Broward Education Foundation Scholarships: Empowering Futures Through Financial Aid

The Broward Education Foundation believes that every student, regardless of their financial situation, deserves the opportunity to pursue higher education. Each year, the foundation raises and awards hundreds of scholarships to deserving graduating seniors from Broward County Public Schools. These scholarships bridge the gap between ambition and access, empowering students to attend community colleges, universities, or vocational schools nationwide. Thanks to generous donors and the support of Broward Advisors for Continuing Education (BRACE), the foundation helps students take the next step toward bright and successful futures.

Understanding Broward Education Foundation Scholarships

Scholarships offered through the Broward Education Foundation are financial aid awards that, like grants, do not have to be repaid. These scholarships support Broward County Public Schools graduating seniors who plan to pursue post-secondary education at state colleges, technical or trade schools, academy programs, or universities to obtain certifications or degrees. While many students receive financial aid or awards for academic, artistic, or athletic achievement, some still face financial barriers to beginning or completing their education. Broward Education Foundation raises money to provide scholarships for deserving graduating seniors from Broward County Public Schools to help them realize their dreams of attending college. Generously funded by donors and with support from Broward Advisors for Continuing Education (BRACE), qualifying Broward County students can receive scholarships to attend a community college, university or vocational school.

Scholarship awards-both needs-based and merit and/or unrestricted-range from one-year scholarships starting at $1,000 to four-year scholarships and Florida Prepaid Tuition Plans valued at over $25,000. Community Foundation of Broward Scholarships, offered through Broward Education Foundation, range from $1,000 one-year scholarships to 4-year scholarships totaling up to $20,000.

Eligibility Criteria for Broward Education Foundation Scholarships

To be considered for a Broward Education Foundation Scholarship, applicants must meet specific eligibility criteria and requirements:

Be accepted and enroll as a full-time degree or certificate-seeking student at an accredited college, university, or technical college in 2026-27.
Meet the Florida residency requirements of at least 1 year prior to selection.
Possess:
- A 2026 Broward County Public School or Broward County Public Charter high school diploma.
- A 2026 State of Florida GED certificate earned through the Broward County Public Schools.
- Be a 2026 Broward County Public School technical college program completer or attendee.

Required Submissions

Applicants must submit the following:

A complete online application by April 1, 2026.
A complete online FAFSA (Free Federal Financial Aid Application) starting November and December, 2025. FAFSA opened for Broward briefly in October 2025. FAFSA Application for Fall 26 to open in December.
Hard copies of all required documents uploaded no later than April 1-May 1, 2026.
Complete any and all essay requirements for any scholarship for which you are applying that requires an essay.

It is important to note that some scholarship opportunities may have additional criteria.

Support Documentation

If applicable, applicants may need to provide the following support documentation:

Physician documentation if required for a particular scholarship (e.g., Dr. Harold and Gayle Cohen Scholarship).
Certificate or proof of program completion (Letter of Recommendation from Instructor) if required for a particular scholarship (e.g., Urban Teacher Academy Program, CIO Council Technology Scholarship - Letter of recommendation from Technology Teacher).
Certificate or proof of Community Service (Letter of Recommendation from Service Location(s)) if required for a particular scholarship (e.g., Urban Teacher Academy Program and City of Hallandale Beach).
A copy of your household tax returns for the prior year and/or Eligibility Letter for Free/Reduced Lunch and/or a copy of your Medicaid, SNAP Benefits, TANF, HUD, if required for a particular scholarship. The following forms can also be submitted for this purpose. Medicaid. SNAP Benefits, TANF, HUD. The "Eligibility Letter for Free/Reduced Lunch" does not need to say the student is eligible to receive the benefits to be qualified to receive certain scholarships, the requirement is submission of one of the documents for review, even it is says "not eligible to receive Free/Reduced Lunch".

Applicants should upload all hard copy and supporting documents and retain a full copy of everything submitted for their records.

Revocation of Award

If the recipient is found to not qualify for the award they have been selected and notified to receive due to a submission error, change in circumstance, omission of information, or false statements that have been used to qualify for the award, the Broward Education Foundation and/or the Sponsor may revoke the award with no alternate funding options required by the Foundation or the Sponsor.

Important Dates and Deadlines

Online Applications Open: November 1st
Application Deadline: April 1, 2026
All hard copies must be received by April 1, 2026 to be considered for a scholarship.

Specific Scholarship Opportunities

Several specific scholarships are available through the Broward Education Foundation, each with its own eligibility requirements:

William T. Hennessey, Jr. Scholarship: This scholarship honors the memory of William T. Hennessey, Jr. and is open to students with an interest in Fine Arts. The online application opens November 1, 2026, and the deadline is March 15, 2026.
City of Sunrise’s Outstanding Citizen Scholarship: This scholarship is for Sunrise residents with an interest in Tech.
Sprouting Scholar Award: This scholarship is for those who possess the academic capabilities to be exceptional students but have yet to reach their peak academic potential or greatest educational achievement. It is open November 1, 2025, and the online application deadline is April 1, 2026. This scholarship is given on the premise that the Sprouting Scholar has yet to reach their peak academic potential or greatest educational achievement. This award is a reminder that there is a community of people hoping to see you sprout into a harvest of knowledge for others to reap.
Marlene Methelis Scholarship: The parents of Marlene Methelis, Marjorie and Alan Methelis established a scholarship in loving memory of their daughter Marlene who tragically lost her life in an automobile accident.

In-Kind Scholarships

Broward Education Foundation in-kind scholarships are $2,000 scholarships provided by Nova Southeastern University. In-kind scholarships are provided by the college and therefore the award will only support students that attend the specific college as indicated on the award contract. If the recipient decides to change schools, they will lose the scholarship and the remaining dollars may be lost. In-kind Scholarship applicants are awarded through Broward Education Foundation's on-line application process.

Additional Scholarship Resources

Beyond the Broward Education Foundation, several other scholarship resources are available:

The Cooke Foundation’s Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship: Provides high-performing community college students with up to $55,000 per year to complete their bachelor’s degree upon transferring to a four-year college or university.
The "Be Bold" Scholarship: A no-essay scholarship that will be awarded to the applicant with the boldest profile.
ScholarshipOwl: Provides direct access to the scholarships students need the most.
Scholarships360 $10,000 “No Essay” Scholarship: Open to all students who want some extra help paying for their education.
Niche: Can help with every step of the college search including paying for it.
The Christian Connector: Offers various scholarship drawings for Christian/Faith Based colleges and universities.
StudentScholarships.org: Provides scholarships to anyone between the ages of 14-25 who will be attending school in the Fall of 2026.
The Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program: Rewards students for their academic achievements during high school by providing funding to attend postsecondary education in Florida. Students who complete a standard diploma may be considered for a Bright Futures Scholarship. A minimum of 3 career and technical education credits in 1 vocational program with an unweighted 3.5 GPA in those courses. Upon completion of an associate in science degree program that articulates to a bachelor of science degree, a GSC Scholar may also receive an award for a maximum of 60 credit hours toward a bachelor of science degree program.

Broward College Scholarships

Broward College offers scholarships based on merit, financial need, degree choice, and more. If so, you may be eligible for a tuition-free Associate degree!

Financial Aid Help

uAspire is partnering with Broward Education Foundation to provide a Free Financial Aid Helpdesk. uAspire will be hosting a live webinar to provide students and families with information and support on how to fill out the FAFSA on Wednesday, March 26.

Understanding Scholarship Checks at Broward College

If you receive a scholarship that is not awarded by Broward College, please take your scholarship check to the Cashier's Office. This applies to ALL checks, including those you may receive as a result of a scholarship award posted to your account. Do not send any checks to the Financial Aid Office, as the Financial Aid Office does not process checks. Doing so will cause a delay in posting your scholarship award. You must be currently enrolled at Broward College or the Cashier's Office will not accept the check. Broward College is required by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to determine the tax status of all students receiving payments from the college. Student payments may include financial aid grants, scholarships, prize monies, and/or rent.

Read also: Funding Your Education in Broward

Other Programs of Broward Education Foundation

Broward Education Foundation is the only 501(c)3 charitable organization solely dedicated to supporting Broward County Public Schools.

Innovative Teaching Grants: Supporting PreK-12 teachers with funding for impactful classroom ideas.

The Importance of Thank You Letters

As a scholarship donor, receiving a well-written 'thank you' letter from a student is special. Please Note: The Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program and Broward Futures are excluded from the Scholarship 'Thank You' Letter requirement.

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