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Pre-college Programs

Florida State College Offers Clear Pathways
to College Success

Making the transition to college is now easier than ever before. Florida State College offers a variety of pre-college learning experiences designed for students from grade 6 through 12. These programs will help students gain skills, confidence and college credit that can put them on a path to personal, educational and career achievement.

Florida State College programs connect students with advisors, role models, career counselors and instructors who care about their success. By working with area high schools and businesses, Florida State College is able to offer programs that are relevant to local career opportunities. Florida State College provides Northeast Florida students with a chance to see what college is like and to gain extra skills they will need to make the most of their college experience. In addition, there are programs which offer college-level credit while students are still in high school. Many of the pre-college programs at Florida State College are available at very little or no cost.

Learn more about the variety of Florida State College programs that help students discover the advantages of pursuing a college education.

CROP (College Reach-Out Program) (College Preparation)
For: 6th through 9th grade students

Program Snapshot: Helps younger students begin to think about the importance of attending a college or university when they complete high school.

Details: Florida State College provides guidance and counseling to help students set career goals and to remind them of their potential, both socially and academically. CROP exposes students to the importance of excelling in academics. The program includes university tours, a career day, a youth rally, cultural events, field trips and workshops designed to improve test taking skills, study skills and time management.

Registration: September through December
Contact: (904) 633-8179 or (904) 632-3175

Educational Talent Search (ETS)
A Partnership Between Florida State College at Jacksonville and the U.S. Department of Education
For: ETS for students in grades six through 12.

Program Snapshot: ETS offers academic and mentoring services to middle and high school students at seven targeted schools in Duval County to help guide them through the high school years and prepare them for college. The program follows students from grades six through 12 to ensure that they are on the right track to further their educational goals and prepare for college.

Programs by Grade Level:

  • 6th grade — Orientation, improving study skills, developing a middle school plan
  • 7th grade — Time management, decision making and problem solving, effective communication and team building
  • 8th grade — High school success workshop, goal setting, team-building exercises
  • 9th grade — Acclimation to high school, career interest and exploration, college visits
  • 10th grade — PSAT test/SAT prep, career shadowing, college visits and college awareness
  • 11th grade — In-depth college search and visits, college application workshops, SAT prep/SAT, scholarships and financial aid workshops
  • 12th grade — Individual college and career counseling, applying to colleges, applying for scholarships and financial aid, SAT prep/test

STEP 1: Finish High School

Finishing high school is the first step to a college education. ETS helps identify and assist students who may need extra help in completing high school and continuing on to college. Beginning in Grade six, ETS provides a range of services including academic, career and financial counseling to students from disadvantaged backgrounds, and continues to monitor students’ progress throughout middle school and high school to assist in meeting graduation requirements.

STEP 2: Applying to College

Attending college is an attainable goal for disadvantaged students through the ETS program. The program helps prepare your high school student in selecting and applying to appropriate colleges and provides information on financial aid, college entry exams and career counseling. With ETS, your student will enter college with the skills and confidence necessary to embark on a successful education.
Contact: (904) 646-2039; FAX (904) 646-2209

GRADS (Gaining Resources and Developing Skills) (College Preparation)
For: High school juniors and seniors in a year-round program

Program Snapshot: The GRADS program includes SAT preparation, career preparation workshops, resume writing and interviewing skills and techniques, career and personal counseling, finance management and college tours.

Details: GRADS is a cooperative program with the Florida Department of Education, the Duval County School Board and local businesses. It helps students discover the value of education, assists them in preparing to enter the workforce, and offers support and motivation to pursue their personal and educational goals.

GRADS Summer Program
SAT Preparation Course
Summer Work Opportunities
Scholarship Opportunities
Cultural/Educational Field Trip (College Tour)
Career Explorations		 GRADS Academic Year Program
SAT Preparation Course
Career Explorations
Workforce Readiness Workshops
Cultural/Educational Field Trips and College Tours

Registration: Ongoing
Contact: (904) 632-3175 or (904) 633-8179

Upward Bound (College Experience)

For: Nassau County students planning to attend college

Program Snapshot: Upward Bound provides a four-week living experience on a college campus, offers additional tutoring and free transportation to Florida State College academic and social activities.

Details: Students have opportunities to visit Florida colleges and universities such as the University of Florida, Florida State and FAMU. Upward Bound program participants also receive a monthly allowance.

Registration: Ongoing
Contact: (904) 766-6680

FAME (Format for Affecting Minority Enrollment) (College Experience)
For: 10th through 12th grade students

Program Snapshot: FAME acquaints participants with the mechanics of college enrollment.

Details: Minority students and their parents learn more about student aid, A.A. and A.S. degree programs, participate in campus tours, and meet students, faculty and administrators in various program areas. The FAME program also provides students and parents an opportunity to meet successful Jacksonville citizens who serve as inspiring examples. Like the College Reach-Out students, FAME students receive help in setting career goals and discovering their academic potential. If eligible, high school juniors who complete the series of sessions can participate in an expense-free two-week college orientation program at Florida State University in Tallahassee.

Registration: October through January
Contact: (904) 632-3175 or (904) 633-8179

Dual Enrollment (College Credit)
For: High school juniors and seniors

Program Snapshot: Dual Enrollment enables high school juniors and seniors to earn simultaneous high school and college credit for academic courses. These tuition-free college credits may be transferred to any public college or university.

Details: Dual enrollment students may earn free college credit at Florida State College, representing a substantial financial savings for participants. Students must meet certain minimum scores on the SAT, ACT or CPT and maintain a certain grade point average. Students who choose to remain at Florida State College as full-time college students do not need to reapply.

Learn more about dual enrollment and get the forms you need to apply to the program.

Registration: Ongoing
South Campus: (904) 646-2304
North Campus: (904) 766-6588
Kent Campus: (904) 381-3707
Downtown Campus: (904) 633-8184

Early Admission (College Credit)
 For: High school seniors

Program Snapshot: The Early Admission program is a dual enrollment program that allows eligible students to enter Florida State College as fulltime students during their senior year of high school and still graduate with their high school class. All credits are tuition-free and may be transferred to any public college or university.

Details: Eligibility requirements are the same as for the Dual Enrollment program, with the exception of a higher grade point average.

Registration: Ongoing
South Campus: (904) 646-2304
North Campus: (904) 766-6758
Kent Campus: (904) 381-3566
Downtown Campus: (904) 633-8184

Take Stock in Children (Scholarship and Mentoring)
For: Nassau County students grades 6-12

Program Snapshot: Take Stock in Children is a comprehensive program that provides academically promising low-income students succeed by providing college and vocational scholarships, volunteer mentors, student advocates, tutoring, early intervention, long-term support, high standards, parental involvement and community support.

Details: Students sign an agreement pledging to maintain at least a 2.5 GPA, stay drug- and crime-free, exhibit good behavior in school, and have good school attendance. Each student is matched with a volunteer mentor who meets with the student once a week at school, serving as a friend, role model and advocate. Successful students upon high school graduation are awarded a 4-year tuition scholarship or 2-year vocational scholarship.

Registration: September and October
Contact: (904) 548-4464

Florida State College provides a variety of exciting and inviting pathways for students who want to achieve personal, educational and career success. To learn more about eligibility requirements and other success-oriented programs at Florida State College, contact us today.