Africans Family and Community Outreach
Student Resources
Financial Resources
UCF Downtown Scholars Initiative
A college-access program for students at participating Orlando high schools who are interested in attending UCF. The program provides pre-college support, first-year mentoring, and a Summer Bridge program. Grant funding has covered tuition, housing, books, and related expenses for eligible participants in the Summer Bridge program and first semester at UCF.
Southern Scholarship Foundation
Provides rent-free cooperative housing for eligible college students. The program is competitive and is available to students attending participating schools, including UF, FSU, FGCU, Santa Fe College, Florida A&M University, and Tallahassee State College. Students can apply during senior year of high school or while already in college.
Morehouse TRIO / Greater Orlando Upward Bound Math & Science
A college-preparation program for eligible high school students. The Greater Orlando program currently serves rising 10th, 11th, and 12th graders at Maynard Evans High School, Jones High School, and Dr. Phillips High School. Services include college preparation, academic advising and tutoring, college visits, career counseling, financial literacy, cultural activities, and a summer stipend. Eligibility includes U.S. citizenship or permanent legal residency, potential first-generation status with demonstrated financial need, good academic standing, and plans to pursue a four-year degree.
Florida Bright Futures Scholarship
A Florida state scholarship program that helps eligible Florida students pay for college or career education. Students must complete the Florida Financial Aid Application (FFAA) and meet the requirements for an eligible Bright Futures award. Requirements include academic and coursework requirements, testing or other qualifying requirements, and eligibility related to Florida residency and citizenship or eligible-noncitizen status. Check the official website for current requirements and deadlines.
Black Scholarships
An online scholarship and financial-aid resource focused on opportunities for African American students. The website organizes scholarship opportunities by areas such as STEM, community service, HBCUs, nursing, business, sports, and other fields. Always check the individual scholarship provider for eligibility requirements and deadlines.
Jackie Robinson Foundation Scholarship
A competitive scholarship for graduating high school seniors who demonstrate academic excellence, leadership, community involvement, and financial need. The scholarship provides support for students attending an approved four-year college or university. Applicants must be U.S. citizens, so students should check eligibility before applying.
Academic Resources
College Campus Tutoring
Colleges and universities typically provide academic tutoring and support services for enrolled students. Look for tutoring centers, academic success centers, libraries, or advising offices when you begin college. These services can be especially helpful when you are taking challenging courses.
Program Resources
Common App
A college application platform used by more than 1,000 colleges and universities. Students can create an application profile, add colleges, gather application requirements, and submit applications through the platform. Requirements vary by college, so check each school's application requirements carefully.
Orange Technical College
Offers career and technical education programs in fields including construction, electricity, HVAC, plumbing, health science, information technology, manufacturing, business, transportation, hospitality, and more. Orange Technical College also offers apprenticeship, adult education, ESOL, and GED preparation programs.
Eastern Florida State College
Offers more than 150 programs, including associate degrees, bachelor's degrees, certificates, career and technical programs, health sciences, public safety, and online programs. Some programs have additional admission requirements, so students should check the program they are interested in.
Atlantic Technical College
Provides career and technical education in areas including construction, business, health science, information technology, manufacturing, transportation, and logistics. Programs include fields such as electrical, HVAC, plumbing, welding, automotive, IT, healthcare, and business.
In-Person Resources
No matter how much support you can get from online websites and programs, it will always be people behind the scenes. An important skill in life is to ask for help, be it for high school grades, application assistance, college orientation. If you feel stuck or unsure or if a step is taking unusually long, it is always better to ask for assistance rather than risk failing alone. A general outline for how to go about it is:
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Find out who can help you
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Send an email
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Meet up in person to help explain your problem better and to make yourself memorable
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Follow through! Asking for help is the first step, now its your turn to put in the work!
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Don't limit yourself on who to ask, these are just suggestions, but you can reach out to professionals you want to shadow, clinics you want to volunteer at, scholarships that you want to apply for, and more