The Broward Community College Foundation, in partnership with Broward County Schools, the Broward Sheriff’s Office and the Broward County Board of Commissioners, has established the Broward Futures scholarship program targeting at-risk students in Broward County schools. 

The goal of Broward Futures is to provide scholarships to qualified recipients to reduce juvenile truancy, crime and high school drop-out rates, by making it possible for at-risk students to attend college, the first step to a successful future.

Originally offered by the SAILS Foundation, which no longer is operating, this revitalized scholarship program will provide 75 scholarships each school- year to students in jeopardy of dropping out of high school.

“It’s important that the community invest in the future by helping students achieve their dreams,” said Dr. Frank L. Till, superintendent of Broward County Schools.  “The action of the county and Sheriff’s Office to support the Broward Futures scholarship fund clearly falls in the category of dream makers.  The future of Broward County will always be bright when its citizens invest in their children’s education.”

To ensure these students achieve their dreams, the School Board of Broward County’s youth mentoring program office, with a committee comprised of representatives from all partners, will determine the eligibility of the students and select scholarship candidates. 

The interest on the $2.5 million Broward Futures endowment fund, administered by the Broward Community College Foundation, generates the funds for the scholarships.  The principal is made up of contributions from Broward County and the Broward Sheriff’s Office as well as state matching funds.

“For those students who are able to meet the structured criteria of these scholarships, and continue and complete their education at Broward Community College, success becomes a reality, not just a hope.  It is exciting to see the program in action, because it means so much to the students and so much to the quality of their lives in Broward County,” said BCC President, Dr. Larry Calderon.

Once students are selected, they are required to:

• Enroll in the Sheriff’s Leadership Academy or in an eligible school or community mentoring program;
• Exhibit good behavior in and out of school;
• Avoid drugs or alcohol;
• Maintain an overall grade point average of 2.5;
• Graduate from a Broward County High School;
• Maintain a minimum 92 percent average school attendance rate;
• Perform community service hours during high school.

If the students meet all of these requirements, they will be accepted for admission to Broward Community College.

“Broward Futures brings hope to at-risk children in Broward County schools.  It provides an avenue for them to seek a brighter future knowing that they can go on to become college-educated students and seek a career of their choice,” said Kristin Jacobs, Broward County mayor.  “Congratulations to the 75 students who will be receiving scholarships through the program this year.”  

Jim LaBate, BCC Foundation board president, Eugene Pettis, BCC Foundation board member, Edie Pearson, BCC Foundation executive director and BCC vice president of development, Robert Cabello, BCC vice president of student affairs, Lois Wexler, Broward County commissioner, and Roger Dejarlais, Broward County administrator, all played integral roles in revitalizing the scholarship program.

The mission of the Broward Community College Foundation is to provide advocacy, community awareness and financial support to the college, its students and faculty. As a 501(c)3 organization, the foundation raises funds, conducts programs and practices stewardship that increases the effectiveness of the college in meeting community, student and faculty needs.

Broward Community College is the first and largest institution of higher education in Broward County, providing residents with two-year university-transfer degrees and two-year career degrees at six locations throughout the county.  Among the 28 publicly supported community colleges in Florida, BCC has the second largest college-level enrollment, serving more than 60,000 students annually. The mission of the college is to provide high-quality educational programs and services that are affordable and accessible to a diverse community of learners.