Abundant Scholarship Money Available to Local Students

Money may not buy happiness, but it can provide easier access to a great education. That’s why so many charitable groups in Brevard County offer scholarships to help high school seniors and college students.

Check in with students you know to make sure they’re aware of all the scholarship opportunities available to them. Here, we present a collection of them.

Community Woman’s Club

Helping young people achieve their career dreams is part of the DNA of groups like the Community Woman’s Club in Cocoa Village.

“We give one scholarship per year through the Brevard Schools Foundation,” said club 

president Suzanne Bennitt. “We have been doing this for about 30 years, as literacy is very important to the Woman’s Club.”

This year’s recipient, Rockledge High graduate Sophia Teller, is representative of the high caliber of students aided by these scholarships.  

“She seems to be an amazing young woman,” Bennitt said. “She is from a single-parent home with a very modest income. She had more than 270 hours of verified community service hours, in addition to being a Cambridge student at Rockledge High.”

In terms of available scholarship funds, it can be an embarrassment of riches for Brevard students, if they know where to search. Brevard Schools Foundation (brevardschoolsfoundation.org/programs/scholarships) helps to orchestrate many of them.

“In 2022, we awarded 94 scholarships for $102,625,” said Linda Filippini, the Foundation’s scholarships and classroom grant specialist. “The scholarships we offer are possible through the generosity of so many donors who want to make post-secondary education accessible for BPS students.”

Since the program launched in 1987, the Foundation has awarded about 1,300 scholarships with a value of more than $1.3 million. Scholarships, which range from $250 to $5,000, can be used at institutions of higher learning across the country, according to the donor’s wish. The Foundation makes it as easy for both donor and recipient with a streamlined process for giving and receiving.

Here is a sampling of scholarships available to those on the Space Coast: 

Brevard Schools Foundation

The Brevard County Chapter FAMU NAA Scholarship

For students enrolling or returning to Florida A&M University. 

Contact: Reva Watson, 321-403-8330 or revajwatson@hotmail.com 

Brevard Federated Republican Women

Three $1,000 scholarships to high school seniors, including home schooled students. One is for a student in a trade school program.

brevardfederatedrepublicanwomen.org 

Great Southeast Flooring America College Scholarship Program

$1,000 awards to graduating public school seniors. 

Visit Southeastflooringamerica.com and click “Learn More” over the scholarship graphic.

Southern Scholarship Foundation

Offers rent-free housing and cooperative living to support students who lack financial resources, demonstrate excellent academic merit, and exemplify good character.

Southernscholarship.org

Florida Realtors Education Foundation Student Scholarship Program

Open to all high seniors, but special consideration given to students considering a real estate-related career.

my.reviewr.com/s2/site//Education_Foundation_Scholarship_22

Phoenix Foundation of Central Florida

Provides funds to enhance or supplement education.

phoenixfoundationcfl.org/scholarships/

Reginald E. Johnson Memorial Scholarship

The community-funded scholarship, which honors the late West Point Cadet Reginald E. Johnson, promotes educational opportunities for students in need of financial assistance.

Visit reginaldejohnson.com/ or email primus.steve@brevardschools.org

HonorsGradU Scholarship

Five $10,000 scholarships toward tuition fees

honorsgradu.com/scholarship/scholarship-faqs

Zonta Club of Melbourne

Granted annually in memory of Monica Jean Campbell, the Young Women in Public Affairs Scholarship helps graduating senior young women committed to leadership roles in public policy, government and/or volunteer organizations. Scholarship winner will be eligible for the same scholarship at the Zonta district level, and that winner is eligible for the scholarship at the Zonta international level. 

Visit zonta.org and click on “Our Programs” or email redskinsam@gmail.com, subject: Scholarship. 

Brevard County Fire Rescue

Funding to attend Eastern Florida State College’s EMT & Fire training programs. Recipients would then enter employment with BCFR as a firefighter/EMT. 

Brevardfl.gov/FireRescue/FireRescueCareers

Veterans Memorial Center Scholarships

The Veterans Memorial Center typically awards six to eight $1,000 scholarships to help cover the expenses of college-bound or continuing-college students from Brevard. The applicants should have family or other special ties to Brevard Veterans Center Veterans Memorial Center.

veteransmemorialcenter.org/scholarships/ or call 321-453-1776

Community Foundation

Community Foundation for Brevard (cfbrevard.org/grants/scholarships), like the Schools Foundation, also administers scholarships for local donors. Here are some:

 

• Norma S. Annabal Scholarship: Awarded to college students who reside in Brevard and attend Eastern Florida State College, Florida Institute of Technology, University of Central Florida or Rollins College.
• Geraldine L. Cabic Charitable Fund: Scholarships awarded to Brevard residents attending Eastern Florida State College’s Nursing and Health Sciences Institute.
• Culpepper Nursing Scholarship: Awarded to Brevard students enrolled in the practical nursing/LPN PSAV or registered nursing/RN A.S. programs at Eastern Florida State College. 
• Pablo Enriquez Memorial Scholarship: For college students who graduated from a Brevard County high school.
• Ella Josephine Goodman Horn Fund: Awarded to college attendees who reside in Brevard County and attend Eastern Florida State College, Florida Institute of Technology, the University of Central Florida, or Rollins College.
• Missy and Tony Shannon Memorial Scholarship Fund
  Awarded to students enrolled in Eastern Florida State College’s Veterinary Nursing program
• Community Scholarship Fund:
  Awarded to college students who graduated from Brevard high schools, with priority to students who will be first in their families to earn a bachelor’s degree.
• Skate to School Scholarship:
  Rewards top skaters of local skateboard competitions with college education scholarships. 

Additional scholarship sources:

Cape Canaveral Chapter of the Military Officers Association of America (MOAACC) awards scholarships and wards of active duty or retired members of the military, including regular, National Guard and reserve. In 2022, 10 scholarships worth $5,000 each were awarded.
Moaacc.org

The Grant Seafood Festival and Charles Conway Memorial Scholarships are awarded on a competitive basis, and applicants must have completed 50 hours of community service, preferably for the town of Grant-Valkaria. Preference given to town residents.

grantseafoodfestival.com/scholarship

Women in Defense Space Coast Chapter typically awards $500 to $2,000 per individual scholarship to students pursuing college STEM studies. 

“In 2022, WIDSC awarded $15,000 in scholarships to 12 students,” said spokesperson Carey Beam. “The scholarships are part of the WIDSC’s mission to provide professional development opportunities that will help promote the role of women in national defense and security.”

scwid.org/scholarships

Rotary Club of Indialantic funds two scholarship programs. One donates directly to EFSC, which identifies recipients. The group also hosts a Constitutional Essay Contest with a $1,000 top prize at Melbourne High’s ROTC program.

In partnership with the Parrish Medical Center Auxiliary, Jess Parrish Medical Foundation awards medical scholarships to graduating high school seniors who reside in the hospital’s service area (State Road 528 north to the Brevard/Volusia county line).

parrishhealthcare.com/jpm-foundation/scholarships