scholarships, grants, and other financial aid. Be sure to submit the FAFSA each year and apply for as many external scholarships as possible.

How long do you have to live in Florida to be a resident?

To be considered a resident of Florida, you must live in Florida for at least 183 days, or one day more than six months. In other words, if you’d like to qualify for in-state tuition in Florida, you only need to move there six months before you apply to Florida colleges.