Foundation Scholarships

The following scholarships are offered to students who meet the criteria and want to pursue an education at South Florida State College with many open to all and others that have specific criteria that must be met. To apply for one or more of the scholarships mentioned below, visit and complete the Scholarship Application on AwardSpring and choose the scholarship(s) that fit with your studies and circumstances. You will need to have a completed FAFSA to receive aid, so visit the FAFSA website to complete the application. 

Visit South Florida State College’s AwardSpring platform to create an account and apply for scholarships: southflorida.awardspring.com.

Our simple, intuitive platform is thoughtfully designed to support you throughout the scholarship process here at SFSC. With a few simple clicks, you are on your way to receiving support that will help you achieve your goals in higher education. We are thrilled you chose to come to SFSC and want you to know we are here for you with every step of your journey. Please contact the Office of Financial Aid if you have any questions regarding this scholarship process; we’re happy to help.

Welcome to SFSC and Go Panthers!


Open to All Applicants

All scholarships in this category are open to applicants who have a minimum GPA of 2.5, a complete FAFSA, and demonstrate a financial need:

Agnes Vilkaitis Scholarship

Agnes Vilkaitis Scott Scholarship

David Wyche Memorial Scholarship

Gwendolyn Sanders-Hill Memorial Scholarship

Heacock Scholarship

Lori Barber Scholarship

Sebring Noon Rotary Club Education Scholarship

SFSC General Scholarship Fund

Smokey Padgett Memorial Scholarship

Thomas Burch & Carolyn P. Cornelius Memorial Scholarship

William F. Ward Family Scholarship


Scholarships with Specific Eligibility Requirements

A. Harrison Kosove Memorial Scholarship – For full-time students who are pursuing an A.A. or A.S. degree; preference given to Avon Park High School graduates with a high GPA

African American/Willie J. Dennard Jr. Scholarship – For full-time students who are pursuing an A.A. or A.S. degree; permanent residents of the tri-county region; a racial minority; and have a 2.75 GPA or higher

Association of Florida Colleges (AFC) Scholarship – Must be an AFC member

Avon Park Board of Realtors Scholarship – For full-time students who are pursuing an A.A. or A.S. degree; preference given to Avon Park residents with academic promise

Avon Park Breakfast Rotary Scholarship – For at least half-time students who are pursuing A.A. degrees in Natural Sciences or Elementary Education; preference given to an Avon Park High School graduate with a 2.75 GPA or higher 

Avon Park Friends of the Library Scholarship – For at least half-time students who are pursuing A.A. degrees in Liberal Arts with concentrations in literature, creative writing, or library science; preference given to an Avon Park High School graduate with a 2.75 GPA or higher

Avon Park Noon Rotary Scholarship – For at least half-time students who are residents of the tri-county region; preference given to a Walker Memorial Academy or Avon Park High School graduate with a 2.5 GPA or higher

Avon Park Professional Firefighters (Local 3132) Scholarship – Must be a U.S. citizen and a resident of Highlands County pursuing an Associate in Arts, Associate in Science, or a vocational certificate; preference given to a State of Florida Certified Firefighter or Paramedic or a family member with a 2.5 GPA or higher

Bank of America Dream Makers Scholarship – Must be a first-generation college student with a 2.75 GPA or higher

Barbara J. Kurtz Nursing Scholarship – Must be a tri-county resident seeking an Associate in Science or certificate in nursing with a 3.0 GPA or higher

Ben Hill Griffin Jr. General Endowed Scholarship – Must be a resident of the district and a full-time student with preference given to B.A.S. in Supervision and Management, B.S. in Elementary Education, and B.S. in Nursing

Benjamin/Brown/Maxwell/Academic Improvement Trust Fund (AITF) Scholarship Fund – Must be a Florida resident and a first-time student at SFSC

Betty B. Wild Scholarship – Must be a resident of the service district and at least a half-time student in an A.A. or A.S. program; preference given to those with higher GPAs

Bill Jarrett Automotive Scholarship – For full-time students who are a member of the SFSC Automotive Service Technology Program and/or a member of the SFSC Auto Body Repair and Refinishing Program 

Bill and Barbara Sachsenmaier Scholarship – Must be a resident of the tri-county area and a full-time student in a degree or certificate program; preference given to citrus majors and those with academic promise

Bill Blanding Memorial Scholarship – Must be 25 years old or younger and a resident of Highlands County; preference given to a black student seeking a full-time vocational certificate, A.A., or A.S. with a grade of C or better 

C. Elton and Norma D. Crews Scholarship – Must be a Highlands County resident, a full-time student, and an Avon Park High School graduate; preference given to those showing academic promise

Cadet Captain Ryan Martin AFJROTC Memorial Scholarship – Must be a full-time student in good standing and a member of the AFJROTC at Avon Park High School

Dr. Catherine P. Cornelius Endowed Scholarship – Must be a graduate with an A.A. or A.S. from SFSC who is seeking a bachelor’s degree at SFSC

Charles and Tami Cullens Endowed Scholarship – Must be a resident of the service district and at least a half-time student in an A.A. or A.S. program; preference given to citrus majors and those with high GPAs

Clifford & Marleen Perkall and Anna Lena Kiler STEM Scholarship – Must be at least a half-time student with intent to pursue a STEM or related major; preference given to veterans of the U.S. Armed Services

Democratic Women’s Club of Highlands County Scholarship – Must be a U.S. citizen and a resident of Highlands County, female, a registered democrat, and have a 2.75 GPA or higher

Dr. Harold E. Henderson Memorial Scholarship – Must be a tri-county resident and a full-time student seeking an A.S. degree; preference given to Hardee County residents with a grade of C or better

Duncan Endowed Scholarship – Must be a tri-county resident and at least a half-time student with a grade of C or better

Ed Morgan Scholarship – Must be at least a half-time student; preference given to students interested in natural or physical sciences

Edward K. Roberts Honors Program Scholarship – Must be a permanent resident who is accepted into the Honors Program; preference given to students who are enrolled in an A.A. or A.S. degree program at least half time

First Generation in College Scholarship – Must be the first in their family to attend college

Forty and Eight Voiture 899 Nursing Scholarship – Must be accepted into the nursing program and enrolled at least half time

Frances and Richard Knapp Endowed Scholarship – Must be enrolled at SFSC and have a GPA of 2.75 or higher

Fred E. Pennell Memorial Scholarship – Must be at least a half-time student with a grade of C or better; preference given to students with a grade in the C+ to B- range

GED Graduates Endowed Scholarship – Must be committed to a minimum of six (6) credits per semester with at least one class (either two or three credits) in a “live” classroom (not online). Preference given to graduates of the GED program and those who maintain academic progress with a 2.0 GPA or higher each semester

General Nursing Endowment Scholarship – Must be accepted as a full-time nursing student; preference given to those living in the service district

George S. Buck Endowed Scholarship – Must be a Highlands County resident, under the age of 21, able to receive Pell, and have a GPA of 2.0 or higher

George W. and Louise O’Neal Smoot Endowed Scholarship – Must live in Highlands County or Bartow, Fla. and be enrolled full-time in an A.S. or A.A. program with a B average

Hanford D. Brace Sr. Memorial Scholarship – Must be a full-time student with a 3.0 GPA or higher; preference given to music majors and recent high school graduates

Harbor Community Bank Scholarship – Must be a permanent resident of the service area and at least a half-time student in a degree or certificate program with a GPA of 2.5 or higher

Hazel and Chester Conerly Scholarship – Must be a resident of Hardee County; a full-time, A.A. or A.S. degree-seeking student; a graduate of Hardee High School, and have a grade of B or better

Helios Education Foundation First Generation Scholars Program – Must be first in their family to attend college

Hibiscus Garden Club Scholarship – Must be a Florida resident who graduated from Avon Park High School; preference given to agriculture or horticulture students with a B average or better

Highlands County Citrus Growers Association Scholarship – Must be a full-time student enrolled in an A.A. or A.S. degree program with a major in citrus or agriculture and have a B average or better

James Fentress Memorial Scholarship – Must be a full-time, A.A. or A.S. degree-seeking student; preference given to residents of Lake Placid with a 2.5 GPA or higher; the child of a Consolidated Tomoka employee; or an agriculture major

Joe L. and Pat Davis Endowed Scholarship – Must be a full-time, A.A. or A.S. degree-seeking student; preference given to students who are not eligible to receive other financial aid; students majoring in agriculture; or those with a C average or better

Joseph E. Johnston/Bette L. McDearman Memorial Scholarship – Must be a resident of the service district and a full-time, A.A. or A.S. degree-seeking student with a B average or better

Joy S.Y. Chen Memorial Scholarship – Must be at least a half-time, A.A. or A.S. degree-seeking student; preference given to applicants employed by Central Florida Health Care Corp. with a B average or better

Justin N. Patel Memorial Scholarship – Must be a full-time, A.A. or A.S. degree-seeking student with a B average or better

Knights of Columbus, Council 5441, Endowed Scholarship – Must be a permanent resident of Highlands County and at least a half-time student at SFSC with a 2.5 GPA or higher; preference given to family members of the Knights or ancillary organizations

Lake Placid Noon Rotary Scholarship – Must be a permanent resident of Lake Placid and at least a half-time, A.A. or A.S. degree-seeking student; preference given to Lake Placid High School graduates and those with a B average or better

Larry Macbeth Memorial Scholarship – Must be a resident of Highlands County and a full-time, A.A. or A.S. degree-seeking student with a B average or better; preference given to Sebring High School graduates

Leotis McNeil Memorial Scholarship – Must be a permanent resident of Highlands County for at least four years, a graduate of a local high school, and a full-time, A.A. or A.S. degree-seeking student with African American ancestry and a 3.0 GPA or higher; preference given to incoming freshmen

Military Officers Association of America JROTC Scholarship – 

  1. Applicant must be enrolled or accepted for enrollment at SFSC
  2. Applicant must have a GPA of no less than 2.5 and 3.0 in JROTC
  3. Applicant must be of high moral character and demonstrate the highest personal and ethical standards, as well as strong positive convictions
  4. Applicant must show a high level of loyalty to their unit, school, and country
  5. Applicant must show exceptional potential for military leadership
  6. Applicant must have a positive attitude toward the Junior ROTC or CAP unit and if in JROTC, they must have a minimum of three JROTC credits
  7. Applicant should demonstrate outstanding personal appearance of dress, posture, and grooming
  8. Applicant should possess attributes of initiative, sound judgment, self-confidence, and courtesy (including promptness, obedience, and respect)
  9. Applicant must demonstrate potential for growth in the areas of responsibility, productivity, and adaptability

Miriah Brenner Memorial Scholarship – Must be at least a half-time student; preference given to second-year students majoring in fine arts

Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church – Sarah McDonald Scholarship – Must be at least a half-time student with a 3.0 GPA or higher and a parishioner or the child of a parishioner of Our Lady of Grace; preference given to students with demonstrated commitments to church, community, or school; students must provide a letter from the pastor of Our Lady of Grace

Patrick and Mercedes Carruthers African American Scholarship – Must be an African American resident who was born, raised, and is living is Highlands County; at least a half-time, A.A., A.S., A.A.S., or vocational certificate program student; and have a 2.65 GPA or higher

Peace River Electric Cooperative (PRECO) Scholarship – Must be enrolled in the Electrical Lineworker program with the intent to work for an electric cooperative; tied to internships at PRECO

Phi Theta Kappa (Becci Davis) Scholarship – Must be a full-time, A.A. or A.S. degree-seeking student with a 3.25 GPA or higher on all work and have completed 12 semester hours on campus at SFSC

Progress Energy/Florida Power Electrical Lineman Scholarship – Must be enrolled in the Electrical Lineworker program and must not be an employee of any other power company; preference given to those with a B average or better

Pushpaben M. Joshi Memorial Scholarship – Must be a full-time, A.A. or A.S. degree-seeking student with a B average or better

Ralph H. Hartt Memorial Scholarship – Must be a resident of the service district and at least a half-time student; preference given to agriculture or citrus majors with a high GPA

Randy Allwood Automotive Scholarship – Must be accepted into or currently enrolled in the respective vocational program at SFSC; must receive a recommendation from the SFSC instructor of Automotive Technology or other Auto Body Repair professionals; preference will be given to applicants demonstrating financial need and a strong commitment to completing the respective program; and must be a resident of DeSoto, Hardee or Highlands County, Fla.

Robert J. and Jane H. Barben Family Scholarship – Must be a permanent resident of the service district and a full-time, A.A. or A.S. degree-seeking student; preference given to citrus or agriculture majors and those with a 2.75 GPA or higher

Rotary Club of Highlands County #1518 Scholarship – Must be a permanent resident of Highlands County and at least a half-time, certificate- or degree-seeking student with a 2.75 GPA or higher; must agree to attend a meeting of the Rotary Club to provide updates on the College’s program

Ruby Thomson Nees Memorial Scholarship – Must be at least a half-time student in any program at SFSC with a 3.0 GPA or higher

Sebring Elks Club Scholarship – Must be a U.S. citizen under the age of 26 and at least a half-time student at SFSC who graduated from a Highlands County high school with a 3.0 GPA or higher

Sebring Historical Society Scholarship – Must be a resident of the service district and a full-time student

Sebring Sunrise Rotary Club Scholarship – Must be a resident of the service district and a full-time student in any course of study with a 2.5 GPA or higher

Sebring Woman’s Club Scholarship – Must be a U.S. citizen and a permanent resident of Sebring who is between 24 and 35 years of age and at least a half-time student

SFSC Alumni Association – Must be accepted into or presently enrolled in a perspective program at SFSC such as a Certificate, Degree, Trade or a program with the equivalent of at least six credit hours at SFSC on at least a one-half time basis. Resident of the tri-county area with a C+ average and in good standing with SFSC. May be an SFSC Alumni or an immediate family member of an SFSC alumni

SFSC Board of Trustees Honor Scholar Award – Must be one of the top high school students who will attend SFSC

SFSC Career Employees Council Scholarship – Must be a career employee at SFSC or their dependent with a 2.75 GPA or higher

Snyder/Singletary Memorial Scholarship – Must be a resident of the service district and a full-time or part-time student; preference given to students in criminology programs and those who show academic promise

Steven Martin Durrance Memorial Scholarship – Must be a resident of Hardee County, a graduate of Hardee High School, and a full-time, A.A. or A.S. degree-seeking student with a B average or better

SunTrust Scholarship – Must be a full-time, A.A. or A.S. degree-seeking student with a high GPA

Thomas P. Clinard Nursing Endowment – Must be a resident of the service district and accepted as a full-time nursing student at SFSC

Walmart (Store #3887) Scholarship – Must be an employee or family member of an employee of the Avon Park Walmart

Wanda Daymon Memorial Scholarship – Must be enrolled at SFSC and have a 2.0 – 2.75 GPA

Wauchula Women’s Club Scholarship – Must be a Hardee County resident, a full-time, A.A. or A.S. degree-seeking student who graduated from Hardee High School within the last five years, have a 2.65 GPA or higher, and have financial need, but not eligible for Pell; preference given to female students 

West Coast District Dental Association Scholarship – Must be a resident of the service district and a full-time student enrolled in a dental program at SFSC with a C+ average or better

Zenon C.R. Hansen Memorial Scholarship – Must be a full-time, A.A. or A.S. degree-seeking student with a B average or better; preference given to single females, displaced homemakers, and individuals between 25-45 years of age


AwardSpring for Foundation Scholarships