1. Submit the FAFSA Early
Starting with the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is essential. It unlocks federal grants, loans, and work-study options—and is often required for eligibility in state and college-specific aid programs.
2. Maximize Miami Dade College (MDC) Scholarships
If you're attending MDC, you have access to a wide range of powerful scholarship opportunities:
-
Future Ready Scholarship: Covers the full in-state tuition for Miami-Dade County residents earning an associate degree—regardless of family income—and includes wraparound student support.
-
American Dream Scholarship: Provides full coverage of in-state tuition and fees for the first two years toward an associate’s degree for recent Miami-Dade high school graduates.
-
Honors College Scholarship: Offers full in-state tuition, fees, and books to high-achieving students admitted to MDC’s Honors College.
-
Presidential Scholars Program: Covers tuition and fees for two years, plus a stipend each semester.
-
Board of Trustees Scholarship: Offers $5,000 to selected associate degree graduates with strong GPA and demonstrated financial need, intended to support transfer to four-year institutions.
-
UpSkill Miami Scholarship: Grants full tuition, books, fees, uniforms, and a stipend for students entering select healthcare fields—based on financial need and residency.
3. Tap Into Community & National Aid
-
Step Up for Students: A nonprofit that provides scholarships for low-income students, students with special needs, or those affected by bullying. Funds may be used for tuition, tutoring, or school-related expenses.
-
Take Stock in Children: This mentoring program also offers college scholarships and robust support to low-income Florida students, improving graduation and college completion rates.
-
Stamps Scholarship at University of Miami: A highly competitive, comprehensive four-year merit award—covers tuition and additional enrichment experiences—available to top applicants at UM.
5. Stack Scholarships Whenever Possible
Combining multiple scholarships can increase your funding—sometimes even generating a refund from tuition overages. One student shared that despite having multiple awards, they received a refund when total scholarship funds exceeded tuition.
Final Thoughts
In Miami, you don’t have to navigate college funding alone. By combining strategies—starting with FAFSA, tapping local scholarship programs, leveraging partnerships, and pursuing nonprofit and merit-based funding—you can reduce your cost significantly and possibly even graduate debt-free.