SF Achieve

SF Achieve is a Santa Fe College program for students from Alachua and Bradford County public high schools. It combines in-high-school college-readiness coaching, the SF Achieve stipend, and a need-based tuition-coverage scholarship.

Signing up in high school is free, open to any grade level, and has no minimum GPA. Students are assigned an SF Achieve Specialist who coaches them on career exploration, time management, and financial aid throughout high school. Mentoring continues after enrollment at SF.

Components of the Award

SF Achieve awards two pieces of aid. Both post to the student account without a separate application, and both are capped at 60 credit hours of enrollment at SF, or the clock hour equivalent.

SF Achieve stipend. A general financial aid award each semester, intended to cover books and other college expenses, paid based on enrollment at the start of the semester.

Tuition-coverage scholarship. For SF Achieve scholars whose FAFSA calculation (SAI) is within 150% of Pell Grant eligibility, the scholarship covers tuition and fees not already paid by Pell and other state and local aid (Bright Futures, FSAG, SF Foundation scholarships, and similar). Coverage includes summer as well as fall and spring, or the clock hour equivalent.

Eligibility

All of the following must be true at the time of SF enrollment:

• Graduated with a standard high school diploma from a public high school in Alachua or Bradford County. Standard high schools, charter schools, the Alachua and Bradford e-Schools, and PK Yonge Developmental Research School qualify. At least one year of attendance at the qualifying school is required.
• Completed the SF Achieve P.I.C.T.(U)R.E. Yourself in College curriculum during high school with satisfactory participation.
• Signed the SF Achieve Letter of Intent.
• Enrolled in a degree or certificate-seeking program at SF within one year of high school graduation.
• Completed the Florida Residency declaration. Students who cannot prove Florida residency due to citizenship status, or because they cannot obtain required documents from parents or guardians, remain eligible.
• Completed the FAFSA. Students who cannot complete the FAFSA due to citizenship status can complete the FAFSA Alternative and submit requested documentation to determine financial need.

Maintenance

An SF Achieve scholar keeps the scholarship until 60 credit hours of SF enrollment or until one of the following occurs:

• Enrolls in fewer than 6 credit hours (or clock hour equivalent) for two consecutive semesters
• SF cumulative GPA drops below 2.0
• Is unsuccessful in more than one-third of all credit hours attempted at SF

Losing and Regaining the Scholarship

A scholar who loses SF Achieve can petition for reinstatement.

Summer Bridge Scholarship

A separate, limited-award scholarship under the SF Achieve program. Up to 24 Summer Bridge Scholarships are awarded each year to students who complete the SF Achieve Summer Bridge program. The scholarship funds:

• 6 credit hours (or 180 clock hours) in the Summer B term immediately after high school graduation
• 12 credit hours (or 360 clock hours) in the following fall semester
• 12 credit hours (or 360 clock hours) in the following spring semester

The Summer Bridge Scholarship is for three semesters only and is not renewable. Selection is made by the Director of Recruitment and SF Achieve. Eligibility includes:

• Affiliation with SF Achieve
• Financial need as determined by FAFSA or FAFSA Alternative
• Acceptance into the Summer Bridge program
• Preference for students who participated in Educational Talent Search, Upward Bound, National Achievers, or Take Stock in Children