Ralph H. And Ruth Frank Gross Memorial Scholarship
Scholarship Sponsored by Community Foundation of Broward
Description
Description: This scholarship fund was established in memory of Ralph and Ruth Frank Gross to honor their belief in the value of a good education. It provides financial support to often unrecognized government employees and their families to help them improve their lives through college, university, or vocational training. The program emphasizes self-improvement and educational advancement for recipients and their children. Awards are intended to remove financial barriers to postsecondary education within the State of Florida.
- Memorial scholarship honoring Ralph and Ruth Frank Gross
- Targets government employees and their families
- Supports college, university, and vocational education
Eligibility
Eligibility: Applicants must demonstrate financial need and may not receive any other scholarship or grant. Applicants must be residents of the State of Florida and plan to attend a college, university, or vocational institute located in Florida on a full- or part-time basis; graduate students are not eligible. Additional behavioral and affiliation conditions apply during the award period. Applicants should confirm they are not covered by an employer tuition reimbursement program, which may affect eligibility.
- Demonstrate financial need and must not receive any other scholarship or grant.
- Be a resident of the State of Florida. If the applicant is a graduating high school student, he or she must have an SAT score of 1100 or higher (CR + MA) and submit official high school transcripts.
- Plan to attend a college, university, or vocational institute located in the State of Florida either on a full or part-time basis. Graduate students are not eligible to apply.
- Agree not to use tobacco products, illegal drugs, or abuse alcohol for the duration of this award.
- Agree not to become a member of a social sorority or fraternity for the duration of this award. Membership of an honorary, academic, or professional sorority or fraternity is allowed.
- If the employer has a tuition reimbursement program, you may not be eligible for this award.
Applicant must also be at least ONE of the following:
- A current full-time employee of a governmental entity in Broward County.
- A retired employee or past employee who was employed full-time by a governmental entity in Broward County continuously for at least five years.
- A past employee who was disabled as a result of a performance of his/her functions of employment while employed full-time for at least five years at a governmental entity in Broward County.
- A spouse or former spouse (for at least five years), or child of an employee who currently is employed full-time at a governmental entity in Broward County or an employee who meets one of the requirements above or who was killed in the line of duty while employed full-time for at least five years at a governmental entity in Broward County.
- Florida residency and attendance at a Florida institution required
- Primary selection factors: financial need and Broward County government connection
- Behavioral and membership restrictions apply during the award period
Award Value
Award Value: Awards range from $500 to $2,500 per student and are intended to offset tuition and related education costs. The scholarship may be applied to college, university, or vocational program expenses at approved Florida institutions. The exact award amount is determined per recipient based on available funds and demonstrated need. Multiple recipients may be selected each award cycle.
- Award range: $500–$2,500 per student
- Applies to college, university, or vocational education expenses
- Amount varies by recipient and available funds
Application
Application Timeline: The 2026 scholarship application is available online. Applicants should follow the online application instructions and submit all required documentation, such as official high school transcripts for graduating students and SAT scores when applicable. Confirm any additional documentation or deadlines with the program administrator to ensure eligibility and timely consideration. Applicants should also verify whether employer tuition reimbursement affects eligibility before applying.
- 2026 application available online
- Graduating high school students must submit official transcripts and SAT scores (CR + MA = 1100+)
- Verify employer tuition reimbursement status before applying
History of the Award
History of the Award: The fund was created in memory of Ralph and Ruth Frank Gross to honor their commitment to education and community service. It was designed to assist often overlooked government workers and their families, recognizing the many unrecognized good deeds performed by public servants. The award reflects the founders’ belief that education provides a pathway to improved lives for recipients and their children. The program is specifically structured to serve recipients connected to Broward County governmental employment.
- Established in memory of Ralph and Ruth Frank Gross
- Created to support unrecognized government employees and their families
- Focuses on educational advancement within Broward County and Florida institutions