SPC Helps Students Find Free Money for College During Debt-Free Degree Night

Scholarships didn’t just help Luisa Marie Price earn her degree at St. Petersburg College. They inspired her to help the students coming after her.

Price received three scholarships from the SPC Foundation while attending SPC. Today, she serves as General Manager of the Tarpon Springs Campus Bookstore and gives back as an SPC Foundation donor.

“Those scholarships helped me complete my degree and showed me firsthand the difference financial support can make,” said Price. “That experience inspired me to give back so I can help future students have the same opportunity.”

This November, SPC wants to help more students discover financial resources that could make a similar difference for them.

The College will host Debt-Free Degree Nights across Pinellas County, giving prospective students and families hands-on help finding scholarships, grants and other financial aid that doesn’t have to be paid back.
Many students are surprised to find out they’re eligible for aid. Last year, SPC awarded more than $76 million in free financial aid, and not just from federal aid.

“Many students assume college is out of reach without realizing how much financial aid may be available. In fact, 76% of SPC’s FAFSA applicants were Pell eligible,” said Wayne Kruger, Associate Vice President of Financial Assistance Services at SPC. “Completing the FAFSA is an important first step in finding resources that can make college more affordable.”

During Debt-Free Degree Night, prospective students can apply to SPC for free and work one-on-one with experts to explore SPC scholarships, community scholarships, grants, FAFSA and other ways to help pay for college. Staff will also be available to answer questions and provide hands-on assistance with the steps needed to enroll.

Bringing financial aid help into the community

SPC will host six in-person Debt-Free Degree Nights across Pinellas County:

• Tuesday, Nov. 3: Seminole Campus, 9200 113th St. N., UP Building | 6-8 p.m.
• Thursday, Nov. 5: Clearwater Campus, 2465 Drew St., LA Building | 6-8 p.m.
• Tuesday, Nov. 10: Tarpon Springs Campus, 600 E. Klosterman Road, BB Building | 6-8 p.m.
• Thursday, Nov. 12: St. Petersburg/Gibbs Campus, 6605 5th Ave. N., SU Building | 6-8 p.m.
• Tuesday, Nov. 17: Downtown Center, 244 2nd Ave. N., Lobby | 5-7 p.m.
• Tuesday, Nov. 17: Midtown Center, 1048 22nd St. S., Lobby | 5-7 p.m.

For those who can’t attend in person, SPC will also offer a series of virtual events covering financial aid and academic programs. Topics include finding free money for college, associate and bachelor’s degree programs in health care and how to get started at SPC for the Spring Term.

• Wednesday, Nov. 4: Find Free Money for College | 6-6:30 p.m. | RSVP
• Friday, Nov. 6: Associate Programs Showcase (Health) | 12-1 p.m. | RSVP
• Friday, Nov. 13: Baccalaureate Programs Showcase (Health) | 12-1 p.m. | RSVP
• Monday, Nov. 16: Baccalaureate Programs Showcase (Non-Health) | 6-6:30 p.m. | RSVP
• Wednesday, Nov. 18: How to Get Started for Spring Term | 6-6:30 p.m. | RSVP

More than filling out forms

The events are designed to help students move beyond simply learning about financial aid and begin the process.
Attendees can receive help completing financial aid and scholarship steps, applying to SPC and preparing for enrollment. Students who don’t already have a Federal Student Aid ID can also receive assistance creating one during the event.

Students are encouraged to bring documents that may be needed to complete the process, including identification for Florida residency, 2025 federal income tax returns and W-2s, applicable financial records and their FSA ID. Digital versions of documents are accepted.

Debt-Free Degree Night is open to prospective students and families interested in learning how SPC can make earning a college degree or credential more affordable.

For a complete schedule and to RSVP, visit SPC’s Debt-Free Degree Night.