Scholarship Opportunities

This page will be updated frequently. Please be sure to visit often.

Advice: Create a new email account just for scholarships, other than Bright Futures and FAFSA. You will get lots of emails and this will make sure you don't miss opportunities.

https://studentaid.gov/

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)

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.

• 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

• 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

• 9th Grade
• 10th Grade
• 11th Grade

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).

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 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.)

Eligibility can be found here!

• 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

Links below will have scholarship opportunities as they come in. They will also be added to Naviance, along with scholarships uploaded from the district. Follow the links or visit Naviance for more information regarding these opportunities!

Below is a list of scholarships. If not linked to anything, there is no further information.

OPEN NOW!

• Hagan Scholarship (Due December 1st) - Need-based merit scholarship, providing recipients with the opportunity to achieve their goals and graduate from college debt-free. Parents’ Adjusted Household Income must not exceed $125,000. The scholarship provides $1,000 to help purchase essential items for college and up to $7,500 each semester for up to 8 consecutive semesters.

• Gulf Coast Amateur Radio Club Scholarship (Due December 30 - See PDF Below) - Endowed through the generosity of the Gulf Coast Amateur Radio Club, this fund is intended to provide funding for the educational expenses of a young amateur radio operator who is pursuing higher education. NOT LICENSED YET? We can assist prospective candidates in learning about amateur radio, preparing for the Technician Class license exam, and getting licensed. Don't let the license requirement keep you from applying!

• FL Eastern Star Grant Tuition (Due January 1st - See PDF Below)
• WREC Educational Foundation, Inc (Due March 1st) - WREC is proud to award scholarships to 130 high school seniors! Applications are open from October 1st to March 1st and are available to all WREC High School Seniors who are dependents of a WREC Member. Since 1997 the WREC Educational Foundation has awarded 2,764 scholarships with a potential pay out of more than $22.6 million to high school seniors who live within our service area, and plan to attend an in-state, accredited college, university, or technical school.
• American Legion General Scholarship (Due March 1st - See PDF Below) - The Florida American Legion General Scholarship is available to Florida high school seniors who are descendants of a U.S. veteran eligible for membership in The American Legion. Applicants must submit a typed application, a copy of the veteran’s DD-214 or military service documentation, and a letter of recommendation from their school or community. Scholarship recipients may use the award toward undergraduate studies at an accredited U.S. college or university.
• 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.
• Starkey Library Student Service Award (Due April 15th - See PDF) - The Friends of Starkey Ranch Theatre Library Cultural Center Student Service Award recognizes students who have completed at least 50 volunteer hours at the Starkey Ranch TLC and are pursuing post-secondary education. Applicants must submit an application, a 350-word essay describing the impact of libraries on their academic and personal growth, proof of college acceptance, GPA verification, and one to two reference letters.

Closed/Pending

• The Charlie Hounchell Arts Stars Scholarship 2024
• 2024 Ready Forward Scholarships and Eugene WD Wright Scholarship
• Republican Party of Pasco 5 for 5 Scholarship
• Greater Pasco Chamber of Commerce Professional Women in Business Scholarship
• Lydia Cruz & Sandra Maria Ramos Scholarship
• LMCU / Hutt Scholarship
• Junior Service League
• Heritage Pines Democratic Club Scholarship
• Law Offices of Philips & Raaymakers 5th Annual Hope Scholarship
• Coastal Jaw Surgery
• Spectrum Bay News 9 Project Weather Scholarship
• Eugene WD 40 Wright Ready Forward Scholarship
• Florida Retired Educators Foundation (FREF) Scholarship
• Sunshine Opportunity Scholarships
• Law Office of Philips and Raaymakers Hope Scholarship
• African American Club of Pasco County, Inc

• AFJROTC Scholarship (See Col. Morgan)
• Justin Haystrand Memorial Scholarship (Opens Semester 2) - Senior football player going to either college or trade school. Provide a short essay about how you have overcome adversity in your life and what you did or are doing to overcome it.
• Nela Hooker Memorial Scholarship - Girls Weightlifting (No Application Required)
• RRHS Alumni Association Scholarship
• Student Council “Above and Beyond” Scholarship

• Rotary District 6950 Scholarship
• Rotary Club of New Port Richey Scholarship

The following scholarships are exclusively for students of River Ridge High School planning on majoring in education after high school. If you are involved with our New Teacher Academy, please see Mrs. Hess or Mr. Vachon for NTA opportunities.

• Delta Kappa Gamma Sorority
• NTA Scholarship
• “A Better Ewe” Scholarship
• Florida Retired Educators Scholarship
• ESS Scholarship

• 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.
• 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.
• Cirkled In Scholarship (Closed): 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 - 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.
• CompTIA Cecilia Galvin Scholarship : $5,000 scholarship for female senior high school students aspiring to be a technology professional
• Hagan Scholarship: The Hagan Scholarship is a nationwide need-based merit scholarship, designed to provide recipients with the opportunity to graduate college debt-free. Provides up to $7,500 each semester for up to 8 consecutive semesters.
• 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.
• Gates Scholarship: Highly selective, last-dollar scholarship for outstanding, minority, high school seniors from low-income households. Each year, the scholarship is awarded to exceptional student leaders, with the intent of helping them realize their maximum potential. See eligibility requirements.
• Student-View Scholarship Program - Simple login to www.student-view.com and complete a 15-20 minute application survey about colleges in your area. The scholarship will be awarded via a random drawing of all applications.
• SigEp Balanced Man Scholarships (Due July 2026) -

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.

• Apply Tampa Bay
• 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.*