Do you want free money for college? Scholarships are the way to go!

Use this extensive list of scholarships to match your passions, abilities and post-secondary plans.  Apply early for all the scholarships that match your interests – you may be surprised at what you receive! 

Local scholarships can really add to your college treasure chest!

You’ll be surprised how many businesses and community organizations offer money to local students to help reach their education dreams.  Reach out to the chamber of commerce, city/county leaders and family friends who are business owners. You’re the one they want to support, so you’ll have a better chance at success.  And don’t forget your high school guidance counselor; they are a great source of local scholarship opportunities.  Do your research and apply today!

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Search these free sites for scholarships and applications.
Cappex.com
CollegeScholarships.org
FastWeb.com
Niche.com/colleges/scholarships/
Scholarships.com
TUN.com/Scholarships
Unigo.com

Academic/Leadership

Elks Most Valuable Student
$4,000 to $50,000 over four years | High school seniors. Scholarship, leadership, financial need. | 11/15/22

Equitable Excellence Scholarship
$2,500 to $20,000 | High school seniors. Community involvement and achievement. | 12/15/22

Foot Locker Scholar Athletes Multiple awards of $20,000 over four years | High school seniors currently involved in high school, intramural or community-based sports. Leadership and achievement in sports and academics. | December 2022

LifeSmarts Scholarship
$500 | High school seniors who participate in LifeSmarts and conduct community service outreach. | March 2023

Simon Community Scholarships
Up to $1,500 | High school seniors in every community that is home to a Simon mall; focus on first-generation college students and those with financial need. | 2/15/23

Community Service

Burger King Scholars
$1,000 to $50,000 | High school seniors based on GPA, work experience, extracurricular activities and community service. | 12/15/22

Do Something Scholarships
$1,000 to $5,000 | U.S. citizens between the ages of 13 and 25 who complete volunteer, social change and civic action campaigns | Deadlines vary

Gloria Barron Prize for Young Heroes
$10,000 | Students up to age 18 who have executed a service project to help the community or protect the environment | 4/15/23

Jimmy Rane Foundation
$500 to $5,000/year, renewable | High school seniors with demonstrated financial need who exhibit academic excellence leadership skills and community involvement. | February 2023

Prudential Emerging Visionaries
Up to $15,000 | Students 14 to 18 who create solutions to financial and societal challenges. | 11/5/22

Stephen J. Brady Stop Hunger Scholarships
$5,000 plus $5,000 grant to your favorite hunger-related charity | Students ages 5 to 25 who are driving awareness and mobilizing youth to be catalysts for innovative models that provide solutions to eliminate hunger in the U.S. | 12/5/22

Zonta Scholarships
$1,500 to $8,000 | Zonta supports scholarships and awards for women and girls pursuing careers in fields traditionally dominated by men. | Deadlines vary

Essay Contests

B. Davis Scholarship
$1,000 | High school juniors and seniors; 1,000-word essay: Describe the three characteristics of leadership you value most and why they are so important. | May 2023

Community Contribution Scholarship
$1,500 to $7,000 | High school students must submit an essay that describes an action plan developed to address a community need. | July 2023

Florida School Counselor Association
$250 | High school seniors. Essay: How do school counseling programs positively impact students? | April 2023

Optimist International
$2,500 | Essay: How does an optimistic mindset change your tomorrow? Submitted to local Optimist Club. | February 2023

Regions Riding Forward^®
$5,000 | High school seniors. Essay about a Black American who has inspired you. | 3/31/23

Voice of Democracy Audio Essay Scholarship
$1,000 to $30,000 | High school students. Record an essay on this theme: Why is the veteran important? | 10/31/22

ETHNICITY

Arab American Institute
$1,000 | High school students of Arab descent. Essay about community service and what growing up Arab American means. | January 2023

Asian & Pacific Islander American Scholarship
$2,500 to $20,000 | Students of Asian or Pacific Islander heritage of financial need and the first in their family to attend college. | January 2023

Association of American Indian Affairs
$500 to $1,500 | Students enrolled in their tribe. Complete one application to be eligible for multiple awards. | 5/31/23

Gates Millennium Scholarship
$ Varies | Minority students who meet federal Pell Grant eligibility criteria and have demonstrated leadership abilities; must be nominated by an educator. | January 2023

Hispanic Scholarship Fund
$500 to $5,000 | Must be of Hispanic heritage; scholars selected based on merit and relative need. | 3/15/23

Jackie Robinson Foundation
Up to $35,000 over four years | Minority high school seniors. Demonstrate leadership and financial need. | January 2023

José Martí Scholarship Challenge Grant Fund
$2,000 | Need-based merit scholarship for eligible students of Hispanic origin who will attend Florida public or eligible private institutions. | July 2023

Ron Brown Scholar
$10,000 per year; total of $40,000 | African-American high school seniors. Academics, community service, financial need. | January 2023

Sons and Daughters of Italy in America Foundation
$4,000 to $25,000 | Various scholarships for students of Italian descent. | February 2023

United Negro College Fund
$ Varies | Initiate the online application proves to search thousands of scholarships. | Deadlines vary

FIELD OF STUDY

Aircraft Electronics Association
$1,000 to $3,000 | Multiple opportunities for students seeking careers in aircraft electronics or aviation. | Deadlines vary

American Culinary Federation (ACF)
$1,500 to $2,500 |

High school seniors accepted to an accredited, postsecondary college, with a major in either culinary or pastry arts, or be an ACF registered apprentice. | 10/31/22, 4/30/23

American Dental Education Association
$1,000 to $3,000 | High school seniors enrolled part- or full-time in a course of study in dental hygiene, education or public health. | November 2022

American Public Power Association
$2,000 | High school seniors planning to pursue a certificate or degree that could lead to a career at an electric utility. | 10/15/22, 2/15/23

American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Engineers
$3,000 | High school seniors accepted into pre-engineering, engineering or engineering technology programs leading to a bachelor’s degree in a course of study for the HVAC&R profession. | 5/1/23

Arts for Life
$1,000 | Florida high school seniors who demonstrate academic and artistic excellence in creative writing, dance, drama, music or the visual arts. | February 2023

AvaCare Medical
$1,000 | High school seniors who are planning to pursue a degree in the medical field. Preference given to students with a physical disability. Write about an act of kindness that inspired you. | 12/15/22

Florida Engineering Society
$ Varies | Multiple scholarships for students interested in pursuing a career in engineering. Submit application to local chapter representatives. | Deadlines vary

Florida Nursery, Growers and Landscape Association
Up to $3,000 | High school seniors preparing for a career in horticulture. | Deadlines vary

Florida Realtors Education Foundation
$1,000 and up | High school seniors who will attend an undergraduate college or university and pursue a real estate career preferred, but any major may apply. | 4/10/23

James Beard Foundation
$ Varies | High school seniors who plan to enroll in a course of study leading to an associate or baccalaureate degree at a licensed or accredited culinary school. | April 2023

Joe Francis Haircare
Up to $1,500 and up | High school seniors applying for entrance into cosmetology/barber school with financial need. | 6/1/23

National Center for Women & Information Technology Award
$ Varies | High school women in grades 9-12 who are U.S. citizens. Outstanding aptitude and interest in IT/computing and demonstrated leadership ability. | November 2022

National Society of High School Scholars Foundation
$ Varies | High school seniors planning careers in science, technology, engineering, mathematics, business, economics, public policy, environmental science or sustainability. | Deadlines vary

Society of Exploration Geophysicists
Up to $10,000 per academic year | High school senior planning to pursue a career in applied geophysics or a related field, such as geosciences, physics, geology, or earth and environmental sciences. | 3/1/23

Ted & Holly Scholarship
$3,000 | High school senior; essay on their life story, intended field of study and career, and how they will make an impact. | June 2023

Women in Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning, & Refrigeration
Up to $5,000 | Women entering the HVACR industry through college or trade school. | 6/1/23

Young Arts Awards Competition
$100 to $10,000 | Artists ages 15-18. The competition includes classical music, dance, design arts, jazz, film, photography, theater, visual arts, voice and writing. | 10/14/22

Florida or Specific County Residents

Bailey Family Foundation
$20,000 over four years | High school seniors in Hillsbourough, Pinellas or Polk counties. Scholastic achievement, community service and financial need. | 2/28/23

Brevard Schools Foundation
$250 to $5,000 | Multiple opportunities for high school seniors in Brevard county. | March 2023

Central Florida Foundation
$ Varies | Multiple opportunities for high school seniors from Central Florida. | February 2023

Community Foundation for Palm Beach and Martin Counties
$ Varies | Numerous opportunities for high school seniors in Palm Beach and Martin counties. | February 2023

Emerald Coast
$ Varies | Multiple scholarship programs for students in Bay, Okaloosa and Walton counties. | Deadlines vary

Selby Scholarship
Up to $7,000 | High school seniors from Charlotte, DeSoto, Manatee and Sarasota counties; personal values, scholastic achievement and financial need. | March 2023

Southern Scholarship Foundation Housing Award
Up to four years of college housing valued at nearly $50,000 | Housing opportunities primarily in Fort Myers, Gainesville and Tallahassee. | April 1 for Fall; November 1 for Spring semesters

Health or Disability

Jason Ackerman Foundation
$ Varies | High school seniors who survived a tragic illness or life-altering circumstance. Minimum 2.5 GPA. | May 2023

Lighthouse Guild Scholarship for the Blind
Up to $10,000 | High school seniors who are legally blind with strong academic accomplishments. | 3/31/23

National Center for Learning Disabilities
$2,500 to $10,000 | High school seniors with a documented learning disability, demonstrated perseverance and commitment to achieving personal goals despite the challenges of their disability. | April 2023

National Hemophilia Foundation
$ Varies | Multiple scholarships for promising students in the bleeding disorders community. | Deadlines vary

Patient Advocate Foundation Scholarships for Survivors
$3,000 renewable | Students who have been diagnosed with and/or been actively treated for a chronic, life-threatening or life-debilitating disease within the past five years. | March 2023

Rick and Sherry Murray Medical Futures Scholarship
Up to $8,000 | Students who have had a close family member diagnosed with ALS and who want to pursue a degree in the medical profession. | July 2023

Sertoma Hard of Hearing or Deaf Scholarship
$1,000 | High school seniors with clinically significant bilateral hearing loss pursuing four-year college degrees in any discipline, minimum 3.2 GPA. | 3/31/23

Members of Organizations

American Legion Department of Florida
$500 to $2,500 | Multiple opportunities for high school students focused on veteran and military influences. | Deadlines vary

Fisher House: Scholarships for Military Children
$2,000 | Dependent child of parents serving in or retired from the military, 3.0 GPA, essay. | February 2023

Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA)
$500 | High school seniors who are FBLA members. | 4/15/23

Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA) Scholarships
$1,500 | High school senior who is a child of a GCSAA member and pursuing a career in the golf course industry. | 4/15/23

Marine Technology Society
$1,000 to $2,500 | High school students accepted into full-time programs with focus in marine technology, marine engineering, and/or marine science. MTS membership required. | 4/15/23

National Association for the Self-Employed
$3,000 | High school seniors who are dependents of NASE members. Selection criteria include leadership abilities, strong academics and financial need. | 4/30/23

National Future Farmers of America
$500 to $10,000 | Numerous programs available primarily to FFA members. | January 2023

PDK International
$500 to $4,000 | Numerous opportunities for high school seniors who have a connection to PDK, or through membership in Educators Rising. | April 2023

Roofing Alliance
$5,000/year, renewable | Roofing industry company employees, family members and National Roofing Contractors Association members who pursue careers in the roofing or building construction industries. | January 2023

Special Interests

Florida State Golf Association
Up to $3,000 | High school seniors with financial need and involved with golf, including tournament competition. | March 2023

Florida Striders Club
$1,000 | High school seniors from Northeast Florida who are runners and active in track and field events. Essay required. | March 2023

FormSwift Scholarship
$1,000 | High school seniors. Create a business plan infographic for a company in one of the designated industries. | Year-around

Girls Impact the World Film Festival Scholarships
$1,000 to $5,000 | High school students. Submit an original short (3-6 minute) film focused on critical women’s issues such as girls’ education, ending violence against women, economic independence and beauty/body image. | June 2023

Scholastic Art & Writing
Up to $10,000 | 9th to 12th grade students whose creative work demonstrates originality, technical skill, and emergence of a personal voice or vision through art or writing. | Deadlines vary

Taco Bell Live Más Scholarship
$5,000 to $25,000 | High school students on track for a postsecondary education. Submit a 30-second to 2-minute video about you, your passion and how you would create a better future for your community. | January 2023

Vegetarian Resource Group
$5,000 to $10,000 | High school seniors. Demonstrated compassion, courage and a strong commitment to promoting a peaceful world through a vegetarian diet/lifestyle. | 2/20/23