Project STARS Scholarship Program Information
Once approved by the Board to participate in the Stanley Tate Project STARS program, the Donor must send a letter of “pledge” requesting
matching funds to the Foundation for consideration. Pledge letters are due to the Foundation by February 15th of each year to request
matching funds from the appropriation for the Stanley Tate Project STARS Scholarship Program during the following state fiscal year. More
than 24,650 scholarships have been purchased and this year the Florida Legislature committed an additional $4.6 million for Project STARS.
Pursuant to the annual appropriation by the Florida Legislature, each Donor will receive up to $100,000 of their pledge, as determined by the
Florida Prepaid College Board, and any remaining appropriation amounts will be distributed on a pro-rata basis. Donors will be notified in
writing of their match allocation amount in October of each year. A current price list will be provided at that time as well. Donor may not
exceed the amount of their allocation.
Donors may purchase scholarships through the Foundation for Stanley Tate Project STARS scholarships by sending a letter to the Foundation
indicating the number of scholarships, plan type of scholarships, age/grade level of scholarships, and a check for half of the total cost
of the scholarships, plus a $50.00 application fee for each scholarship purchased. STARS matching funds from the Donor should be received
at the Foundation office by April 30 of each year. A Purchase Calculator
has been developed for assisting donors with this process.
Once all Donors have submitted their purchases for the fiscal year, if any matching funds are remaining, Donors may request in writing
additional “excess” funds by June 1. Donor will be notified in writing of their excess allocation by July 1. STARS Excess Funds from the
Donor should be received at the Foundation office by August 15 of each year.
STARS Donors do not need to identify the qualified beneficiary at the time the scholarship is purchased, however, the beneficiary must be assigned
to the scholarship by May 15 of the anticipated matriculation year so the Prepaid Plan identification cards can be received in a timely manner.
Each card is valid for one year.
The contract may be used up to three years in advance of the selected matriculation date with no penalty or additional cost. However, to utilize
a contract prior to the selected matriculation date, the Donor must notify the Foundation, in writing, at the time of assignment.
The benefits of a Stanley Tate Project STARS scholarship may be received for up to a ten-year period after the matriculation date. This ten-year
limitation may be extended upon written request to the Foundation Board. Any time spent by the qualified beneficiary in the military service
tolls the time for receiving contract benefits under all contract plans.
The Stanley Tate Project STARS scholarship is designed to be flexible and allows beneficiaries to attend the postsecondary institutions 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.
Click here for a list of approved colleges.
Stanley Tate Project STARS Policies and Procedures