Take Stock In Children Program

What is Take Stock in Children?     Take Stock in Children is a statewide not-for-profit program operated locally under the Escambia County Public Schools Foundation.  Take Stock in Children is Florida’s innovative program that provides college scholarships, mentors, and hope to deserving financially eligible youth. 

How Do Students Apply?   6^th & 7^th grade students in Escambia County public schools are the only ones who can apply and only if they qualify for free or reduced lunch.  Applications are obtained through guidance counselors after spring break. Applicants must provide proof of income eligibility, be a US citizen and have at least a 2.0 GPA.  Schools review the applications and a Take Stock selection committee makes the final decision.  The number of students selected is determined by the number of scholarships donated each year.  An alternate list is kept.

After selection, the student and parent/guardian(s) sign a contract that the student will maintain good citizenship, attendance, and grades (at least a 2.0 average) and will remain crime and drug free.  Take Stock trains and provides a volunteer mentor who will meet with the student at school once a week during the school day. The TSIC College Success Coach meets with the students periodically, monitors progress, and provides college readiness workshops.

Where do the scholarships come from?  Each year, the number of students we select depends on the number of scholarships that have been donated in Escambia County.   Donations come from foundations, businesses, civic organizations, and individuals and are matched dollar-for-dollar by Florida Prepaid College Foundation when scholarships are purchased each spring.  We are holding a scholarship for every student in the program.

What Does the Scholarship Cover?  If all conditions are met, upon high school graduation the student will receive a scholarship that will pay tuition and local fees for 4 years at the state college rate for Florida.  These funds can also be used for vocational/technical training.  A student may choose to attend a state university for all 4 years, or for the last 2 years, but will need to make up the difference in higher tuition cost using other financial aid such as Bright Futures, Pell Grants, etc.   The scholarship does not cover books or living expenses. 

How Many Scholarships Have Been Awarded?  Currently in Escambia County, there are 141 Take Stock Scholars in grades 7-12, 70 students are currently in college using their Take Stock Scholarship, and we have had 130 college graduates thus far.

Questions?  For more information regarding the application process, becoming a mentor, or donating toward a scholarship, contact Sally Lee, TSIC Student Services Coordinator, slee@ecsdfl.us or 850-469-5458.

Leadership Council Members

Julie Dyson - Leadership Council Chair

Laverne Baker -   President, Laverne Baker & Associates

William R. Crawley - Dean, College of Educ. & Prof. Studies

Kerrith Fiddler - CFM, City Administrator, City of Pensacola

Elizabeth Haymans - Project Manager, Navy Federal Credit Union

Patty Hightower - Escambia School Board

Bob Hoyt - MD, Informatics Education

David Lister - (Retired) Saltmarsh, Cleaveland & Gund

Chuntell Patterson - Teacher, Bailey Middle School, TSIC Graduate

Michelle Salzman - Florida House of Representatives, District 1. Salz Studios, Owner

Dr. Jon Stephenson - Associate Vice President, Student Affairs, Pensacola State College

Ann Yoshihashi - Community Volunteer