If you are planning to go to school in Florida, you may be considering obtaining a student loan in order to help pay for the costs. While a student loan is a great way to get the money you need without having to pay high interest rates, you will be happy to know that the state has many grant programs and other sources of financial aid available. While there are some restrictions associated with some of the financial aid opportunities, there is a good chance that you may be eligible for one of these programs. Here’s a look at a few of the programs that are available in the state of Florida.

Access to Better Learning and Education Grant Program (ABLE)

The Access to Better Learning and Education, or ABLE, Grant Program is for undergraduate students who are enrolled in a degree program offered through a Florida college or university that is eligible for the program.  To be eligible for the program, you must be enrolled in at least 12 credit hours each term and you cannot be enrolled in a program that leads to a degree in divinity or theology.

Critical Teacher Shortage Student Loan Forgiveness Program

The Critical Teacher Shortage Student Loan Forgiveness Program provides assistance to teachers in Florida who have a valid Florida Department of Health License or Florida Teacher’s Certificate. To be eligible for the program, teachers must be teaching full-time at a publicly-funded school and teach in an area that is experiencing a critical teacher shortage.

Critical Teacher Shortage Tuition Reimbursement (CTSTR) Program

The Critical Teacher Shortage Tuition Reimbursement, or CTSTR, program is designed to provide financial support to public school employees with a valid Florida Department of Health License or Florida Teacher’s Certificate. To be eligible for the program, you must be enrolled in courses leading to a degree in a subject area where there is a critical shortage of teachers.

Federal Academic Competitiveness Grant

The Federal Academic Competitiveness Grant is a Federal grant that is meant to encourage high school students to take vigorous coursework while in high school. The assistance is available to students attending a two-year or four-year postsecondary program at an institution that is participating in the Title IV Federal Financial Aid program.

The National Science and Mathematic Access to Retain Talent (SMART) Grant

The National Science and Mathematics Access to Retain Talent, or SMART, Grant, provides undergraduates with up to $4,000 in grant money to help pay toward their third and fourth years of study. Students must have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 to be eligible for the program.

The First Generation Matching Grant Program

The First Generation Matching Grant Program is available to undergraduate students who demonstrate a financial need.  In order to be eligible, your parents cannot hold a degree and you must be enrolled in an eligible postsecondary institution.

Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program

The Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program provides three different lottery-funded scholarships, including the Florida Academic Scholars (FAS) award, the Florida Medallion Scholars (FMS) award and the Florida Gold Seal Vocational Scholars (GSV) award. All three awards are rewarded to high school students who have met GPA, testing and coursework requirements.

Florida Public Postsecondary Career Education Student Assistance Grant Program

The Florida Public Postsecondary Career Education Student Assistance Grant Program provides assistance to Florida residents who are enrolled in a degree program that requires 450 or more clock hours of study. Students must meet financial requirements and be enrolled in a minimum of 180 clock hours per term in order to be eligible.

William L. Boyd, IV, Florida Resident Access Grant (FRAG) Program

The William L. Boyd, IV, Florida Resident Access Grant, or FRAG, Program is designed to provide tuition assistance to Florida residence who are pursuing an undergraduate degree. Students must be enrolled in a minimum of 12 credit hours in order to be eligible for the program.

Florida Student Assistance Grant (FSAG) Program

The Florida Student Assistance Grant, or FSAG, Program provides assistance to Florida residents who demonstrate financial need. The program contains four different grants. They are:

  • The Florida Public Student Assistance Grant – for students attending state universities and public community colleges
  • The Florida Private Student Assistance Grant – for students attending eligible private, non-profit, four-year colleges and universities
  • The Florida Postsecondary Student Assistance Grant – for students who attend eligible private colleges and universities that are not covered by the Florida Private Student Assistance Grant
  • The Florida Public Postsecondary Career Education Student Assistance Grant – available to students who are attending eligible career centers or community colleges

Florida Work Experience Program

The Florida Work Experience Program (FWEP) offers student work experiences to eligible Florida students who demonstrate a financial need. To be eligible for the program, you must be enrolled in at least six credit hours per term and maintain a GPA of 2.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale.

Other Financial Aid Opportunities

This is only a sampling of the financial aid opportunities that are available to students in the state of Florida. Therefore, it is important to discuss your situation with an advisor at the college where you plan to attend in order to make certain you are taking advantage of all of the opportunities that are available to you. In addition, make sure to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), as many of these opportunities require completion of this application and filling out the FAFSA will help make you eligible for other opportunities that might be available.