Florida Southern College Scholarships (2026–2027)
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Last Updated on June 21, 2026
What This Page Covers:- Tuition, housing, and average family net price
- Automatic merit ranges and qualifier benchmarks
- Flagship and hidden-gem awards
- Honors and stacking strategy
📊 Admissions Snapshot
- Acceptance Rate: ~59%
- Middle 50% ACT: 24-30
- Middle 50% SAT: 1170-1320
- Average GPA: 3.4-4.1
🧭 Quick Admissions Strategy (based on where your student falls)
- Below the typical ranges: This becomes a reach — not impossible, but you’ll need strong grades, activities, or a compelling story. Don’t count on merit aid here; focus on getting in first.
- In the typical ranges: This is your main lane. You’re likely admissible and in play for solid automatic merit, but the big money (prestige awards) will still require extra effort and differentiation.
- Well above the ranges: You’re in the conversation for higher-tier merit and possibly competitive scholarships. But don’t assume a full ride — those are separate, highly selective processes.
Comparing multiple schools?
Try the Scholarship Tool to search by GPA, test scores, and state →
📌 Florida Southern College at a Glance
🏆 Full tuition available (Hollingsworth Scholarship & C.V. McClurg Scholarship)
Average Net Price
$30,462/year
Average paid.
Automatic Merit
$2,000–$26,000/yr
No separate application.
Scholarships Tracked
24 opportunities
14 automatic · 5 competitive · 5 hidden gem
Typical Qualifiers
GPA 2.5+; ACT TBD+ / SAT TBD+
Benchmarks for top-tier awards.
Testing Policy
Test-optional
Superscores ACT/SAT.
Key Deadlines
Priority: Nov 1 • FAFSA: Mar 1
Full-Tuition / Full-Ride
Hollingsworth Scholarship & C.V. McClurg Scholarship
Financial Aid Forms
FAFSA Only
🚨 Easy-to-Miss “Gotchas” at Florida Southern College (Read This First)
- Sticker price is high — merit just offsets it: Even with $10K–$26K in merit, you’re still working down from a private-school price. Net cost can still land around $25K–$35K+ depending on need.
- Full-ride scholarships are real — but extremely competitive: Awards like Hollingsworth or Jenkins are not typical outcomes. Families often overestimate their chances here.
- Early scholarship deadline matters: Priority scholarship consideration hits around November 1. Miss that window, and you’re likely leaving money on the table.
FAQ
Is this college test-optional? Yes — Florida Southern College is test-optional.
What is the middle 50% ACT/SAT? ACT: 24-30; SAT: 1170-1320.
Average net price? About $30,462/year after aid.
Does this school use waivers/reciprocity?
No — private school; same rate for all.
💰 Cost of Attendance at Florida Southern College 2026-2027
📅 2027–2028 Planning Note: The costs below reflect the most recently published figures (2026–2027). Universities typically finalize the next year’s rates in the spring, and we’ll update this page once official 2027–2028 numbers are released.
Planning tip: At large public universities, tuition, fees, and housing usually increase modestly each year (often in the 2–5% range). For early budgeting, families may want to plan for roughly $1,000–$1,500 more in-state or $2,000–$3,000 more out-of-state in total direct costs once new rates are published.
| Category (2026–2027) |
In-State |
Out-of-State |
| Tuition & Mandatory Fees (2 semesters) |
$46,168 |
$46,168 |
| Housing & Meals (typical) |
$14,830 |
$14,830 |
| Total (Direct Costs) |
$60,998 |
$60,998 |
Average Federal Net Price: $30,462 — this is what families actually paid after grants and scholarships (no loans), based on the most recent federal data. Your specific cost could be significantly lower or higher depending on your financial aid eligibility and merit scholarships. New to Net Price & SAI? Read our guide.
📌 Regional Tuition & Waiver Options
Florida Southern College is a private United Methodist-affiliated institution and charges the same published tuition and fees for all undergraduates regardless of residency.
How Florida Southern Lowers the Cost (Private College Strategy)
- Same tuition for all students: There is no in-state vs out-of-state pricing, so non-Florida residents are not penalized.
- Automatic merit scholarships: Most admitted students receive academic awards ranging from roughly $10,000–$26,000 per year with no separate application.
- Prestige & full-ride scholarships: Competitive awards like Hollingsworth, George W. Jenkins, and Legacy of Prestige can cover full tuition or the full cost of attendance.
- Visit-based awards: Programs like the Southern Experience Scholarship reward campus engagement rather than residency.
Bottom line: At Florida Southern, affordability depends more on academic strength and scholarship strategy than state residency.
🌴 Florida Resident Tip: State Grants for Private Colleges (EASE)
Florida residents attending eligible private colleges may qualify for state grant support through the
William L. Boyd, IV Effective Access to Student Education (EASE) program. If your student is a Florida resident,
ask FSC’s financial aid office whether EASE applies to your package and how it interacts with FSC scholarships.
Note: EASE is a state-funded grant for full-time Florida-resident undergraduates at eligible private colleges.
Program eligibility and award amounts (typically a few thousand dollars per year) can change with each state budget,
so confirm the current amount and requirements before planning around it.
FAQ — Cost of Attendance at Florida Southern College
Why is the cost the same for in-state and out-of-state students?
Florida Southern is a private college, so it does not receive state funding tied to residency. As a result, all students pay the same published tuition, regardless of where they live.
Is Florida Southern really affordable with a $61,000 sticker price?
For many families, yes. The average net price is about $30,000 after aid, and students earning automatic merit or prestige scholarships often pay far less than the listed cost.
Do most students receive scholarships?
Yes. Florida Southern uses merit aid aggressively, and the majority of incoming students receive institutional scholarships based on academics, talent, or special programs.
Are full-ride scholarships realistic here?
They are competitive but real. Programs like Hollingsworth and George W. Jenkins cover tuition, housing, meals, and additional expenses for a small number of top applicants each year.
Does Florida Southern participate in WUE, ACM, or other tuition exchanges?
No. As a private institution, Florida Southern does not participate in public tuition reciprocity programs. Instead, it uses institutional scholarships to reduce cost for both Florida and non-Florida students.
Sources:
https://www.flsouthern.edu/admissions/undergraduate/undergraduate-financial-aid/
https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/colleges/florida-southern-college/tuition-and-costs
https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?134097-Florida-Southern-College
✅ Automatic Merit Scholarships at Florida Southern College (2026–2027)
Florida Southern College awards automatic academic merit scholarships to most incoming students based on their admission application.
There is no separate scholarship application for the awards below, but applying by the priority deadline gives students the best chance at the higher end of each range.
Why cut-points matter at FSC:
- Merit tiers: FSC publishes scholarship ranges (not fixed amounts), so the difference between “solid” and “very strong” academics can shift a student from the lower end to the top end of a band.
- Prestige eligibility: 3.5 GPA + ACT 29 / SAT 1330 is a key threshold because it’s the minimum to apply for the Prestige track — not a guarantee of selection.
- Transfers: Moving from 3.00+ to 3.50+ college GPA can mean several thousand dollars more per year in guaranteed transfer merit.
🟡 Test-Optional & Superscoring Policy
Florida Southern is test-optional, but if scores are submitted, the college superscores both the ACT and SAT.
Strong superscored results can help place students toward the top of a merit range.
Automatic⚠ Transfer Only
Transfer Academic Merit — Tier 1 (3.75+ GPA)
📅 Deadline: Rolling
✓ Renews (2.2 GPA, 4 yrs)
🏫 3.8+ GPA🎓 TransferAt least 24 transferable college credits typically required to be considered a transfer applicant.
✚
Stacking & Combining
Transfer merit stacks with the PTK Award for qualifying Phi Theta Kappa members (an additional $2,000/year), but it does not stack with FSC athletic scholarships. On-campus residency is the lever that unlocks the full published amount — commuter students see a smaller version of the same tier.
💡
Strategic Detail
FSC's transfer merit grid awards up to $21,000 per year at this GPA threshold for on-campus residents. Renewal requires at least a 2.2 cumulative GPA and full-time enrollment (minimum 12 credits).
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Top-performing transfers with strong college GPAs (3.75 and up) — students who genuinely built momentum at their first institution and are ready to level up at FSC.
Automatic⚠ Transfer Only
Transfer Academic Merit — Tier 2 (3.50+ GPA)
📅 Deadline: Rolling
✓ Renews (2.2 GPA, 4 yrs)
🏫 3.5+ GPA🎓 TransferAt least 24 transferable college credits typically required to be considered a transfer applicant.
✚
Stacking & Combining
Transfer merit stacks with the PTK Award for qualifying Phi Theta Kappa members (an additional $2,000/year), but it does not stack with FSC athletic scholarships. On-campus residency is the lever that unlocks the full published amount — commuter students see a smaller version of the same tier.
💡
Strategic Detail
FSC's transfer merit grid awards up to $20,000 per year at this GPA threshold for on-campus residents. Renewal requires at least a 2.2 cumulative GPA and full-time enrollment (minimum 12 credits).
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Strong academic transfers with 3.50+ cumulative college GPAs — a very common landing spot for students who took their first two years seriously.
Automatic⚠ Transfer Only
Transfer Academic Merit — Tier 3 (3.25+ GPA)
📅 Deadline: Rolling
✓ Renews (2.2 GPA, 4 yrs)
🏫 3.3+ GPA🎓 TransferAt least 24 transferable college credits typically required to be considered a transfer applicant.
✚
Stacking & Combining
Transfer merit stacks with the PTK Award for qualifying Phi Theta Kappa members (an additional $2,000/year), but it does not stack with FSC athletic scholarships. On-campus residency is the lever that unlocks the full published amount — commuter students see a smaller version of the same tier.
💡
Strategic Detail
FSC's transfer merit grid awards up to $19,000 per year at this GPA threshold for on-campus residents. Renewal requires at least a 2.2 cumulative GPA and full-time enrollment (minimum 12 credits).
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Solid academic transfers with 3.25-3.49 cumulative GPAs — B+ students who show consistent work at their previous college.
Automatic⚠ Transfer Only
Transfer Academic Merit — Tier 4 (3.00+ GPA)
📅 Deadline: Rolling
✓ Renews (2.2 GPA, 4 yrs)
🏫 3.0+ GPA🎓 TransferAt least 24 transferable college credits typically required to be considered a transfer applicant.
✚
Stacking & Combining
Transfer merit stacks with the PTK Award for qualifying Phi Theta Kappa members (an additional $2,000/year), but it does not stack with FSC athletic scholarships. On-campus residency is the lever that unlocks the full published amount — commuter students see a smaller version of the same tier.
💡
Strategic Detail
FSC's transfer merit grid awards up to $17,000 per year at this GPA threshold for on-campus residents. Renewal requires at least a 2.2 cumulative GPA and full-time enrollment (minimum 12 credits).
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Transfers with 3.00-3.24 cumulative college GPAs — students who are steady contributors and hitting the traditional B-average threshold.
Automatic⚠ Transfer Only
Transfer Academic Merit — Tier 5 (2.75+ GPA)
📅 Deadline: Rolling
✓ Renews (2.2 GPA, 4 yrs)
🏫 2.8+ GPA🎓 TransferAt least 24 transferable college credits typically required to be considered a transfer applicant.
✚
Stacking & Combining
Transfer merit stacks with the PTK Award for qualifying Phi Theta Kappa members (an additional $2,000/year), but it does not stack with FSC athletic scholarships. On-campus residency is the lever that unlocks the full published amount — commuter students see a smaller version of the same tier.
💡
Strategic Detail
FSC's transfer merit grid awards up to $16,000 per year at this GPA threshold for on-campus residents. Renewal requires at least a 2.2 cumulative GPA and full-time enrollment (minimum 12 credits).
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Transfers with 2.75-2.99 cumulative GPAs — students whose college record shows real potential even if it isn't perfect.
Automatic⚠ Transfer Only
Transfer Academic Merit — Tier 6 (2.50+ GPA)
📅 Deadline: Rolling
✓ Renews (2.2 GPA, 4 yrs)
🏫 2.5+ GPA🎓 TransferAt least 24 transferable college credits typically required to be considered a transfer applicant.
✚
Stacking & Combining
Transfer merit stacks with the PTK Award for qualifying Phi Theta Kappa members (an additional $2,000/year), but it does not stack with FSC athletic scholarships. On-campus residency is the lever that unlocks the full published amount — commuter students see a smaller version of the same tier.
💡
Strategic Detail
FSC's transfer merit grid awards up to $13,500 per year at this GPA threshold for on-campus residents. Renewal requires at least a 2.2 cumulative GPA and full-time enrollment (minimum 12 credits).
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Transfers with 2.50-2.74 cumulative GPAs — students who may have had a rocky start but are ready to reset and grow at FSC.
Automatic
Thad G. Buckner Scholarship
📅 Deadline: November 1
✓ Renews (2.5 GPA, 4 yrs)
$14,000–$18,500/yr
✘ Not stackable
Holistic / Status Based
✚
Stacking & Combining
Buckner is a solid middle-of-the-ladder automatic award. Heads-up: renewal on this one requires a 2.5 cumulative GPA — slightly higher than the 2.2 required on the Roux and Lockett tiers. Small difference, but worth mentioning to your student. If they later qualify for Ordway, Watson, or above, the higher tier replaces Buckner in the aid letter.
💡
Strategic Detail
Awarded automatically at admission at $14,000–$18,500 per year. Renewal requires at least a 2.5 cumulative GPA and full-time enrollment. March 1 is the best-consideration deadline.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Solidly strong freshman admits — think GPAs in the mid- to upper-3s with course rigor. Students who show up prepared but aren't necessarily chasing the very top merit brackets.
Automatic
William H. Danforth Scholarship
📅 Deadline: November 1
✓ Renews (4 yrs)
$18,000–$24,000/yr
✘ Not stackable
Holistic / Status Based
✚
Stacking & Combining
Danforth is one of the top two automatic merit tiers — reserved for high-achieving students. If your student is invited to the Prestige application (Hollingsworth, McClurg, Christoverson), and wins one of those, the Prestige award becomes the primary institutional scholarship and Danforth steps aside. The aid office always structures this so your family sees the best possible offer.
💡
Strategic Detail
Awarded automatically at admission at $18,000–$24,000 per year. Renewable annually with full-time enrollment. Best consideration by March 1.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
High-achieving freshman admits — students with very strong GPAs, rigorous course loads (AP/IB/dual enrollment), and typically standout test scores when submitted. This tier signals FSC really wants your student on campus.
Automatic
E.T. Roux Scholarship
📅 Deadline: November 1
✓ Renews (2.2 GPA, 4 yrs)
$10,000–$14,000/yr
✘ Not stackable
Holistic / Status Based
✚
Stacking & Combining
Think of this as your foundation award — it's the baseline tier of FSC's automatic merit ladder. If your student's profile qualifies for a higher-tier scholarship (Lockett, Buckner, and up), the higher award simply replaces this one rather than adding to it. That's not a loss; it's the system upgrading you automatically.
💡
Strategic Detail
Awarded automatically at admission at $10,000–$14,000 per year. Renewal requires maintaining at least a 2.2 cumulative GPA and full-time enrollment (minimum 12 credits). Deadline for best consideration is March 1.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Freshman admits who meet FSC's baseline academic bar — solid students who are absolutely FSC-worthy but land at the entry of the merit range. If your student's GPA and rigor are steady rather than sky-high, this is likely where they'll first show up on the aid letter.
Automatic
Edna Mae Pearce Lockett Scholarship
📅 Deadline: November 1
✓ Renews (2.2 GPA, 4 yrs)
$12,500–$17,000/yr
✘ Not stackable
Holistic / Status Based
✚
Stacking & Combining
Lockett is the second rung on FSC's automatic merit ladder — a step up from Roux. If your student's academic profile bumps them into Buckner, Ordway, or higher, that award replaces Lockett automatically. FSC will always offer the highest single automatic tier your student qualifies for.
💡
Strategic Detail
Awarded automatically at admission at $12,500–$17,000 per year. Renewal requires maintaining at least a 2.2 cumulative GPA and full-time enrollment. March 1 is the best-consideration deadline; earlier is stronger.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Freshman admits who are a notch above baseline — strong students with a good academic story who don't quite crack the top-tier automatic merit brackets. Comfortable A/B students with course rigor tend to land here.
Automatic
Emile E. Watson Scholarship
📅 Deadline: November 1
✓ Renews (4 yrs)
$16,000–$22,000/yr
✘ Not stackable
Holistic / Status Based
✚
Stacking & Combining
Watson is a heavyweight automatic award — you're well into the upper brackets here. Students who earn Watson typically don't stack it with lower automatic tiers because Watson replaces them. The one thing that can shift the picture: if your student wins a competitive Prestige-level scholarship (Hollingsworth, McClurg, or Christoverson), that becomes the primary institutional award and Watson steps aside.
💡
Strategic Detail
Awarded automatically at admission at $16,000–$22,000 per year. Renewable annually with full-time enrollment. Best consideration by March 1.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Most winners: Top-quintile freshman admits with genuinely strong academic records — high GPAs, demanding course loads, and often standout test scores. If your student is on the honors-college conversation list, Watson is often in their aid letter.
Automatic
Henry and Annie Merner Pfeiffer Scholarship
📅 Deadline: November 1
✓ Renews (4 yrs)
$20,000–$26,000/yr
✘ Not stackable
Holistic / Status Based
✚
Stacking & Combining
Pfeiffer is the ceiling of FSC's automatic merit ladder — the biggest award your student can receive without applying for a competitive Prestige scholarship. If your student is a Prestige finalist and wins Hollingsworth or another Prestige award, that competitive package replaces Pfeiffer as the primary institutional scholarship (and often provides more). Either way, your family wins.
💡
Strategic Detail
Awarded automatically at admission at $20,000–$26,000 per year. Renewable annually with full-time enrollment. Best consideration by March 1.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Elite freshman admits — the very strongest academic profiles in FSC's incoming class. Standout GPAs, the most rigorous coursework their high school offers, and often impressive test scores. If your student is Prestige-invited, Pfeiffer is often their fallback if they don't win one of the competitive scholarships.
Automatic
Lucius P. Ordway Scholarship
📅 Deadline: November 1
✓ Renews (2.2 GPA, 4 yrs)
$15,500–$20,500/yr
✘ Not stackable
Holistic / Status Based
✚
Stacking & Combining
Ordway sits in the upper-middle of FSC's automatic merit ladder — a real step forward from Buckner. If your student's profile qualifies for Watson or higher, that award replaces Ordway automatically. There's no downside to the shuffle; the aid letter simply reflects the highest tier they earned.
💡
Strategic Detail
Awarded automatically at admission at $15,500–$20,500 per year. Renewal requires at least a 2.2 cumulative GPA and full-time enrollment. Best consideration by March 1.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Strong academic freshman admits — students with high GPAs, meaningful course rigor, and often optional test scores that reinforce the record. This tier tends to reward consistent excellence across all four years of high school.
Automatic⚠ Transfer Onlytransferpipeline
Phi Theta Kappa Award for Transfer Students
📅 Deadline: With admission
✓ Renews (2.2 GPA, 4 yrs)
⚠ Phi Theta Kappa members with an associate degree and 3.2+ GPA receive $2,000/year on top of transfer merit.
🏫 3.2+ GPA🎓 TransferStudents receiving first-year (freshman) FSC scholarships are not eligible for this transfer PTK award.
✚
Stacking & Combining
Here's the good news: this award stacks on top of FSC's transfer academic merit tiers, meaning a PTK member with a strong GPA can have both awards in the same aid letter. It does NOT stack with FSC athletic scholarships, and students who received first-year (freshman) scholarships at FSC are not eligible.
💡
Strategic Detail
Adds $2,000 per year on top of transfer academic merit for qualifying PTK members with an associate degree and 3.2+ cumulative GPA. Renewable while maintaining at least a 2.2 cumulative GPA and full-time enrollment.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Most winners: Community college transfers who joined Phi Theta Kappa, earned their associate degree, and maintained at least a 3.2 cumulative GPA. If your student did PTK at their community college, this is essentially free money layered on top of their standard transfer award.
* GPA/test bands are estimates based on official selectivity and prior cohort profiles. "Who Actually Wins" insights are pulled from external peer-sourced data where students and parents have reported real-world award results. Because colleges can change funding thresholds and deadlines at any time, always verify these details with the institution before finalizing your application strategy.
*GPA/test ranges are estimates based on past recipients and published profiles; actual thresholds can change by year.
🧭 What This Usually Looks Like at Florida Southern (Realistic Scenarios)
These are ballpark examples to help parents translate merit tiers into a realistic plan.
Exact awards vary by year and student profile, but this is a practical way to set expectations.
Scenario A: High academic admit (≈ 3.8+ GPA, ACT ~29–30 or SAT ~1330+)
Likely merit lane: Pfeiffer / Danforth range (often near the top of the published merit bands).
Next best move: If your student is near 3.5 GPA + ACT 29 / SAT 1330, it may be worth pursuing the Prestige lane as upside (very competitive).
Scenario B: Strong student, test-optional (≈ 3.3–3.6 GPA, no scores)
Likely merit lane: Watson / Ordway / Buckner / Lockett range (still automatic consideration).
Parent tip: This is the profile where a stackable visit award like the Southern Experience Scholarship can meaningfully shrink the gap.
Scenario C: Transfer student (3.50+ college GPA; 45–60+ credits)
Likely merit lane: Transfer Tier 1–2 ($21,000 or $20,000 per year).
Extra edge: If your student is a Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) member with an Associate degree and ~3.2+ GPA, they may qualify for an additional award on top.
Planning rule: Build your baseline plan around automatic merit + any easy-to-earn stackables.
Treat Prestige/Jenkins/Hollingsworth as “upside,” not the foundation of affordability.
FAQ — Automatic Merit Scholarships at Florida Southern
Do we need a separate scholarship application for these awards?
Usually no. Florida Southern’s academic merit scholarships are typically awarded automatically as part of the admissions review. The key is applying by the priority timeline so your student is reviewed while funding is strongest.
If Florida Southern is test-optional, should we still submit scores?
It depends. If your student’s ACT/SAT scores are strong for this school (roughly within or above the middle-50% range), submitting scores can help with merit placement. Florida Southern reports that it superscores both the ACT and SAT, which can benefit students who test more than once.
What matters more for merit: GPA or test scores?
At a test-optional private college like Florida Southern, GPA and course rigor usually carry the most weight. Test scores can help when they’re clearly strong — but students without scores can still earn merit if the transcript is competitive.
Are these scholarships renewable all four years?
Most institutional merit awards are intended to be renewable for up to four years as long as the student remains full-time and meets Florida Southern’s ongoing academic progress requirements. Always confirm the specific renewal GPA requirement in the award letter.
Can merit scholarships stack with the Prestige (full-ride) scholarships?
Competitive Prestige Scholarships are usually packaged as the primary institutional award and may replace standard merit rather than stack on top of it. The official award letter is the source of truth for how Florida Southern combines awards.
Do transfer scholarships require test scores?
Typically no. Florida Southern’s transfer academic merit tiers are based on college GPA, which is why transfer awards are listed with specific GPA cutoffs.
Sources:
https://www.flsouthern.edu/admissions/undergraduate/undergraduate-financial-aid/undergraduate-scholarships/undergraduate-merit-scholarships
https://www.flsouthern.edu/admissions/undergraduate/undergraduate-financial-aid/undergraduate-scholarships/undergraduate-transfer-scholarships
https://www.flsouthern.edu/admissions/undergraduate/
🏆 Flagship (Competitive) Scholarships at Florida Southern College (2026–2027)
Florida Southern offers a small number of highly competitive flagship scholarships that can cover
full tuition or (in rare cases) the full cost of attendance.
These awards require a separate application and are designed for top-tier applicants with exceptional academics, leadership, and fit.
🟡 One Application for the Prestige Track
Florida Southern uses a single Prestige Scholarship application that places eligible students into consideration for
Hollingsworth, McClurg, and Christoverson. (Jenkins has its own application.)
Full RideApp Required
Hollingsworth Scholarship
📅 Deadline: November 1
✓ Renews (3.3 GPA, 4 yrs)
Full Ride
full cost of attendance including travel-study stipend
✘ Not stackable
🏫 3.5+ GPA✎ ~29 ACT✎ ~1330 SAT👥 ~Approximately four students per year. winners/yr
✚
Stacking & Combining
Hollingsworth is the ballgame — valued at more than $230,000 over four years and covering the full cost of attendance including a travel-study stipend. It replaces FSC's automatic merit tiers and becomes the primary institutional package. Some smaller supplemental awards may still layer on top up to the total cost of attendance, but by and large this scholarship stands alone.
📄
How to Apply
This is FSC's flagship scholarship — the big one. Here's the path: your student applies and gets admitted as a first-year, then submits the Premier and Prestige Scholarship Application (with the required essay). If they make finalist, they'll be invited to interview virtually with a faculty committee. Selection is highly competitive and lands with the very top of the applicant pool.
Selection criteria: Faculty committee evaluates academic promise, leadership potential, character, future goals, and overall fit with Florida Southern.
✎ Essays🎤 Interview🌟 Finalist Event
💡
Strategic Detail
Florida Southern's premier scholarship program, valued at more than $230,000 over four years. Covers tuition, fees, room, board, textbooks, and a travel-study stipend. Requires 3.5 GPA, 29 ACT or 1330 SAT, essay, and finalist interview. Priority admission by November 1 is strongly recommended; final Prestige application deadline is January 3.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
A tiny handful of first-year applicants each year — students with superior academics, real leadership footprint, strong character indicators, and a compelling interview. If your student is Prestige-invited and interviewed as a Hollingsworth finalist, they're already in exceptional company.
Full TuitionApp Required
C.V. McClurg Scholarship
📅 Deadline: November 1
✓ Renews (3 GPA, 4 yrs)
Full Tuition
full tuition and required fees
✘ Not stackable
⚠ Invitation-only Prestige scholarship for top first-year applicants; pays full tuition and fees for four years — room and board not covered.
🏫 3.5+ GPA✎ ~29 ACT✎ ~1330 SAT
✚
Stacking & Combining
McClurg covers full tuition and fees — a huge award, but heads-up: it does not cover room and board like Hollingsworth does. Families should plan for housing and meal costs separately. This scholarship replaces the automatic merit tier as the primary institutional package; smaller supplemental awards may still layer on up to the cost of attendance.
📄
How to Apply
McClurg is part of FSC's Prestige triad, so one application does the work. Your student applies and gets admitted, then submits the single Premier and Prestige Scholarship Application (with essay) — that puts them in the running for Hollingsworth, McClurg, and Christoverson all at once. Finalists interview virtually with faculty.
Selection criteria: Holistic review of academic excellence, leadership, character, and fit among Prestige finalists.
✎ Essays🎤 Interview🌟 Finalist Event
💡
Strategic Detail
Full-tuition Prestige award (does not cover room and board). Requires 3.5 GPA, 29 ACT or 1330 SAT, Prestige application essay, and finalist interview. Priority admission by November 1 is strongly recommended; final Prestige application deadline is January 3.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Top Prestige finalists — students who make the finalist round after the interview and demonstrate the kind of academic excellence, leadership, and character that FSC wants to invest in for four years. The applicant pool at this level is genuinely elite.
App Required
Marcene Christoverson Scholarship
📅 Deadline: November 1
✓ Renews (3 GPA, 4 yrs)
🏫 3.5+ GPA✎ ~29 ACT✎ ~1330 SAT
✚
Stacking & Combining
Christoverson works a little differently from the other two Prestige awards — it's designed as a gap-closer. It layers with FSC's institutional merit and other aid to bring the total package close to full cost. That flexibility is a feature: the committee tailors the Christoverson amount to what the student actually needs to make FSC affordable.
📄
How to Apply
Christoverson is part of the Prestige triad — same single application as Hollingsworth and McClurg. Your student applies and gets admitted, then submits the Premier and Prestige Scholarship Application (with essay); Prestige finalists are considered for Christoverson based on their profile and financial circumstances.
Selection criteria: Prestige committee considers academic excellence, leadership, and financial circumstances.
✎ Essays🎤 Interview🌟 Finalist Event
💡
Strategic Detail
Prestige-tier grant used to close remaining costs for top Prestige finalists. Requires 3.5 GPA, 29 ACT or 1330 SAT, Prestige essay, and finalist interview. Priority admission by November 1 is strongly recommended; final Prestige application deadline is January 3.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Most winners: Prestige finalists whose academic profile and family financial circumstances make additional aid necessary to close the affordability gap. This scholarship rewards excellence AND recognizes financial reality.
Full RideApp Requiredgeographicneed_based
George W. Jenkins Scholarship
📅 Deadline: Confirm current cycle on the official Jenkins application page
✓ Renews (3 GPA, 4 yrs)
Full Ride
full cost of attendance
✘ Not stackable
⚠ Restricted to U.S. citizens residing in FL, GA, KY, NC, SC, AL, TN, or VA with documented financial need and adversity story; five awards per year.
🏫 3.5+ GPA👥 ~Five students per year. winners/yr
✚
Stacking & Combining
Jenkins covers full cost of attendance — the truest full-ride at FSC. Because it covers everything, it normally stands alone and replaces other FSC institutional merit or need-based grants. Federal Pell, if awarded, may still apply. Five students per year receive this one.
📄
How to Apply
Jenkins is a stand-alone application — separate from the Prestige triad. Your student applies and gets admitted as a first-year, submits a completed FAFSA to document financial need, then completes the dedicated George W. Jenkins Scholarship application and its required essay. This is a story-driven scholarship — the adversity-and-resilience narrative genuinely matters.
Selection criteria: Selection emphasizes academic strength, exceptional financial need, sustained work or service, and demonstrated history of overcoming significant adversity.
✎ Essays💌 Letters of Rec
💡
Strategic Detail
Full-cost-of-attendance scholarship providing five academically talented students each year the chance to attend FSC free of economic encumbrances. Requires U.S. citizenship, legal residency in FL, GA, KY, NC, SC, AL, TN, or VA, a 3.5 GPA, FAFSA-demonstrated need, and an adversity-focused essay.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Five first-year students each year with a specific profile: at least a 3.5 GPA, demonstrated financial need on the FAFSA, residency in an eligible Southeast state (FL, GA, KY, NC, SC, AL, TN, or VA), and a documented story of overcoming significant adversity — often paired with meaningful work or service history.
App Requiredmajor
Hollis Fellows in Education Scholarship
📅 Deadline: January 31
✓ Renews (3 GPA, 4 yrs)
⚠ Education majors only, with a post-graduation commitment to teach three years in Florida public schools.
🏫 3.0+ GPA✎ ~24 ACT✎ ~1180 SAT👥 ~Two students per year. winners/yrRecipients must commit to teaching three years in the Florida public school system after graduating from the FSC undergraduate program. Program contemplates completing both a bachelor's and master's degree at FSC.
✚
Stacking & Combining
Hollis is a $8,000-per-year add-on that layers on top of your student's regular FSC merit scholarship — it does not replace automatic merit. That's a meaningful stack: Hollis + Pfeiffer or Danforth can be a very affordable path for a future teacher. The only catch: after graduation, recipients commit to teaching three years in the Florida public school system.
📄
How to Apply
Two paths must line up here: your student applies and gets admitted to FSC as an Education major, then submits the dedicated Hollis Fellows Scholarship Application. Finalists are invited to a virtual interview with education faculty and staff. This one is intentional — the Hollis family wants students who genuinely see themselves teaching in Florida.
Selection criteria: Faculty committee evaluates academic performance, teaching motivation, and interview presence.
✎ Essays🎤 Interview🌟 Finalist Event
💡
Strategic Detail
Established by Mark and Lynn Hollis to support Education majors planning teaching careers. Two first-year students selected annually at $8,000 per year, renewable with a 3.0 GPA and continued Education major. Requires 24 ACT or 1180 SAT and 3.0 cumulative high school GPA. Priority application deadline is January 31. Post-graduation service commitment: teach three years in the Florida public school system.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Two first-year students per year who are Education majors, hold at least a 3.0 GPA and 24 ACT / 1180 SAT, and can articulate a real commitment to teaching. The service commitment is a genuine filter — this scholarship is designed for students who see teaching as a calling, not a fallback.
* GPA/test bands are estimates based on official selectivity and prior cohort profiles. "Who Actually Wins" insights are pulled from external peer-sourced data where students and parents have reported real-world award results. Because colleges can change funding thresholds and deadlines at any time, always verify these details with the institution before finalizing your application strategy.
*Dates shown reflect recent published Prestige timelines; Florida Southern can adjust deadlines by year. Always confirm on the official scholarship pages.
Disclaimer: Flagship scholarship awards are extremely limited and competitive. Award amounts, renewal conditions, and selection processes may change by year.
These awards typically function as a student’s primary institutional package and may replace standard merit rather than stack on top of it.
FAQ — Flagship Scholarships at Florida Southern
Do students apply separately to Hollingsworth vs. McClurg vs. Christoverson?
No. Eligible students complete one Prestige Scholarship application, and Florida Southern uses that to determine which top-tier awards a student is selected for.
What are the minimum requirements to apply for the Prestige track?
Florida Southern lists a baseline eligibility of about 3.5+ GPA and ACT 29 / SAT 1330 for the Prestige application process (plus strong leadership and fit).
How many students receive these flagship awards?
Very few. These programs are intentionally selective; for example, Jenkins is typically awarded to a small cohort each year.
Does Southern Experience stack with these big awards?
Often, yes — the Southern Experience Scholarship is one of the rare add-ons that can be awarded on top of other Florida Southern awards (up to tuition limits). It’s worth pursuing if your student qualifies.
Do flagship scholarships stack with automatic merit?
Usually not. Flagship awards typically serve as the student’s primary institutional package and may replace standard merit amounts rather than add on top.
What GPA is required to keep these scholarships?
Florida Southern publishes renewal standards in its scholarship terms. Top awards often require a stronger college GPA for renewal than baseline merit, so families should review the award letter and scholarship terms closely.
Sources:
https://www.flsouthern.edu/admissions/undergraduate/undergraduate-financial-aid/undergraduate-scholarships/prestige-scholarships
https://www.flsouthern.edu/admissions/undergraduate/undergraduate-financial-aid/undergraduate-scholarships/hollingsworth-scholarship-application
https://www.flsouthern.edu/admissions/undergraduate/undergraduate-financial-aid/undergraduate-scholarships/christoverson-scholarship-application
https://www.flsouthern.edu/admissions/undergraduate/undergraduate-financial-aid/undergraduate-scholarships/george-w-jenkins-application
https://www.flsouthern.edu/southern-experience-scholarship
💎 Hidden Gem Scholarships at Florida Southern College
These lesser-known scholarships at Florida Southern can make a meaningful difference — especially because several of them
stack on top of merit or flagship awards. Families who pay attention to these often close the final cost gap.
Automatic⚠ All Undergrad Only
Sibling Award
📅 Deadline: With enrollment; coordinate with Financial Aid when both siblings are registered.
✓ Renews
🎓 All Undergrad
✚
Stacking & Combining
Designed as a small stackable discount that can be combined with most institutional aid, subject to FSC’s overall aid capping rules.
💡
Strategic Detail
Special Interest Scholarships page lists the Sibling Award as a $1,000 per year renewable scholarship for students with an undergraduate sibling enrolled full-time at FSC.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Undergraduate students who have a sibling enrolled full-time at Florida Southern.
Automatic
Southern Experience Scholarship (Florida Residents)
📅 Deadline: Typically March 1 for visit + application timing; confirm exact dates each year.
✓ Renews (4 yrs)
Holistic / Status Based
✚
Stacking & Combining
Stacks with most institutional awards but only toward tuition; not available if the student receives a full-tuition or athletic scholarship or if total institutional aid exceeds tuition.
💡
Strategic Detail
Provides an additional $1,000 per year for a total of $4,000 for in-state students, applied toward tuition only and contingent on full-time enrollment and good academic standing.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Most winners: Florida residents who complete a qualifying campus visit and apply and enroll by the stated deadlines.
Automatic
Southern Experience Scholarship (Out-of-State)
📅 Deadline: Typically March 1 for visit + application timing; confirm exact dates each year.
✓ Renews (4 yrs)
Holistic / Status Based
✚
Stacking & Combining
Stacks on top of most FSC scholarships but can only be applied to tuition and is not available if the student receives full-tuition or athletic scholarships or if total institutional aid exceeds tuition.
💡
Strategic Detail
Provides an additional $1,000 per year for a total of $8,000 for out-of-state students, applied toward tuition only and contingent on full-time enrollment and good academic standing.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Out-of-state students who complete a qualifying campus visit and apply and enroll by the stated deadlines.
Full TuitionApp Requiredlegacy
Tuition Exchange Scholarship
📅 Deadline: Varies by Tuition Exchange and institutional timelines; families should check with their home institution and FSC Financial Aid.
✓ Renews
Full Tuition
tuition
✘ Not stackable
⚠ Children of qualifying employees at Tuition Exchange member schools may receive a scholarship that covers full FSC tuition only (not fees, housing, or meals).
👥 ~Limited number of awards per year based on FSC’s Tuition Exchange allocation. winners/yr
✚
Stacking & Combining
Typically treated as a primary tuition benefit; stacking with other institutional aid depends on Tuition Exchange and FSC policies and may be limited.
📄
How to Apply
Have a parent employed at a participating Tuition Exchange institution and complete the Tuition Exchange certification process through the home institution and Florida Southern’s financial aid office.
💡
Strategic Detail
Special Interest Scholarships page notes that Tuition Exchange scholarships are available to dependents of employees at participating institutions; external Tuition Exchange site confirms FSC participation and outlines program rules, with awards often covering up to full tuition.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Most winners: Dependents of faculty or staff at participating Tuition Exchange institutions who meet Florida Southern’s admission and Tuition Exchange selection criteria.
Automatic
Valedictorian / Salutatorian Scholarship
📅 Deadline: With admission; submit documentation of class rank status during the application process.
✓ Renews
Holistic / Status Based
✚
Stacking & Combining
Recognition scholarship that is typically layered on top of other institutional awards, subject to overall tuition limits.
💡
Strategic Detail
Special Interest Scholarships page describes the Valedictorian/Salutatorian Scholarship as $1,000 per year for top graduates from high schools with more than 50 students; recipients are expected to notify Admissions of their status.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Students recognized as valedictorian or salutatorian from high schools with more than 50 students in the graduating class.
* GPA/test bands are estimates based on official selectivity and prior cohort profiles. "Who Actually Wins" insights are pulled from external peer-sourced data where students and parents have reported real-world award results. Because colleges can change funding thresholds and deadlines at any time, always verify these details with the institution before finalizing your application strategy.
🧮 Quick Stacking Example (How the Gap Shrinks)
Here’s a simplified example of how FSC awards can combine. Final packages vary, but this shows why “stackables” matter.
- Sticker (Direct/Billed): Tuition + Housing/Meals ≈ $60,998
- Automatic Merit (example band): $20,000–$26,000 / year (depends on the student’s profile)
- Southern Experience Scholarship: $2,000 / year (OOS) or $1,000 / year (FL) if visit + apply by the deadline
Parent takeaway: Even without need-based aid, a student with mid-to-high merit plus Southern Experience often lands in a much more realistic net-cost band.
Add need-based grants (if eligible), and the out-of-pocket number can drop further.
Note: FSC typically caps institutional aid at cost (and some awards may replace rather than stack). Always confirm stacking rules in the student’s award letter.
Also Worth Knowing:
Florida Southern offers
departmental, talent-based, and identity- or purpose-driven scholarships that don’t always appear in the main merit grid, including:
- Hollis Fellows in Education (education majors)
- Christian Service & Pre-Ministerial Awards (United Methodist–affiliated pathways)
- Music, Theatre, Visual Arts & Design Scholarships (auditions/portfolios required)
- Nursing, Science, Accounting & Program-Specific Awards
- Athletic Scholarships (NCAA Division II; coach-awarded)
These awards may require auditions, interviews, or departmental review and can sometimes be combined with academic merit.
🎯 Parent Playbook: Three High-Impact Moves at Florida Southern
-
Lock the Southern Experience Scholarship early.
Schedule a campus visit (or an approved visit format) and submit the application by the posted deadline (often around March 1).
This award is designed to be stackable with other FSC awards (up to tuition), which makes it one of the easiest “gap closers.”
-
Know the Prestige eligibility cut-point.
If your student is around 3.5 GPA + ACT 29 / SAT 1330, they may be eligible to apply for the Prestige track (still highly competitive).
If you’re close, a superscored retest could move a student into the “eligible to try” lane.
-
Use Honors strategically if your student is ambitious.
FSC’s Honors Program can include priority registration, an Honors housing option, and the ability to take an overload (up to ~20 credits) without additional tuition —
which can be a real savings lever for double majors or pre-health tracks.
FAQ — Hidden Gem Scholarships at Florida Southern
Which scholarships actually stack at Florida Southern?
The Southern Experience Scholarship, PTK Award, Sibling Award, and some recognition-based scholarships are among the most reliable stackable options.
Always confirm that total aid does not exceed tuition when stacking.
Is the Southern Experience Scholarship really worth the visit?
Yes. It’s one of the easiest ways to secure extra aid, especially for out-of-state families, and it stacks with most other FSC awards.
Do departmental scholarships replace merit?
Not usually. Many departmental awards are layered on top of academic merit, though amounts and stacking rules vary by program.
Are these awards automatic?
Some are (like PTK and sibling awards), while others require separate auditions, applications, or departmental review.
What’s the biggest mistake families make here?
Missing stackable “small” awards. These often make the difference between an affordable package and a lingering gap.
Sources:
https://www.flsouthern.edu/southern-experience-scholarship
https://www.flsouthern.edu/admissions/undergraduate/undergraduate-financial-aid/undergraduate-scholarships/special-interest-scholarships
https://www.flsouthern.edu/admissions/undergraduate/undergraduate-financial-aid/undergraduate-scholarships/undergraduate-transfer-scholarships
🎖 Honors & Enrichment at Florida Southern College
Florida Southern operates a formal, college-wide Honors Program for roughly the
top 10% of students. While it’s called an “Honors Program” rather than an Honors College,
it includes many of the same academic and residential benefits families expect from a traditional honors college.
Parent takeaway:
At FSC, the Honors Program sits alongside Prestige Scholarships and departmental enrichment tracks.
Many top students participate in both, creating a layered honors experience rather than a single pathway.
This institution does not offer designated Honors College scholarships at this time.
*Deadlines and GPA standards are based on recent Honors and Prestige cycles and may shift by year; always confirm with Florida Southern.
FAQ — Honors at Florida Southern
Does Florida Southern have an Honors College?
Florida Southern uses the title Honors Program, but it offers many traditional Honors College features —
including priority registration, honors housing, and an honors degree designation.
Is there honors-only housing?
Yes. Honors students have access to an Honors-only housing option (most commonly in the Barnett Residential Life Center),
especially during the first year.
Do Honors students get priority registration?
Yes. Honors students receive priority registration for classes and priority consideration in housing selection,
particularly after the first year.
Can students take more credits without paying extra?
Yes. Honors students may take an overload of up to ~20 credits per semester without additional tuition,
which can be valuable for double majors or accelerated plans.
Can students join the Honors Program after freshman year?
Yes. Students who perform well academically at FSC may apply to join the Honors Program after demonstrating strong college performance.
How does Honors overlap with Prestige Scholarships?
Many Prestige Scholars are also Honors students. The programs complement each other rather than replace one another.
At Florida Southern, the strongest students often combine the Honors Program,
Prestige Scholarships, and program-level rigor for a highly personalized academic experience.
⭐ College Specialty
Florida Southern College is best known for combining a strong liberal arts foundation with
professionally focused programs that emphasize hands-on learning, close faculty mentorship, and early career preparation.
Families are often drawn to FSC for its nationally recognized architecture and health sciences, but the college also stands out
for business, nursing, and science pathways that consistently lead to strong graduate school and employment outcomes.
Nationally Known Strength:
Frank Lloyd Wright Architecture & Campus Design — Florida Southern is home to the largest single-site collection of
Frank Lloyd Wright architecture in the world. The campus itself is a nationally recognized landmark and serves as a living
laboratory for students studying architecture, design, art history, and museum studies.
- Nursing & Health Sciences: Highly regarded programs with competitive clinical placements; strong outcomes for nursing, physical therapy, and pre-health tracks.
- Business & Accounting: Known for practical preparation, internships, and strong CPA and graduate school pipelines.
- Sciences (Biology, Marine Biology, Exercise Science): Emphasis on undergraduate research, field experience, and preparation for medical, dental, and research careers.
- Architecture, Art History & Museum Studies: Leveraging the Wright campus, FSC offers rare undergraduate access to museum studies and architectural history resources.
🔗 Official Florida Southern College Links
Use Florida Southern College’s official university resources below to verify admissions details,
scholarship policies, costs, and academic programs. Always rely on these pages for final deadlines,
eligibility rules, and award terms.
✨ Wrapping It Up
Florida Southern College is a private, mid-sized college in Florida where merit aid can make the sticker price feel far more realistic — especially for students in the school’s admitted profile range (mid-20s to around 30 ACT and strong high school grades). FSC’s automatic merit awards are usually determined during the admissions process, while the most competitive “Prestige” and flagship scholarships can cover full tuition (and in some cases, full cost of attendance) for a small number of top applicants.
Because Florida Southern charges one published tuition rate for all students, the affordability story isn’t about “in-state vs out-of-state” — it’s about which awards your student can realistically land, and whether you use the stackable opportunities (like the Southern Experience Scholarship for campus visitors) to shrink the remaining gap. For transfers, the path can be even clearer: FSC’s transfer tiers are GPA-based, and PTK students may qualify for an additional award.
If Florida Southern is on your list, the smartest move isn’t guessing what the package might look like —
it’s comparing FSC side-by-side with similar private colleges and seeing where your student’s academics unlock the most value.
⚠️ Quick Honesty Check (Financial Fit)
-
If your student is below about a 3.0 GPA and applying test-optional, FSC merit may not reduce the price enough to compete with lower-cost public options.
-
If your plan requires a guaranteed full ride, treat Hollingsworth/Jenkins/Prestige as “upside” — they are real, but very competitive.
Build your baseline around automatic merit + stackables and then pursue flagship awards as a bonus.
💡 Comparing Florida college offers? See our guide:
How to Compare Florida College Offers (Public vs Private + Bright Futures)
.
If you’re new to Florida financial aid, start with the
Florida College Aid Series overview
.
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