Hodges University Scholarships

Florida Independent College Fund

As a member of the Independent Colleges and Universities of Florida (ICUF), Hodges University has the opportunity to apply for scholarships provided by the Florida Independent College Fund (FICF). The FICF is a non-profit foundation for program and resource development for the Independent Colleges and Universities of Florida (ICUF). It secures funds from private donors, industry, and businesses, as well as from the state of Florida. FICF scholarships have specific forms and criteria for consideration. The Hodges University Scholarship Committee reviews student applications for HU private funding assistance as well as the overall student body to find appropriate nominations for the FICF awards.

If a student is awarded a FICF scholarship and the amount exceeds the cumulative private scholarship dollar amount expressed in guideline number two, then the student may not be considered eligible for any further assistance from the Hodges University Scholarship Committee.

Criteria:

• The appearance, presentation, and completeness of the application form will be taken into account in the awarding of scholarships. Incomplete applications will not be considered. All applications and reference letters become the property of Hodges University and will not be returned.
• Any scholarship application found to contain false or misleading information will be eliminated from further consideration by the Scholarship Committee.
• Essays, if required, will be judged on style and content as well as writing that is clear, articulate, logically organized, and demonstrates an outstanding grasp of the philosophical and psychological issues involved in the assigned topics.
• The Hodges University Scholarship Committee may interview applicants as part of the process in the event additional information is required for the decision process.
• In awarding the scholarships, the Hodges University Scholarship Committee judges the applicants based upon (1) academic performance, (2) the candidate’s application essay, if required, (3) personal interviews, if required, (4) financial need, and (5) application completeness.
• Scholarships provided by the FLORIDA INDEPENDENT COLLEGE FUND (FICF) are considered the same as other private scholarships of Hodges University. Students are nominated for the FICF awards by the Hodges University Scholarship Committee. Award amounts established by the FICF may vary.

Hawks Fund Scholarship

The Hawks Fund Scholarship (also known as the general scholarship fund) includes general donations from generous donors who give to the university regularly. This funding consists of the following named scholarships:

• Hawks Fund Scholarship
• o Including donations made in honor of or in memory of Earl Hodges, Thelma Hodges, Lavern Gaynor, Elliot Katz, among others.
• Gaynor Hawks Fund Scholarship
• Thelma Hodges Hawks Fund Scholarship
• CenturyLink Hawks Fund Scholarship
• Pettit Hawks Fund Scholarship

Criteria

• Subject to all specifications, as stated above, regarding “Eligibility Criteria for ALL Scholarships.”

Awarding Schedules

Undergraduate degree-seeking students are limited to the following amounts per session:

• Enrolled in 1-8 credit hours: up to $500
• Enrolled in 9-11 credit hours: up to $1000
• Enrolled in 12 or more credit hours: up to $1500

Graduate degree-seeking students are limited to the following amounts per session:

• Enrolled in 1-5 credit hours: up to $500
• Enrolled in 6-8 credit hours: up to $1000
• Enrolled in 9 or more credit hours: up to $1500

Limitations

• We have a large number of students applying to the Hawks Fund Scholarship every month, due to monthly-starts; however, the Scholarship Committee is conscious regarding the current balance of funds and may limit the funding that can be disbursed every month.

Scholarship Assistance for Veterans Education (SAVE) Fund

Criteria

• Subject to all specifications as stated above regarding “Eligibility Criteria for ALL Scholarships”.
• Must be a veteran or spouse/dependent of a disabled or deceased veteran pursuing an undergraduate or graduate degree.

Awarding Schedules

Undergraduate degree-seeking students are limited to the following amounts per session:

• Enrolled in 1-8 credit hours: up to $500
• Enrolled in 9-11 credit hours: up to $1000
• Enrolled in 12 or more credit hours: up to $1500

Graduate degree-seeking students are limited to the following amounts per session:

• Enrolled in 1-5 credit hours: up to $500
• Enrolled in 6-8 credit hours: up to $1000
• Enrolled in 9 or more credit hours: up to $1500

Limitations

• In past years, this funding was held until summer terms in order to designate funding for the federally mandated match for VA Yellow Ribbon benefits; however, veterans needing VA Yellow Ribbon funds in the past year has reduced meaning that we can begin disbursing more SAVE funds moving forward.

Jerry F. Nichols Accounting Scholarship

Criteria

• Subject to all specifications as stated above regarding “Eligibility Criteria for ALL Scholarships”;
• The academic degree program must be in Accounting;
• Full-time enrollment status (12 or more credits for UG; 9 or more credits for GR); and
• At least a 3.0 GPA for either undergraduate- or graduate-level students.

Awarding Schedule

• Students may be awarded up to $1500 per session.

Limitations

• Funding availability is significantly limited while there are also specific criteria that a large number of accounting-major students are not currently maintaining.

Jerry F. Nichols Veterans Accounting Scholarship

Criteria

• Subject to all specifications as stated above regarding “Eligibility Criteria for ALL Scholarships”;
• The academic degree program must be in Accounting;
• Veteran/military status preferred, but may be given to a student without a military/veteran status if no student is deemed to be eligible;
• Full-time enrollment status (12 or more credits for UG; 9 or more credits for GR); and
• At least a 3.0 GPA for either undergraduate- or graduate-level students.

Awarding Schedules

Undergraduate degree-seeking students are limited to the following amounts per session:

• Enrolled in 1-8 credit hours: up to $500
• Enrolled in 9-11 credit hours: up to $1000
• Enrolled in 12 or more credit hours: up to $1500

Graduate degree-seeking students are limited to the following amounts per session:

• Enrolled in 1-5 credit hours: up to $500
• Enrolled in 6-8 credit hours: up to $1000
• Enrolled in 9 or more credit hours: up to $1500

Limitations

• Funding availability is significantly limited while there are also specific criteria that a large number of accounting-major students plus veteran-status are not currently maintaining.

Naples North Rotary Scholarship

Criteria

• Subject to all specifications as stated above regarding “Eligibility Criteria for ALL Scholarships”;
• Student graduated from Collier County Schools or reside in Collier County;
• Attend a minimum on one (1) Naples North Rotary meeting, coordinated through Hodges University (Director of University Advancement) and a club member; and
• Participate in one (1) Naples North Rotary service project within the year funding was received.

Awarding Schedules

Undergraduate degree-seeking students are limited to the following amounts per session:

• Enrolled in 1-8 credit hours: up to $500
• Enrolled in 9-11 credit hours: up to $1000
• Enrolled in 12 or more credit hours: up to $1500

Graduate degree-seeking students are limited to the following amounts per session:

• Enrolled in 1-5 credit hours: up to $500
• Enrolled in 6-8 credit hours: up to $1000
• Enrolled in 9 or more credit hours: up to $1500

Limitations

• The specifications of the scholarship as designated by the donor reduces the amount of scholarship applications that are received by the Scholarship Committee specific to this scholarship. Unfortunately, students feel that they may not be able to attend specified meetings and/or participate in a service project(s) due to their personal lives and work schedules.

Meftah Foundation Scholarship for Single Mothers

Criteria

• Subject to all specifications as stated above regarding “Eligibility Criteria for ALL Scholarships”;
• Must be a single mother with minor children living at home;
• Female
• Enrolled in an on-campus or online academic program; and
• Pursuing a college degree to increase their job opportunities and family income.

Awarding Schedule

• One (1) recipient may be awarded $2500, annually, during the Fall session.

Limitations

• There is a significant amount of funds available; unfortunately, due to the regulations from the donor, $2500 of funds with only one (1) recipient is the maximum amount that may be disbursed on an annual basis.

Moorings Park Foundation Scholarship in Nursing

Criteria

• Subject to all specifications as stated above regarding “Eligibility Criteria for ALL Scholarships”;
• A student pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Nursing; and
• Priority will be given to recipients residing in Collier County, but not required.

Awarding Schedules

Students are limited to the following amounts per session:

• Enrolled in 1-5 credit hours: up to $500
• Enrolled in 6-8 credit hours: up to $1000
• Enrolled in 9 or more credit hours: up to $1500

Limitations

• The scholarship is based on specifications of a program which has a substantial amount of students in the program while there is a limited amount of funding received on an annual basis.

Moorings Park Foundation Scholarship in Clinical Mental Health

Criteria

• Subject to all specifications as stated above regarding “Eligibility Criteria for ALL Scholarships”;
• A student pursuing a Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling; and
• Priority will be given to recipients residing in Collier County, but not required.

Awarding Schedules

Students are limited to the following amounts per session:

• Enrolled in 1-5 credit hours: up to $500
• Enrolled in 6-8 credit hours: up to $1000
• Enrolled in 9 or more credit hours: up to $1500

Limitations

• The scholarship is based on specifications of a program which has a substantial amount of students in the program while there is a limited amount of funding received on an annual basis.

Peter & Stella Thomas Veterans Scholarship

Criteria

• Subject to all specifications as stated above regarding “Eligibility Criteria for ALL Scholarships”;
• A veteran that has been honorably discharged;
• Essay addressing personal military service record including post-graduation career goals and plans;
• Full-time enrollment status (12 or more credits for UG; 9 or more credits for GR);
• A resident of Collier, Lee or Charlotte County; and
• At least a 2.5 GPA for either undergraduate- or graduate-level students.

Awarding Schedules

• The scholarship amount will be equal to the tuition-only cost of one (1) course per session.
• Scholarship limited to twelve (12), annually.

Limitations

• Scholarship specifications bring a limited number of applications, especially regarding the essay portion. While many students do not enjoy writing/creating essays, the Office of Student Financial Services’ Veterans Services team have begun having conversations with veteran students regarding writing essays and assisting them with the process.
• Maximum amounts per year of scholarships disbursed also presents a concern; if the Scholarship Committee is able to award 12 students, the maximum amount being used would be $27,000 per year.

John & Joanne Fisher Veterans Scholarship

Criteria

• Subject to all specifications as stated above regarding “Eligibility Criteria for ALL Scholarships”;
• Veteran or spouse of a veteran that has been honorably discharged;
• Essay addressing personal military service record or spousal perspective of the impact thereof including post-graduation career goals and plans;
• Full-time enrollment status (12 or more credits for UG; 9 or more credits for GR);
• A resident of Collier, Lee or Charlotte County; and
• At least a 2.5 GPA for either undergraduate- or graduate-level students.

Awarding Schedules

• The scholarship amount will be equal to the tuition-only cost of one (1) course per session.
• Scholarship limited to twelve (12) awards, annually.
• If qualified veterans or spouses of veterans are not available, scholarship funds may be awarded to a Fisher School of Technology (FSOT) student.

Limitations

• Scholarship specifications bring a limited number of applications, especially regarding the essay portion. While many students do not enjoy writing/creating essays, the Office of Student Financial Services’ Veterans Services team have begun having conversations with veteran students regarding writing essays and assisting them with the process.
• Maximum amounts per year of scholarships disbursed also presents a concern; if the Scholarship Committee is able to award 12 students, the maximum amount being used would be $27,000 per year.

Earl & Thelma Hodges Scholarship

Criteria

• Subject to all specifications as stated above regarding “Eligibility Criteria for ALL Scholarships”;
• Essay addressing personal challenges prior to enrolled with Hodges University while also including post-graduation career goals and plans;
• Full-time enrollment status (12 or more credits for UG; 9 or more credits for GR);
• A resident of Collier, Lee, Charlotte, Glade or Hendry County; and
• At least a 2.5 GPA for either undergraduate- or graduate-level students.

Awarding Schedules

• The scholarship amount will be equal to the tuition-only cost of one (1) course per session.
• Scholarship limited to two (2) awards annually, specific to the fall and winter terms only.

Limitations

• Scholarship specifications bring a limited number of applications, especially regarding the essay portion. While many students do not enjoy writing/creating essays, the Office of Student Financial Services works closely with the Office of Student Experience to better explain the essay process and how to write an effective essay.
• Maximum amounts per year of scholarships disbursed also presents a concern; if the Scholarship Committee is able to award 2 students, the maximum amount being used would be $4,500 per year.

Earl & Thelma Hodges Veterans Scholarship

Criteria

• Subject to all specifications as stated above regarding “Eligibility Criteria for ALL Scholarships”;
• A veteran that has been honorably discharged;
• Essay addressing personal military service record including post-graduation career goals and plans; and
• A minimum of part-time enrollment status (at least 6 or more credits per session).

Awarding Schedules

• The scholarship amount will be equal to the tuition-only cost of one (1) course per session.
• Scholarship limited to twelve (12) awards, annually.

Limitations

• Scholarship specifications bring a limited number of applications, especially regarding the essay portion. While many students do not enjoy writing/creating essays, the Office of Student Financial Services’ Veterans Services team have begun having conversations with veteran students regarding writing essays and assisting them with the process.
• Maximum amounts per year of scholarships disbursed also presents a concern; if the Scholarship Committee is able to award 12 students, the maximum amount being used would be $27,000 per year.