C. Valentine Bates Memorial HOPE Scholarship

The Florida State Elks Association's C. Valentine Bates Memorial HOPE Scholarship supports Florida high school seniors who fall in the 2.30-3.59 unweighted GPA range -- students above a 3.59 GPA are not eligible, since the program specifically targets solid-but-not-top achievers. Awards range from $3,000 to $20,000 per recipient, drawn from roughly $106,000 in total annual funding, and go toward a four-year undergraduate program, junior college, vocational/technical program, or First Responders' Academy. Applicants must be Florida residents and U.S. citizens, and are scored heavily on a required essay along with demonstrated leadership, community service, and citizenship; preference goes to students with work experience supporting their family. The 2026-27 application period opens August 1, 2026, and closes January 15, 2027; awarded funds must be used within two years of the decision.

Eligibility

DemographicsUnweighted GPA must fall between 2.30 and 3.59 (above 3.59 is not eligible); preference to students with work experience supporting family finances.

Applying

About $106,000 in total annual funding shared across all recipients statewide.