Scholarships

One of the major benefits of a career in technical education, is the cost effectiveness so students graduate and start a career without debt. Whether you are eligible for federal and state grants or not, scholarships might be the solution for you. Finding scholarships to help you pay for school can be a time-consuming project, however, it is time well spent when you are able to fund your education.

Scholarship Directory

View our new FCTC Education Foundation Scholarship Directory for a list of local scholarships. 

FCTC Education Foundation Scholarship Directory

We encourage applicants to invest time in acquiring additional sources of financial aid. You can do general searches from your browser’s address bar or use search engines. You will find plenty of scholarship information online!

Students can also search the internet for industry-based scholarships. A tool manufacturer may offer scholarships for automotive students or cosmetology students from hair product manufacturers. Don’t forget to check out local community resources. Sometimes scholarships are offered by local clubs, businesses, private and professional organizations.

All students are encouraged to submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) whether they think they will qualify or not. Most scholarships require FAFSA completion and may still approve funds to students who are not eligible to receive assistance. This is also true of other institutional or government funding that may come available. So even if you have a bachelor’s degree or your family does not qualify, APPLY… it could pay off in the long run.

Researching Scholarship Opportunities

Resources

GET THERE

First Coast Technical College, Goodwill Industries of North Florida, St. Johns County Chamber of Commerce and Florida Prepaid College Foundation have partnered to provide students with “the first of its kind in the state” enrollment opportunities at FCTC. The GET THERE program is a workforce initiative to short-term but high-value career and technical education programs. This initiative will provide financially challenged students with scholarships that will enable them to attend FCTC, obtain career certification, and enter the workforce.

Upon high-school graduation, students will be eligible to apply for the Get There Faster Application, a 1-year Florida Prepaid College Foundation Plan. The approximate $3,600 plan’s value will cover most, if not all, of the tuition costs for workforce certification programs.

The GET THERE program is partially funded by a Florida Prepaid scholarship. Additional funding is needed from employers and community members to continue the availability of this program in our community. Every donation to help a student attend First Coast Technical College has been matched dollar-for-dollar by the Florida Prepaid College Foundation.

Complete the Get There Faster Application

For information, contact

  • Wendy Hansford
  • Get There Faster with First Coast Technical College
    (352) 322-3564
    [email protected]

GET THERE Press Release

FCTC Career Navigator Program

Offers assistance to eligible students ages 16- 24 for tuition, books, supplies, uniforms & more. Contact our staff at (904) 547-3377 or [email protected]. ‎ Their office is located in Building A on our Main Campus.  For more information click here.

Goodwill Industries of North Florida A-STEP for Working Adults

The A-STEP (Academic Support Through the Employment Process) program aims to provide adults in North Florida access to post-secondary education opportunities to elevate earning potential and job security by securing industry credentials and certifications. The key to the A-STEP program is providing each participant with one-on-one support from start to finish of their educational or skills training program.

First Coast Technical College is proud of our partnership with Goodwill Industries through their availability to potential and current students. For more information, click here.

CareerSource of Northeast Florida

Individual training scholarships are available to help gain industry certifications that lead to careers in high-demand occupations. Residents of Baker, Clay, Duval, Nassau, Putnam or St. Johns Counties can apply based on the following criteria:

  • Graduated from high school.
  • US citizen or a permanent resident.
  • Laid off from your job or have received notice that your job will be eliminated
  • At a certain income level (including if you have been laid off and have taken a short-term or part-time job).
  • Committed to a structured plan for career transition, working with one of our career coaches to decide whether training is the right step for you.

For more information, email [email protected] and put ‘ITA’ in the subject line or call (904) 356-JOBS (5627).

THE PLAYERS Championship Boys & Girls Club Scholarship

Through the generosity and legacy of Leadership St. Johns Class of 2022, scholarships up to $1,500 are available to current members or alumni of THE PLAYERS Championship Boys & Girls Club in St. Augustine seeking financial assistance to pursue a career at First Coast Technical College.

This scholarship is open to apply at any time by clicking Application. Learn more about the origins and generosity behind this scholarship by clicking on Leadership St. Johns Class of 2022 THE PLAYERS Championship Boys & Girls Club Scholarship.

Horatio Alger Association Career & Technical Education Scholarship

Over 130 FCTC students have benefitted from this national scholarship. Applications open March 15 – June 15 with applications accepted until all scholarships have been awarded. Students must demonstrate financial need or prove Pell Grant eligibility. Click here for eligibility requirements and to apply online.

FCTC Education Foundation

Once a year, the FCTC Education Foundation opens a window for current students to apply for community based scholarships. Students are notified through their FCTC email account with application details and deadlines. Organizations and businesses that help the Foundation help our students through scholarships and student assistance are listed below

Are you looking for a head start on your college and career pathway while in high school? FCTC’s Dual Enrollment, Secondary Electives and Early Career will unlock a world of opportunities.  

  • Fast-track your path to success by learning a trade or skill
  • Participate in Hands-on-Training with our top-notch instructors
  • Earn credits, certifications or licensures setting you up for a promising career
  • Save time and money by earning college credits for free

Parents and students can explore career options  together through the  CAREER GUIDE .

Explore FCTC’s options below…

FCTC Education Foundation Scholarship Directory

Supporters with Open or Revolving Deadlines

AGRICULTURE

ALL STUDENTS

AUTOMOTIVE

  • Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA): SEMA distributes more than $100,000.00 annually to students seeking a career in the Automotive Industry. Roughly 50% of all applicants receive at least $1,000.00 in award money. Since 1984, SEMA gave over $1 million to more than 700 students. SEMA Education | Scholarship and Loan Forgiveness
  • Automotive Aftermarket Scholarships- For full time students at an accredited U.S. college or university or an ASE/NATEF Certified post-secondary automotive, heavy duty, or collision repair school. Graduating high school seniors planning to be full-time students at any of the above. Applications must be completed by March 31, 2024. Apply Online – Automotive Scholarships

CLAY COUNTY RESIDENTS

DIESEL

  • Automotive Aftermarket Scholarships-For full time students at an accredited U.S. college or university or an ASE/NATEF Certified post-secondary automotive, heavy duty, or collision repair school. Graduating high school seniors planning to be full-time students at any of the above. Applications must be completed by March 31, 2024. Apply Online – Automotive Scholarships
  • Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA): SEMA distributes more than $100,000.00 annually to students seeking a career in the Automotive Industry. Roughly 50% of all applicants receive at least $1,000.00 in award money. Since 1984, SEMA gave over $1 million to more than 700 students. SEMA Education | Scholarship and Loan Forgiveness

FIRE, PARAMEDIC AND EMT

HOMELESSNESS

The @SchoolHouseConn connects youth who have experienced homelessness with peer support networks, assists with legal advocacy, provides mental health resource connections, and much more. All youth who have experienced homelessness and are pursuing a postsecondary education program beginning in 2022 are encouraged to apply for the organization’s $2000 scholarship award.

HONOR GRADUATES

Graduating high school seniors planning on attending an accredited college or university or trade school in the United States of America. Additionally, students must have met all of the requirements described on this website (https://honorsgradu.com/). Employees of Honors Graduation and their families are not eligible to participate. Submissions must be received before the deadlines in order to qualify for the scholarship program. Mailed applications must be postmarked by that deadline.

NURSING

PUTNAM COUNTY RESIDENTS

ST. JOHNS COUNTY RESIDENTS

  • St. Johns County School District
  • St. Augustine & St. Johns County Board of Realtors…$1,000 scholarships to be awarded to graduating seniors from the St. Johns County School District and home-schooled individuals. Since 2000, they have awarded more than $200,000 in scholarships to help them defray the cost of attending college or trade school. At the start of each school year, members reach out to St. Johns County high schools to publicize the $1,000-per-student scholarship program. To qualify, students must submit an application, transcript, essay and three letters of recommendations. Annual scholarships are awarded based on the education committee members conducting a blind selection process of all applicants. If you know of a graduating senior from the St. Johns County School District or a home-schooled graduating senior, tell them about this available scholarship. The deadline to submit an application set each spring. You can call the office to request an application package or go to the Facebook page and download the application. The application can also be obtained from the school counselor’s office. The application can be emailed, snail-mailed, or dropped off at 1789 Lakeside Ave. in St. Augustine.
  • Garden Club of St. Augustine– for graduating high school or adult students who are US citizens and residents of St. Johns County.
  • St Augustine Ketterlinus High School Alumni Association– for St. Augustine High School alumni.

WELDING

  • American Welding Society – The future of the welding industry depends upon preparing the next generation to meet the challenges ahead through education. The Foundation offers educational programs to foster the growth, stature and professionalism of the welding industry- American Welding Society Foundation. 

WOMEN

  • P.E.O. is a philanthropic organization where women CELEBRATE the advancement of women. Our local chapter sponsors a needs based grant of up to $3,000. Women are eligible for this scholarship if they have had at least 24 consecutive months as a non-student sometime in her adult life. Additionally, she must be within 18 consecutive months of completing her educational program which will lead to employment or job advancement. A chapter recommendation must be submitted no less than 8 weeks prior to the start date of the term for which the grant is requested. For recommendation, students or potential students should email  FCTC Education Foundation and mention this scholarship or contact Carlyn Moyer, P.E.O. Projects, 301-651-8893.

WOMEN IN CONSTRUCTION

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