25 Florida Scholarships for Higher Education in 2024

The end of summer brings a welcome break from the Florida heat — and the beginning of a new chapter for college students across the state. For many, the start of the school year is a time of pure excitement. For others, though, it heralds a new season of worry about the rising cost of education.

According to U.S. News and World Report, in-state tuition and fees have jumped 211% since 2002. Fortunately, a number of new scholarships — many of them exclusive to Florida residents — are now available through Going Merry’s scholarship search and application platform. Here are some of the best Florida scholarships to help you bridge financial aid gaps and cover your college tuition.

Your List of Florida Scholarships

1. Bright Futures – Florida Academic Scholars

Amount: Full tuition + applicable fees

Provider: Florida Department of Education

Eligibility Requirements:

• Resident of Florida
• Minimum GPA of 3.5 on a 4.0 scale
• Minimum ACT score of 29 or SAT score of 1330
• Enrolled or planning to enroll full-time in a college or university
• Have completed the 16 college preparatory courses on this chart
• Have completed 100 hours of community service

Application Requirements: Transcript, completed FAFSA®, SAT and/or ACT scores, completed Florida Financial Aid Application (FFAA)

The Florida Department of Education grants multiple full-tuition scholarships under the umbrella of the Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program. The most prestigious of these is the Florida Academic Scholars award. This scholarship is renewable for multiple years and is a fantastic option for high-achieving students with critical financial needs. Applicants must be high school graduates with a diploma (or equivalent) from a Florida institution. You must also plan to complete your higher education in-state.

2. Bright Futures – Florida Medallion Scholars 

Amount: 75% of tuition + applicable fees

Provider: Florida Department of Education

Eligibility Requirements:

• Resident of Florida
• Minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
• Minimum ACT score of 25 or SAT score of 1210
• Enrolled or planning to enroll full-time in a college or university
• Have completed the 16 college preparatory courses on this chart
• Have completed 75 hours of community service

Application Requirements: Transcript, completed FAFSA®, SAT and/or ACT scores, completed Florida Financial Aid Application (FFAA)

Another valuable scholarship offered through the Florida Bright Futures Scholarship program, and advertised by the Florida Office of Student Financial Assistance, is the Florida Medallion Scholars award. The requirements for this program are slightly more lenient than that of the Florida Academic Scholars scholarship above, but the award amount is still substantial. Interested Florida state students may be happy to hear that there’s no essay required in this scholarship application.  

3. Bright Futures – Gold Seal Vocational Scholars

Amount: Varies by course load 

Provider: Florida Department of Education

Eligibility Requirements:

• Resident of Florida
• Minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale for non-elective high school courses
• Minimum GPA of 3.5 on a 4.0 scale for career-education courses 
• Minimum ACT and SAT scores for each section, as per this chart
• Enrolled or planning to enroll full-time in a vocational program
• Have completed 30 hours of community service

Application Requirements: Transcript, completed FAFSA®, SAT and/or ACT scores, completed Florida Financial Aid Application (FFAA)

If you’ve decided that traditional college isn’t for you, then the Gold Seal Vocational Scholars program is. This scholarship exists for anyone who has chosen a nontraditional postsecondary institution, like a certificate program or other career-specific education. The award amount varies according to the number of semester hours the student is planning to take, so those taking a heavier course load may have more to gain. 

4. Goldman Sachs MBA Fellowship

Amount: $35,000, plus a summer associate salary and a $40,000 stipend upon completion of the fellowship

Provider: Goldman Sachs

Eligibility Requirements:

• Black/African American, Hispanic/Latina, Native American
• Female
• Enrolled as a first year MBA student

Application Requirements: Resume

The Goldman Sachs MBA Fellowship is one of the most valuable options for female MBA students of color. The selection process for this grant program is competitive, but winners stand to gain both a significant stipend and a fellowship at the Goldman Sachs offices in either Miami or West Palm Beach. Upon completion of the fellowship, students will be awarded an additional $40,000 to put toward tuition, books, housing, and other fees associated with pursuing an MBA. 

5. Sarah E. Huneycutt Scholarship

Amount: $20,000

Provider: Florida State Golf Association

Eligibility Requirements:

• Resident of Florida
• Minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
• Female
• Enrolled or planning to enroll in a college or university

Application Requirements: Transcript, 1 letter of recommendation, headshot, list of extracurricular activities, list of honors and awards

Female high school graduates planning to attend college in the state of Florida can apply for the Sarah E. Huneycutt Scholarship. Named after an avid junior golf enthusiast, this scholarship is for students who are interested in the game of golf but ineligible for athletic scholarships. The award amount is split over four years and prioritizes applicants who demonstrate financial need. 

6. El Jefe Entrepreneurial Scholarship

Amount: $1,000

Provider: Yarish Family

Eligibility Requirements:

• Resident of Florida
• High school senior

Application Requirements: Essay

The El Jefe Entrepreneurial Scholarship aims to support high school students who are passionate about entrepreneurship so they can afford to pursue higher education. Any underrepresented minority high school student who is interested in entrepreneurship and resides in Florida may apply for this scholarship if they are driven, ambitious, selfless, empathetic, and a critical thinker or leader.

7. Gary & Judy Bowler Scholarship

Amount: $500

Provider: Bowler

Eligibility Requirements:

• Resident of Florida or Massachusetts
• High school senior
• Attending vocational or trade school

Application Requirements: Essay

The Gary and Judy Bowler scholarship aims to support students who are interested in pursuing the trades so they can further their professional achievements. Any US Citizen from Massachusetts or Florida who has a High School diploma, GED or has been honorably discharged by the US Military and wants to study at a trade or technical school can apply for this scholarship.

8. JBI Tax Service Scholarship

Amount: $500

Provider: JBI Tax Service

Eligibility Requirements:

• Resident of Florida or Massachusetts
• High school senior
• Minority
• Pursuing business or finance

Application Requirements: Essay

The JBI Tax Service scholarship seeks to support minority students who are preparing to pursue higher education in business or finance. Any minority high school senior who is a Florida resident interested in business, accounting, or finance may apply for this scholarship.

9. Lloyd F. Hutt Scholarship

Amount: $2,000

Provider: Lake Michigan Credit Union (LMCU)

Eligibility Requirements:

• Resident of Michigan or Florida
• High school seniors, including home school students, and plan to enter a trade school, college, or university in the next academic year
• Must submit evidence of acceptance and enrollment in an accredited trade school, college, or university before payment will be made

Application Requirements: 

Established in 1990, the Lloyd F. Hutt scholarship program honors the legacy of Lloyd F. Hutt – teacher and founder of LMCU. Each year, we establish a prompt for high school seniors to write about in the form of an essay and award twenty (20) $2,000 scholarships.

10. FSGA Scholarship

Amount: Up to $10,000

Provider: Florida State Golf Association (FSGA)

Eligibility Requirements:

• Current Florida resident for a minimum of one year
• Minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
• Enrolled as a high school senior
• Competed in a minimum of three FSGA or FJT tournaments

Application Requirements: Transcript, 2 letters of recommendation, completed FAFSA®, proof of acceptance or enrollment, SAT and/or ACT scores, essay

The FSGA Scholarship aims to make higher education possible for all student golfers. Sponsored by the Florida State Golf Association and the Future of Golf Foundation, this scholarship program selects a minimum of five golfers from the Florida Junior Tour’s graduating class to win a renewable, four-year scholarship. The program awards a total of $10,000 in college scholarships each year, resulting in $40,000 granted to each graduating class. To be eligible for this scholarship, students must demonstrate financial need and have a maximum family income of $125,000.

11. TheDream.Us National Scholarship

Amount: Up to $33,000

Provider: TheDream.Us

Eligibility Requirements:

• Enrolled or planning to enroll full-time in one of TheDream.US partner colleges
• Minimum GPA of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale
• Have not yet earned more than 21 credit hours at a college or university
• Not a U.S. citizen but have DACA status or came to the U.S. before age 16

Application Requirements: Transcript, SAT and/or ACT scores, essay, list of extracurricular activities, list of honors and awards

For highly qualified, academically motivated students without U.S. citizenship, the TheDream.Us National Scholarship can help pay for higher education. The selection process for this scholarship is rigorous, and the committee likes to see students who are committed to both community service and academics. To receive this award, students must be planning to enroll in one of TheDream.Us partner colleges, many of which are in Florida (you can find the full list of partner colleges here). The scholarship amount for this award varies based on need and will offer a maximum of $33,000 for a bachelor’s degree or $16,500 for an associate’s degree. The award is renewable each year.

12. American Water Inclusion and Diversity Scholarship

Amount: $10,000

Provider: American Water

Eligibility Requirements:

• Must self-identify as a member of at least one of the following underrepresented groups: American Indian or Alaska Native, Asian, Black or African American, Hispanic or Latino, Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander, Multiracial or Female (any race or ethnicity)
• High school senior, graduate or current college undergraduate
• Resident of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, or West Virginia
• Pursuing a certificate or degree in a non-medical STEM or business-related field, at an accredited four-year college or university for the entire upcoming academic year
• 3.0 GPA

Application Requirements: Essay, Transcript, Tax Return, Letter of Recommendation

The American Water Inclusion and Diversity Scholarship is awarding scholarships of $10,000 each to students in the states where American Water operates. The Scholarship is designed to support the educational aspirations of students who represent lived experiences and backgrounds that are underrepresented in the utility industry and who value the advancement of inclusion and diversity in all aspects of society.

13. Lee County Red Sox Scholarship

Amount: $5,000

Provider: Red Sox Foundation

Eligibility Requirements:

• Resident of Lee County
• Enrolled full-time as a high school senior

Application Requirements: Transcript, essay, personal statement, student aid report

Each year, the Boston Red Sox complete their spring training in Lee County, Florida. To give back to the local community that hosts them, the team’s nonprofit foundation sponsors the Lee County Red Sox Scholarship. This award applies to public school students attending high school in Lee County. Volunteer service is one of the most important parts of this application, so be ready to write about the work you’ve done to improve your local community. Resumes are not required for consideration, but may be submitted if you prefer. 

14. “Uncle” Don Knowles Scholarship

Amount: Varies

Provider: College Board

Eligibility Requirements:

• High school senior
• Resident of Florida
• 3.0 GPA
• Community service
• Member of Circle K International- Florida

Application Requirements: No Essay

The “Uncle” Don Knowles Scholarship offers financial assistance to students in Florida who are members of Circle K International (CKI) in Florida. Students who have completed service hours within the last year before applying are encouraged to apply.

15. José Martí Scholarship Challenge Grant Fund

Amount: $2,000

Provider: Florida Department of Education

Eligibility Requirements:

• Hispanic/Latino with a parent who was born in a Hispanic country 
• Minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
• Resident of Florida
• Enrolled or planning to enroll full-time in a college or university

Application Requirements: Transcript, completed FAFSA®, proof of acceptance or enrollment, completed Florida Financial Aid Application (FFAA)

Funded via the Florida Department of Education, the José Martí Scholarship Challenge Grant Fund was created for Florida students who were born in — or who have parents who were born in — Mexico, Spain, or a Hispanic country of the Caribbean, South America, or Central America. Inspired by the work of Cuban writer and philosopher José Martí, this grant program is renewable annually for both undergraduate and graduate students. Note: High school seniors must apply during their senior year, and eligible students will need to demonstrate financial need.

16.  HEAT Scholarships

Amount: $5,000

Provider: X World Wallet / The Miami HEAT Charitable Fund

Eligibility Requirements:

• Graduating high school senior attending a Miami-Dade, Broward, Monroe or Palm Beach school.
• U.S. citizen or permanent resident.
• Un-weighted GPA of 3.0
• Unmet financial need for assistance as determined by the university’s Financial Aid Office
• Accepted to and enrolled in a four-year accredited college or university in the USA for the upcoming academic year

Application Requirements: 

X World Wallet and The Miami HEAT Charitable Fund is offering $25,000 in scholarship funds to high school seniors attending Miami-Dade, Broward, Monroe or Palm Beach schools. HEAT Scholarships are awarded based on academic performance and outstanding community service.

17. Society of Professional Journalists Florida Chapter Scholarship

Amount: Up to $2,500

Provider: Society of Professional Journalists – Florida Chapter

Eligibility Requirements:

• Minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
• Declared field of study in journalism
• Enrolled or planning to enroll full-time in a college or university
• Resident of Florida

Application Requirements: Transcript, 1 letter of recommendation, completed FAFSA®, essay, work sample

The Society of Professional Journalists Florida Chapter wants to grow its ranks and help support a new generation of passionate journalists. To achieve that mission, they’ve created a scholarship to help fund higher education for prospective journalism students in Florida. Each year, the Society awards scholarships ranging from $1,000 to $2,500. As you might expect from a scholarship for writers, the key part of this application is the essay. Be sure to describe your dream for a future in the field of journalism, as well as your inspiration for pursuing this career. Students who demonstrate financial need will be given special consideration. As such, the free application for federal student aid (FAFSA®) is a requirement for all applicants.

18. Judge Sidney M. Aronovitz Memorial Scholarship

Amount: Up to $3,000

Provider: The Miami Foundation

Eligibility Requirements:

• Resident of Miami-Dade County
• Minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
• Black/African American, Hispanic/Latino, Native American, Asian American, and/or Pacific Islander
• Below the age of 19
• Declared field of study in law or social justice

Application Requirements: Transcript, 1 letter of recommendation, personal statement, list of extracurricular activities

Named for the community-minded, late Judge Sidney M. Aronovitz, this Memorial Scholarship is awarded to high school seniors from underrepresented ethnic groups who are attending a Miami-Dade County Public School. Applicants must intend to pursue a career in a legal or social-justice-related field, and have a strong desire to use their education to better the Miami-Dade community. Decisions for this award will be weighted based on a number of criteria, including applicants’ future career goals, community service experience, and academic achievement.  

19. ESA Youth Scholarship

Amount: $2,500

Provider: Electronic Security Association

Eligibility Requirements:

• Child of a first responder 
• Planning to enroll in a college or university
• 15 to 20 years old 

Application Requirements: Transcript, 1 letter of recommendation, proof of acceptance, SAT and/or ACT scores, essay, resume, proof of parent’s occupation, completed community service form

If you’re a high school senior and have a parent who works as a first responder, the ESA of Florida Youth Scholarship for Families of First Responders could help offset the cost of your college education. ESA grants both state and national scholarships to the children of emergency personnel as a show of gratitude for their tireless work. The state award amount is $2,500, and the maximum national award amount is $12,000. In your essay, be sure to describe how your parents’ commitment to community service and safety has inspired you. Also highlight your own efforts to give back to your community. 

20. Arthur and Gladys Cervenka Scholarship Award

Amount: Varies

Provider: SME Education Foundation

Eligibility Requirements:

• Minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
• Enrolled full-time at a college or university
• Completed a minimum of 30 hours of coursework 
• Declared field of study in manufacturing, engineering, technology, or a related field

Application Requirements: Transcript, proof of enrollment

Sponsored by the SME Education Foundation, the Arthur and Gladys Cervenka Scholarship Award seeks to identify and support the next generation of successful engineers. While it’s not a requirement for eligibility, this award gives preference to students who attend a Florida college or university. Keep in mind that unlike a lot of scholarships, this program is only open to currently enrolled undergraduate students, not to high school seniors.

21. Friends of 440 Scholarship

Amount: Varies

Provider:  Friends of 440 Scholarship Fund

Eligibility Requirements:

• Minimum GPA of 2.7 on a 4.0 scale (for high school seniors)
• Minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale (for undergraduate students)
• Enrolled or planning to enroll full-time in a college or university 

Application Requirements: Transcript, completed FAFSA®, SAT and/or ACT scores, list of extracurricular activities, copy of applicant and/or parent/guardian’s most recent tax return 

The Friends of 440 Scholarship is available to dependents or descendants of workers who received benefits under the Florida Workers’ Compensation Law. That means that if your parent suffered an injury or death as a result of their job, you could receive some compensation for your hardship in the form of this scholarship award. The award is meant to support students pursuing their post-secondary education in Florida (in other words, graduate students aren’t eligible). As part of your application, be sure to provide information about your relative who received Florida Workers’ Compensation benefits. 

22. Florida Realtors Education Foundation Student Scholarship

Amount: Varies

Provider: Florida Realtors Education Foundation

Eligibility Requirements:

• Resident of Florida
• Enrolled or planning to enroll in a college or university or graduate program

Application Requirements: Transcript, 3 letters of recommendation, completed FAFSA®, proof of acceptance or enrollment

The Florida Realtors Education Foundation Student Scholarship wants to make higher education a possibility for all Floridians, no matter their dream school. Unlike many state-specific scholarships, this one applies to Florida residents who plan to pursue a college education out of state. However, to be eligible, you must plan to return to work in Florida after you graduate. While this selection committee loves to see future realtors apply, applicants are not required to pursue a degree in real estate. The award amount varies, but the minimum prize begins at $1,000 and may be renewed once. 

23. Arts for Life! Scholarship

Amount: $1,000

Provider: Arts for Life! 

Eligibility Requirements:

• Enrolled as a high school senior

Application Requirements: Essay, portfolio

Columbo Bush, the former first lady of Florida, was always passionate about artistic expression and its role in students’ lives. After leaving public office, Bush created the Arts of Life! Scholarship, which awards 25 awards annually to students who show creative talent. Students with a flair for creative writing, performing arts, visual arts, or music should apply for this award, which is completely merit-based. This application is available to students in public, private, and online schools. It’s also available to students who were homeschooled in the state of Florida.

24. Molly Turner Broadcast Scholarship

Amount: $1,000

Provider: Society of Professional Journalists – Florida Chapter

Eligibility Requirements:

• Minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
• Female
• Enrolled or planning to enroll in a college or university in Florida
• Declared field of study in broadcast journalism 

Application Requirements: Transcript, 1 letter of recommendation, completed FAFSA®, essay, resume, relevant work experience

This Florida-based scholarship was created to honor the spirit and talent of the first female news anchor in South Florida, Molly Turner. If you’re a female student interested in (or currently pursuing) a career in broadcast journalism, be sure to check out the Molly Turner Broadcast Scholarship to help supplement your financial aid. 

25. Jesse B. Smith Memorial Scholarship

Amount: $1,000

Provider: Official City of Jacksonville and Duval County Government

Eligibility Requirements:

• Enrolled or planning to enroll in a college or university in Duval County
• Resident of Duval county
• Declared field of study in city planning, urban studies, public administration, or a related field

Application Requirements: 2 letters of recommendation, personal statement, work experience, list of extracurricular activities, list of honors and awards

If you’re from Duval County and plan to pursue a degree program in urban planning or a related field, the Jesse B. Smith Memorial Scholarship could be a great fit for you. This award is open to anyone from high school seniors to college seniors.  So if you live in Duval County and meet these eligibility requirements, the application committee wants to hear what sets you apart — whether that’s community service, leadership roles, or participation in local government. 

Still need help finding college scholarships?

Figuring out how to pay college tuition can be a painstaking process, and with so many scholarships out there, it’s tough to know which to apply for. That’s where Going Merry Comes in. 

When you sign up for Going Merry, you’ll fill out a profile and immediately get matched to scholarships you’re eligible for.  From there, make shortlists, save and reuse documents like essays, and even apply for groups of scholarships all at once. With the help of Going Merry, stop wasting time finding scholarships, and spend more time applying to boost your chances of winning. Sign up here.

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Brittany Mailhot

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