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Scholarship FAQ

Any high school senior student who attends a Pinellas County High School, public or private. Students attending St. Petersburg College are not eligible for this scholarship.  Please apply for the CFY SPC Scholarship Program which is only for students who are intending to enroll at St. Petersburg College.   Some exceptions may be made as determined by the CFY Scholarship Committee.

Applications are to be completed online through the CFY website by selecting the appropriate area on the application for the ROJ Postsecondary Scholarship and Vocation/Trade Scholarship. If an applicant is unable to access a computer to complete the application or otherwise requires special accommodations, a student representative/counselor must communicate this to the CFY office. The application includes essay questions and when prompted the applicant must complete to be considered.
Applications are submitted to the ROJ Postsecondary Scholarship Committee for a blind review process (all identifying information about the student and family removed.) Upon review of the completed application and essay, top applicants are determined by the committee and assigned to sponsors.
Yes, all applicants will receive decision communication.
Scholarships are awarded to cover the cost of tuition (30 credit per year), books, room, and board only in increments of $3,500 (for trade/vocational pursuits), $5,000, and $10,000. Scholarships are payable over the first two years of schooling provided the applicant has met all criteria for first- and second-year funding. Trade/vocational scholarships are payable all in the first year.
Unlike other CFY fundraising/impact efforts, sponsors of the ROJ Scholarship Program has chosen to make a donation that will directly impact an individual student, rather than a broader community impact. It is important to thank them for their support and the impact it will make and is making on your educational journey.
Scholarship funds are issued directly to the recipient’s postsecondary institution using the information provided on the Scholarship Disbursement Form, distributed upon award and due no later than June 30th. Scholarships are then paid out in 2 increments in July prior to the start of the student’s first two years, each 50% of the total award (except Vocational/Trade which is paid out in one payment using the same format).
Scholarship funds may be used for tuition, books, room, and board only. It is the students responsibility to work with the school to apply funds appropriately. Failure to do so may result in withholding of future funds. Any unused funds are to be returned to CFY.

To avoid forfeited scholarship funds, a written (email) submission showing withdrawal and indicating the new school must be sent to scholarships@cfypinellas.org. The student is responsible for requesting a refund from the current school, payable to CFY. Once the unused portion of the scholarship is received, we will redistribute the funds along with any additional remaining funds (if applicable) following the timeline described above/on the updated Scholarship Disbursement Form (July distribution toward fall semester).

Please allow anywhere from 2-6 weeks from the check date for processing. Checks are issued using the information provided exactly as it is on the Scholarship Disbursement Form, so it is the responsibility of the recipient to ensure correct school and personnel detail. If the school still states that the funds have not been received beyond a reasonable time frame, please email scholarships@cfypinellas.org with your name, the name of the school, and your student ID. We will respond via email with your check number
and date to be provided to the financial aid office for research.

  • Official transcript showing full time status and grade point average
  • A thank you letter to the donor including an update on what the first year experience has meant to your development
  • Fall course schedule
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