What is the Prosperity Scholarship Fund?
The Prosperity Scholarship Fund provides college scholarships to financially challenged students with the requisite academic skills to enter and succeed in college.

Why has the fund been developed?
In the global knowledge-based economy, the education level of a region’s citizens is the key to economic development, prosperity and quality of life. For the Jacksonville area to be competitive and for our citizens to prosper, we must provide the resources necessary for higher education and career training, especially for our low income neighbors who lack the resources to access education and job training on their own. The Prosperity Fund was developed as a broad community response to assist low income residents and their children to realize the dream and rewards of higher education and high-wage career training.

How does the fund work?
Residents and business customers of JEA voluntarily contribute an amount of their choice each month when they pay their utilities bills. All contributions are transferred to the Prosperity Scholarship Fund which will provide scholarships to low income residents in perpetuity.

Who is eligible to apply for scholarships from this fund and where can these scholarships be used?
Any student who is a graduate of a Duval County high school or who is a customer of JEA is eligible to apply for a Prosperity Scholarship. Scholarships may be used at the University of North Florida, Florida Community College, Jacksonville University or Edward Waters College.

How does an eligible student apply for a scholarship?
Students should first apply for admission to one or more of the four institutions for which the scholarships are directed.

Students should then complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Information from the FAFSA will be forwarded automatically to the student’s preferred institution. The FAFSA allows the student to identify more than one institution to receive the student’s information. Because Florida Community College’s Foundation serves as the administrator for the fund, it is required that all students include the institutional code for Florida Community College as well as the code for their enrolled college or university. Institutional codes are all listed on the Prosperity Scholarship Fund Application page.

The students should also complete the online supplemental application which is available on the Fund Web site. This information from the FAFSA and the supplemental application will be used by the Prosperity Scholarship staff to determine if the student can receive a scholarship award.

Lastly, students should print, sign and return the FERPA release form (PDF) authorizing the Prosperity Scholarship Governing Council to obtain and review the students educational and financial aid information.

Note: The Adobe Reader is needed to view/print PDF files.

If a student is eligible to apply, what factors will be used to determine if the student receives the scholarship?
Through the FAFSA form and process, the federal government computes an expected family contribution for higher education funds for each student. The level of expected family contribution for each student and the availability of funds will determine if the student receives a scholarship award.

Does the FAFSA process require me to accept loans for educational expenses?
No. The FAFSA process may indicate that you are eligible for loans but does not require you to accept them. FAFSA is only the first step in determining your need for additional funds, including grants, scholarships and loans. One of the goals of the Prosperity Scholarship Fund is to reduce each student’s reliance on loans to finance educational expenses.

How much are the scholarships?
Scholarships will be $1,000 annually for full-time students and $500 annually for part-time students (enrolled in at least six credit hours). Scholarships are renewable each year for students who demonstrate satisfactory academic progress.

If I receive a scholarship, do I need to repay it?
No. Scholarships are more like grants and not loans. Scholarship recipients who do not complete the academic term for which their scholarship is given may be required to return the funds.

How can I contribute to the fund?
You can sign up to give online at the JEA Web site, and you can make contributions directly to the Florida Community College Foundation, 501 W. State St., Jacksonville, Florida 32202. Please indicate on your check that your donation is for the Prosperity Scholarship Fund. Or, you can contribute through your JEA utilities payment. Simply indicate on your next bill how much you want to contribute each month, and it will be added to your bill automatically.

Where does the money go?
All funds collected are transferred each month to the Florida Community College Foundation which acts as the administrative agent for the fund on behalf of the community. One hundred percent of all donations are permanently endowed and will never be spent. Scholarships are funded from the investment proceeds of this fund. While the foundation collects donations and distributes scholarships from the fund, the fund is under the management of a Governing Council established by legislative action of the Jacksonville City Council.

Are donations tax deductible?
Yes. Your donations directly to the Florida Community College Foundation, a 501(c)3 corporation, are tax deductible. In addition, your donations are eligible for matching funds from the State of Florida.

What if I have other questions?
For more information, contact the Florida Community College Foundation at (904) 361-6252.

How can I get more information on the participating colleges and universities?

Revised April 28, 2008