The Florida Prepaid College Foundation (FPCF) and Florida Power & Light Company (FPL) are awarding $4.2 million in college scholarships to students in Florida's most poverty-stricken zip codes. Through this initiative, 1,000 students will receive 2-Year College Scholarships over the next four years.

This scholarship is part of the Path to Prosperity Scholarship Program, a statewide effort to reduce childhood poverty by opening the door to higher education for deserving students.

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About the Path to Prosperity Program

The Path to Prosperity Scholarship Program is led by the Florida Prepaid College Foundation and the Florida Chamber Foundation. It aims to reduce generational poverty by providing higher education opportunities to Florida’s most economically disadvantaged students.

Since 1990, the Florida Prepaid College Foundation has awarded over 57,000 scholarships to help Florida youth build brighter futures through education.

For questions about eligibility or applying through Big Brothers Big Sisters, contact your local agency or email info@bbbsflorida.org.

Scholarship Eligibility

The FPL Path to Prosperity Scholarship is a partnership with the Florida Prepaid College Foundation and its Path to Prosperity program. To apply, students must meet all the Path to Prosperity program eligibility criteria set by the Florida Prepaid College Foundation:

• Reside in a Path to Prosperity program priority zip code¹
• Become a member or be an existing member in good standing with one of the identified community partners: Boys & Girls Clubs Florida Alliance, Big Brothers Big Sisters Association of Florida²
• Be a resident of the State of Florida, have a valid Social Security Number, have not completed the 12th grade and be under the age of 21
• Remain drug- and crime-free
• Be active in your Big Brothers Big Sisters mentoring experience/relationship
• Be in good standing and on track to graduate/promote successfully at the end of the current school year
• Plan to apply, have applied, or have been accepted into a Florida vocational/technical institution, college, university, or have already declared their enrollment in the U.S. Military

In addition to meeting Path to Prosperity program criteria, applicants will also need to:

• Be a current 11th or 12th grader residing in a Path to Prosperity zip code within the FPL service area
• Provide a letter of recommendation from a mentor, teacher, BBBS Match Support Specialist, or other school official
• Complete and submit an essay on the following topics: What has the mentoring experience and the Big Brothers Big Sisters program meant to me? Why is it important for you to receive this scholarship?
• Complete the Florida Prepaid College Foundation (FPCF) application and supply supporting documents to include:
  • Document confirming at least one year of Florida Residency (e.g., driver’s license, voter registration, or school report cards)
  • Proof of economic eligibility (e.g., Medicaid, SNAP benefits, HUD “Very Low” qualification, or free/reduced lunch along with a copy of IRS Form 1040). Only one form of support is required.

 

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_{1 Path to Prosperity Program Priority Zip Code}

_{Priority zip codes are determined by the Florida Chamber Foundation and the Florida Prepaid College Foundation's Path to Prosperity Program. As a corporate donor under the Path to Prosperity Program, the scholarship powered by FPL is open to students who reside in one of the priority zip codes that is also in the FPL service area. Students in the zip code(s) listed are eligible to apply. Please review additional eligibility criteria and details on how to apply.  Students in the zip code(s) listed are eligible to apply. Please review additional eligibility criteria and details on how to apply.}

_{If your zip code is not listed, you do not live in a Path to Prosperity Program priority zip code that is in the FPL service area. Eligible zip codes are determined by the Florida Chamber Foundation and the Florida Prepaid College Foundation's Path to Prosperity Program.}

^{2 Community Partners}

^{FPL and the Florida Prepaid College Foundation have elected to partner with Big Brothers Big Sisters Association of Florida and the Florida Alliance of Boys & Girls Clubs to deliver the scholarship program. The organizations offer enrichment and support programs to their members and alumni and will assist students with the Path to Prosperity powered by FPL application process.}

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Application Information

The application period opens October 1, 2024. Eligible students will apply through their local Big Brothers Big Sisters agency. Check back for additional information.

Scholarship Timeline

• October 1, 2024: Application Opens
• Spring 2025: Application Review & Selection