Scholarships Unique To Florida Schools

The State of Florida contains nearly 100 colleges and universities scattered throughout its peninsula and panhandle. In the last year it also distributed over $1 billion in scholarships to these various institutions of higher learning through its state lottery. Obviously, any high school student would like to get some of that financial aid when attending one of these homes for advanced education.

Actually, what the state does is divide that money into three different programs. The first is the Academic Scholars Award (FAS), where the student needs a 3.0 grade point average to qualify. The second is the Medallion Scholars Award (FMS), where the standards are a little lower at a 2.75 grade average. Lastly there is the Gold Seal Vocational Scholars award (GVS), which again needs a 2.75 grade point average. A student can apply for one of the three through the Florida's Dept. of Education.

The difference between the three is the amounts they award, as well as what degrees they can be applied to. Both the FAS and FMS are for scholastic scholarships, but the former awards a maximum of $125 per credit hour while the latter does $94 per credit hour. The FAS also has a special subcategory called the Academic Top Scholar that can put in an additional $53 per credit hour for exceptional students.

Lastly, the GVS is geared towards vocational certification, primarily for a number of technological professions. Like the FMS it will also award up to $94 per credit hour.

If that isn't enough, the state also administers four other scholarship programs. The first is the Mary McLeod Bethune Scholarship, which is only applicable to four different universities. To apply, the student must have a 3.0 grade point average, and display a demonstrable need for the funds. Last year, the maximum amount recipients received was $3,000 for the academic year.

There is also the Robert C. Byrd Honors Scholarship, which is open to both on campus and virtual colleges throughout the U.S. Besides being a Florida state resident, an applicant must be nominated for the Byrd by a school administrator who carries that kind of authority. If selected by a final committee, the student receives $1,500 per academic year.

Then there is the Rosewood Family Scholarship. It is awarded to direct descendants of the town of Rosewood, Florida, who were slaughtered back in 1923. Each year, 25 students who can prove their lineage are awarded a scholarship of $4,000 with the possibility of renewal to a four-year academic or accredited vocational school. They must also have a 2.0 grade point average minimum to apply.