EFFORTS Application

Educational Funding For Our Residents To Succeed

Please gather all required uploads prior to starting the application process.

To qualify for the EFFORTS Scholarship, students must meet the following criteria:

·        Be a U.S. Citizen or legal resident alien, and a current resident of the Tampa Housing Authority Public Housing/RAD or Assisted Housing Program. 

·        Be an incoming freshman or a continuing full-time student pursuing an undergraduate degree or trade school certificate.

·        Be 16 to 19 years old at the time of the first award. 

·        Possess a 2.0 GPA or higher. 

·        Demonstrate a commitment to community service through either a minimum of 300 hours served as volunteer or a minimum of 100 hours if the student was employed full-time during the senior year.

The complete application package must include the following:

1.     Signed Affirmation and Release Form

2.     A current resume including work or community hours.

3.     One or more letters of recommendation from a community leader attesting to your community service involvement. 

4.     A personally written 650-750-word essay expressing the importance of stable and affordable housing in furthering your education after high school.

5.     An official high school or GED transcript, if a graduate, or the latest report card if still attending school 

6.     Signed application.

When is the application deadline?

Applications are accepted every year from December through February 15th, with winners announced in April.

How are the winners determined?

A judging panel appointed by the EFFORTS Committee will evaluate the applications and select the recipients considering: 

• Community involvement
• Essay content
• Academic achievements and records
• Work or volunteer experience

Decisions of the judging panel are final and are not subject to appeal. No application feedback will be provided.