You may read below and complete the online Scholarship Application or download the MS Word files Scholarships Information, Scholarships Application, and Certification of Visual Status.

Education, Leadership, and Scholarships Committee

The Florida Council of the Blind (FCB) Scholarship Program consists of awards totaling $7,250.00, offered to exemplary students who are enrolled in academic education, professional or technical training beyond the High School level.

THE SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITIES ARE:

• Gayle M. Krause-Edwards Scholarship:  $2,000.00 – Available to an eligible applicant who is enrolled full-time, and has completed one semester of college, in a course of study which will increase advancement potential in his/her chosen field
   
• Nancy Burgess-Hall Advocacy Scholarship: $2,000.00 – Awarded to a student who is enrolled in a Higher Education Institution and who has a proven record of engaging in disability-related advocacy (this is the only FCB Scholarship for which it is not required to be blind or visually impaired in order to be considered)
   
• Teresa Blessing Scholarship:  $1,500.00 – Offered to an outstanding full-time college student
   
• Timothy Turpin Scholarship:  $1,000.00 – Offered to a high school student graduating and exhibiting academic and leadership excellence planning to attend college full-time
   
• Bobbie Probst Scholarship:  $750.00 – Awarded to an eligible applicant who is enrolled in a technical or vocational institute.

Applicants must have at least a 3.0 grade-point average (GPA) with the exception of the Gayle M. Krause-Edwards Scholarship.

The prestigious Gayle M. Krause-Edwards scholarship requires a 3.2 GPA and completion of one semester in a college or university. This scholarship is awarded to a student exhibiting outstanding academic and leadership achievements.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:

1. With the exception of the Nancy Burgess-Hall Advocacy Scholarship, applicants for all other Scholarships must be blind or visually impaired. Specifically, the applicant must have vision in the better eye of no more than 20/200 with corrective lenses OR may have vision greater than 20/200 in the better eye, but with a restricted field of vision of no more than 20 degrees.
    
2. Applicant must be a current resident of the State of Florida. However, the college or university doesn't have to be in Florida.
    
3. Applicant must have a high school diploma or a high school equivalency diploma. (High school students who are graduating this term may also apply.)
    
4. Applicant must be enrolled in an accredited college, university, or technical institute or be accepted for enrollment.  A letter of acceptance is required.
    
5. Applicant must be seeking a college degree or certificate.
    
6. Applicants who are full-time must carry at least 12 credit hours per semester/quarter to be eligible for the full-time scholarships. Students who are taking less than 12 credits per semester/quarter must be considered full-time by their institution.

SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS WHICH MUST ACCOMPANY THIS APPLICATION INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING:

1. An explanatory or descriptive statement regarding vocational objectives and outlook for employment in a chosen field. A brief description of how you heard about the Florida Council of the Blind and its Scholarship program; and how you foresee any future involvement with FCB. Additionally, please include any awards or scholarships received or that are pending. Part-time students (less than 12 credits per semester/quarter) must include an explanation for part-time status (e.g., employed student, family responsibilities, etc.).
    
2. Two letters of recommendation highlighting academic and leadership skills. If applying for the Nancy Burgess-Hall Advocacy Scholarship, two letters of recommendation highlighting involvement in disability-related advocacy.
    
3. Sealed or electronic official transcript from school currently or most recently attended.
    
4. Letter of acceptance from an accredited college or university.
    
5. Certification of visual status from eye physician or DBS Counselor. Download Certification of Visual Status. This document MUST be sent electronically or via mail directly by certifying entity. This requirement does not apply to the Nancy Burgess-Hall Advocacy Scholarship.

NOTE: Certification of Visual Status and transcript(s) MUST be postmarked by 11:59 PM March 1, 2025 if sent via mail.

Please forward Certification of Visual Status and transcript(s) to:

Florida Council of the Blind
C/O Sheila Young
2304 Amherst Ave.
Orlando, FL 32804

Please e-mail application packet, all recommendation letters and supporting documents electronically to:
FCB-scholarships@fcb.org
(No handwritten applications will be considered.) All applications and documents must be received no later than 11:59 PM March 1, 2025.

Applicants MUST submit an official transcript either electronically or via US mail.  If mailed, the Sealed transcript must be postmarked no later than 11:59 PM March 1, 2025 to the below address.

Florida Council of the Blind
C/O Sheila Young
2304 Amherst Ave.
Orlando, FL 32804

If any assistance is needed in completing your online application, you may contact Sheila Young at 407-425-9200.

The Education, Leadership, and Scholarships Committee will review all applications; will hold brief virtual interviews with each applicant; and will select the five winners. Recipients will be notified prior to the state annual convention and the winners will be announced during the Awards Ceremony on May 16, 2025, in Jacksonville, FL. 

FCB’s 2024 convention will be held from May 15-18, 2025, at the
South Bank Hotel
1515 Prudential Drive
Jacksonville, Florida 32207
904-396-1500

All scholarship recipients will be invited to attend the annual state convention and will receive a complementary first-year membership for the students’ affiliate of our parent organization, the American Council of the Blind (ACB).

• Each Scholarship recipient and one guest will be given hotel accommodations for one night and one ticket each to the Awards Ceremony, where all Scholarship recipients will be announced.  Additional award dinner tickets may be purchased by scholarship recipients if desired.
   
• The Florida Council of the Blind will reimburse transportation costs for each scholarship recipient and one guest by train or bus.  Recipients' automobile mileage will be reimbursed according to the Florida State Reimbursement Policy.             
   
• All scholarship recipients attending the Sunday morning business meeting will be recognized by the committee.

For more information about our Scholarship program, you may contact Sheila Young at FCB-scholarships@fcb.org or by phone at 407-425-9200.

You may complete this application online or you can send it via email to:
FCB-scholarships@fcb.org

Please submit all supporting documentation as attachments to this same E-mail address, no later than 11:59 PM March 1, 2025.

Online Scholarship Application below: