Financial Aid

eral, state and local aid. Students should contact their college’s financial aid office to determine that the FAFSA form has been received and what other aid they may be eligible to obtain. The Florida Department of Education Office of Student Financial Assistance can also assist students in attaining information and applying for state financial aid. Students may also be eligible for fee waivers and fee exemptions per Florida statute.

Aid From Your College or Career School

Many colleges offer financial aid from their own funds. Find out what might be available to you by: n Visiting your school’s financial aid page on its website, or asking someone in the financial aid office.

n Asking at the department that offers your course of study; it might have a scholarship for students in your major.

n Filling out any applications the school requires for its own aid, and meeting the deadlines.

Aid From a Nonprofit or Private Organization

Many organizations offer scholarships or grants to help students pay for college. This free money can make a real difference in how affordable your education is.

Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program

The Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program establishes lotteryfunded scholarships to reward

Florida high school graduates for high academic achievement. The Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program, which has helped more than 917,000 Florida students attend a postsecondary institution, is comprised of the following four awards: n Florida Academic Scholars (FAS) award n Florida Medallion Scholars (FMS) award n Florida Gold Seal CAPE Scholars (GSC) award n Florida Gold Seal Vocational Scholars (GSV) award

Each award level has its own academic requirements, award amounts and funding length. A student may receive funding for only one award; the highest award earned will be selected. In addition to meeting aca-

Make an Educated Choice

demic requirements, students must also meet the general eligibility requirements for receipt of state aid.

The basic academic requirements for each Bright Futures award level include: n Sixteen credits in specific core courses: Math, English, Natural Sciences, Social Science, World Language (FAS/FMS only); and at least three full credits in a single Career and Technical Education program (GSV only) n Achieving the required Grade Point Average (GPA) for the desired award level n Achieving the required SAT or ACT test scores for the desired award level

As the academic requirements vary somewhat between award levels, be sure to read the page that provides specific information regarding the award level you wish to earn. Scholarship criteria are subject to annual legislative review; visit floridastudentfinancialaid.org for the most up-todate program requirements. Meet with your high school counselor to discuss your progress toward meeting the initial eligibility requirements.

Public high school students may access their Bright Futures Scholarship evaluation on the website for Florida Virtual Campus (flvc.org). This site allows public high school students to review their academic progress toward meeting Bright Futures initial eligibility requirements and their progress toward meeting State University System course require- ments for admission. Evaluations are based on current program requirements and transcripts received from a student’s high school.

Education Foundation of Palm Beach County

505 S. Congress Ave. Boynton Beach, FL 33426 (561) 738-2931 www.educationfoundationpbc.org educational programs introdu visitors to manatees and the nearby Lake Worth Lagoon ecosystem.

Founded in 1984, the Education Foundation of Palm Beach County is a nonprofit, 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to advancing excellence in Palm Beach County’s public education by increasing public awareness and inspiring community and business support for programs focused on learning, literacy and leadership. The Education Foundation serves as a conduit for private sector investment and community involvement in our public schools. It leverages these relationships for the benefit of the county’s public schools and creates partnerships with businesses and funders that affect students in the classroom and strengthen cooperation between the private sector and public schools. Additionally, the foundation invests in programs not funded through tax dollars, including student scholarships, mentoring and other dropout prevention strategies, teacher quality and recognition programs, classroom grants, literacy improvement strategies, technical/career education initiatives, and targeted support for low-performing students and schools.

Our hands-on exhibits and ce es, g e

Most educational programs are free and require advance registration. To register, go to o

VisitManateeLagoon.com

6000 N. FLAGLER DRIVE

Offerings include in-person and virtual learning experienc observation decks overlookin the Lagoon’s marine life, Q&A sessions with our Manatee Master experts, underwater cameras and mor 33407