St. Johns County students in grades 4-12 have until Sept. 21 to enter the 2026 Hispanic Heritage Month Essay Contest for a chance at a two-year Florida College Plan scholarship and a $200 gift card.

Essay Contest Open to Grades 4-12 Statewide

St. Johns County students in grades 4-12 can compete for a two-year Florida College Plan scholarship by writing a 500-word essay on the state's Hispanic heritage.

The Florida Department of Education and Volunteer Florida announced the 2026 Hispanic Heritage Month Essay Contest on Wednesday. Entries are due by 5 p.m. Eastern on Sept. 21.

Six Scholarships Up for Grabs

Six winners will be chosen statewide: two elementary students in grades 4-5, two middle school students in grades 6-8 and two high school students in grades 9-12. Each winner receives a scholarship from the Florida Prepaid College Foundation and a $200 school supplies gift card.

Local Schools Eligible to Participate

The contest is open to all Florida students attending public, charter, private, virtual or homeschool programs. That includes students at Ponte Vedra High School, Nease High School, Valley Ridge Academy, Palm Valley Academy, Ocean Palms Elementary and Ponte Vedra-Rawlings Elementary.

Contest Rules and Theme

This year's theme is "Celebrating Florida's Hispanic Heritage." Essays must be written in English, typed and no longer than 500 words. Each student may submit one entry. Applicants must be able to provide a Social Security Number, according to the contest guidelines.

Education Commissioner Encourages Participation

Florida Commissioner of Education Henry Mack said in the Sept. 2 announcement, "I encourage every Florida student to enter this year's Hispanic Heritage Month contests."

What to Submit

The entry packet requires more than the essay itself. Along with the essay, students must submit:

  • A completed entry form with a signed parent or guardian waiver
  • A letter of recommendation of no more than 250 words from an educator or professional
  • A personal essay of 200 to 250 words on why the student deserves the scholarship and what they have done in the past six months to give back to their community

Essays must be original work. Use of artificial intelligence is grounds for disqualification.

How and Where to Enter

Entries can be submitted online at FloridaHispanicHeritage.com or mailed to Volunteer Florida, Hispanic Heritage Month Committee, 1545 Raymond Diehl Road, Suite 250, Tallahassee, FL 32308. Emailed, scanned or faxed entries will not be accepted.

Art Contest and Educator Award Also Open

A companion art contest for students in grades K-3 is also open, with four statewide winners each receiving a $200 school supplies gift card. Art entries share the Sept. 21 deadline but must be mailed.

Students, parents, teachers and principals can also nominate full-time educators for the 2026 Hispanic Heritage Month Excellence in Education Award. Four winners will each receive $2,500 from Volunteer Florida.

How to Get More Information

Families with questions can call Volunteer Florida at 850-414-7400 or visit FloridaHispanicHeritage.com for full guidelines and entry forms.