Florida Student Assistance Grant – There are various ways you can try to reduce the financial burden of the college education. If you are living in Florida, you may be eligible for the Florida-specific grant program from the local federal government. Of course, you can still apply for the national federal grants such as Pell grant or FSEOG. In today’s post, you will learn everything about the Florida Student Assistance Grant or FSAG.
As we have mentioned earlier, the program is provided by the State of Florida government for eligible students. Note that this FSAG financial aid program eligibility also considers whether you have gotten other financial assistance program. The FSAG grant prioritizes students with financial needs that haven’t received any form of financial aid.
Florida Student Assistance Grant Eligibility
In order to be eligible for the Florida Student Assistance Grant, there are several requirements which you must follow:
- Applicants must be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen that resides in Florida. Note that the residency is determined by the place you’ve taken your postsecondary education
- The applicants don’t have the responsibility to repay any kind of grant from both Federal and state programs.
- Applicants should not be in default on a federal student loan.
- Applicants are in his or her first undergraduate degree program.
- The applicants is in an undergraduate degree program in a state university or public community college in Florida.
- Meet the general eligibility requirements to receive the Florida state aid.
- The applicants should enroll for 9-11 credit hours per semester for the FSAG public three-quarter time, while they should enroll for 6-8 credit hours per semester for the FSAG public half time. Full-time funding is available for students who successfully complete 12 credit hours per semester.
- The minimum GPA score requirement for this grant is 2.0 of a 4.0 scale at the end of Spring.
Important Note: FSAG award recipient only can receive the award for a maximum for 110% of the required credit hours to complete a program.
Florida Student Assistance Grant Application
Because the FSAG is a need-based program, you need to prove the need of financial need through the Free Application for Student Aid (FAFSA). The deadline for the submission in each year is at March 1, but that date is a subject of change because it is a limited funding.
FSAG Renewal
You need to ensure that you have met the minimum requirement for the grant every year. The renewal requirements include:
- The student should have met the minimum credit requirements from the previous summer.
- The minimum GPA score should be 2.0 of a 4.0 scale
- Students receiving both full-time and part-time FSAG should complete the credit hours for each semester.
The Florida Student Assistance Grant provides up to $1,000 per semester, depending on the FAFSA application. Getting a grant is important for aspiring undergraduate students. Aside from applying for the Pell grant, you should also try this kind of state-based grants, because there is less competition compared to the Federal grants.
2024 Florida Student Assistance Grant – Benacquisto Scholarship Program
The Benacquisto Scholarship Program is a special award for high school students who do really well in their studies. If you are recognized as a National Merit® Scholar, you can get this scholarship.
This scholarship helps cover the cost of going to college for students who live in the same state as the college they choose. It will pay for everything after taking away the amount given by Bright Futures and the National Merit® award. The best part is, you don’t even need to apply at first to be considered for this scholarship.
Eligibility
To get the Benacquisto Scholarship, students need to meet several important requirements. First, you must be a resident of Florida. This means you need to have a standard Florida high school diploma or an equivalent diploma. However, if you were homeschooled or graduated from a high school outside Florida while your parent was on a military or public service assignment, you are also eligible.
Second, you need to be recognized as a National Merit® Scholar for the year 2023. This recognition plays a crucial role in meeting the eligibility criteria for the Benacquisto Scholarship.
Next, you must enroll in a college or university in Florida during the fall term of 2023-24 right after you graduate from high school. This ensures that you start your college education promptly after finishing high school.
To become a National Merit® Scholar, you must receive one of the following scholarships:
- a National Merit® $2500 Scholarship
- a Corporate-sponsored Merit Scholarship®, or
- a College-sponsored Merit Scholarship®.
Please keep in mind that special Corporate Scholarships and Presidential awards do not qualify for the Benacquisto Scholarship.
Additionally, you must be a U.S. citizen or an eligible noncitizen, as determined by the college you plan to attend. This requirement ensures that you meet the necessary legal criteria for the scholarship.
Finally, you need to enroll as a full-time student, taking at least 12 credit hours per term, in a bachelor’s degree program at a regionally accredited public or independent college in Florida. Full-time enrollment is necessary to maintain your eligibility for the Benacquisto Scholarship.
Eligibility Criteria Based on Institutions
While many colleges in Florida meet the eligibility criteria for the Benacquisto Scholarship, only nine institutions participate with the National Merit Scholarship Corporation as College-Sponsors for the 2023-24 academic year. These schools are:
- Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
- Florida Atlantic University
- Florida International University
- Florida State University
- New College of Florida
- University of Central Florida
- University of Florida
- University of Miami
- University of South Florida.
To be considered for college sponsorship, you need to choose one of these nine institutions as your first choice when you respond to the National Merit Scholarship Corporation. This choice is important because once the National Merit Scholarship Corporation sends out an offer, you won’t be able to change your designated institution. So, make sure to carefully consider which college you want to attend and make it your top choice when applying for the National Merit Scholarship.
Submission and Renewal
You do not need to submit an application to renew the Benacquisto Scholarship each year. The assessment of eligibility for renewing the Benacquisto Scholarship is at the end of the second semester, third quarter, or an equivalent period of each academic year.
For automatic renewal, you must meet two important criteria. Initially, you must have completed all the credits for which you enrolled by the end of the standard drop/add period each semester. This means you should complete all your courses and not drop any after the initial period. Next, you must uphold a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. Keeping your GPA at this level or higher is crucial to ensure your scholarship continues for the following academic year.
If you do not maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0 by the end of the spring semester or third quarter of the academic year, you will no longer be eligible for the Benacquisto Scholarship. Similarly, if you fail to earn the required credit hours, you will also lose your eligibility to continue in the program. It is essential to keep your grades up and complete all your enrolled courses to ensure you can keep receiving the scholarship.
References :
- Florida Student Assistance Grants – https://www.scholarships.com/financial-aid/college-scholarships/scholarships-by-state/florida-scholarships/florida-student-assistance-grants/
- Images: consumeraffairs.com
- (https://www.floridastudentfinancialaidsg.org/PDF/factsheets/BSP.pdf)
