FAQs
General Questions
What is the Give Hope Fund?
The Give Hope Fund is a scholarship program administered by the AACC Education Committee to support Central Florida students with financial need pursuing undergraduate, graduate/professional, or vocational studies.
Who oversees the scholarship program?
Eligibility
Who can apply?
Applicants must meet all of the following:
- U.S. legal status.
- Florida residency.
- Minimum 3.0 GPA (unweighted, 4.0 scale).
- Enrollment or acceptance into an accredited undergraduate, graduate/professional, or vocational program.
- Demonstrated financial need.
Is the GPA weighted or unweighted?
Do returning students receive priority?
Yes. Returning recipients who complete 20 hours of approved community service may receive priority.
Can incoming students apply?
Timeline & Process
When does the application open?
What is the deadline?
When are decisions made?
Do all applicants receive interviews?
How to Apply
How do I submit my application?
- Complete the online Application Form (no uploads).
- Email all required documents to: apply@GiveHopeFund.com
Why can’t I upload documents on the site?
What documents are required?
- Official transcript.
- Academic + community recommendations.
- Proof of Florida residency.
- Proof of U.S. legal status.
- 500–750 word essay.
- Proof of enrollment or acceptance.
- Proof of financial need (FAFSA, aid letter, or tax return).
- Copy of driver’s license or ID.
- Disclosure of other financial aid.
- Optional: personal note explaining financial need.
Privacy & Security
How is my information stored?
We use a no-database system:
- Online forms are sent directly to a secure Workspace inbox.
- Documents are stored only in restricted Google Drive folders.
- Access limited to authorized Education Committee members.
Is my information ever shared?
Only in two rare cases:
- Government-required audit.
- Compliance review approved by a majority vote of the AACC Board.
Should I email sensitive information?
Do not email full SSNs or similar identifiers.
If required, provide the last 4 digits only and follow instructions on the How to Apply page.
Selection & Scoring
How are applications evaluated?
Applications are evaluated using a 120-point rubric:
- Phase 1: Rubric scoring (100 points).
- Phase 2: Interview (20 points, if assigned)
Final scores are averaged across multiple reviewers.
What does the rubric consider?
- Academic performance.
- Extracurricular activities.
- Financial need.
- Essay quality.
- Recommendation letters.
- Community leadership.
- Interview performance (if applicable).
Do donors influence the selection?
Award & Renewal
How do awards work?
Scholarships are awarded for one academic year at a time.
Awards may be renewed if you:
- Reapply each year.
- Maintain a 3.0+ GPA.
- Demonstrate continued financial need.
- Complete 20 community-service hours with AACC or an approved organization.
- Meet annual eligibility and funding availability.
Returning students in good standing may receive priority consideration.
How are scholarship funds disbursed?
Funds are either:
- Paid directly to your school, or
- Reimbursed to you for approved educational expenses with valid receipts (subject to committee approval)
What expenses are eligible?
- Tuition and fees.
- Required textbooks.
- Course-related materials.
- Academic tools or equipment required by your program.
Are scholarships taxable?
Ethics & Conflicts of Interest
What if I am related to someone on the committee?
You must disclose this on your application.
Committee members with conflicts will recuse themselves entirely from evaluating your application.
Contact
Who can I contact for help?
For application-related questions:
📧 apply@GiveHopeFund.com
For general inquiries or donor partnerships, please visit our Contact Us page.