Navigating Scholarships at Seminole State College: A Comprehensive Guide

Securing financial aid is a crucial step in making higher education accessible. Seminole State College offers numerous scholarship opportunities through its Foundation. This article provides a detailed overview of the scholarship application process, eligibility requirements, and tips for crafting a compelling application, drawing directly from the information provided by the Seminole State College Foundation.

Understanding Foundation Scholarships at Seminole State College

The Foundation for Seminole State College plays a vital role in supporting students by offering scholarships before each term. In the academic year 2024-25, the Foundation provided $1.32 million in scholarship and emergency assistance to nearly 1,500 students, with an average award of $846. These scholarships can significantly ease the financial burden of college, making education more attainable for a diverse range of students.

Application Deadlines and Timeline

It is important to note that the application period for Foundation Scholarships 2026 Spring Term is now closed. The next opportunity to apply for Foundation scholarships during the 2025-2026 Academic Year will be:

2026 Summer Term Scholarships: Applications will be accepted March 1-31, 2026

To stay informed about upcoming scholarship opportunities and application updates, students are encouraged to become members of the Foundation page on RaiderConnect.

Who is Eligible to Apply?

Any student who has completed the previous term of enrollment in a degree or certification-seeking program at Seminole State College is eligible to apply online. However, students classified as dual-enrolled, transient, or specific international students are not eligible for Foundation scholarships.

Each of the Foundation's 300-plus scholarships has unique eligibility requirements which can include GPA, academic program, and residency. Students are strongly encouraged to also apply for FASFA (even if PELL approval is not expected), as this information is utilized to validate financial need.

How to Apply for Foundation Scholarships

Students who have completed their first term of attendance may apply for Foundation Scholarships using Seminole State College's online scholarship application system. Here's a step-by-step guide:

Go to www.foundationscholars.com or scroll to the highlighted box that is visible during open application periods and click/tap on the Apply Now for Scholarships button.
If you have trouble logging in to the scholarship system, please follow the troubleshooting directions provided.
Complete the General Application. You should complete all of the fields, even if they are not required. The non-required fields are required for some individual scholarships, and if these fields are left blank, you will not be considered for the scholarship.
Once you have completed the General Application, click the Submit button at the bottom of the page.
You will be directed to all recommended scholarships. It is encouraged that you apply for all recommended scholarships. These are scholarships where the applicant meets most or all of the eligibility requirements.
There are many auto-match scholarship opportunities that each applicant will be considered for automatically upon submission of the General Application.
When logging back in after the initial sign-in, select ‘Opportunities’ and then select ‘Recommended’ to view the recommended scholarships again.
You may also view 'External' opportunities, when available, which include links to scholarships that are offered outside of the Foundation and College.
View "All" to see a complete list of all scholarships offered during the open application period. Students may apply to any or all of the scholarships listed; however, only applications that meet all the eligibility requirements will be considered. Auto-Match opportunities will list "None" as no further action is required by the applicant.

Crafting a Great Scholarship Essay

A well-written essay is crucial for convincing reviewers that you are a worthy investment for donors. The essay should be 500 words and include the following points:

What is your program of study and what motivated you to pursue a career in this area?
What are your goals post-graduation and beyond?
How will your degree impact our community and society?
What financial obstacles are you facing and how can a scholarship help you?

Be detailed and honest in your essay. If you have a low GPA, let the reviewers know why. Life happens, but your explanation will let them know you are making your best effort.

Please make sure to complete your FAFSA for the current school year at FAFSA even if you are not eligible for Federal Financial Assistance.

Types of Scholarships Offered

The Foundation manages close to 300 scholarship accounts, offering many opportunities for students to receive tuition and book assistance during the Fall, Spring, and Summer terms. Here are some examples of the scholarships offered:

Ashely Nicole Strum Memorial Endowed Scholarship
Casey Endowed Scholarship (Art / Visual Arts and Emerging Media)
Col. Frederick J. Burbach Endowed Scholarship
Dominic D.H. Pritchard Endowed Scholarship in Creative Writing
Dorothy Morrison Endowed Scholarship in English and British Literature
Dr. Burt H. Perinchief Endowed Scholarship in Choral Music
Gloria M Di Maso Endowed Art Scholarship
Harriett Lake Theater Endowed Scholarship
Helen Hutchinson Tucker Memorial Endowed Scholarship (Humanities)
Hoofman-Fowler Endowed Scholarship
Jack Longfellow Family Endowed Band Scholarship
Joseph W. Miller Endowed Scholarship (Photography)
Kelly Rebecca Minnix Endowed Scholarship
Ledford Chambers Smisek Wilhelm Endowed Trumpet Scholarship
Lucinda Coulter Burback Economics Endowed Scholarship
Michael Murphy Memorial Scholarship (Social Sciences/Humanities)
Norm Lewis Musical Theater Quasi-Endowed Scholarship
Paul Luby Fine & Performing Arts Endowed Scholarship (Theatre, Music or Studio Art)
Paul M. Wegman Endowed Scholarship (Theatre/Acting)
Robert L. Balanoff Family Endowed Scholarship
Brandon Family Endowed Scholarship in Accounting
Brenda P. Thacker Endowed Scholarship
Burr & Forman Endowed Scholarship for Legal Studies
Chick and Lisa Gregg Entrepreneur Endowed Scholarship
Dorothy Nieto Memorial Endowed Scholarship
Ferguson-Vickaryous Endowed Scholarship
Florida Society of Professional Accountants Endowed Scholarship
Friends of Carl Selph Endowed Scholarship
Honorable Dominick Salfi Endowed Scholarship for Persistence in Legal Studies
Hugh Moore SIM Central Florida Endowed Scholarship
Ken Sylvester Endowed Scholarship
Lucinda Coulter Burbach Endowed Scholarship
Lucy DiPasqua Endowed Scholarship
Marvin F. Ellis Next Horizon Endowed Scholarship
Michael Holmes Endowed Scholarship
Next Horizon Entrepreneurial Endowed Scholarship
Orlando Sanford International Airport Diane Crews Endowed Scholarship
Robert T. Hattaway Endowed Scholarship in Business, Entrepreneurship and RERosenfield & Co. Albert Leroy Brown Foundation Endowed Scholarship

General Scholarships

Alex J. Serraes Quasi-Endowed Scholarship
Alfred Thurston Child, Jr. Endowed Scholarship
Ashley Nicole Strum Memorial Endowed Scholarship
AT&T Endowed Scholarship
Baker Commercial Landscaping Endowed Scholarship
Bank of America Endowed Scholarship
Bernard Albert and Elva Ridings McGee Family Endowed Scholarship
Bertha B. Valentine Memorial Quasi-Endowed Scholarship
Beta Chi Chapter of the Delta Kappa Gamma Society International Scholarship in Memory of Ann C. Endowed Scholarship for Area of Greatest Need
David and Ann Fuller Endowed Scholarship
De Salvo Family Library Education Endowed Scholarship
Dr. and Mrs. Wayne Bauman Endowed Scholarship
Dr. E. Ann McGee and Charles J. Kovaleski Endowed Scholarship
Dr. Earl K. Weldon Memorial Endowed Scholarship
Dr. E. Ann McGee Endowed Scholarship
Dr. John Gyllin Endowed Scholarship
Dr. Stephen Caldwell Wright Endowed Scholarship
Ferguson-Vickaryous Endowed Scholarship
Frances G. Kopec Memorial Endowed Scholarship
Friends of Carl Selph Endowed Scholarship
Gaustad Memorial LBTQIA+ Endowed Scholarship
Generation OM Endowed Scholarship
Gordon Murdock Memorial Endowed Scholarship
Graham Family Memorial Endowed Scholarship
Helen Hutchison Tucker Memorial Endowed Scholarship in Humanities
Honorable John and Pat Mica Endowed Scholarship
Howard Estate Endowed Scholarship
Jan Stratton Cudworth Quasi-Endowed Scholarship
Jennifer L. Schott Memorial Endowed Scholarship
John and Ultima Morgan Endowed Scholarship
Johnson Foundation Endowed Scholarship
Journey of Youth "JOY" Endowed Scholarship
Kevin Spolski Endowed Scholarship
Kimball Foundation Endowed Scholarship
Kiwanis Club of Longwood-Altamonte
Kiwanis Club of Sanford/Earl Weldon Memorial Endowed Scholarship
Legacy Soccer/Lever Brothers Endowed Scholarship
Lockhart Family Scholarship
Lorenz Family Endowed Scholarship
Manny & Gerry Garcia/Rotary Club of Seminole County South Endowed Scholarship
Mark and Andria Herr Endowed Scholarship
Martha Miller Memorial Endowed Scholarship
McIntosh Family Endowed Scholarship
Melbourne Family Endowed Scholarship
Mike and Robin Lloyd Endowed Scholarship
Mildred O. Lind Endowed Scholarship
Moridian Family Endowed Scholarship
Myra S. Doudney Family Endowed Scholarship
Myrna L. Deal Memorial Endowed Scholarship
Orlando Magic Youth Foundation Endowed Book Scholarship
OSIA Diane Crews Endowed Scholarship
Pamela Poole Weber Quasi-Endowed Scholarship
Paul and Jone Porter Endowed Scholarship
Phi Theta Kappa-Pi Lambda Chapter
Phyllis Marie Palmer Memorial Quasi Endowed Scholarship
Private Business Association of Seminole Endowed Scholarship
Reverend Amos C. Jones Memorial Endowed Scholarship
Robert & Donna McIntosh Endowed Scholarship
Robert J. Schmidt & E.S. Endowed Scholarship
Selma M. Caisse Memorial GED Endowed Scholarship
Tim and Felicia Slattery Endowed Scholarship
Tracey Jenkins Endowed Scholarship
Tracy Lynn Rupp Memorial Endowed Scholarship
University Club of Orlando Endowed Scholarship
Wayne W. Carol Clayton Memorial Endowed Scholarship

Nursing Scholarships

Dr. Cheryl Cicotti Nursing Endowed Scholarship
Dr. Vann Parker Memorial Endowed Scholarship for Nursing
Dr. Vera Overbay Memorial Nursing Endowed Scholarship
Femmes de Coeur Endowed Scholarship
Fred J. Isert Endowed Scholarship
Gallagher Family Endowed Scholarship in Nursing
George and Gretchen Smith Endowed Scholarship in Nursing
Gould Family Endowed Scholarship for Nursing
Lance Vigneault Memorial Quasi-Endowed Scholarship
Michalene Conti Endowed Scholarship in Nursing
Orlando Health Foundation Nursing Endowed Scholarship
Roy W. Johnson Memorial Endowed Scholarship for Nursing
Ruth Stenstrom Czajkia Memorial Nursing Endowed Scholarship
Sally Burgoyne Smith R.N. Endowed Scholarship
Saxena Future Caregivers of America Endowed Scholarship

Construction and Engineering Scholarships

Shannon L. 3rd Wave Development Construction Scholarship (Architecture)
Albert Ray Key Memorial Endowed Scholarship (Construction)
Barbara A. Endowed Scholarship in Construction Management
Chick and Lisa Gregg Endowed Scholarship (Construction & Engineering)
Dale S. Jones Memorial Endowed Scholarship (Architecture, Engineering, or Construction)
David Anelli Memorial Endowed Scholarship (Plumbing/Plumbing Design)
David Dean Brenner Memorial Endowed Scholarship
Herman and Nana Klein Endowed Scholarship (Vocational)
HuntonBrady Architects Endowed Scholarship (Architecture or Interior Design)
Jack Jennings Memorial Endowed Scholarship (Construction)
Jack Glatting Memorial Endowed Scholarship (Architecture or Construction)
Jack Guignard Memorial Endowed Scholarship (Construction)
Kevin J. Spolski Endowed Scholarship (Construction)

STEM Scholarships

Kimberly K. AFCEA Endowed Scholarship (Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or Information Technology)
Central Florida Fair Endowed Scholarship (Earth Science or Sustainability)
Duke Energy Endowed Scholarship (Physical Science)
Fred J. Isert Memorial Endowed Scholarship (Math or Science)
Greenwell Foundation Endowed Scholarship ( Math or Science)

Vocational and Program-Specific Scholarships

The Foundation also offers scholarships to students enrolled in the certification or vocational trade programs.

Barbara Miller Endowed Scholarship
Bridgestone/Firestone Automotive Technology Endowed Scholarship
CFADA (Central Florida Auto Dealers Association) Endowed Scholarship
Michael Griffin Endowed Scholarship
Raj Lally Automotive Program Endowed Scholarship
Robert J. Schmidt & E.S.

Additional Scholarship Opportunities

Beyond the Foundation scholarships, Seminole State College students may also find external scholarship opportunities. These can be found through online search engines, professional organizations, and community groups.

Understanding Residency Requirements

Applicant(s) must provide a notarized statement that confirms that immediate family has lived in a particular county for at least 35 years to be considered.

I____ (Parent’s/Grandparent’s Name) do herby certify that I have lived in the following Central Florida County _____(County) for at least 35 years.

Read also: A Look at Anna University

Yes. Has your immediate family (parents and grandparents) resided in Central Florida which includes: Brevard, Citrus, Flagler, Lake, Levy, Marion, Orange, Osceola, Seminole, Sumter, and Volusia Counties for a minimum of 35 years?

If selected "yes", please attach a notarized statement confirming that your immediate family (parents or grandparents) has lived in the particular county for at least 35 years.

Financial Need and Cost of Attendance

This Scholarship cannot pay over the student’s Cost of Attendance (COA) or Financial Need. COA is the estimated amount it will cost a student to attend the university. Financial Need is the difference between the student’s COA and a student’s Student Aid Index (SAI).

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