Lift Orlando will cover the cost of college or technical education at Valencia College for approximately 1,500 local Jones High School students in the 2026-2029 classes.
The scholarship, called Lift Scholars, is modeled after Osceola County’s successful Osceola Prosper initiative, and aims to increase college enrollment among Jones High School students by eliminating the barrier of cost.
“For more than a decade, Lift Orlando has worked to build cradle-to-career pathways that help young people thrive,” said Eddy Moratin, president and CEO of Lift Orlando, shared in a release. “As we expand our investment in education in the years ahead, cost should never stand in the way of a student’s future. Guided by the belief that to whom much is given, much is required, generous donors have entrusted Lift Orlando to steward this investment in a way that removes barriers, expands opportunity and sends a clear message to Jones High students: your dreams matter, and this community is behind you.”
Students can use the scholarship to pursue an associate degree or enroll in short-term, hands-on technical training programs in fields such as advanced manufacturing, construction, healthcare, and transportation logistics.
To qualify, students must apply to Valencia College and register for at least one course or an Accelerated Skills Training program by the spring term following their high school graduation. They also must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) using school code 006750.