Six Campuses One Family

Florida A&M University welcomed Southern Scholarship Foundation ambassadors to inform students about the organization on Set Friday.

What exactly is SSF? “It’s rent free housing, an education for life and community style living,” said Justin Hirsche, a senior at Florida State University and SSF ambassador.

 SSF was founded in 1953 by Florida State University professor Dr. Mode L. Stone and still offers rent free housing to eligible students. All funds required to maintain the foundation have come from individuals, alumni, charitable groups and corporations. SSF members include Dr. Dhyana Ziegler, a School of Journalism & Graphic Communication professor at FAMU and a SSF board member.

The FAMU Scholarship Houses are located to the left of Palmetto South. If students are interested in applying, the requirements include: high GPA, motivation, good character, financial need and acceptance to the university. The universities within the state of Florida offering the scholarship include FAMU, Florida Gulf Coast University FSU, Santa Fe College, Tallahassee Community College and University of Florida.

Rashid Elsamra, a sophomore at FSU and SSF ambassador said, “SSF is a big family away from home.”

SSF operates 27 houses ranging from eight to 31 students per house. That is a total of 458 students. Foundation events include alumni homecoming events, Thanksgiving dinner, semester potlucks, board member dinners, ice cream socials and orientation. SSF also hosts their Annual Education for Life 5K as a way to increase funding.

“Give it a shot, you won’t regret it,” Hirsche said.

When asked what SSF has done for her Tiona Settles, an SSF resident at FAMU, said, “It has helped me save a lot of money, meet new people and want to strive more.”

This is Tiona’s fifth semester as an SSF resident.

The Southern Scholarship Foundation accepts applications every semester. Students who are interested can visit www.southernscholarship.org for more information.