State Grants for Florida

Florida State Grants and Scholarship Programs

The Florida Department of Education assigns state funding to all eligible Institutions. These allocated funds may include Florida Student Assistance Grant (FSAG), Bright Futures and Scholarships for Children and Spouses of Deceased or Disabled Veterans (CSDDV), among others. The US Department of Education regulates the requirements in which the Institution must abide by for awarding these funds..

Florida Student Assistance Grant Program (FSAG)

The Florida Student Assistance Grant (FSAG) Program is a need- based grant program available to Florida undergraduate students who are enrolled in degree -seeking programs, who demonstrate financial need and are enrolled at Institutions which participate in the FSAG program.

To be considered eligible for Florida Student Assistance Grant, you must:

  • Complete your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for the current aid year, to demonstrate financial need, by the Institution’s deadline. Funding is limited so applicants are encouraged to complete their FAFSA early.
  • Be a Florida resident and a US citizen or eligible non- citizen for at least one year.
  • Not owe a repayment or be in a defaulted status with any state or federal grant, loans, or scholarship programs unless satisfactory repayment arrangements have been made.
  • Not have previously earned a bachelor’s degree.
  • Be enrolled for a minimum of twelve (12) credit hours per semester, in an Associate or bachelor’s degree program.
  • A renewal applicant must maintain a 2.0 grade point average (GPA).
  • Meet Florida’s general eligibility requirements for receipt of student funding.

The Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program

The Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program provides scholarships to students based on high school academic achievement. This program is funded by the State of Florida and consists of varying award levels and criteria.

To be considered eligible for the Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program, you must:

  • Submit your Florida Financial Aid Application (FFAA) by August 31, after high school graduation.
  • Be either a Florida resident and US citizen or eligible non- citizen.
  • Graduate with a standard high school diploma or its equivalent from a Florida high school.
  • Be enrolled in at least six (6) credit hours in a degree or certificate seeking program at a Florida Institution.
  • Meet specific coursework and minimum grade point average (GPA) as defined by the Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program. More information can be found by visiting: https://www.floridastudentfinancialaidsg.org/PDF/FAS-FMS.pdf

Assistance (OSFA) website

Scholarships for Children and Spouses of Deceased or Disabled Veterans

The Scholarships for Children and Spouses of Deceased or Disabled Veterans (CSDDV) provides an award to dependent children or un-remarried spouses of qualified Florida veterans.

For children to be considered eligible for the Children and Spouses of Deceased or Disabled Veterans, they must:

  • Submit a completed, error-free Florida Financial Aid Application (FFAA) by April 1st.
  • Be between the ages of 16 and 22.
  • Be initially eligible prior to his or her 23rd birthday.
  • Be a dependent child of a qualified veteran whose official military and residency status is certified by the Florida Department of Veterans Affairs
  • Receive educational opportunity until such a time as the parent classified as prisoner of war or missing in action is returned alive or otherwise classified.

For spouses to be considered eligible for the Children and Spouses of Deceased or Disabled Veterans, they must:

  • Submit a completed, error-free Florida Financial Aid Application (FFAA) by April 1st.

As certified by the Florida Department of Veterans Affairs, the spouse of a disabled veteran must:

  • Be married to a qualified veteran whose official military and residency status is certified by the Florida Department of Veterans Affairs.
  • Have been a Florida resident for one year immediately preceding the occurrence of the veteran’s disability.
  • Be married to the disabled veteran for one or more years
  • Accept scholarship funding only during the duration of the marriage and up to the point of termination of the marriage by dissolution or annulment.

As certified by the Florida Department of Veterans Affairs, the spouse of a deceased veteran must:

  • Be un-remarried.
  • Have been the spouse of a qualified veteran whose official military and residency status is certified by the Florida Department of Veterans Affairs.
  • Apply for the scholarship within 5 years after the veteran’s death.

The student must:

  • Be a Florida resident and a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen.
  • 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.
  • Not have previously received a baccalaureate degree.
  • Enroll in an undergraduate degree or certificate program for a minimum of six credit hours, 180 clock hours, or the equivalent, per term at an eligible participating postsecondary institution.
  • A student who is enrolled in at least six credit hours at an eligible Florida public postsecondary institution will receive an award equal to the amount of tuition and required registration fees.
  • A student, who is enrolled in a private postsecondary institution, shall receive a fixed award calculated by using the average matriculation and fee calculation for full-time attendance at a public postsecondary institution at the comparable level. A student enrolled part-time shall receive a reduced award by either one-half or three-fourths of the maximum award.

More information about the Scholarship for Children and Spouses of Deceased or Disabled Veterans, can be found by visiting:https://www.floridastudentfinancialaidsg.org/PDF/factsheets/CSDDV.pdf

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