Scholarships are a wonderful option for students who would like help paying for school. As with anything good, there are people out there who will take advantage of students’ trust and hopes. While most scholarship programs are legitimate, there are some scholarship scam artists out there. Keep your wits about you and never give out personal information unless you are absolutely certain and have verified that the scholarship is legitimate.

Here are some red flags.

Unsolicited Scholarship Offers – If someone contacts you, via phone, mail or email, offering you a scholarship, and you never requested information from that provider, be very careful. Scholarships are awarded to you after an application process; they are not just given out to random students, no matter how special they are.

Fees – Applying for legitimate scholarships does not cost money! Submitting applications will cost you time and effort, but should never cost money, no matter how small the amount. If any scholarship offers request your funds to submit an application, become eligible, etc. kick them to the curb.

Limited Time Offers – Scholarships do have deadlines; however, they are usually clearly stated within the application guidelines. Legitimate providers don’t pressure students into applying for their scholarships; they have enough interest on their own. They also ensure that students have ample time to work on their scholarship applications and essays. If you ever feel pressured, the scholarship is likely a scam.

Gathering Personal Information – Other than some basic information, a scholarship provider should not ask applicants for private information, like your social security number. Some require information from winners. However, if you’re just at the point of starting out on the application and they ask for such information, don’t provide it because it will likely be used for something other than what you intended.

Eligibility – Legitimate scholarships always have some sort of eligibility requirement, whether it’s age, grades, residency, or school year. Any scholarship that claims to be all-encompassing with absolutely no exceptions should raise a red flag.

Don’t Call Us, We’ll Call You – Scholarship providers will give you contact information to reach them, should you have any questions. Many scam artists out there will make a fake website claiming to be a scholarship provider without any sort of way to contact them or getting in touch with them is difficult. Keep an eye out for this, because legitimate scholarship providers don’t have anything to hide.

Remember, there are millions of scholarships available to students, so if one doesn’t seem right, move on!

Stop believing these college scholarship myths

There are numerous scholarship opportunities to assist partially or fully towards post-secondary education. The ones most students will qualify for would be the four consisting of the "Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program" and Federal Pell Grants.

Bright Futures Initial Eligibility Requirements: (As determined by the Department of Education)

Bright Futures Handbook 2023-24 

For personal assistance, students can see our BRACE Advisor or their guidance counselor. 

There are generally two steps needed for students to receive these scholarships and/or grants: first, they must submit their application by the application deadline, and second, they must meet certain academic and general requirements. 

Most students who graduate from Sheridan Technical High School will be eligible for at least one of these four Florida Bright Futures Scholarships:

Initial Requirements.

Academic 3.50 recalculated GPA, 1330 SAT or 29 ACT, 100 service hours

Medallion - 3.0 recalculated GPA, 1210 SAT or 25 ACT, 75 service hours

Both require passing 16 credits of high school courses: 4 English, 4 Mathematics, 3 Science, 3 Social Studies, and 2 (sequential of the same) World Language. These 16 credits are used to determine an adjusted GPA, where honors, IB, AP, and dual enrollment courses have an additional 0.50 credits per course if passed. 

Gold Seal Vocational Scholar (GSV): 3.0 adjusted GPA in non-elective courses, 3 full credits in a single Career and Technical Education program, required 3.5 unweighted GPA in career education courses, 30 service hours, meet one set of test score ranges Gold Seal CAPE Scholars (GSC): Earn at least 5 postsecondary credits through CAPE certification and complete 30 service hours.

Some tips for students: 

1. Start early. It is easier to maintain a GPA requirement than raise it. Additionally, starting on service hours in freshman year will leave less stress and worry later.
2. Practice for SAT/ACT exams and take advantage of vouchers. Students can link their College Board account to Khan Academy for individualized practice for the SAT. Additionally, most students will be able to receive two free vouchers to take the SAT/ACT; so, if you don't reach the score required at first, you can take it again.
3. Make use of assistance. Tutoring and help are available most days of the week. Additionally, talk with your advisors (guidance, BRACE, dual enrollment) as they have years of experience with assisting students just like you.
4. Keep track. Students must keep track of their own applications, eligibility, and status. Nobody is going to do this for them.  

These websites offer more scholarship opportunities:

Bold

Cappex

CollegeRaptor

College Life Made Easy

Fastweb

GoingMerry offers both student & parent accounts

Karma Foundation

Sallie Mae Scholarships

Unigo

 

For personal assistance, students can see our BRACE Advisor or their Guidance Counselor.

A list of Nursing Scholarships via Nurses.org.

A list of Nursing Grants via CollegeScholarships.org

 

Do not forget to check our Contest Opportunities page. 

1. Update FastWeb profile anytime your GPA changes, you joined a new club, etc. Be sure your scholarship year of interest is updated too! This ensures your scholarships will be more tailored to you.

2. Log in every week to see new matches to stay up to date on new opportunities.

3. Organize your matches by selecting “I’m interested.” Revise the “Interested” tab on your profile later to apply for these scholarships.

4. Apply for one to two scholarships per week. Make it a goal & stick to it.

5. Follow FastWeb on Instagram, where we share fun scholarships & expert advice.

Student App launches tool to showcase student skills. 

Multiply deadlines
Earn $500 and $40,000 just by planning for college.
BigFuture

Deadline varies / Hispanic and Latino students
The Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute offers CHCI Next Opp, a searchable database of hundreds of scholarship opportunities for Hispanic and Latino students. The CHCI also has a scholarship program that offers one-time awards of $1,000 for students pursuing an associate degree and $2,500 for students pursuing a bachelor's degree.

Deadlines vary / Must be U.S. Citizen, a permanent resident and/or approved DACA status, have a high school diploma or GED, be an enrolled future student or an active, current student in good standing at a post-secondary ASE or accredited educational institution offering a vehicle technician curriculum, must demonstrate financial hardship by having complete and approved FAFSA on record at the campus (or other financial-need based evidence, if using DACA status) and available for review by the Foundation, be requesting funds for the purpose directly related to pursing a technical education and /or career in the transportation industry.
TechForce Foundation

Deadlines vary / TMC is proud to offer many scholarships and awards to support current and future fleet maintenance technicians and supervisors.  Full details of each scholarship can be found by clicking on the appropriate link.
Technology and Maintenance Council

Deadline varies
P.E.O. Program for Continuing Education $3,000

Deadline varies
Young Women in Public Affairs Award $1,000

Due varies
Binghamton University

Deadline Varies
Greta Nissen Scholarship / American Academy of Dramatic Arts

Deadline Varies
Citizens Bank Women’s Athletic Scholarship

Deadline Varies
National Association of Women in Construction Scholarship – University of New Hampshire

Deadline Varies
Women of Oakland University Critical Difference Scholarship $1,500

Deadline Varies
Tyler J. Viney Memorial Scholarship, Texas Society of Architects

Deadline Varies
Esther Shiller Memorial Endowment Loan Fund for College Loans. Jewish Family and Children’s Services $6,000

Deadline Varies
Center for the Education of Women Scholarship – University of Michigan $1 - 8,000

Deadline Varies
Women in Wireless Communications Scholarship, Idaho State University

Deadline Varies
Clowns of America, International (COAI) Scholarship

Deadline Varies
Posse STEM Program 100% Tuition

Deadline next school year
Mrs. DiAlberto has several copies of the following books, which you must read one of for an Ayn Rand Scholarship. You need to check which books are applicable for your grade level for next year.

Atlas Shrugged, by Ayn Rand

Anthem, by Ayn Rand

We the Living, by Ayn Rand

The Fountainhead, by Ayn Rand

If interested, put Ayn Rand Scholarships in your browser and come in and tell Mrs. DiAlberto which book you would like to borrow.

Due June 12, 2024
Rose Ifebigh Memorial Scholarship, $1,000

Due June 13, 2024
Ethel Hayes Destigmatization of Mental Health Scholarship, $3,025

Due June 15, 2024
Carol B. Warren, You are Loved Scholarship, $500

Due June 15, 2024
Deborah Thomas Scholarship Award, $500

Due Juen 15, 2024
Sunshine Legall Scholarship, $1,500

Due June 15, 2024
Building a Better World Scholarship, $1,000

Due June 15, 2024
Amber D. Hudson Memorial Scholarship, $1,050

Due June 15, 2024
Equal Access I.M.S.A. Scholarship, $12,000

Due June 15, 2024
Brotherhood Bows Scholarship, $500

Due June 18, 2024
MedLuxe Representation Matters Scholarship, $500

Due June 20, 2025
William Griggs Memorial Scholarship for Science and Math, $2,500

Due June 25, 2024
Matt Fishman Scholarship, $2,000

Due June 28, 2024
Antony Cesar Memorial Scholarship, $1,500

Due Juen 30, 2024
Elk Mountain Tents Outdoors Enthusiast Scholarship, $500

Due June 30, 2024
Our Destiny Our Future Scholarship, $1,000

June 30, 2024
Ranyiah Julia Miller Continuing Education Memorial Scholarship, $500

Due June 30, 2024
“A Courageous Spirit” No-Essay Scholarship, $500

Due June 30, 2024
Jennifer Hartwig Scholarship, $500

Due June 30, 2024
Treye Knorr Memorial Scholarship, $2,500

Due June 30, 2024
Level Up Scholarship, $1,000

Due June 30, 2024
Hazel Joy Memorial Scholarship, $2,500

Due June 30, 2024
Udonis Haslem Foundation BDJ40 Scholarship, $15,000

Due June 30, 2024
Learner Math Lover Scholarship, $500

Due June 30, 2024
Learner SAT Tutoring Scholarship, $500

Due June 30, 2024
Learner Calculus Scholarship, $500