Families can pay for college through a variety of options, including need-based financial aid, which helps reduce tuition costs based on a family's financial situation. The Bright Futures Scholarship Program provides merit-based scholarships for eligible Florida students. Additionally, students can apply for a range of private scholarships, based on academic achievements, extracurricular involvement, and other criteria, to further offset expenses.
Financial Aid
Financial aid can make college more affordable and is determined by various factors, not just income, meaning some families may find private out-of-state colleges more cost-effective than in-state public universities. Students apply for aid primarily through the FAFSA, available October 1, which unlocks federal scholarships and grants, and the CSS Profile, used by some colleges to calculate awards with their own criteria. Aid is awarded either based on financial need or student merit, with many scholarships available locally and nationally. Families can estimate costs using each college’s Net Price Calculator and should reapply for aid annually. Open communication with CDS’s college counselors ensures the best guidance throughout this process.
Bright Futures
Florida Bright Futures provides merit-based financial assistance for students pursuing higher education in Florida. The Florida Academic Scholarship (FAS) covers full tuition and fees at state universities or an equivalent amount at private Florida schools, while the Florida Medallion Scholarship covers 75% of tuition and fees. Students earning the full IB Diploma automatically qualify for the highest tier of Bright Futures.
Here’s the truth about scholarships: most funding comes directly from colleges, but there are additional opportunities from major corporations like Burger King, Coca-Cola, and DuPont. These organizations reward leadership and community service with scholarships ranging from $1,000 to $20,000.
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