Scholarship

Due to the popularity of our FHPA Minority Scholarship Program, as well as receiving an increase of qualified applicants, we are very pleased to be able to increase the awarded scholarships from two to three recipients this year. Below is a link with more information on our scholarship program, which we offer to minority students looking to pursue careers as possible Harbor Pilots, preferably in Florida. We award each recipient a $2,500 scholarship, plus all pre-approved travel expenses for him/her to visit and complete a short training session at one of our Florida ports, where each will receive the scholarship on site.

To qualify, one must:

be enrolled in a maritime academy
be a “minority person” pursuant to Florida Statute 288.703(4)
have completed their first sea term
have a minimum 2.5GPA
be planning to pursue a career as a state harbor pilot, preferably in the State of Florida
write a maximum 250-word essay explaining their interest in becoming a harbor pilot.

The deadline to apply for the 2023 scholarship is April 30, 2023. To apply CLICK HERE.

For more information on our association’s scholarship opportunities, please contact Gretchen Winters.

2022 Recipients

After a pause in the program for 2021, due to COVID-19, we were able to resume it in 2022, and chose the following candidates

Claire Hyun, from Issaquah, Washington, is a sophomore at the United States Merchant Marine Academy (Kings Point). She completed her maritime internship with the Jacksonville Pilots in July.

Kent Baron, from Hollywood, Florida, is a sophomore at SUNY Maritime College. He completed his maritime internship with both the Port Everglades and Miami Pilots in August.

From recipient Claire Hyun

Florida Harbor Pilots Executive Committee,

Thank you so much for the incredible opportunity and generous scholarship. This past week was unforgettable.

It is hard to express just how much this experience meant to me. Becoming a harbor pilot is seen as the pinnacle of a career at sea and for the first time it does not feel out of reach. The effort made by the FHPA to train and mentor minorities in this industry is significant. I left Florida feeling hopeful, encouraged, and motivated to finish my senior year strong.

Thank you again for the opportunity to peek into the world of being a Florida Pilot!

Very Respectfully,

Midshipman Claire Hyun 1/c
Class of 2023
United States Merchant Marine Academy

2020 Recipients

In 2020, we chose the following candidates

Juan Colon-Ortiz, from Riverview, Florida, is a sophomore at Massachusetts Maritime Academy. He completed his maritime internship with the Tampa Pilots in October of 2021.

2019 Recipients

In 2019, we chose the following candidates

Fayth Stephenson, a junior at SUNY Maritime College. She completed her maritime internship with the Tampa Pilots in September.

Courtney Luce, a senior at the Great Lakes Maritime Academy. She completed her maritime internship with the Canaveral Pilots in January.

2018 Recipients

Congratulations to the 2018 FHPA scholarship winners, David Chen and Taylor Lacy!

2017 Recipients

Congratulations to the 2017 FHPA scholarship winners, Erick Toval and Amelia Herrman!

2016 Recipients

In 2016, we chose the following candidates

Michelle Perri, a sophomore at the US Merchant Marine Academy from Miami. She completed her maritime internship with the Port Miami Pilots in September.

Jace Bravo, a junior at Texas Maritime Academy from Boca Raton. He completed his maritime internship with the Port Everglades Pilots in September as well.