Scholarship Opportunities

Tip from Diaz: Consider creating a separate email account specifically for college and scholarship opportunities (excluding Bright Futures and FAFSA). You'll likely receive a high volume of emails, and having a dedicated inbox will help you stay organized and avoid missing out on valuable opportunities.

📅 October 22nd
🕚 6-7:30pm
📍 Cafeteria

Topics will include:

• Bright Futures requirements
• Scholarship search tips and resources
• FAFSA and financial aid opportunities

RSVP Recommended-Click Here

How Financial Aid Works

01-Start Planning Early

02-Fill Out the FAFSA® Form

03- Review Your Aid Offer

04-Get Your Aid

SENIORS

12th Grade College Prep Checklists

https://studentaid.gov/resources/prepare-for-college/checklists/12th-grad

See below to get started early by creating your FSA ID before applications open.

(If you are attending school in Summer 2026, you must also complete the 25/26 FAFSA)

Create your FSA ID

Visit StudentAid.gov/fsa-id/create-account/launch to create an FSA ID. You’ll need your Social Security number, full name, and date of birth. You’ll be required to provide either your email address or your mobile phone number when you make your FSA ID. The FSA ID is a username and password combination you use to log in to U.S. Department of Education (ED) online systems. The first step toward accessing Financial Aid is creating a FSA ID for you and your contributors. Your FSA ID will be used to access your financial aid application. FSA IDs may take 1-3 days to authenticate.

Financial Aid Opens October 1, 2026.

Helpful Graphics

• Eligibility for Federal Student Aid
  
• Requisitos para recibir ayuda federal para estudiantes
  
• Getting a Federal Student Loan
  
• Cómo obtener un préstamo federal para estudiantes
  
• Types of Aid
• Tipos De Ayuda Economica

Helpful Links/Documents

• What it is & Why it Matters
• FAFSA® Changes Overview
  
• How to Create an FSA ID
• Creating and Using Your FSA
• What Information Do You Need to Complete the FAFSA?
  
• How to Complete the FAFSA
  
• Who is my "Parent" When I Fill it Out

The Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program has helped more than 917,000 Florida students attend a postsecondary institution. Bright Futures awards include: Florida Academic Scholars award (FAS), Florida Medallion Scholars award (FMS), Florida Gold Seal CAPE Scholars award (GSC) and the Florida Gold Seal Vocational Scholars award (GSV).

Go to www.FloridaStudentFinancialAidsg.org/SAPBFMAIN/SAPBFMAIN to find out how to qualify for a Bright Futures Scholarship.

FAS and FMS Eligibility

GSV Eligibility

Seniors, Applications open October 1, 2026.

How to Apply:

Step 1: Go to www.FloridaStudentFinancialAidsg.org/SAPBFMAIN/SAPBFMAIN to find out how to qualify for a Bright Futures Scholarship.

Step 2: Go to www.FloridaStudentFinancialAidsg.org and submit a completed, error-free Initial Student Florida Financial Aid Application (FFAA) no later than August 31 after high school graduation. The ACT®/SAT® must be taken no later than June 30 of your high school graduation year.

Step 3: Make the grade, earn the score…and graduate! The Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program was created to establish a lottery-funded scholarship program to reward any Florida high school graduate who merits recognition of high academic achievement. The graduate must enroll in a degree program, certificate program or applied technology program at an eligible Florida public or private postsecondary education institution.

Step 4: Know your responsibilities…apply, meet the requirements before graduation and throughout your college career. (Requirements are subject to change with each Florida Legislative session.)

**If you need assistance, Ms. Diaz will assist with the Student Florida Financial Aid Application. (FFAA).

SENIORS - CHECK YOUR BRIGHT FUTURES REPORT

Bright Futures Reports: These reports show your current Bright Futures status as of the evaluation date listed on the report.

• How to Find:

• Log into myPascoConnect - Click on the Xello icon. (You may need to search it at the top of the dashboard)
• Click on Plans at the top of the Xello Home Page - Click on College Planning
• Scroll to Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program - Click on Check Eligibility
• Your report will come up with ALL information regarding Bright Futures Eligibility

• Important Information
  • This report was generated recently. Any volunteer/work hours, test scores, or grades received around or after the evaluation date on the report may not be reflected.
  • This is NOT the application. Just a report showing your potential eligibility. You still need to fill out the application using the instructions in the Scholarship Newsletter starting on October 1st.
  • Ms. Diaz will be visiting senior English classes in November/December to assist with the application process.
  • You must send your SAT/ACT/CLT scores directly from your personal account to a Florida public institution or Bright Futures directly. That score is not sent from the school.

The links below will be updated with new scholarship opportunities as they become available, including those shared by the district. Be sure to check them regularly or visit Xello for additional details and resources related to these opportunities!

Local/Regional

OPEN NOW!

FL Eastern Star Grant Tuition (Due January 1st - See PDF Below)

WREC Educational Foundation, Inc (Due March 1, 2027)-The WREC Educational Foundation supports graduating high school seniors pursuing undergraduate study at an accredited Florida college, university, or technical school. Applicants must be dependents of WREC members, maintain a minimum 2.0 GPA, and submit all required documentation.

Metrohm STEM Scholarship (Due April 1st) - Access website not on school network to see form. The Metrohm USA STEM Scholarships were created to provide financial support and recognition to high school students pursuing education and careers in STEM fields. These scholarships aim to encourage, empower and enable students to excel in disciplines that are often critical to technological advancement, scientific discovery and innovation.

Closed Scholarships:

Gates Scholarship

QuestBridge: National College Match

Triple Impact Competitor Scholarship (Due October 8th)

DAR Scholarships: (Deadline January 31)-Each year the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) awards multiple scholarships to students showing dedication to the pursuit of higher education. APPLY

FOSSI Scholarship: (Deadline January 31)- $40,000 STEM Scholarship for students attending an HBCU.

Empowering Greatness Scholarship:(Deadline Feb. 13)- Farah & Farah Law Office is offering a scholarship for Florida High School seniors. We’re excited to offer five high school seniors the chance to receive two full years of college tuition!

ELKS MVS Scholarship: The Elks National Foundation will award 500 four-year scholarships to the highest-rated applicants in the 2026 competition.

Digital Responsibility Scholarships: Digital Responsibility offers four scholarships to share the personal and public consequences of technology.

Chick-fil-A Community Scholar Scholarship: Through the Chick-fil-A Community Scholars program, Chick-fil-A, Inc. helps pay for the education of leaders in our communities who want to continue learning, while also investing in their leadership development.

Chick-fil-A Remarkable Futures Scholarship: Team Members need to be employed at a franchise, company-owned and/or affiliated restaurant at the time of application and award.

Coca-Cola Scholarship: The Coca-Cola Scholars Program scholarship is an achievement-based scholarship awarded to students in their final year of high school. Students are recognized for their capacity to lead and serve, as well as their commitment to making a significant impact on their schools and communities.

B. Davis Scholarship: This Scholarship is available to all high school juniors and seniors as well as all students currently registered in any post secondary institution.

Give Kids A Chance Scholarship (Due April 30): Give Kids A Chance is offering scholarship grants in the amount of $1,250 to high school seniors planning to attend college.

Hagan Scholarship (Due March 15): The Hagan Scholarship is a nationwide need based merit scholarship.

Coast Guard Foundation Scholarship: (Deadline April 1)Scholarships available to students who will be entering an accredited four-year undergraduate program or trade school, and who are the dependents of active duty, reserve U.S. Coast Guard enlisted members and commissioned officers.

BigSun Athletics: Offering an annual scholarship to a deserving student. All student athletes are eligible for this award, regardless of which sport they are participating in or what their capacity in that sport is.

AES Scholarship: (Deadline October 5) Students must submit an essay of between 500 and 1000 words in answer to the following question: When you look back on your life in 30 years, what would it take for you to consider your life successful? What relationships or accomplishments will be important on this journey?

The Cirkled In “No Sweat” Scholarship is a $2,500 cash scholarship you can use for any educational purpose, from books to summer camp. In just two steps, you’re in! Apply by signing-up for a Cirkled In account and then complete your portfolio.

IVLA Scholarship: We are offering a $1,000 scholarship to any U.S. student accepted to a national college or university who meets the following guidelines. Our selection process is merit-based and determined by the creativity of a 500 word essay submitted through our website.

Southern Scholarship Foundation Rent-Free Housing: Qualified students attending Florida A&M University, Florida Gulf Coast University, Florida State University, Santa Fe College, Tallahassee Community College, and the University of Florida are awarded scholarships in the form of rent-free housing, offering leadership training and personal development opportunities in the living and learning community.

Student View Scholarship: It is open to all students regardless of academic achievement or financial need. Simply complete a 15-25 minute online survey about local colleges. You will then be automatically entered into a random drawing for a scholarship award.

QuestBridge (Juniors) - Match Scholarship Recipients are granted early admission to one of QuestBridge's college partners with a full four-year scholarship, worth over $200,000. Our college partners use a combination of their own funds as well as state and federal aid to fund the scholarship.

Hispanic Scholarship Fund - As an HSF Scholar, you will have access to HSF’s invaluable Scholar Support Services and be eligible to receive a scholarship, depending on available funds. Must be of Hispanic heritage.

Jackie Robinson Foundation - JRF Scholars receive grants of up to $35,000 over four years to supplement the financial aid they receive from their colleges or universities. See attached flyer for details.

Foundation649- is a 501c3 that discovers and empowers young, talented Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders who are actively elevating and serving their communities nationwide. The Foundation is accepting applications for the 2025 scholarship to graduating Asian America /Pacific Islander high schoolers ( 4 awards of $1,000 USD over 4 years).

Overachievers Student Grant- Pilot Pen is looking for exceptional overachievers- students who go above and beyond to make their communities and our world better for us all. We want to hear about it a student making a difference outside their classroom. The G2 Overachievers Student Grant is for $15,000.

The Home Depot Scholarship- Open to anyone interested in pursuing skilled trades training.

The list below is a list of reputable search engines. You will register on their site and fill out the questions they ask you, and they will send you emails for any scholarships that seem to fit your profile.

Advice: Create a new email account JUST for scholarship purposes. You will get lots of emails.

• https://applytampabay.org/
• studentscholarships.org
• Scholarships.com
• Fastweb.com
• Cappex.com
• Niche.com
• Chegg.com
• Unigo.com
• Scholly.com
• ScholarshipOwl.com

*If you have limited time to do the searching and you want the best return on your investment of time, the local organizations that always give out scholarships to our Pasco kids are the best way to go, but many of them don’t come out until later in the school year, so start now with the search engines.*