Southern Scholarship Foundation Housing Scholarship
Offered by Southern Scholarship Foundation
About This Scholarship
The Southern Scholarship Foundation runs a different kind of award: rent-free housing instead of a check. The idea took shape in Tallahassee in 1953 under founder Dr. Mode L. Stone, began with a handful of students living in a repurposed army barracks, and was formally incorporated in 1955.
Today SSF operates 26 houses — 16 in Tallahassee, 8 in Gainesville, and 2 in Fort Myers — serving roughly 470 students attending Florida State University, Florida A&M University, Tallahassee Community College, the University of Florida, Santa Fe College, and Florida Gulf Coast University. Selection is based on financial need, academic merit, and good character, and because the benefit renews each semester you remain in good standing, the multi-year value can rival major merit scholarships.
The model is genuinely cooperative: residents run the day-to-day operations of their house, sharing cooking, cleaning, and household financial management in exchange for living rent-free. Applications run on two cycles — a March 15 early deadline and April 1 final deadline for fall, and October 15 early and November 1 final deadlines for spring.
Eligibility
- Accepted to or enrolled at a partner school: FSU, FAMU, UF, FGCU, Tallahassee Community College, or Santa Fe College
- Demonstrated financial need
- Strong academic record (the foundation looks for motivated students with solid GPAs)
- Willingness to live cooperatively and share household responsibilities with housemates
How To Apply
- Complete the online application at southernscholarship.org with transcripts and financial documentation
- Apply by April 1 for fall semester or November 1 for spring semester (earlier is better — March 15 and October 15 are the priority dates)
- Interview with the foundation before house placements are made
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is rent-free housing actually worth?
Housing near these campuses typically runs several thousand dollars per semester, so most residents save roughly $4,000-$6,000 or more per year — and the award renews each term you stay in good standing.
Is this a dorm or a private apartment?
Neither. SSF houses are shared cooperative homes where residents split chores, cook together, and build a community — the foundation considers the living experience part of the scholarship.