Florida Community College

The Florida Community College program is a merit scholarship for recipients of the associate arts degrees from a Florida State or Community College graduates.  Around 1950, the State of Florida System included twelve Black community colleges.  Many of these colleges, such as, Gibbs Community College, named after the founder of Florida A&M University served as feeder colleges to Florida A&M University.  In 1968, Gibbs College merged with St. Petersburg Community College, which today is known as St. Petersburg College.  From 1950 to 1968, these colleges provided opportunities for Florida’s citizenry to obtain a college education.  Many of their graduates continued their four-year degrees on the highest of seven hills, Florida A&M University.  In keeping with Florida A&M University’s tradition of providing access, the community college scholarship was established to provide financial assistance to those seeking to earn their bachelor’s degree. 

Scholarship Eligibility Requirements: 

• Be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident
• Earned an associate of arts degree from a Florida State or Community College
• Member of the IGNITE Program (member, at least 1-year)

• Have a 3.3 FAMU recalculated GPA at the time of degree conferral date

• Must meet admission application deadline (Fall – April 1 and Spring October 1)

• Validated and completed FAFSA on file in our Office of Financial Aid by January 1

• The award will be applied toward tuition and fees only and will not refund as a check.

Recipients are eligible to receive an award for a maximum of four (4) consecutive semesters.  Students must maintain enrollment in the degree program under which this award was made.  Students may not change majors.  A student must enroll in fifteen credit hours per semester and meet all eligibility requirements for renewal each semester.  Awards are not made during the summer term.

Eligibility for renewal is determined at the end of each semester.  You will not be renewed if you do not comply with scholarship deadlines, policies and the bullets below.  For automatic renewal, an award recipient must comply with the policies of the University Scholarship program and the bullets below:

• Enroll in a minimum of 15 credit hours each semester.
• You cannot drop or withdraw from a course(s) after the official university drop and add period has ended (see University Registrar’s calendar).
• Earn a “C” or better in all courses each semester.  If you do not earn a “C” or better in each course, the scholarship will terminate.
• Earn a cumulative GPA of 3.3 or better at the end of each semester (effective fall 2020). 

• Maintain the academic program at time of admission (under the scholarship program, you cannot change your major or degree program). 

• Must enroll in degree program required courses each semester (must follow academic map)

• Validated (submission of verification documents) and completed FAFSA on file in the FAMU Office of Financial prior to January 1. 

• Earn 22 hours of community service at the end of each semester (must be documented in iSTRIKE via the Office of Student Activities)

• Recipients must participate in scholarship activities (President’s Convocation, Scholar’s Speak Series, etc.).

• Juniors and seniors are required to visit the office bi-weekly and to participate in study and tutorial sessions.

•  Establish professional Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn accounts and follow FAMU Scholars.

• If you opt out of Black Board communications from the scholarship office, your scholarship terminates at the time you opt out.

• Your FAMU email is the official mode of electronic communication for scholarship purposes per BOT Regulation 5.003 (3)(a)(b)(c).

•Failure to comply with the above bullets or other policies of the University Scholarship Program will result in the loss (termination) of your scholarship. 
•Loss of scholarship (termination) will not be reinstated at a later date.
Scholarship awards are limited.  Awards will be made based upon the competitiveness of the current pool of candidates and until funds are exhausted.

Revised February 2020