The Independence Scholarship Program is a joint project of the Florida workforce system, the Independent Colleges and Universities of Florida, and the Florida Independent College Fund.  Its goal is to help college students who had been in the foster child system advance from low-income employment, under-employment, unemployment or public assistance to secure self-sufficient careers through higher education, avoiding future dependency on public assistance.  

The program will award up to $10,000 to pay tuition, room & board at the institution, book costs, fees and other education related expenses.   

To be eligible for this program a student must have been in Florida’s foster child system and be enrolled at an independent college or university in Florida for the 2005-2006 academic year.  For community agency contact information, click on one of these links:   List of Lead Agency Contacts;   Map of Florida with Lead Agencies.

The following institutions can participate in this program.:

Awards will be processed in the order that applications are received until $300,000 is fully disbursed.   

Students should apply to their institution's financial aid office or directly to the Florida Independent College Fund, 929 N. Spring Garden Ave., Suite 165, DeLand, FL 32720 --- email --- independence@ficf.org. 

Once scholarship eligibility requirements have been met, the award will be made to the student’s institutional account to pay remaining charges not covered by federal or state grants and scholarships up to $10,000.   

Submit An Application