Grants and Scholarships

Description

Pell-eligible students whose parent or guardian died in the line of duty while performing as a public safety officer are eligible to receive a maximum Pell Grant for the award year for which the determination of eligibility is made.

Application

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

Criteria

Please visit FSA Partners Children heroes scholarship act for more information.

Awards

TBD

Description

A grant provided by the federal government to qualified students who demonstrate exceptional financial need and have an Expected Family Contribution (Expected Family Contribution) below a threshold designated annually by the U.S. Department of Education, based on the amount of program funds appropriated by Congress.

Application

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

Criteria

Please visit Federal Pell Grants website for the most current information.

Awards

Awards prorate for three-quarter-time, half-time, and (sometimes) less-than-half-time enrollment depending on a student's Expected Family Contribution.

Lifetime Eligibility

The amount of Pell grant funds you may receive over your lifetime is limited to the equivalent of six years of Pell Grant funding, i.e. twelve (12) semesters.

Description

A supplemental grant provided by the federal government to qualified students who demonstrate exceptional financial need.

Application

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

Criteria

Please visit the Federal Student Aid - A Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) website for the most current information.

Awards

Priority is given to Pell Grant recipients and funds must be awarded in lowest Expected Family Contribution order. Students with less than half-time enrollment are not eligible for FSEOG disbursement.

Description

A grant provided by the federal government to qualified students who have a parent or guardian that died as a result of military service in Iraq or Afghanistan.

Application

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

Criteria

Please visit Federal Student Aid - Iraq and Afghanistan military service Grant website for the most current information.

Awards

Awards prorate for three-quarter-time, half-time, and (sometimes) less-than-half-time enrollment, depending on a student's Expected Family Contribution. 

Description

A grant funded by both the state and matching funds provided by Floyd and Gloria Skinner that is available to "first generation" students who meet eligibility criteria determined by the Florida Department of Education (FDOE) and who submit a FAFSA by GCSC's priority deadline.  Please visit the First Generation Matching Program document for more information.

Application

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

Criteria

Initial:

• Complete a FAFSA
• Be a “first generation” college undergraduate student seeking an Associate or Bachelor degree
  • The FAFSA asks students about their parents’ education level and answers must be either high school or middle school
• Be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen as determined through the FAFSA and financial aid office
• Be a Florida resident as determined by the Enrollment Services office
• Not have previously received a baccalaureate degree
• Not owe a repayment or be in default under any state or federal grant, loan, or scholarship program unless satisfactory arrangements to repay have been made
• Meet Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) requirements
• Enroll in at least 6.0 credit hours for each semester awarded
• Have an Expected Family Contribution below the cutoff established by Florida Statute

Renewal:

• Same as initial criteria

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Potential students will be sorted and ranked according to Expected Family Contribution, unmet need and the date their financial aid file is complete.  A financial aid file is complete when the financial aid office has received and processed the FAFSA and all required documentation.  Students are awarded based on this ranking until funds are expended.  Awarding is contingent upon available funding from GCSC's Foundation and the Florida Department of Education.

Awards

Awards are a flat amount for the fall and spring semesters.  Students with less than half-time enrollment are not eligible for FGMG disbursement.

Description

A state funded grant available to students who submit a FAFSA by GCSC's priority deadline and meet eligibility criteria determined by the Florida Department of Education (FLDOE).  Please visit the Florida Student Assistance Grant Program document for more information.

Application

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

Criteria

Initial:

• Complete a FAFSA
• Be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen as determined through the FAFSA and financial aid office
• Be a Florida resident as determined by the Enrollment Services office
• Not have previously received a baccalaureate degree
• Not owe a repayment or be in default under any state or federal grant, loan, or scholarship program unless satisfactory arrangements to repay have been made
• Meet Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) requirements
• Enroll in at least 6.0 credit hours for each semester awarded
• Have an Expected Family Contribution below the cutoff established by Florida Statute

Renewal:

• Same as Initial Criteria above plus –

  • Earn a minimum institutional cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.00 on a 4.00 scale

  • Earn the following for each term an award was received during the academic year:

    12.0 credit hours for each term for Full-time enrollment
    9.0 credit hours for each term for 3/4-time enrollment
    6.0 credit hours for each term for 1/2-time enrollment

Potential students will be sorted and ranked according to unmet need, Expected Family Contribution and the date their financial aid file is complete.  A financial aid file is complete when the financial aid office has received and processed the FAFSA and all required documentation.  Students are awarded based on this ranking until funds are expended.  Awarding is contingent upon available funding from the Florida Department of Education.

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Awards

Awards prorate for the fall and spring semesters.   Students with less than half-time enrollment are not eligible for FSAG disbursement

Description

A state funded grant available to students who submit a FAFSA by GCSC's priority deadline, meet eligibility criteria determined by the FLDOE and enroll in certain certificate programs of 450 or more clock hours.  Please visit the Florida Public Postsecondary Career Education Student Assistance Grant Program Fact Sheet for more information.

Application

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

Criteria

Initial:

• Complete a FAFSA
• Be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen as determined through the FAFSA and financial aid office
• Be a Florida resident as determined by the Enrollment Services office
• Not have previously received a baccalaureate degree
• Not owe a repayment or be in default under any state or federal grant, loan, or scholarship program unless satisfactory arrangements to repay have been made
• Meet Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) requirements
• Enroll in a minimum of 180 clock hours per term
• Expected Family Contribution below the cutoff established by Florida Statute

Renewal:

• Earn a minimum institutional cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.00 on a 4.00 scale

• Earn the following for each term an award was received during the academic year:

  360 clock hours (12.0 credit hours) for each term for full-time enrollment
  270 clock hours (9.0 credit hours) for each term for 3/4-time enrollment
  180 clock hours (6.0 credit hours) for each term for 1/2-time enrollment

• Same as Initial Criteria above plus –

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Potential students will be sorted and ranked according to unmet need, Expected Family Contribution and the date their financial aid file is complete.  A financial aid file is complete when the financial aid office has received and processed the FAFSA and all required documentation. Students are awarded based on this ranking until funds are expended.  Awarding is contingent upon available funding from the Florida Department of Education. 

Awards

Awards prorate for the fall and spring semesters.   Students with less than half-time enrollment are not eligible for FSAG - CE disbursement.

Description

The Honorably Discharged Graduate Assistance Program (HDGAP) provides need-based veteran educational benefits in the form of supplemental living expenses during holiday and semester breaks.  Please visit the Honorably Discharged Graduate Assistance Program fact sheet for more information.

Application

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

Criteria

Initial:

• Florida resident
• Active duty or honorably discharged member of the Armed Forces who served on or after September 11, 2001
• Complete an error-free FAFSA
• Have sufficient unmet need

Renewal:

• Same as Initial Criteria above, plus earn a minimum institutional cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.00 on a 4.00 scale

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Potential students will be sorted and ranked by the date their financial aid file is complete.  A financial aid file is complete when the financial aid office has received and processed the FAFSA and all required documentation.  Students are awarded based on this ranking until funds are expended.  Awarding is contingent upon available funding from the Florida Department of Education. 

Awards

Students may receive up to $50 per day, for up to 20 days, for supplemental living expenses during holiday and semester breaks.

Description

The Benacquisto Scholarship Program is a merit-based award for Florida high school graduates who receive recognition as a National Merit® Scholar.  Eligible scholars will receive an award equal to the institutional cost of attendance minus the sum of Bright Futures and the National Merit® award.  An initial application is not required.

Application, Criteria, & Awards

Please visit the Benacquisto Scholarship Program fact sheet for more information

Description

A state scholarship program awarded to high school students who meet certain academic requirements. Students must apply online by submitting a Florida Financial Aid Application (FFAA) prior to graduating high school.  Please visit the  Bright Futures Student Handbook for more information.

There are four types of Bright Futures Scholarships:

• Florida Academic Scholars (FAS)
• Florida Medallion Scholars (FMS)
• Gold Seal Vocational Scholars (GSV)
• Gold Seal CAPE Scholars (GSC)

Bright Futures Scholarship students will receive a letter or email from the Florida Department of Education notifying them of their eligibility.   That correspondence will describe the procedures for the student to follow to ensure they receive their funds at the appropriate institution.  If GCSC is the selected school and the student receives the letter of eligibility by July 1, the scholarship may be used to pay fees if the student has completed an application for admission and declared a major prior to registration!  If fees are not paid by the scholarship at the time of registration, the student should email us FA@gulfcoast.edu  from their GCSC account.

Students attending two schools may request a consortium agreement from the financial aid office to ensure that the scholarship pays for all hours enrolled.

Application

Please visit the Florida Student Scholarship Grant Program website for more information.

Awards

Please visit the Florida Student Scholarship Student Scholarship Grant Programs websitefor more information.

Note:

• The award on My Student Dashboard will reflect a full-time amount, but will only disburse according to the number of credit hours for which you are enrolled
• You may owe some money after Bright Futures is applied, no matter which scholarship you have
• Make sure all tuition & fees are paid by applicable due dates or else the Business Office will "purge" (i.e. drop) your classes for non-payment

Repayment for Courses funded by Bright Futures that are Dropped/Withdrawn

Students are required to repay their Bright Futures Scholarship for any dropped or withdrawn courses, unless an exception is recommended by the financial aid office.  Such exceptions must be based on a verifiable illness or emergency beyond the student’s control.  Students may provide an appeal including documentation to the FA Office within 45 days from the last day of the semester. Students will be notified if their appeal is approved or denied.

Repayment for the cost of dropped or withdrawn courses is required to renew a Bright Futures awards for a subsequent academic year.

"Renewal" 

Please visit the Bright Futures Student Handbook for more information.

In order to renew your scholarship for the following year, you must meet certain renewal criteria.   At the end of the spring semester, GCSC will submit your grades and hours to the state.  Students may request that the FA Office use summer grades towards these renewal requirements by logging into My Student Dashboard, selecting the 'Financial Aid' block and clicking the 'Bright Futures Request' link.

"Restoration"

Please visit the Bright Futures Student Handbook for more information.

Bright Futures recipients who do not meet credit hour or GPA renewal requirements may have the opportunity to restore their award in a subsequent academic year.  Restoration criteria depends on when the student graduated from high school. If you have any questions please email us FA@gulfcoast.edu from your GCSC account or call Bright Futures, toll-free, at 1-888-827-2004.

Description

The Florida Farmworker Student Scholarship (FFSS) Program provides 100% of tuition and specified fees at a Florida public postsecondary institution for farmworkers or children of farmworkers.

Application, Criteria, & Awards

Please visit the Florida Farmworker Student Scholarship Program fact sheet for more information

Description

The José Martí Scholarship Challenge Grant Fund is a need-based merit scholarship that provides financial assistance to eligible students of Hispanic origin who will attend Florida public or eligible private institutions.

Application, Criteria, & Awards

Please visit the José Martí Scholarship Challenge Grant Fund document for more information

Description

The Minority Teacher Education Scholars (MTES) program is a collaborative performance-based scholarship program for African-American, Hispanic-American, Asian-American, and Native American students administered by the Florida Fund for Minority Teachers, Inc. (FFMT).

Application, Criteria, & Awards

Please visit the Minority Teacher Education Scholars Program Florida Fund for Minority Teachers, Inc. fact sheet and the Minority Teacher Education Scholarship (MTES) website for more information.

Description

The Rosewood Family Scholarship Program was created to provide student financial assistance for a maximum of 50 eligible students who attend a state university, Florida college (public community college), or public postsecondary vocational technical school. Eligible students must be direct descendants of Rosewood families affected by the historical incidents of January 1923. Applicants are required to supply the descendant information on the Florida Financial Aid Application for verification. Funds for the Rosewood Family Scholarship are contingent each year upon the appropriations made available to the Office of Student Financial Assistance (OSFA) by the Florida Legislature.

Application, Criteria, & Awards

Please visit the Rosewood Family Scholarship fact sheet for more information.

Description

The scholarship for Children and Spouses of Deceased or Disabled Veterans (CDDV) provides funding for tuition and registration fees for dependent children and un-remarried spouses of qualified Florida veterans.  Please visit the Scholarships for Children and Spouses of Deceased or Disabled Veterans fact sheet for more information.

Application

Please visit the Florida Student Scholarship Grant Programs website for more information.

Criteria

Eligibility will be determined by Florida department of Veterans Affairs.

• A Florida Financial Aid Application completed by April 1st
• A complete and error-free Form CDDV-1 submitted to  the Florida Department of Veterans Affairs by April 1st  (Form CDDV-1 corresponds to Question 31a-g on the FFAA)

Awards

For further information regarding criteria and award amount information, please visit Scholarships for Children and Spouses of Deceased or Disabled Veterans fact sheet

Description

Emergency grants for students experiencing unusual or emergency situation that hinder continuation or re-entry in college.

Funding

Funded by GCSC's Foundation.

Application

Application forms may be requested from Student Affairs.

Criteria

Initial:

• An unusual or emergency situation that hinders continuation or re-entry in college.

Renewal:

• Same as initial

Awards

• Up to $500 per semester
• Does not prorate

Description

General scholarships awarded and funded by GCSC's Foundation – for one academic year only (fall & spring semesters), unless otherwise noted – that are intended only to supplement a student’s educational funding.

Application

Visit the GCSC Foundation Application Steps website for more information.

Criteria

Visit GCSC Foundation Scholarship website for more information.

Awards

• Award amounts vary
• FOUND awards prorate for three-quarter-time, half-time, and less-than-half-time enrollment.

Description

These funds are intended to assist veterans, active duty military members, their spouses, and dependents.  These scholarship funds can be used to either pay for outstanding tuition and books costs or for unexpected emergency expenses, but only after all other financial aid opportunities have been explored. 

Funding

Funded by GCSC's Foundation.

Application

Please complete a FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) along with the Thanks A Million Assistance Application

Criteria

• Student must be a veteran, active duty military, a spouse, or a dependent of a veteran or active duty military member
• Must be enrolled in at least 3 credit hours
• Must complete a FAFSA so the Financial Aid Office can evaluate eligibility for other sources of assistance prior to being considered for Thanks A Million Assistance
• Must complete Thanks A Million Assistance Application.  Applications are evaluated on a case by case basis.

Awards

Award amounts vary.

Description

A partnership between Gulf Coast State College and Simply Healthcare has created the Simply Health Scholars program, an application-based scholarship that will fund the entire cost of the BSN program (up to $10,000) at Gulf Coast State College.

Simply Healthcare is dedicated to addressing access to care and improving health equity in Florida’s underserved areas by increasing access to culturally competent primary care by investing in our communities and the future.

The Simply Health Scholars program will pay the cost of the BSN program (up to $10,000) for selected students in exchange for a commitment to practice as a nurse or health practitioner in Bay, Calhoun, Franklin, Gulf, Holmes, Jackson, or Washington counties in Florida for at least two years following graduation.

Funding

Funded by GCSC's Foundation via a donation by Simply Healthcare.

Application

Students will complete an online application before the deadline. The application asks a number of essay questions. Applicants are encouraged to be thoughtful and use proper grammar and punctuation in their responses. The selection committee will review and score applications, with students being notified sometime after the deadline.

Criteria

Initial:

• Must be accepted in and starting the first semester of the Bachelor of Nursing program
• Must be enrolled full-time (as determined by the program)
• Must be a Florida resident for tuition purposes, as determined by Enrollment Services
• Must have at least a 3.00 cumulative GPA
• Must commit to working as a nurse or health practitioner in Bay, Calhoun, Franklin, Gulf, Holmes, Jackson, or Washington counties for at least two years following graduation

Renewal:

• Must maintain a cumulative 3.00 GPA or greater
• Renewal criteria evaluated at end of every term

Awards

Cost of the BSN program (up to $10,000).

Description

Starting in August 2021, Gulf Coast State College’s Foundation guarantees a $1,400 per year financial aid award to current Bay, Gulf, and Franklin county high school graduates who initially enroll full-time as first-time-in-college degree or certificate-seeking students at Gulf Coast State College in the same calendar year as graduation.

Funding

Funded by GCSC's Foundation.

Application

The Financial Aid Office automatically awards the Guarantee to students, but please contact us if you believe that you are eligible.

Criteria

Please visit the GCSC Guarantee website or the Gulf Coast Guarantee frequently asked questions document for more information.

Students who fail to meet renewal criteria due to illness, death in the family, or other special circumstances may submit an appeal request online.

Awards

Please visit the GCSC Guarantee website for more information.

Description

Grants for students enrolled in certain Career & Technical Certificate (CTC) programs.

Funding

Funded by GCSC's Foundation.

Application

The Financial Aid Office automatically awards GCFACG to students, but please contact us if you believe that you are eligible.

Criteria

Initial:

• A completed FAFSA with a valid Expected Family Contribution
• Unmet need, based upon federal methodology
• Active student enrolled in certain Career & Technical Certificate (CTC) programs

Renewal:

• Same as initial criteria

Awards

• Packaging priority will be given to students enrolled in non-Title IV eligible Career & Technical Certificate (CTC) programs
• Up to $600 per semester
• Does not prorate

Description

Grants designed to facilitate structured student interventions.

Funding

Funded by GCSC's Foundation.

Application

The Financial Aid Office automatically awards GCCOMM to students.

Criteria

Initial:

• A completed FAFSA with a valid Expected Family Contribution
• Unmet need, based upon federal methodology
• In danger of being purged from classes due to a tuition & fee balance
• Active student enrolled in a degree or certificate program

Renewal:

• Not renewable

Awards

• Award amounts vary
• Does not prorate

Description

Award designed to help students finish their first associate or baccalaureate degree.

Funding

Funded by GCSC’s Foundation.

Application

Application forms may be requested from the Financial Aid Office.

Criteria

Initial:

• Florida resident
• Good academic standing at GCSC
• College credit earned from GCSC within the last eight academic years before the year GCMILE funding is received
• Not enrolled at GCSCC in the semester (fall or spring) preceding the semester in which GCMILE funding is received
• Within 12.0 or fewer credit hours of completing first associate or baccalaureate degree
• Active student enrolled in a degree program during the fall or spring semester in question

Renewal:

• Not renewable

Awards

• Up to 100% of tuition and fees that are not already covered by other forms of financial assistance or Veteran’s / Active Duty benefits.

Description

Grant that helps students who need assistance

Funding

Funded by GCSC's Foundation.

Application

The Financial Aid Office automatically awards GCNEED to students, but please contact us if you believe that you are eligible.

Criteria

Initial:

• A completed FAFSA with a valid Expected Family Contribution
• Unmet need, based upon federal methodology
• Pell grant ineligible for the semester in question
• Active student enrolled or applying to a degree or certificate program

Renewal:

• Same as initial criteria

Awards

• Packaging priority will be given to students -
  • with an Expected Family Contribution greater than the highest Pell eligible Expected Family Contribution for the award year in question
  • who haven't already been awarded a grant or scholarship
• $1,200 per aid year that splits evenly between fall & spring semesters
• Amounts prorate for three-quarter-time, half-time, & less-than-half-time enrollment

Description

Grants for students enrolled in clock-hour vocational/career certificate programs.

Funding

Funded by the Financial Aid Fee that students pay.

Application

The Financial Aid Office automatically awards GCFAVC to students, but please contact us if you believe that you are eligible.

Criteria

Initial:

• A completed FAFSA with a valid Expected Family Contribution
• Unmet need, based upon federal methodology
• Active student enrolled in a clock-hour vocational/career certificate program

Renewal:

• Same as initial criteria

Awards

• Packaging priority will be given to students enrolled in non-Title IV eligible clock-hour vocational/career certificate programs
• Up to $600 per semester
• Does not prorate

Description

Scholarships awarded to Art students in the Visual & Performing Arts division.

Application, Criteria, & Awards

Visit the Visual and Performing Website for more information.

Description

Scholarships awarded to student athletes. Primarily funded by the Financial Aid Fee that students pay.

Application, Criteria, & Awards

• National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) guidelines
• Award amounts vary
• Please contact GCSC's athletic department for more information

Description

Scholarships awarded to students selected for the Brain Bowl team.

Application, Criteria, & Awards

• Enrolled in at least 6.0 credit hours
• Cumulative GPA of at least 2.00
• Award amounts vary

Description

Scholarships awarded to Entertainment Technology students in the Visual & Performing Arts division.

Application, Criteria, & Awards

Visit the GCSC Foundation Scholarships for Visual & Performing Arts website for more information.

Description

Scholarships awarded to Music students in the Visual & Performing Arts division.

Application, Criteria, & Awards

Visit the GCSC Foundation Scholarships for Visual & Performing Arts website for more information.

Description

Scholarships for Student Government Association (SGA) officers.

Application, Criteria, & Awards

• Must be a SGA officer
• Awards amounts vary

Description

Scholarships awarded to students in the Visual & Performing Arts division.

Application, Criteria, & Awards

Visit the GCSC Foundation Scholarships for Visual & Performing Arts website for more information.

Description

Scholarships awarded to Theatre students in the Visual & Performing Arts division.

Application, Criteria, & Awards

Visit the GCSC Foundation Scholarships for Visual & Performing Arts website for more information.

Description

The purpose of the Bay Education Foundation is to support the educational development of our students by providing enhanced opportunities for a quality education and promoting greater community involvement in education.

Application, Criteria, & Awards

Visit the Bay Education Foundation website for more information.

Description

Established in 2014, Dixie Belle Paint Company has been dedicated to providing exceptional products and spreading the warmth of Southern hospitality. Their mission goes beyond creating beautiful colors; they aim to foster a sense of community, teamwork, and support among their employees and customers alike.

Application, Criteria, & Awards

Visit the Dixie Belle Scholarship website for more information.

Description

Since 1995, Fastweb has excelled in providing students with the resources to realize their educational pursuits, from the time they begin their college search in high school, to the day they land their first job after graduation.

Application, Criteria, & Awards

Visit the Fastweb Scholarships website for more information.

Description

Contact the Business Office at (850) 872-3879 or businessoffice@gulfcoast.edu for more information about other/miscellaneous private scholarships.