Mary McLeod Bethune Scholarship
Offered by Florida Department of Education with four participating universities · Free to apply
Named for the founder of Bethune-Cookman, this state matching programme pays a fixed annual amount to students with financial need and a strong academic record at four Florida institutions: Florida A&M University, Bethune-Cookman University, Edward Waters University and Florida Memorial University. The state puts up a challenge grant matched dollar for dollar by private fundraising at each school, and each institution's financial aid office ranks its own applicants by need and then academic merit. There is no separate state application: you apply through the university's aid office, which sets its own deadline, so the real move for an admitted student is contacting that office early and asking to be considered.
How hard is the Mary McLeod Bethune Scholarship to win?
This is not a competition, but the funding is rationed: eligible students are routinely turned away once the money runs out, so filing date decides the outcome.
- Estimated odds
- most eligible students who file early receive it
- Paperwork
- ~2 hrs to file
What drives the odds here
Odds on a scholarship are mostly a question of how many students can enter. Each rule below changes the size of that field.
- Fewer rivalsOpen only to Florida residents
- Fewer rivalsAn official transcript is required
- Fewer rivalsRequires at least a 3 GPA
How Solyo estimates this: State programs that allocate by published formula are modelled on qualification and filing, not on competition, because there is no selection committee choosing between applicants. These are estimates derived from each award's published structure, not reported acceptance rates, which almost no scholarship provider discloses. Treat them as a way to rank where the hours go, not as a guarantee.
Who can apply for the Mary McLeod Bethune Scholarship?
These are the eligibility rules Solyo verified against the official award page, translated into plain English. Your student must meet each one.
- Must be a resident of Florida
- Open to high school seniors and current college students
- GPA of 3 or higher (unweighted)
- Open to U.S. citizens or permanent residents (green card)
- Only at four institutions: Florida A&M University, Bethune-Cookman University, Edward Waters University and Florida Memorial University. Full-time undergraduate enrollment, Florida residency, a 3.0 unweighted high school GPA, financial need, and no prior bachelor's degree.
- Apply through the university's financial aid office; each of the four schools sets its own procedures and deadline and ranks applicants by need, then GPA.
What the application takes
- Transcript required. Request it from the school registrar ahead of the deadline.
Deadline and application cycle
The current deadline is June 30, 2027. This award runs on an annual cycle, with deadlines around June 30 each year.
- Applications close
- June 30, 2027
Does your student actually qualify?
See if your student qualifies in 30 seconds. Solyo checks 20+ criteria against their real profile: GPA, state, grade level, intended major, and more, across every award in this directory at once.
Common questions about the Mary McLeod Bethune Scholarship
How much is the Mary McLeod Bethune Scholarship worth?
The Mary McLeod Bethune Scholarship awards $3,000 per year and is renewable in later years.
When is the Mary McLeod Bethune Scholarship deadline?
The current deadline is June 30, 2027. This award runs on an annual cycle, with deadlines around June 30 each year.
Who is eligible for the Mary McLeod Bethune Scholarship?
Key requirements: Must be a resident of Florida; Open to high school seniors and current college students; GPA of 3 or higher (unweighted); Open to U.S. citizens or permanent residents (green card).
Does the Mary McLeod Bethune Scholarship require an essay?
No essay is required. The application does ask for a transcript. Expect to spend about 2 hours on it.
How hard is it to win the Mary McLeod Bethune Scholarship?
This is not a competition, but the funding is rationed: eligible students are routinely turned away once the money runs out, so filing date decides the outcome. Solyo classifies this award as formula-based, meaning most eligible students who file early receive it. Plan on about 2 hrs of paperwork.
Is the Mary McLeod Bethune Scholarship free to apply?
Yes. The Mary McLeod Bethune Scholarship is free to apply. Legitimate scholarships never charge an application fee, and Solyo verifies every listed award against its official page.
More state grants & programs
- 802 Opportunity GrantFull tuition and the $100 administrative fee at CCV (last-dollar)
- Access Missouri Financial Assistance ProgramVaries by SAI and school type per statutory table (amounts prorated if funding is short)
- Alabama Student Grant ProgramUp to $3,000/yr ($1,500 per semester; actual amount depends on state funding)
- Alaska Education Grant$500-$4,000/yr based on need and enrollment level
- Alaska Performance Scholarship$3,500-$7,000/yr depending on tier
- Arizona Promise ProgramFull tuition & mandatory fees at Arizona public universities (last-dollar)
Lists this award appears on
Award details are curated by Solyo and verified against the official scholarship page. Deadlines and requirements can change between cycles, so always confirm on the provider's site before applying.