How do low-income families find college scholarships in Florida?

I'm trying to help my family figure out how I can afford college, and we live in Florida. Are there any specific scholarships for low-income families that I should be aware of or start applying for?

Absolutely, there are several scholarships available specifically for low-income students not only nationwide, but also within Florida. As a resident, you might want to consider both statewide and local scholarships targeted at students from low-income families.

A key scholarship to note is the Florida Bright Futures scholarship program. This is a lottery-funded scholarship that rewards Florida high school graduates who demonstrate high academic achievement. In order to be eligible, you need to meet specific GPA, ACT or SAT score (unless exempt due to the pandemic), and community service hour requirements. There are multiple award levels with varying amounts of aid, some covering 100% of tuition at public colleges in Florida.

Florida also has the First Generation Matching Grant Program (FGMG). FGMG is specifically for students who are the first in their family to seek a college degree. The program will match funds raised by the institution's foundation on a dollar-for-dollar basis.

The Jose Marti Scholarship Challenge Grant Fund is another need-based merit scholarship. It provides financial assistance to Hispanic-origin students who are attending public or private institutions in Florida.

Furthermore, many Florida colleges offer their own scholarship programs tailored to assist low-income students. For instance, Miami Dade College offers the American Dream Scholarship which covers tuition, fees, and books for two years to eligible students.

Make sure to start the scholarship process early and meet all the application deadlines. Often, these scholarships are first-come, first-served. Also, remember to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as soon as you can. The FAFSA determines your eligibility for federal grants, which you won't have to pay back.

Lastly, take advantage of scholarship search platforms, such as Appily, to find more opportunities. You can filter by criteria such as low-income, your intended major, and location to find more scholarships that you may be eligible for.

Your local high school should also have resources and support to help you in your scholarship and college finance search. You can reach out to your guidance counselor for more information and support.