Graduating seniors from Jones High School and Evans High School in Orange County received life-changing news this April: the opportunity to attend college tuition-free. Through a newly launched $1.2 million scholarship program, every student in the Class of 2025 at these two schools now has the chance to pursue their education at Valencia College with full tuition support.
In total, the scholarship will support 350 students from Jones High School and 516 students from Evans High School, offering an unprecedented pathway to higher education for nearly 900 students in Central Florida.
The initiative was made possible by a partnership between Lift Orlando, the Valencia College Foundation, and a group of private donors committed to removing the financial barriers that can prevent students from pursuing a postsecondary degree.
At CFEED, we believe deeply in the power of early momentum and coordinated support across the student journey. In the future, we look forward to contributing through data-informed insights and outcome tracking to help partners understand the long-term impact of this model and the students it serves.
This initiative is more than a scholarship—it’s a signal to students that their potential is seen, supported, and valued. It reflects the growing strength of partnerships across education, philanthropy, and community leadership in Central Florida, reinforcing a shared vision that a student’s ZIP code shouldn’t determine their future.
CFEED applauds this bold step forward—and the collective commitment to closing equity gaps and creating real, lasting opportunity.
To see how CFEED supports data-driven solutions that advance equity and student success, visit our Impacts page.