Mary McLeod Bethune Scholarship

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.

Other deadlines near this one

• 802 Opportunity Grant
  Due June 30, 2027 · Full tuition and the $100 administrative fee at CCV (last-dollar)
• Alaska Education Grant
  Due June 30, 2027 · $500-$4,000/yr based on need and enrollment level
• Alaska Performance Scholarship
  Due June 30, 2027 · $3,500-$7,000/yr depending on tier

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.

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
• ✓Must attend a college in Florida (the award does not travel out of state)
• ✓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)

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

Common questions about the Mary McLeod Bethune Scholarship

More state grants & programs

• MassEducate (Free Community College)
  Free tuition & fees + up to $2,000/yr in allowances · due June 30, 2027
• Michigan Achievement Scholarship
  Up to $5,500/yr x 5 years ($27,500 max), or tuition-free community college · due June 30, 2027
• Michigan Tuition Incentive Program (TIP)
  Tuition assistance through an associate degree, then into a bachelor’s degree · due June 30, 2027
• Minnesota State Grant
  Varies by need and sector; recent averages ~$1,400 (2-yr public) to ~$6,400 (U of M / private 4-yr) · due September 30, 2027
• Mississippi Eminent Scholars Grant (MESG)
  Up to $2,500/yr (cannot exceed tuition and required fees) · due September 15, 2027
• Mississippi Higher Education Legislative Plan (HELP) Grant
  Full tuition and required fees at MS public universities for up to 4 years · due March 31, 2027

Lists this award appears on

• Florida Scholarships and State Grants
• No-Essay Scholarships
• Need-Based Scholarships and Grants
• Merit Scholarships
• Renewable Scholarships (Multi-Year Awards)
• Scholarships With June Deadlines