Created by the Florida Legislature, the Florida Bright Futures Scholarship awards scholarships to Florida students intending to enroll in a Florida college or university. Eligible students include both full-time and part-time scholars, as well as students enrolled in four-year or two-year institutions. The scholarship awards up to 45 credit hours in an academic year, including fall and spring semesters. Students taking classes in summer semesters receive money when funds are available. The scholarship awards a fixed cost per credit hour which varies depending on award level, the type of college and whether the credit is based on a semester or quarter.
High school seniors applying for the Barnes Scholarship, offered by the St. Petersburg Times Fund, must reside in one of six Florida counties: Citrus, Pinellas, Hernando, Pasco, Manatee and Hillsborough. The scholarship awards up to $15,000 per year to four students for up to four years of study at any college across the nation. Students must write a 250- to 1,000-word essay detailing how they have overcome obstacles and hardships in their life as well as submit an academic resume. The fund gives first preference to Florida residents who decide to enroll in a college outside of Florida.
The Friends of 440 Scholarship Fund provides scholarship awards to the dependents or descendants of workers who receive disability benefits under the Florida Workers' Compensation Law. High school seniors must graduate with at least a 2.7 grade point average, while current college students must have a minimum of a 3.0 grade point average, to be considered. The award is primarily need-based and students must submit either their parents' most recent tax returns or their own, if applicable, to prove financial need.