Scholarships & Financial Aid
SCS – How to Pay for College
SchooLinks
SchooLinks is the tool utilized to help students and parents see available scholarships. Scholarships are for EVERYONE. There is no longer a scholarship “season” and different scholarships can be applied to throughout the year. There are a variety of scholarships available based on need, merit, and sometimes even unique interests. Scholarships can help students and families pay for a portion, and sometimes all the costs associated with pursuing post-secondary schooling.
Both students and parents can access local, state, and national scholarship opportunities through SchooLinks.
Student SchooLinks portal (tile in MySCS)
Once logged in, click “Finances” then “Scholarship Matching.” Complete as much information as accurately as possible to match scholarships. Once information has been entered, view and favorite any scholarships of interest. You can sort by local (district-posted) or national scholarship opportunities.
Bright Futures
The Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program is for Florida high school graduates. Seniors should apply during their 12th grade year once the application is available. It is helpful to ensure the intended institution accepts Florida Bright Futures, as some private institutions do not. Students must APPLY for the scholarship by submitting the Florida Financial Aid Application (FFAA) no later than August 31 after high school graduation.
Students are strongly encouraged to complete the FFAA even if eligibility requirements have not yet been satisfied, they will be attending an out-of-state postsecondary institution, or are considering entering the military. Deferment and reinstatement options are available. However, if a student does not apply for the scholarship by the deadline, a student cannot receive the scholarship, even if their post-secondary plans change!
Bright Futures offers multiple scholarship options:
Florida Academic Scholarship (FAS)
Florida Medallion Scholarship (FMS)
Gold Seal CAPE Scholarship (GSC)
Gold Seal Vocational Scholarship (GSV)
The Bright Futures Student Handbook outlines specific scholarship requirements and corresponding amounts for the different award types.
Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
The FAFSA application is another important aspect of a financial aid package and is used to apply for grants, scholarships, work-study funds, and loans. Students and parents can check SchooLinks to search and register for upcoming FAFSA workshops. Students can also visit their high school career center to receive assistance.
The Education Foundation of Sarasota County