Project STARS

Established in 1990, the Stanley Tate Project STARS (Scholarship Tuition for At-Risk Students) Program is the Foundation’s largest program.

Project STARS is a private-to-public scholarship program funded annually by the Florida Legislature and matched dollar-for-dollar by private donations. Participating organizations purchase Prepaid Plans and provide additional support through mentoring to help students reach their goals. 

Our largest partner, Take Stock in Children (TSIC), has taken a leadership role in connecting local organizations and students to Project STARS scholarship opportunities, helping grow the program throughout Florida.

The program focuses efforts on low-income students who are at a higher risk of dropping out of school and prepares them to attend and succeed in college. All STARS scholars are assigned a mentor to guide them through their journey to higher education.

Is your organization an education foundation or a 501(c)(3) looking to utilize matching scholarship funds and able to provide mentoring programs to scholarship recipients? Project STARS scholarships could be a great fit for you.  Learn more.

Shanté Grimmitt, soon to graduate from Florida State University with a double major in criminology and psychology, began her journey at Tallahassee Community College’s College Reach-Out Program (CROP) where she earned her 2 + 2 Florida Prepaid Plan STARS scholarship.

At age 11, Shanté became a Project STARS student. She shared that she had a new group of people in her life who believed in her, and she did not want to let them down.

“The belief that the foundation had in me, really just blossomed and made me want to help other people.”


Mikhyle Milford
Mikhyle Milford, a junior at Florida Atlantic University (FAU), was a Take Stock in Children Palm Beach Project STARS scholar, and he is now studying business law.

As a student at FAU, Mikhyle has been involved with many service organizations, including the Black Student Union, Kappa Sigma fraternity and the Caribbean Student Association.

“It’s not just – ‘we’ll get you to college.’  It’s ‘we’ll get you through college.’”

Are you currently a Project STARS scholarship student? 

Your scholarship is designed to be easy to use and flexible.  If you have any questions, please call our Customer Service team at 1-800-552-4723, Monday – Friday, 8 am – 6 pm ET.

Important information for you to know:

Easy to use – When you are ready for college you should let your donor know where you will attend classes.  Florida Prepaid will pay your college or university directly, making the process easy for you!

Plan accepted at any qualified educational institution – The Stanley Tate Project STARS scholarship is designed to be flexible and allows students (beneficiaries) to attend the postsecondary institution of their choice regardless of the type of plan, unless otherwise indicated by the donor at the time the beneficiary is assigned to their scholarship. The Florida Prepaid College Plan may be used at any eligible educational institution as defined in s. 529 of the Internal Revenue Code.

Submit annual student survey – Starting after completion of your first year of college, each Project STARS student (beneficiary) is required to complete an annual online survey. Each year the student will receive a letter with the survey link and survey due date.

Helpful Links

Project STARS donors include a notable group of 501(c)(3) organizations that are dedicated to providing the children of Florida with guidance and educational opportunities.  Donor organizations that qualify will receive matched dollar-for-dollar scholarship funds. 

STARS scholarships may be purchased for children through the 11th grade. The student must be a Florida resident, United States citizen or a resident alien at the time of selection and award. The Foundation will coordinate the purchase and administration of the scholarship. The Donor organization shall provide mentoring services for all STARS students.

Five Easy Steps to Get Started Today:

  1. Donor must be a certified 501(c)(3) organization per IRS Code.
  2. Donor agrees to terms and conditions of program.
  3. Donor identifies student(s) to receive Prepaid Plan scholarship(s).
  4. Donor submits Pledge Letter to request matching funds.
  5. Donor will submit matching funds paid in full to complete scholarship purchase.

Helpful Links

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