The Jacksonville Commitment FAQs
1. Who is eligible for a Jacksonville Commitment Scholarship?
2. What schools are included in the “postsecondary partner schools”?
3. What does a Scholarship Portfolio include?
4. Who should students ask to complete the counselor/advisor recommendation form?
5. What is the significance of a Scholarship Portfolio?
6. Is there an online form?
7. Will every student on Free or Reduced Lunch receive a full scholarship to one of the four postsecondary partner schools?
8. Is there a waiting list?
9. How are students and parents being notified of The Jacksonville Commitment?
10. How do other scholarships and financial aid affect The Jacksonville Commitment Scholarship?
11. Are international students eligible for these awards?
12. When are the Scholarship Portfolios due?
1. Who is eligible for a Jacksonville Commitment Scholarship?
In order to be a candidate for a Jacksonville Commitment Scholarship, students must be eligible for the Free or Reduced lunch program, graduate from any Duval County public high school with a standard high school diploma, be admitted to one of the four JC postsecondary partner schools, be a Florida resident for tuition purposes, and be eligible for a Pell grant.
2. What schools are included in the “postsecondary partner schools”?
Edward Waters College (EWC), Florida State College at Jacksonville (FSCJ), Jacksonville University (JU), and the University of North Florida (UNF) are the four postsecondary Commitment partners.
3. What does a Scholarship Portfolio include?
A complete portfolio includes a Scholarship Form, an essay, a Counselor/Advisor Recommendation Form, ACT and/or SAT test scores, and a copy of the most current high school transcript.
4. Who should students ask to complete the counselor/advisor recommendation form?
Students should solicit a recommendation form from their High School Guidance Counselor, a College Access Program Advisor or a Jacksonville Commitment College Advisor. Ideally, the student advocate will know the student well enough to complete the form without reservation.
5. What is the significance of a Scholarship Portfolio?
When students complete The Jacksonville Commitment Scholarship Portfolio during the summer prior to the senior year, their application materials will be reviewed by an Admissions Liaison at each of the four post secondary partner schools. The Liaison will decide if a student is admissible and will give a conditional offer of acceptance. This offer will be contingent upon the submission of the college application and the completion of a standard high school diploma. In short, students submit one free application as a common application to four schools. If a student completes the scholarship application following the start of their senior year it will serve only as The Jacksonville Commitment Scholarship Application.
6. Is there an online form?
Students can print this application form: The Jacksonville Commitment Application
7. Will every student on Free or Reduced Lunch receive a full scholarship to one of the four postsecondary partner schools?
No. Priority will be given to students who complete The Jacksonville Commitment Scholarship portfolio requirements during the summer prior to their senior year, submit a Summer FAFSA confirmation page, and
are active participants in a college access program with a Commitment College Advisor or a comparable school, church or community based program.
8. Is there a waiting list?
No.
9. How are students and parents being notified of The Jacksonville Commitment?
Students and parents at the Phase I schools are being notified through the Jacksonville Commitment College Advisors housed in the schools. Many others are responding to the marketing and are calling The Jacksonville Commitment Office directly. We will also reach students through the efforts of other College Access Programs (ex. GEAR Up, Talent Search, Take Stock in Children, First Baptist Church of Mandarin Academic Mentoring, etc.). Any assistance you can provide in sharing this information with students is greatly appreciated.
10. How do other scholarships and financial aid affect The Jacksonville Commitment Scholarship?
All scholarships and financial aid awarded to a student will be used to cover the cost of attendance at all postsecondary partner colleges. The Jacksonville Commitment award amounts may vary to ensure students have not surpassed their Financial Aid budget for the year.
11. Are international students eligible for these awards?
If a student is eligible for in-state tuition as determined by Florida’s residency for tuition purposes guidelines, then they will also be eligible for The Jacksonville Commitment Scholarship assuming that all of the other requirements have been met.
12. When are the Scholarship Portfolios due?
Complete portfolios will be accepted on a rolling basis with priority being given to earlier applicants. Send to The Jacksonville Commitment Office (1 UNF Drive, Bldg. 53/2707, Jacksonville, Florida 32224).
