Scholarships for Florida High School Graduates

I'm a high school junior in Florida and starting my college search. What scholarships should I be looking at that are specifically for Florida high school graduates? It’d be awesome to get some insight on what I should focus on.

As a high school junior in Florida, you are uniquely positioned to take advantage of a number of state-specific scholarships. Here are a few that might be of interest:

1. Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program: This is a lottery-funded scholarship program that rewards Florida high school graduates who demonstrate academic achievement; important to note that it's also GPA and test score-dependent. There are three awards under this program: Florida Academic Scholars award, Florida Medallion Scholars award, and the Florida Gold Seal Vocational Scholars award.

2. José Martí Scholarship Challenge Grant Fund: This scholarship provides financial aid assistance to students of Hispanic origin who will attend public or eligible private institutions in Florida. It's available to both high school seniors and undergraduate students in Florida.

3. The FSU Service Scholar Program: For students planning to attend Florida State University (FSU), this program recognizes students with an outstanding record of service and leadership, providing an annual scholarship and programmatic support.

4. George Snow Scholarship Fund: This scholarship is open to high school seniors in select Florida counties (including, but not limited to, Palm Beach and Broward) planning to attend any accredited community college, four-year college, or university.

Remember, scholarships often have specific eligibility requirements, such as a minimum GPA or demonstrated financial need, so make sure to read the fine print carefully. And don’t forget to look into scholarships offered directly by the colleges you’re considering, as well as ones tied to your intended major or career field.

Additionally, consider using the scholarship search engine in Appily to find other opportunities. For instance, you may qualify for local or community scholarships offered by local businesses, religious organizations, or service clubs.

Lastly, be sure to focus on keeping your grades up, participating in extracurricular activities and community service; many scholarships look for well-rounded students who contribute to their community. Good luck with your search!