What is the FAFSA?

The FAFSA is the application you will use to apply for the federal student aid programs offered by the U.S. Department of Education (ED). Completing and submitting the FAFSA is free and easier than ever, and it gives you access to the largest source of financial aid to help pay for college or career school 

Why complete a FAFSA?

If you don’t complete a FAFSA, you could be missing out on a lot of financial aid. Federal Student Aid uses the data on your FAFSA to calculate an Expected Family Contribution (EFC). The EFC is the number that’s used to determine your eligibility for federal student aid and is an indicator of your family’s financial strength to pay for college or career school. The EFC is not the amount of money that your family must provide. The EFC is an index that the college will use to determine how much financial aid (grants, loans, or workstudy) you would receive if you were to attend that school.

Find scholarships, other financial aid and internships from more than 2,200 programs, totaling nearly $6 billion.

Included on this site is a regularly updated document outlining a sample of scholarships that are available

Students must APPLY for the scholarship by submitting the Florida Financial Aid Application (FFAA) beginning October 1 of their senior year and by no later than August 31 after high school graduation.

Bright Futures Awards and Requirements

Check Requirements Status for Eligibility- you can monitor your Bright Futures eligibility by following these directions and logging on to the website.

Requirements for Bright Futures have changed starting with the Class of 2021, Please review the new matrix for informaion.

Class of 2021 BF Matrix

The more effort you put in, the more opportunities you have to earn a scholarship. Complete all six, and you’re eligible to earn $40,000. Scholarships will be awarded through monthly drawings to students who complete each action.

The process begins with Step 1 in the junior year and culminates with Step 6 in the senior year. 

Ranging from $500 to $5,000, numerous scholarship opportunities are available to high school graduating seniors in the Pinellas County Public School system. Students only need to fill out one application to match their needs and future interests with nearly 100 scholarship opportunities.

Due February 1, 2020

Paul Toomey intends to award one scholarship to a high school graduating senior who has excelled in their educational pursuit of a computer-related field. Criteria for the scholarship includes the demonstration of above-average achievement and motivation towards advancing his/her education in a computer-related field, outstanding service to their school and/or the community, involvement in extracurricular events, and admirable leadership.

The value of the Paul Toomey IT Scholarship for 2020 is $3,500. *Scholarship funds can be used to pay for credit hours, housing, or curriculum supplies/books.

(5:00 PM) on April 3, 2020

Application Materials

The Beirut Veterans of America is pleased to provide an opportunity for any college or trade-school student to apply for a $1,000 scholarship. Below are the details on eligibility and an online form for applications.

The application process opens on Sunday November 10 and all applications must be submitted by January 31, 2020. There will be two scholarships awarded by May 1, 2020.

Scholarship opportunity for Pinellas County athletes who are seniors.   The scholarship is offered by the Professional Athletes Foundation,  Tampa Bay Chapter.  

The deadline to apply for the scholarship is January 24^th.

Scholarship Application Packet

$1,000 per year grants to help with college expenses for students who required significant financial need above and beyond the Pell Grant

Applications are available onlilne. Please see link below

A completed application packet includes the online scholarship application, answers to the essay questions and one letter of recommendation . One application for hundreds of scholarship

Presidential Scholarship recipients will be selected annually based on merit and test scores. The program is open to individuals who meet the following criteria:

• Pinellas County high school senior anticipating a May graduation with a standard high school diploma
• Florida resident
• U.S. citizen, permanent resident alien or Dream Act eligible
• Anticipate a weighted cumulative grade point average of at least 3.5 at the end of the seventh semester of high school
• Have taken the ACT/SAT Exams

The Presidential Scholarship covers up to 60 credit hours of continuous enrollment (fall and spring; summer optional) at St. Petersburg College beginning with the fall term immediately following high school graduation. It does not cover access fees, lab fees, books, supplies, or Corporate Training classes. The scholarship is not transferable to other colleges or universitiesThe scholarship is awarded based on academic merit and test scores. Due to limited funding, not all eligible students will be awarded. All applicants will be notified regarding the status of their application beginning March 6, 2020.

https://www.spcollege.edu/financial-aid/types-of-financial-aid/scholarships/institutional-scholarships/presidential-scholarship

Johnnie Ruth Clark Scholarship
The opportunity to apply for Dr. Johnnie Ruth Clarke Scholarships is offered to disadvantaged and other underrepresented Pinellas County school students who meet all of the following:

• Graduate from a Pinellas County high school with a standard high school diploma
• Are U.S. citizens or permanent resident aliens
• Have a weighted cumulative grade point average of at least 3.00 at the end of the seventh semester of high school

https://www.spcollege.edu/financial-aid/types-of-financial-aid/scholarships/institutional-scholarships/johnnie-ruth-clarke-scholarship

SPC Foundation Scholarships

With hundreds of scholarships available, you could be eligible to receive funding for tuition, books and supplies.

http://spcollegefoundation.spcollege.edu/scholarships-3/

The scholarship is a total of $1,000 per year (distributed $500 per semester) to help cover cost of books and fees.  This scholarship can be applied at any undergraduate institution offering classes leading to a career in any of the above stated areas.  Continuation of the scholarship for graduate studies will be considered on a case by case basis.

The Department of Florida offers five scholarships for Florida’s high school seniors: a General Scholarship, Eagle Scout of the Year, JROTC Cadet of the Year, Junior Shooting Sports, and the High School State Oratorical Contest.

Applications are either due Dec or March depending on scholarship

To Apply, contact Gail Van Zanten Gailvz15@gmail.com for information and application materials. Contact person is a member of local P.E.O. Chapter DN.

Nomination Request

ELIGIBILITY: Must be a GRADUATING HIGH SCHOOL SENIOR IN 2020

Ability to relate to and work with people of all ages.

Academic aptitude and achievement. Commitment to service, with special interest in teaching children and youth.

Economic need. Emphasis is placed on SAT and/or ACT scores. The minimum score for SAT is 1,000 or above (Reading and Math sections) or ACT is 22 or above. Participation and leadership in school and community activities. For additional information and to apply, go to:

The Jack Kent Cooke Foundation’s scholarship programs are designed to encourage and support outstanding students who work hard and have financial need. Our scholarships provide financial assistance and academic support to high school, undergraduate, and graduate students.