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Top Florida Scholarships in 2022
The state of Florida is home to a number of stellar colleges and universities. The more temperate weather and lower cost of living are additional perks of attending school in sunny Florida. Luckily, there are also a number of great Florida scholarships for students!
Also see: Scholarships360’s free scholarship search tool
Jump ahead to:
- Florida student loan debt snapshot
- Top Florida scholarships
- Merit scholarships at Florida colleges and universities
- Additional Florida resources
- Frequently asked questions
- Keep on reading
Florida college loan debt snapshot
According to the Department of Education, in total, Florida residents owe $100.9 billion in federal student loan debt. 2,623,600 student borrowers owe an average of $38,459 each (those numbers do not include private loans). Around 48% of loan borrowers are under the age of 35. As you are starting your higher education journey, remember that scholarships allow students to take less loans. Make sure that you apply to as many as you qualify for.
Keep on reading to learn more about top scholarships in Florida, as well as merit scholarships from colleges in Florida!
Top Florida scholarships
American Legion Department of Florida Scholarships
- Eligibility: Scholarship opportunities for high school students who are descendants of veterans, involved in Eagle Scouts, baseball, JROTC, debate, and shooting sports. There is also a general scholarship for descendants of veterans
- Amount: $500 – $2,500
- Deadline: Varies between January – July of your senior year of high school
Arts for Life! Scholarship
- Eligibility: High school seniors with Florida residency who submit an art portfolio sharing creative writing, dance, drama, music, or visual art
- Amount: $1,000
- Deadline: Early February of each year
Servin-Ellis Scholarship Fund, Florida Credit Union
- Eligibility: Any high school senior who is enrolled or plans to enroll in the current year in undergraduate study. Must have a parent or guardian who is an FCU member or be a FCU member themselves
- Amount: Varies
- Deadline: February 9 annually
Selby Scholarship
- Eligibility: Graduating high school students in the following Florida counties: Sarasota, Manatee, Charlotte or DeSoto. Must be enrolling at a college or university full-time. Have a 3.0+ GPA. Demonstrate financial need. Must display evidence of personal growth
- Amount: Based on applicant’s financial need
- Deadline: March 1 annually (Opens January 1)
Sunshine Opportunity Scholarship
- Eligibility: High-achieving seniors (GPA of 3.0 or higher) with financial need who have overcome significant obstacles in life. Applicants must attend public or private high schools in Pinellas, Hillsborough, or Pasco County
- Amount: Up to $25,000
- Deadline: March 2 annually (Opens December 1)
Florida Realtors Education Foundation Student Scholarship Program
- Eligibility: Florida high school seniors who will be attending an undergraduate college or university, students currently enrolled in an undergraduate college or university, and students pursuing graduate studies. Students considering a career in Real Estate or Real Estate related fields will be given special consideration, but students of any major are welcome to apply
- Amount: Starting at $1,000
- Deadline: Around April 10 annually
Florida State Golf Association (FSGA) Scholarships
- Eligibility: High school seniors with financial need who are involved with golf. Must have competed in a minimum of three FSGA or FJT tournaments. Must be a Florida resident and US citizen for at least one year before applying. Have a 3.0+ GPA
- Amount: Up to $10,000 per year
- Deadline: June 1 annually
Rick and Sherry Murray Medical Futures Scholarship
- Eligibility: Students who are legal residents of Florida who have or had a close family member diagnosed with ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease, and who want to pursue a degree in the medical profession as a result of their experience. Must have a 2.5+ GPA
- Amount: $8,000
- Deadline: First or second week of July annually
Florida Sea Grant
- Eligibility: Several scholarships are available to students attending Florida institutions and pursuing a degree with direct application to ocean science and appreciation
- Amount: Varies
- Deadline: Varies. Most are in June annually
Merit scholarships at Florida colleges and universities
University of South Florida
- Eligibility: Be a Florida resident entering USF as a first-year. Have a 3.8+ GPA. Have a 1280+ SAT score or 27+ ACT score
- Amount: Up to $18,000 per year
- Deadline: January 15
Florida Institute of Technology
- Eligibility: Awards are based on an applicant’s academic performance in high school (weighted GPA plus standardized test scores)
- Amount: Up to the cost of tuition, room/board, and fees
- Deadline: February 1
Ringling College of Art and Design
- Eligibility: All applicants are automatically considered for merit scholarships based on portfolio score and GPA
- Amount: $6,000 – $25,000 per year for 4 years
- Deadline: February 15 for the following Fall semester
Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University
- Eligibility: Have a FAMU recalculated grade point average of 4.00 or better. Have a 1440+ SAT score with a 700+ on the math section or have a 32 ACT score with a 32 on the match section. Have a 76+ score on the ALEKS
- Amount: Cost of tuition minus other awards
- Deadline: June 15
Florida State University
- Eligibility: High school seniors who are admitted into the Florida State University Honors Program.
- Amount: $38,000
- Deadline: Apply to FSU by November 1
University of Miami
- Eligibility: Incoming first-years to the UM. Demonstrate significant academic accomplishments in a challenging and well-rounded curriculum, strong work ethic, and meaningful participation in extracurricular activities. Decision made based on admission application
- Amount: Full cost of tuition
- Deadline: Apply to UM by November 1
Florida International University
- Eligibility: Be a newly admitted FIU student. Must have a 4.0+ GPA. Must have a 1280+ SAT score or 27+ ACT score. Students must prove a record of high academic achievement to qualify
- Amount: 75% to full tuition, fees, room and board
- Deadline: November 12
Eckerd College
- Eligibility: First-year students attending Eckerd College. Based on high achievement in academics, arts, athletics, and/or leadership show on admissions application
- Amount: $12,000 – $22,000 per year
- Deadline: Considered upon admission to Eckerd College
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
- Eligibility: Scholarships are based on merit, talent, or FAFSA-based financial need
- Amount: $500 – $5,000
- Deadline: Varies based on scholarship. Browse them in the ERNIE
Flagler College
- Eligibility: All students are automatically considered for merit scholarships.
- Amount: $2,000 – $4,500
- Deadline: Considered upon admission to Flagler College
New College of Florida
- Eligibility: Be a resident of Florida and newly admitted to New College of Florida. Have a 3.6+ GPA
- Amount: $1,000 – $3,000 per year
- Deadline: Considered upon admission to New College of Florida
Rollins College
- Eligibility: Be admitted to Rollins College. Have a 3.1+ GPA. Have a 1170+ SAT score. Have a 24+ ACT score
- Amount: $3,000 – full cost of tuition
- Deadline: Considered upon admission to Rollins College
Stetson University
- Eligibility: Incoming students to Stetson University. Awarded on the basis of the high school record, standardized testing, and community service. Decision made based on admissions application
- Amount: Up to $31,000
- Deadline: Considered upon admission to Stetson University
University of Central Florida
- Eligibility: Exceptional high school students who are accepted to UCF for a summer or fall semester by Undergraduate Admissions
- Amount: Varies
- Deadline: Considered upon admission to UCF
University of Florida
- Eligibility: Incoming students to UF. Scholarships are awarded based on grades and standardized test scores as well as extracurricular involvement, leadership, community service, and personal essay. Decision made based on admission application
- Amount: Up to $10,000 per year for in-state students; up to $20,000 per year for out-of-state students
- Deadline: Considered upon admission to UF
University of Tampa
- Eligibility: High school applicants entering University of Tampa. Must enroll full-time. Show leadership or community service on admission application
- Amount: $15,000 – $18,000 per year
- Deadline: Considered upon admission to UT
Additional Florida resources
Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program
High-achieving resident Floridians (including high school seniors) with financial need are eligible to apply for full-tuition renewable scholarships from the Florida Department of Education. Applications are due by August 31 of each year.
Florida’s 2+2 Program
To be eligible for Florida’s 2 + 2 Program, students must first earn an associate’s degree at a Florida state college. Students who earn an associate’s degree at a state college are automatically guaranteed admission to a Florida state university.
Florida Shines resources for paying for college
Florida Shines has a library of resources for in-state students about paying for and saving for secondary education. They also have resources for selecting a school in the state.
Adult Education Works at Miami- Dade Technical Colleges
The Adult & Career Technical Education programs at Miami-Dade Technical Colleges prepare students to enter the career of their choice through technical training. They also offer courses to prepare students to take the citizenship exam, learn English as a second language and/or help prepare for the GED or high school diploma.
Collier Community Foundation Scholarship Connector
This scholarship search tool requires no login or personal information besides your educational and career goals and background. The tool matches your information with scholarships from around Florida.
FAFSA guide
On October 1st of every year, the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) opens nationwide. Florida students should complete the FAFSA to be eligible for federal student aid as well as some scholarships.
Frequently asked questions
Does Florida offer free college?
The Florida Office of Student Financial Assistance offers the Bright Futures Scholarship Program, which awards full-tuition scholarships to students with financial need. Additionally, many Florida institutions offer merit scholarships that cover the full cost of tuition.
Keep reading
- Top scholarships for women
- Top no-essay scholarships
- Easy scholarships to apply for
- Top scholarships for high school seniors
- Top scholarships for Black students
