Financial Aid - Grant Information
The following grant programs are available only to undergraduate students - those working towards their first bachelor's degrees. These grants do not have to be paid back by the student and generally require exceptional financial need.
Federal Pell Grant Program
This federally sponsored program provides financial aid to those who need it to attend approved colleges. Awards range from $200 to $4700 per academic year depending on a family's financial situation.
To apply for this program, a student must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) from the U. S. Department of Education. This form can be obtained from the Financial Aid Office. Since there is no priority date for this program, the form should be completed and sent to the appropriate agency as soon as possible prior to the academic year.
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG)
A very limited number of SEOG awards are made to those with exceptional financial need who are also Pell Grant recipients. Awards range from a minimum of $100. To apply for this program, a student must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
Other Federal Student Aid Grant Programs
Information on other Federal Student Aid Programs can be obtained by visiting the following website: Student Aid on the Web.
Florida Resident Access Grant (FRAG)
This program is available to full-time students who have been Florida residents for at least one year prior to the beginning of classes. This one-year Florida residency is also required for the parents of the dependent students. Transfer students and renewals must have a 2.0 cumulative GPA on all previous college work. Awards may range up to $2800 per academic year depending on state funding.
To apply for this program, a student must complete the Florida Resident Access Grant Application which is available for download and at the Financial Aid Office. Since there is no priority date for this program, the FRAG application should be received by the Financial Aid Office as soon as possible prior to the academic year.
Florida Student Assistance Grant Program (FSAG)
Priority Date: April 15. This program is available only to full-time students with high financial need. Students and the parents of dependent students must also be Florida residents for at least one year prior to the beginning of classes. Awards usually range up to $1200 per academic year depending on available funds.
To apply for this program, a student must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This form can be obtained from the Financial Aid Office. To be given top consideration, the FAFSA must be received by the processor on or before the priority date of April 15.
Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program
The Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program establishes three lottery-funded scholarships to reward Florida high school graduates for high academic achievement. The Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program is comprised of the following three awards:
Florida Academic Scholars Award
Florida Medallion Scholars Award
Florida Gold Seal Vocational Scholars Award
Florida Academic Scholars Awards range up to $4000 per year if sufficient funds are available to make full awards. Florida Medallion Scholars Awards and Florida Gold Seal Vocational Scholars Awards may range up to $2600 per year if sufficient funds are available.
To be eligible, a student must:
- Be a Florida resident and a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen. A student’s residency and citizenship status are determined by the postsecondary institution.
- Not owe a repayment or be in default under any state or federal grant, loan, or scholarship program unless satisfactory arrangements to repay have been made.
- Meet specific coursework and minimum grade point average (GPA) and test score requirements which are outlined on the Office of Student Financial Assistance (OSFA) website www.floridastudentfinancialaid.org/SSFAD/bf/acadrequire.htm.
- Academic Top Scholars Award – The Florida Academic Scholar with the highest academic ranking in each county will receive a $750 award per semester in addition to the Florida Academic Scholars award, prorated by term and hours and excluding summer term.
To apply initially, a student must:
- Submit a fully completed Initial Student Florida Financial Aid Application during his/her last year in high school (after December 1 and prior to graduation) by accessing www.FloridaStudentFinancialAid.org online (select State Grants, Scholarships & Applications, then Apply Here). The application gives the Florida Department of Education (FDOE) permission to evaluate the student’s high school transcript and standardized test scores for eligibility for a Bright Futures Scholarship and other state scholarships and grants.
- Apply during his/her last year in high school, before graduation, or forfeit all future eligibility for a Bright Futures Scholarship.
The scholarships are renewable each year. Visit Florida Student Scholarship Grant Programs website for the Florida Bright Futures renewal requirements.
Florida Mary McLeod Bethune Scholarship Challenge Grant Fund
This program offered by the State of Florida provides financial assistance initially to Florida high school seniors with a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or above. An applicant must be a Florida resident and demonstrate financial need. Awards range up to $3000 annually depending on available funds.
To apply for this program a student must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and the Mary McLeod Bethune Scholarship Challenge Grant Application Form. The application for this program should be submitted to the Financial Aid Office postmarked by April 30 of the senior year of high school.
