Wayne M. Densch First Generation Scholarship Program

Through a generous donation from Wayne M. Densch Charities, Inc., this formal scholarship program is available to qualifying incoming first-time freshmen each fall term, and provides funding and comprehensive support services, including:

• Academic advisement
• Financial aid assistance
• Social activities and workshops
• Peer mentoring

Benefits

Students in the Wayne M. Densch Scholarship Program:

• Receive a scholarship (Fall and Spring terms) for up to two consecutive years at Seminole State
• Assigned advisors to assist through every step of the process, including academic advising and financial aid assistance, getting involved on campus, and transfer preparation
• Peer mentoring, social activities, and workshops to enhance your college experience

Eligibility

To be eligible for the Wayne M. Densch Scholarship Program, you must:

• Be a first-time-in-college student enrolling for the Associate in Arts for the fall 2025 term (2025 Summer Bridge Program students may also apply; cannot have attended any post-secondary institution before coming to Seminole State) 
• Be a first-generation college student (neither parent has completed a bachelor's degree - in the U.S. or abroad) 
• Show financial need (as determined by 2025-26 FAFSA)
• Have a high school diploma or GED prior to the start of the Fall 2025 term

How to Apply

To apply for the Wayne M. Densch Scholarship Program, follow these steps:

1. Apply to Seminole State College via the online application at seminolestate.edu.
   
   
2. Access your school email following the first-time user instructions at https://www.seminolestate.edu/student-email/instructions-ftu
   
   
3. Complete the online scholarship application at https://forms.office.com/r/2JMsJ7AK2F
   
   
4. Submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for the 2025-2026 academic year at studentaid.gov. Include a copy of your FAFSA Student Aid Report (SAR) showing estimated aid eligibility and parental education levels. For assistance with FAFSA contact TRiO Connections at trio@seminolestate.edu.
   
   
5. Write an essay (250-300 words) detailing your educational and career goals and how this scholarship would help you achieve them. Include any information about extracurricular activities you participate in in school or the community. Include your name, date, and essay title.
   
   
6. Optional: Include a letter of recommendation on letterhead, dated, and signed by an employer, teacher, guidance counselor, or community member (recommendations from family members are not accepted).
   
   
7. Schedule your Zoom interview. Interviews will involve three questions, and consent to be recorded is required.

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis until all 75 spaces are filled.

For further questions, please email firstgen@seminolestate.edu.

Applications are reviewed on a first-come, first-served basis until all 75 spots are filled. Therefore, students are encouraged to apply early for consideration.

Students in this scholarship program will receive support services from the First Generation Program office for the full duration of their time at Seminole State.

Scholarship Renewal Requirements for 2024-25

Scholarship recipients will be granted up to one additional one-year scholarship toward their degree provided the student meets the following criteria:

• Enroll in a minimum of 6 credits per term, maintain a College GPA of 2.0 or higher, and complete 67% of all courses attempted
• Attend at least 2 campus events per year (1 Fall, 1 Spring)
• Meet with your First Generation Advisor at least once a semester for academic advising and financial aid information
• Enroll in IDS 1107 First Year Flight Path in their first semester

 Student Success Stories

• View Wayne M. Densch Scholars' success stories here!