SPC recently received $1,301,423 from the Florida Department of Education for the Open Door Grant Program. The grant will fund short-term professional development scholarships for the 2024-2025 academic year.
Open Door Scholarships transform the lives of Floridians by providing them with access to career education at no cost. By covering 100% of tuition, fees and related costs, the initiative has helped hundreds of students at SPC earn industry credentials and college certificates in public safety, healthcare, business, technology and construction.
Unlike most other forms of state and federal aid, which only benefit students pursuing a degree, Open Door scholarships are available to both degree-seeking and non-degree-seeking students. Last year, 75% of SPC’s Open Door funds were awarded to students in non-degree-seeking programs.
This is the third year that SPC has awarded Open Door Scholarships. With a total distribution of nearly $1.3 million in the 2023-2024 academic year, the scholarship has been awarded to students in a variety of fields, including $250,657 for those in public safety programs and $269,200 for those pursuing technology certifications.
The initiative doesn’t just fund education – it opens doors to better jobs, better lives and better communities.
“The Open Door Scholarship has allowed me to find my calling in life and given me the opportunity to grow so that I can proudly serve my community and improve the lives of those around me,” said Zach, who received the scholarship to attend the SPC Fire Academy.
Paul, another Firefighting Academy student, said, “For me, as a self-employed person in a single-income household while my wife devotes herself full-time to raising our 16-month-old child, this scholarship has been a blessing. The relief provided by this scholarship has greatly reduced our financial burden and given me the opportunity to pursue a career in public service, which is very close to my heart.”
In the 2023-2024 fiscal year, the program received 990 applications, resulting in a total registration of 529 courses for both bachelor’s and non-master’s programs.
“I was worried because I didn’t have enough money to pay for the course. (The scholarship) opened a new door for me,” said Tomeka, who enrolled in SPC’s Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) program. “I’m so grateful for the scholarship. It gave me the opportunity to go back to school.”
The Open Door Scholarship benefited a diverse group of learners, reflecting its broad impact across SPC’s student body. Of the 388 students supported, 56% were male and 42% were female. The program also supported students from a variety of ethnic backgrounds: 44% were white, 25% black, 12% Hispanic, 5% Asian or Pacific Islander, and a smaller percentage were American Indian or Alaska Native and multiracial.
For more information about eligible programs or to apply, visit the Open Door website.
