C. Valentine Bates Memorial HOPE Scholarship
Offered by Florida State Elks Association
About this scholarship
The C. Valentine Bates Memorial HOPE Scholarship provides $3,000 to $20,000 to Florida high school seniors whose financial circumstances might otherwise prevent postsecondary education. The official 2027 application opened August 1, 2026 and is due January 15, 2027. Applicants must be United States citizens, reside in Florida, and graduate from high school or an equivalent program. The scholarship intentionally serves students with an unweighted GPA from 2.30 through 3.59; students above 3.59 are not eligible. Florida State Elks also looks for leadership through school activities, community service, citizenship, and employment, with special consideration for students who worked during high school to help support siblings or family. Financial need carries the greatest weight in the sponsor’s published scoring system, followed by academics, employment, leadership, the essay, service, honors, and extracurricular activities. The award can support a four-year undergraduate program, junior college, accredited vocational or technical training, or a first-responder academy in the United States. After enrollment and class attendance are verified, Florida State Elks sends the award to the institution as a credit for the recipient. Funds may be used for tuition, books, laboratory fees, tutoring, room and board, transportation, food, uniforms, and other educational costs. The official scholarship page links the current downloadable application and brochure.
Eligibility
- Be a United States citizen and a resident of Florida
- Be in the graduating class of a high school or equivalent program
- If graduating in December, apply during the application year before graduation
- Have an unweighted GPA from 2.30 through 3.59; applicants above 3.59 are ineligible
- Demonstrate financial need
- Show leadership through school activities, employment, community service, citizenship, or family responsibility
- Plan to attend an eligible U.S. undergraduate, junior-college, vocational, technical, or first-responder program
- Submit the complete official application by January 15, 2027