JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Scholarships are now available for local high school seniors who are worried about how they will afford to pay for college.
The Urban League has partnered with Pepsico and Winn-Dixie to offer seniors money to be used to fund their college education.
"High school seniors who live in Duval, Nassau, St. Johns and Clay counties can apply," said Linnie Finley, vice president of marketing with the Urban League. "Students who live in Glynn and Camden counties can also apply."
Students need to be in their senior year and currently enrolled in high school, public, private or charter, no matter. The scholarship must be used to apply towards college classes in the 2015-2016 school year.
Part of the application process involves writing an essay explaining a student's career goals and how he or she will be impacted if they receive a scholarship through the program.
"Students should have at least a 2.5 GPA, but we are looking for well rounded students," explained Finley. The deadline to apply for the scholarship is March 30th.
Tia Simmons, a recent recipient of the scholarship, said without the money, earning a degree from UNF would be much harder. She is an English major, but has enrolled in pre-med classes.
The Urban League raises the money through a partner golf tournament with Winn-Dixie and Pepsico. This year's tournament will be held on March 12.
'We have a lofty goal this year," explained Jennifer Stenson with Pepsico, saying they are trying to raise $30,000.
Last year, the Urban League of Jacksonville awarded 12 scholarships to local teenagers. To learn more, you can ask your guidance counselor at your local high school or look for the information inside local Winn-Dixie stores or online.