Miami-Dade College Assistance Program

Scholarship Sponsored by Miami Foundation

Overview
CAP, Inc. provides scholarships to graduates of Miami‑Dade County public high schools who have exhausted federal, state, and institutional financial aid options but still face substantial unmet costs to enroll at the college or university of their choice. Awards are restricted to undergraduate study.

History
In 1977 the Miami‑Dade County Public School System launched a pilot College Assistance advisory program staffed by 10–12 part‑time advisors to help students locate financial aid. The following year CAP, Inc. was created to fund that College Assistance Program and to offer scholarships to graduates with significant need.

Who is eligible
- Demonstrated financial need, based on the CAP Unmet Need calculation for the upcoming academic year.
- Graduated from a Miami‑Dade County Public High School, or earned a G.E.D. after November 1, 1996, and attended Miami‑Dade County Public High School for at least two years.
- Accepted to or enrolled in a post‑secondary institution pursuing a first undergraduate degree only.
- Enrolled full time (12–18 credits) toward a degree.
- Scholarship must be applied only to the institution named on the application.
- Complete the online application by the deadline. No applications or supplemental materials will be accepted by mail, fax, or email. Missing attachments or incomplete applications will not trigger a request for additional information from CAP or the Foundation.

How to apply and deadline
All applicants must use the Miami Foundation’s online scholarship portal. Go to miamifoundation.org/scholarships, select “scholarship portal” on the right, create an account, then choose “2023 College Assistance Program (CAP, Inc.) Scholarship.” Paper, faxed, or emailed applications are not accepted. Review your submission carefully before sending; the portal is the only accepted submission method. Applications must be submitted online by Friday, May 23rd at 5:00 p.m.

Required application attachments
Combine all required documents into a single file per attachment slot and upload only PDF or JPEG files. If a document has multiple pages, merge them into one PDF or JPEG prior to uploading.

1. CAP Unmet Need Calculator — Download and complete the calculator available on the Foundation’s website. Enter the resulting figures in your application and upload a PDF copy.
2. FAFSA Student Aid Report (SAR) — Upload every page of the SAR for the year to which you are applying. If you are ineligible for federal student aid and cannot obtain a FAFSA/SAR, indicate that on the application.
3. College Financial Aid Award Letter — Upload your award letter from the institution you will attend.
- Rising freshmen: If your 2025–2026 award letter is not yet available, request it from the college financial aid office; if the school cannot provide the 2025–2026 letter by the CAP deadline, submit an estimated award letter.
- Rising sophomores, juniors, and seniors: If the 2025–2026 award letter is unavailable by the deadline, you may submit your 2024–25 award letter.
4. Unofficial college transcript — Required for all returning students and for any applicant beginning their sophomore, junior, or senior year. Rising freshmen from Miami‑Dade public high schools do not need to upload high school transcripts.
5. G.E.D. diploma — Required only for applicants who completed the G.E.D.

Notes
- Only PDF and JPEG files are accepted by the portal.
- The award may be used only for undergraduate coursework at the institution listed on your application.