Download the Pensacola Pledge Scholars Program Fact Sheet (PDF)

What are the basic eligibility requirements for applicants?

Applicants must be recent graduates of an Escambia County public high school (graduating in the same year as college entrance) and be admitted to either UWF or Pensacola State College. Applicants must be First Time in College designated students and must be residents within the city limits of Pensacola.

What admission standards must applicants meet?

Students must meet all admission requirements of UWF or Pensacola State College. In addition, applicants must complete and submit a Pensacola Pledge Scholars Application (PDF) and provide two letters of recommendation, along with a 500-word essay on "what being a citizen of Pensacola means to me."

What are the admission and application deadlines for the program?

Eligible students must apply for admission to either institution by March 1 and be admitted for the fall semester. The Pensacola Pledge Scholars application, two letters of recommendation and essay, must be submitted by April 1 to the appropriate institution. Late admission and scholarship applications will be considered pending availability of funds for a later round of screening.

What eligibility standards must recipients maintain while enrolled?

Scholars must maintain full time status (12 hours) at UWF or Pensacola State College and maintain a combined college GPA of 3.0 or higher. In addition, in order to renew eligibility, scholars must complete a minimum of 25 hours of community service per academic year in the Escambia County School District Mentoring Program. The Pensacola Pledge Scholars program is available to accepted students for up to eight undergraduate semesters (four years) and is transferable from Pensacola State College to UWF.

What amount will be awarded to scholarship recipients?

Pensacola Pledge Scholars will receive $2,000 per academic year to attend UWF or $1,200 per academic year to attend Pensacola State College. This scholarship will be combined with all other available funding including Pell Grants, Bright Futures and any other resources. A scholar's total financial assistance (need and merit) cannot exceed the total cost of attendance.

How many recipients will be selected and how will the funds be allocated?

Pensacola Pledge Scholar fund, through the UWF Foundation, will provide approximately $80,000 of new scholarship awards each academic year to approximately 40 First Time in College students. Distribution may vary from year to year depending on quantity and quality of applicants.

How will candidates be selected for the scholarships?

The selection of the candidates will be made by the Pensacola Pledge Scholars Committee at UWF, chaired by the Director of Admissions. The Vice President of University Advancement shall appoint the committee comprised of a cross section of representatives from campus. Candidates will be selected no later than the last day of April. Pensacola State College will follow the same guidelines in establishing a selection committee. Late admission and scholarship applications will be considered pending availability of funds for a later round of screening.

How will scholarship recipients be acknowledged?

Scholarship recipients will be acknowledged at city events, community events such as Pensacola Blue Wahoo's Baseball games, UWF and Pensacola State College events and graduation.

What additional opportunities will be available to Pensacola Pledge Scholars?

Scholars will also have the opportunity to serve as representatives of their institution and mentors to future City of Pensacola graduates at recruitment events, open houses and transition programs.

Download the Pensacola Pledge Scholars Program Fact Sheet (PDF).