THA Efforts Scholarship FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions 
 
Who is eligible to apply? 
Applicants must meet all of the following criteria to be eligible for the EFFORTS scholarship: 
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. 
 
When is the application deadline? 
Applications are accepted every year from December through February 15th, with winners announced in April. 
 
What is asked during the application? 
During the application process, we will request: 
A personally written 650-750-word essay expressing the importance of secure and affordable housing in furthering your education after high school.  
One or more letters of recommendation from a community leader attesting to your community service involvement.  
An official high school or GED transcript, if a graduate, or the latest report card if still attending school. 
A current resume including work or community service hours. 
A completed biographical questionnaire.  
A signed and dated EFFORTS Scholarship online Application Form. <> 
 
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. 
 
How is my application evaluated in the scholarship decision process? 
Applicants' scores follow a 100-point system based on the following criteria: 
• 50% - Essay Evaluation  
• 30% - Community Service, Work, and Extracurricular Activity 
• 20% - Overall Application 
 
How will I receive the scholarship award if I am selected as a winner? 
If you are notified as a recipient of the scholarship in April, you can expect to receive your scholarship award in a June award presentation. Awards are disbursed in $3000 annual increments for up to 4 years, as long as you are a full-time student with a 2.0 GPA. 
 
How and when will I receive notification? 
Notifications are sent to recipients and applicants not selected to receive an award by email approximately two months after the final deadline. 
 
Note: Your email address will only be used to communicate with you about your scholarship application or other related opportunities administered by Tampa Housing Authority. We will not share your email address with any third-party. 
 
What are the rules for continuing in the program? 
Repeat awardees must provide a 500-word report on their education experience and their intentions to continue.  
Students that have not been awarded the scholarship in previous years may reapply each year as long as they continue to meet the eligibility requirements. 
The scholarships will be applied to tuition, fees, books, supplies, and equipment required for the pursuit of their undergraduate degree or vocational program certificate. 
Students may transfer from one institution to another and retain the award. 
 
Are scholarships taxable? 
Generally speaking, a scholarship is tax free if the award is used to pay for tuition and required fees, books, supplies, and equipment. The scholarship recipient is responsible for taxes, if any, that may be assessed against your scholarship award. We recommend consulting your tax advisor for more guidance. You may also consult "IRS publication 970 - tax benefits for education" for further information. 
 
Still have additional questions? 
Please email EFFORTS@thafl.com for specific questions and/or additional information.