Applicants must be currently enrolled at any Florida-based community college, private university, state university, or accredited vocational, technical, or business school. The school and individual campus at which you are enrolled also must be located physically in Florida, and it must be currently distributing copies of Florida Leader on that specific campus. Transcripts must show evidence of progress toward a college degree during the 2005-2006 school year. Please mail an official school transcript in your packet or separately from the school by Feb. 1, 2006.

Applicants must attend school at least half-time (six credit hours or more during each of the prior fall and current spring terms), and have completed at least 12 credit hours during the previous calendar year (Spring 2005, Summer 2005, Fall 2005). Summer semester attendance is not required. Applicants must be enrolled during the Spring 2006 semester. Fall 2005 graduates are not eligible unless they are enrolled in a post-graduate program during the spring semester. Courses being taken in the Spring 2006 semester do not count as completed credits.

Students with fewer than 30 total completed credit hours are not eligible. Part-time students are eligible. Seniors graduating at the end of the Spring 2006 term are eligible. Graduate and doctoral students are eligible. Non-American citizens are eligible. Nontraditional students are eligible. Distance-learning students are eligible. Community college students are eligible.

Applicants must have a minimum current cumulative GPA of 3.25. Graduate students must currently have a 3.25 GPA, as well as a 3.25 cumulative GPA as an undergraduate to be eligible. Graduate students must include transcripts for both graduate and undergraduate studies. Cumulative GPAs for all applicants include all college credits earned over the last five years. High school GPAs are not considered.

Applicants must demonstrate financial self-reliance by working and/or receiving scholarships. Students receiving grants or loans also are eligible. The judges appreciate and wish to recognize self-reliant campus leaders.

Applicants must provide a record of involvement and leadership in college activities, community service, political activism, and/or philanthropic involvement, including specific dates, positions held, and job descriptions. Service does not have to be completed in Florida, but it is preferred. Priority is given to current activities. Do not include high school activities or accomplishments.

Applicants do not have to be nominated by their colleges to be eligible. Students are permitted and encouraged to apply on their own. There is no limit to the number of applicants who can enter from a particular institution.

Applicants must agree, if selected as one of the 20 winners, to attend the awards ceremony and leadership retreat in Tallahassee on April 13 & 14, 2006.

The following individuals are not eligible: current employees or relatives of employees of Florida Leader magazine, Oxendine Publishing, Inc., College Student of the Year, Inc., or any co-sponsor.

Thirteen honorable mention winners and seven finalists will be chosen and will share scholarships and prizes valued at more than $65,000. The scholarship money may be used for any purpose and does not have to be used for education reasons. It doesn’t have to be spent in Florida.

Even the most attractive proposal packets will be disassembled during the review process. An emphasis on substance rather than on presentation is encouraged. Proposal materials should not be bound or inserted in protective sleeves.

Travel and hotel expenses to attend the awards ceremony are the responsibility of each applicant, although some or all expenses may be covered by the applicant’s institution and/or by sponsors.

Winners agree to allow Florida Leader to use their names, applications, voices, and/or likenesses in subsequent articles and/or public relations materials.

Income taxes on all prizes awarded are the sole responsibility of the recipients.

The judges reserve the right to exclude potential or current honorees whose applications prove to be false or misleading, before or after the judging process.

Audio and visual materials such as DVDs, CDs, audio cassettes, and videotapes should not be included in your application packet. The judging panel is unable to review such materials.

Winner Notification
All winners will be notified by mail.

Entrants will be notified of the status of their applications usually within four weeks of February 1, only if a self-addressed envelope with proper postage is included in the application packet.

If you want your entire application packet returned, you must send an additional envelope of the correct size with the proper postage.

Because of the volume of applications, it is not feasible for College Student of the Year, Inc. to engage in written and telephone correspondence with applicants regarding reasons for choosing or not choosing award recipients.

2. Include a typed resume detailing your involvement in college over the last 12 months only (high school activities should not be included). List specific dates and types of activities by semester, including community and campus service, political activism, philanthropies, awards, and/or honors. Please describe terms of office, officer or committee titles, and your responsibilities within each group. Note any groups or organizations you founded, describe growth under your leadership, and cite any special projects or activities. Letters or signatures from advisors are not required. Service need not be completed in Florida, but it is preferred.

3. Include a separate detail of your work history, annual earnings, scholarships received, and personal, academic, and housing expenses while attending college. Specify exactly how you meet college expenses. Example: "60% of my expenses are covered by two part-time jobs, 10% is met by scholarships, 10% is paid by financial aid, and the rest is paid by my parents."

4. Include official, sealed college transcripts from your current institution. Transcripts from previous institutions you have attended or from which you transferred in the past five years must be enclosed. Official transcripts may be sent separately by your institution, but still must be postmarked by February 1, 2006 and unofficial copies must accompany your application packet.

5. On a separate sheet, list exactly two names of persons not related to you as references. Provide only their names, titles, and telephone numbers. These references do not need to write letters.

6. Include exactly two letters of recommendation, which confirm your eligibility and suitability for the award. The letters must be originals, not photocopies, and must be addressed to the Florida College Student of the Year Award. The letters may be from civic leaders, faculty or administration members, or others. The letters may not be written by the same individuals whom you list as references. All letters must include the writer’s return mailing address, telephone number, and e-mail address. Letters may be sent separately by the authors, but must be postmarked by Feb. 1, 2006, and copies must be included in your application packet.

7. Include a current color "head-and-shoulders" 5x7 portrait photo of yourself which may be used for publication. Photo can be provided as a print, transparency (slide), or digital image on CD or disk. The photo must NOT be a photocopy, inkjet or laserjet printout, or newspaper/magazine clipping.

8. Optional—Include no more than 30 pages of additional information such as newspaper clippings, letters, and/or copies of awards and certificates that highlight your achievements as an individual and as a member of groups.

IMPORTANT INSTRUCTIONS: It is permissible to make copies of the application. All required materials must be submitted as one complete packet. Applications must be submitted using the official form. Applications must be postmarked by February 1, 2006. Applications must be sent through the U.S. Post Office and may not be hand-delivered. Applications received via express mail delivery services (including Fed-X, UPS, U.S. Postal Service Express Mail, and/or others) are not eligible. U.S. Post Office "two-day priority mail" delivery is accepted. Applications received without proper postage will not be accepted. All instructions must be followed exactly or the application will not be considered. All materials become property of Florida Leader magazine and may be used for publication. Materials will not be returned unless accompanied by specific request and proper return postage and envelope.