The Florida Home Builders Foundation, Inc. (FHBF) is a 501(c)3, non-profit organization. The purpose of FHBF is to engage in housing-related educational activities, including assisting persons in understanding and pursuing rewarding careers in home building and related trades
FHBF administers a scholarship fund to assist in addressing the pressing need for a better educated and trained construction industry workforce. Scholarship funds are distributed each year based upon the funds available as determined by the Board’s annual budget allocation. Any unused scholarship awards are required to be returned to FHBF and will be put in the General Scholarship Fund.
FHBF has a tiered scholarship program as defined by the following:
- Tools of the Trade – Intended for High School Students going directly into the construction industry and who need assistance to purchase the proper tools for that particular job. Scholarships will be paid directly to the employer or apprenticeship sponsor to assist with purchasing the required tools. No more than $500 per application will be awarded for this scholarship.
- Travel Assistance/Gas Card – Intended for Students going directly into the construction industry and who need assistance to travel to and from work. Primarily a Gas Card program, this scholarship will be paid directly to the employer or apprenticeship sponsor to assist the student in work-related travel. No more than $500 will be awarded for this scholarship.
- Accelerated Skills Training Programs (AST) – Intended for Students that are pursing short-term training in a variety of construction skills and are intended to be complete within 18 months. Priority will be given to these types of applications. Scholarships will be paid directly to the training institution. No more than $1,500.00 per application will be awarded for this scholarship.
- College Tuition – Intended for Students in good standing at a Florida secondary education program or post-secondary education who is pursuing a construction related career. Students must have a minimum 2.0 GPA to qualify. Scholarships will be paid directly to the school. No more than $1,500.00 per application will be awarded for this scholarship.
A Scholarship Review Committee will be appointed by the FHBF Board to review and recommend scholarship awards. The FHBF will make the final determination of any scholarship awards. The committee, as appointed by the FHBF Board is comprised of members from both the skilled trades and builders and should be limited to no more than 5 members. The committee will determine eligibility and recommend funding established by the Board’s Annual Budget.
All applicants will be required to fill out the Scholarship Application Form and will be required to get at least one recommendation from an academic/trade teacher with sufficient knowledge of the applicant and provide a brief essay describing their experience with the construction industry and career goals. Applicants for the College Tuition Scholarships are required to provide current transcripts including GPA.
These policies may be amended from time to time as per the discretion of the FHBF Board of Directors. Records of all applications and scholarship awards will be kept on file at the FHBF operating office.