Migrant families are families that migrate across the United States as they find work based on the seasons of harvest.  With these frequent moves, consistency in education is often a struggle for children.  To meet these unique educational and social needs, the Migrant Education Program was established by the United States Department of Education in 1966 for all migratory students ages 3 to 22.  The program celebrates and exercises its legacy of civil rights by ensuring equal access to a high quality education for all migrant children.

The OCPS Migrant Scholarship Fund provides graduating seniors the opportunity for a small amount of funding to assist in paying for college tuition, fees, and required class supplies after they leave the Migrant Education Program.  Scholarship funds are paid directly to the student’s college of attendance.  In addition, all scholarship winners are invited to a celebration ceremony at the end of the school year. This scholarship assists students in setting the next chapter of their lives for success.  Below are just a couple of stories of impact of former scholarship winners.

Jasmine graduated in 2018.  She was accepted into the University of South Florida under the College Assistance Migrant Program (CAMP).  She has a passion for helping others and children.  The scholarship allowed her to fund fees and supplies for her program and with the combination of support from CAMP and her scholarship, she is training to become a mid-wife.

Juan comes from a family of hard workers.  He also values education and knows it is the pathway to improve the quality of life for both himself and his family.  Juan was accepted into Seminole State College and the scholarship allowed him to get started in school.  To help continue his education, he works two jobs, one at a nearby nursery and the other at a fast food restaurant, all while taking classes.

Federal education funds cannot be used for scholarships, therefore, the OCPS-MEP established a local Migrant Scholarship Fund to motivate and encourage graduating migrant students to attend college. Since 1990, the OCPS-MEP Migrant Scholarship Fund has awarded scholarships to 436 graduating migrant seniors ranging from $100 - $1,000 each. Every academic year, the OCPS-MEP staff actively conducts fundraising events towards the Migrant Scholarship Fund. 

The OCPS-MEP is hoping to raise $15,000 to provide scholarships to the 15 migrant students who are expecting to graduate and become part of the Orange County Public Schools’ Class of 2020. With your investment, we can encourage and shape the educational path of these 15 graduates. Your conribution will show all migrant students in Orange County, FL that nothing is impossible. If you are unable to currently invest, please help by sharing this fundraising request to as many family members, friends, and co-workers as possible. The more you spread the word, the more likely we will reach our goal. Please give to this worthy cause and share! #OCPSMigrantScholarshipFund.

We will close our 2020 Migrant Scholarship Fund campaign on May 1, 2020, and plan to award this year's award winners at our annual Migrant Student Graduation/Scholarship Celebration on May ??, 2019. We will definitely post pictures of our celebration with the graduates thanking you for your support.

On behalf of the Class of 2020 migrant students and the staff and advocates that support them, thank you in advance for your generosity!