North Miami Educational Foundation (NMEFI)

Purpose

The North Miami Educational Foundation, Inc. (NMEFI) was established in 2012 as a non-profit organization, through which scholarships would be made available to support high school graduates in their pursuit of post-secondary education. As part of its mission, NMEFI aims to make higher education and learning a reality for North Miami students in need of an opportunity to attend college.

Scholarship Program

Beginning in 2014, the North Miami Educational Foundation, Inc. has administered a scholarship program, the only one of its kind throughout Miami-Dade County, that is available exclusively to North Miami residents. The initial funds for the scholarships were generated from the City’s lease agreement with the developer, Oleta Partners, LLC. The City entered into a 99-year lease agreement with Oleta Partners, LLC to convert a 183-plus acre site of undeveloped land, referred to as Biscayne Landing (now known as SoLé Mia), into a premiere project that will benefit North Miami’s residents and businesses. The developer was contractually obligated to a community benefits package which included the provision of $750,000 to support the vision of the North Miami Educational Foundation, Inc.

  1. Scholarship
  2. Required Criteria
  3. Application
  4. Board of Directors

Scholarship Requirements

NMEFI awards scholarships only to applicants who are North Miami residents. The scholarships are awarded to the best applicants fitting the required criteria. Applicants must demonstrate financial need after completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Additionally, the award is renewable for up to four years as long as the student is an undergraduate, considered economically disadvantaged, and best fit the scholarship criteria.

Selection

The scholarship (up to $4,000.00) may cover tuition, fees, and educational expenses up to the cost of attendance for college or a university. Applicants must state if they are seeking and/or have been granted awards from other organizations. Based on funding, this scholarship will be awarded to the most qualified applicants, regardless of previously receiving the award, and subject to endorsement of the foundation’s Scholarship Review Committee.

Payments

Students may receive one scholarship award per year divided into two allocations for two semesters/terms. The second allocation is contingent upon students earning a C or better grade for classes taken in the first semester/term. Thus, students must always demonstrate a strong commitment to learning and education in a field of his/her choice to pursue one of the following degrees:

  • Associate in Art (AA)
  • Associate In Science (AS)
  • Bachelor in Art (BA)
  • Bachelor in Science (BS)

This foundation advertises the scholarship through the following venues:

  • North Miami website
  • Miami-Dade County Public Schools
  • High Schools in and around North Miami
  • Parent-Teacher-Student Associations (PTSAs)
  • The North Miami Quality Education Advisory Board
  • North Miami Public Library
  • Municipal TV Channel 77 (Comcast) and Channel 99 (AT&T U-Verse) 
  • Radio
  • Social Media (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram)