Scholarships

Make college affordable

Scholarships are a great way to earn money and help pay the high costs of a college education. Unlike other forms of financial aid that are only need-based, scholarships can also be earned due to other merits and achievements such as academic excellence, community service endeavors, or athletic skill. From the start of your senior year, you should begin applying to scholarships!

Scholarship Search Engines

Scholarship search engines allow you to quickly and efficiently search for available scholarships you may be eligible for. Below are some useful resources:

National Scholarships

National scholarships tend to be the most competitive since they have a larger applicant pool and generally higher scholarship awards. Below are some popular national scholarships, click the links to learn more about the scholarship and its deadline.

*Note: This list is does NOT list all available national scholarships. Please use the resources above to search for more scholarship opportunities.*

State Scholarships

The state of Florida offers state scholarships to help students pay off their college expenses. One of the most well-known state scholarships is Bright Future's. This program offers varying levels to award high school seniors for their academic achievements. Fortunately, Terra prepares you to meet most eligibility requirements such as core classes, electives, and community service hour. Your GPA and SAT / ACT scores will determine if you are eligible for the scholarship and what tier. The most common tiers are the Florida Academic Scholarship which covers 100% of tuition and fees and the Florida Medallion Scholarship which covers 75% of tuition and fees. Eligibility and renewal requirements are subject to change each year so make sure to find up-to-date information for your corresponding year. To learn more about state financial aid and the application process (FFAA) click here.

State Scholarships

Local Scholarships

Local scholarships are easier to win due to the significantly smaller applicant pool. Local scholarships tend to be limited to your district, school, and local businesses. It is highly encouraged to apply to as many local scholarships as possible, since students tend to receive the majority of their scholarship funding through here. Below are some local scholarships, to review a more updated list of local scholarships click the button.

Miami Foundation
Hope Scholarship
PTA Scholarship
Silver Knight
Elie Wiesel Essay Contest
Kiwanis of Little Havana
Kiwanis Club of Kendall / South Dade Foundation

Terra Scholarship List

School-Specific Scholarships

Universities also offer school-specific scholarships for admitted freshmen. The amount and types of scholarships vary per school but generally include merit scholarships that cover tuition costs or full-ride. Some universities might automatically consider you for scholarships based on your initial college application. Other colleges might require an additional application or interview process to be considered for scholarships. Please review each school's scholarships and research application deadlines and process (if any).

Below are some links to in-state university scholarships:

Tips for a Successful Application

Applying to scholarships can be extremely competitive, so creating an impressive application can help you stand out from other applicants. Just as you put effort and time to perfect your college application, scholarship applications require that same level of attention in order to be considered a potential scholarship winner. Below are some tips I have for your scholarship applications:

Craft a narrative and moving essay that expresses your personality, thoughts, aspirations, financial circumstances and/or life experiences
Have letters of recommendations and resume ready ahead of time
Make sure to include any impressive accomplishments including academic awards, community service impact, and extracurricular activities
Start and submit your application as early as possible so you never miss deadlines
Provide optional supplements to your application if allowed such as videos, essays, or resume

For more help and examples on scholarship essays explore the links below: