Miami-Dade college scholarships: Community Services eligibility and the next application round

A local college award may depend on a specific address, not simply living in Florida. For 2026, Miami-Dade County Community Services published a Community Advisory Committee scholarship for students ages 16–25 who live in one of 16 county areas. The announced award was $2,000; the extended deadline was May 1, 2026, and has passed. The page has not yet posted a date for the next round.

The Community Services award required applicants to be high-school seniors or hold a diploma/GED and be enrolled in college or planning to start in fall 2026. Along with the age rule, applicants needed at least a 2.0 GPA and household income within 200% of the CSBG guidelines. The listed areas are Allapattah, Brownsville, Coconut Grove, Culmer/Overtown, Edison/Little River, Florida City, Goulds, Hialeah, Liberty City, Little Havana, Naranja, Opa-Locka, Perrine, South Beach, South Miami, and Wynwood.

Applicants had to prove an address in one of those areas. The file also required household income records, proof of age, transcript and class schedule, two recommendation letters, and an essay about community, leadership, educational or financial barriers, and career goals. Living somewhere in Miami-Dade alone was not enough for this particular 2026 award, although other Florida or college aid may be available.

The extended deadline was Friday, May 1, 2026. As of October 12, the county had not posted a new opening for this scholarship in 2027. Before gathering records, check the official page and confirm that the form is for the correct year; do not send sensitive information through a link outside the county domain. The programme page lists 305-755-6237 for process questions and links to the official application.

A second award on the same page is for young people who completed CSD Diversion or Prevention programmes. The county lists 13 scholarships of $1,500 for applicants ages 16–20 who are high-school seniors or recent graduates and completed one of those programmes within the prior 12 months. Eligible destinations include accredited four-year colleges, community colleges, vocational or technical schools, and trade schools; the portal says dates will be posted there.

The two calls share a department but not eligibility rules: the $2,000 award is restricted to specified neighbourhood residents and uses income and GPA criteria; the $1,500 award requires previous participation in a local programme. The Community Services page explains the areas, documents, and 2026 closing date; the Diversion and Prevention scholarship has its own age and participation requirements. Ask whether another application round is coming before assuming an award will be paid.

A practical plan is to save the official link, request transcripts and recommendations early, and ask the school about other aid sources that are still accepting applications. The county does not describe these awards as full tuition: they are limited scholarships, subject to the call and selection. When new dates appear, recheck amount, neighbourhoods, income, essay, and submission method because details may change each year.

Community Services Department Student Scholarships — Miami-Dade County.

Miami-Dade Community Services Department — Miami-Dade County.

Information checked on October 12, 2026 against official sources. Dates shown may have passed; agencies have not necessarily announced the next cycle. Confirm each application round and decision with the responsible office.