Grow Your Own Scholarships

FY23 Grow Your Own Teacher Scholarship Program

 Tier II: Florida SouthWestern State College or Florida Gulf Coast University 

The School District of Lee County is offering Grow Your Own Teacher Tier II Scholarships to currently enrolled Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU) or Florida SouthWestern State College (FSW) students in their last two years of college. Scholarship recipients will currently be enrolled in a non-education major and plan to change their major to the College of Education (with an emphasis on Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics, Elementary, and Exceptional Student Education fields). The two-year scholarships are valid for two years and upon graduation the recipient must teach for the School District of Lee County for three years.

Scholarship Eligibility

  • Currently enrolled in a non-education major at Florida SouthWestern State College or Florida Gulf Coast University & successfully completed 60 semester credits
  • Minimum 3.0 Cumulative G.P.A.
  • Must be willing to acknowledge that the applicant plans to change their major to the College of Education to complete a degree in teaching and the two-year scholarship is valid for a two-year period. Awarded recipients must supply proof of major change within 30 days of receiving the scholarship and apply for renewal annually. Upon graduation the recipient must teach for the District for a three-year period.

Application Process

The FY23 Grow Your Own Teacher Scholarship Tier II application period will open on on Wednesday, October 19 and close on Friday, March 31 at 11:59 PM. Awarded recipients must apply for renewal annually.

To be considered for the program, students must submit the following:

  • Completed application
  • Two Letters of Recommendation
    • One from a current professor/advisor at the college or university
    • One personal reference (Please be sure to follow these file naming conventions:
      (LastName_FirstName_Rec1 and LastName_FirstName_Rec2)
  • A one-page essay outlining your desire to teach and the contribution you would make to the profession within 500-700 words.
    (Please upload a Microsoft Word document and follow this file naming convention: LastName_FirstName_Essay)

The FY23 Grow Your Own Teacher Scholarship Program Tier II Application will be available on Wednesday, October 19 and close on Friday, March 31 at 11:59 PM.