If you are not eligible for the grants that are based on financial need, scholarships might be the solution for you. Finding scholarships and grants to help you pay for school is time consuming. However, it is time well invested when you are able to obtain aid to help fund your education.
In addition to receiving federal and state grants students are still eligible to receive scholarships. It does require a little time and effort on the student's part but the reward is well worth it. Students are not required to pursue scholarships independently, but we encourage applicants to invest the time in acquiring additional sources of financial aid. You can do general searches from your browser’s address bar, or you can use search engines like Google, Yahoo or Ask.com. We do not recommend any site in particular... Feel free to browse around. You will find plenty of scholarship information online!
Students can also search the internet for industry based scholarships and additional grants. Examples are a tool manufacturer offering scholarships for automotive students, or cosmetology students receiving grants from hair product manufacturers. Don’t forget to check out your local community resources. Sometime scholarships are offered to members of the community by local clubs, businesses, private organizations, etc.
This information is provided as a reference tool for students to locate additional resources in their community & online. The agencies' sites listed are not directly associated with First Coast Technical College in any way and do not have any connection to the grants we administer at our campus. Any and all communications, contracts, and / or agreements are private transactions between the student and the agency. FCTC is not involved in any way.
LOCAL SCHOLARSHIPS
- Altrusa Club Scholarship for Women in Transition: Female; US Citizen; live in St. Johns County for at least one year; have diploma/GED; be a full time student & completed at least one year of postsecondary study; disclose other sources of aid; provide reference letters; deadline April 15th - DOWNLOAD THE APPLICATION FORM AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS PAGE
- American Association of University Women, St. Augustine Branch: Female; resident of St. Johns County for at least one year; have a diploma/GED; GPA of 3.0; deadline March
- Ancient City Auto Club Scholarship:Two $500 scholarships to students who want to go to school & study in the field of Automotive Technology; available to male & female students, ages 18–25; high school GPA is a consideration, but not a requirement. Interviews will be conducted by members of the ACAC; deadline end of April - DOWNLOAD THE APPLICATION FORM AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS PAGE
- FCTC Career Navigator Program: Offers assistance to eligible students (up to age 21) for tuition, books, supplies, uniforms & more
- FCTC Scholarship for graduating high school seniors: One year of free tuition; offered to graduates in Clay, Putnam & St. Johns Counties; deadline April 1st
- Florida Association of Postsecondary Schools & Colleges: be a graduating senior; 2.0 GPA; app @ www.fapsc.org
- St. Augustine South Improvement Association: Annual scholarship; must live in the SAS subdivision; be a high school graduate; deadline mid April - DOWNLOAD THE APPLICATION FORM AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS PAGE
- Women’s Club of St. Johns County: Annual gift of $300 to be used for tuition, books and/or supplies; must be a woman re-entering the workforce; live in St. Johns County at least 1 year
ONLINE SCHOLARSHIPS
- www.studentscholarships.org
- www.brokescholar.com
- www.collegeboard.com
- www.fastweb.com
- www.finaid.org
- www.findtuition.com
- www.nextstudent.com
- www.scholarships.com
- www.scholarshipexperts.com
- www.srnexpress.com
- www.nextstepu.com/winfreetuition
- www.scholarships.hispanicfund.org
- www.lnesc.org
- www.uncf.org
- www.collegefund.org
- www.apiasf.org/scholarships.html
PROGRAM SPECIFIC SCHOLARSHIPS
AUTOMOTIVE
- Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA): SEMA distributes more then $100,000.00 annually to students seeking a career in the Automotive Industry. Roughly 50% of all applicants receive at least $1,000.00 in award money. Since 1984, SEMA gave over $1 million to more than 700 students. www.sema.org/scholarships
NURSING
NURSING - US Dept of Health & Human Services, Bureau of Health Professionals:
WELDING
- American Welding Society - The future of the welding industry depends upon preparing the next generation to meet the challenges ahead through education. The Foundation offers educational programs to foster the growth, stature and professionalism of the welding industry: http://www.aws.org/w/a/foundation/index.html?id=8U26maJc
Here is a helpful newsletter from the State of Florida on scholarships: http://www.floridastudentfinancialaid.org/FFELP/pdf/nyff_092109_newsletter.pdf
NOTE: Be aware that there is the potential for Scholarship Scams!
Common warning signs:
You have to pay a fee
Money-back guarantee
Credit card/bank account information required
Offers exclusive information
Types of scams:
Phony scholarship – promises cash if you pay a registration fee
Phony scholarship matching service – pay a fee and they guarantee you will win awards
Phony educational loan – pay a fee and receive a low interest rate
Phony financial aid seminar – a high pressure, poorly concealed sales pitch
