Florida Prepaid scholarships provide pathway to teaching careers for Okaloosa students
Okaloosa County, Florida – Superintendent Marcus Chambers has announced the availability of two 2-Year Florida College Plans Scholarships for 2025, therefore providing a major educational benefit for Okaloosa County students. With the exciting addition of a second scholarship this year, the Okaloosa County School District marks the third straight year it has worked with Florida Prepaid to provide these scholarships.
The scholarships are specifically aimed at high school seniors within the Okaloosa County School District who aspire to pursue a career in education. Eligible schools include Baker, Choctaw, Crestview, Fort Walton Beach, Laurel Hill, and Niceville. Students must satisfy the academic and community service requirements of the Florida Prepaid College Plan to qualify.
Applications for the scholarship opened on February 11, 2025, and applications should be sent in by 11:59 PM on March 21, 2025. Since the application procedure calls for several particular items—a complete digital application, a current transcript, SAT/ACT/PSAT scores, a completed District form MIS 4217 displaying community service hours, and a video essay—interested students are encouraged to prepare in advance. Important for the application, the video essay should to be no more than two minutes and should clarify the applicant’s reasons for selecting a profession in education.
At any of the 28 Florida Colleges, the scholarship prepays tuition and local fees for 60 lower division semester credit hours. Although the plan is typically used at a Florida College, it can also be applied at State Universities and pro-rated accordingly. Moreover, the flexibility of the approach lets it be applied in public, private, in-state, or out-of-state schools, thus benefiting the recipient’s educational path.
The plan cannot be passed on to another beneficiary therefore guaranteeing that the intended receiver fully benefits from this opportunity. The program also fits perfectly with Bright Futures Scholarships, where it is usually used initially to cover tuition and fees, leaving any possible Bright Futures money to handle other college costs including housing or campus fees.
The Florida Prepaid Superintendent Scholarship recipients will be informed by May 28, 2025. For extra help, Catherine Card—the point of contact for any questions on the application process—is available via email for additional assistance.
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This scholarship program underlines not just the dedication of the Okaloosa County School District to assist upcoming teachers but also the importance of educational progress in strengthening the community. These scholarships support the basic conviction that funding education is funding the future as they keep doors open for future educators.
