South Florida State College
At a Glance
South Florida State College (SFSC) was established in 1965 by the Florida Legislature to serve the educational needs of DeSoto, Hardee, and Highlands counties. SFSC is a public college offering college credit and career certificates, associate degrees in over 70 fields of study, and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education, and a Bachelor of Applied Science in Supervision and Management. The College has agreements with several colleges and universities to offer a seamless transition from SFSC programs to select bachelor's and master's degree programs. The College also offers GED preparation, instruction in English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL), and community enrichment courses.
South Florida State College (SFSC) is a Public institution located in the Central-West region of Florida. SFSC has Regional Accreditation and is affiliated with Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU), AFC, and Florida College System.
The main campus in Avon Park, FL has a Rural feeling. 2% of students take advantage of the On-Campus Housing.
South Florida State College offers programs that lead to the following types of degrees:
- Associate (2 yr.)
- Bachelor's (4 yr.)
- Certificate
- Liberal Arts and Sciences (General AA Degree)
- Associate in Science in Nursing (Generic to RN)
- Bachelor of Applied Science in Supervision and Management
- Career Certificate in Electrical Lineworker
- Associate in Science in Business Administration
Student Body (as of 2023)
SFSC welcomes all students to its campus locations and its virtual campus through online courses.
| Enrollment Type | Number of Students |
|---|---|
| Full Time | 1114 |
| Part Time | 1778 |
Part-time students outnumber full-time students (1.6:1) at South Florida State College.
| Ethnicity | Percentage of Students |
|---|---|
| American Indian/Alaska Native | 0.00 |
| Asian | 2.00 |
| Black/African American | 11.00 |
| Hawaiian/Pacific Islander | 1.00 |
| Hispanic/Latino | 41.00 |
| White/Caucasian | 39.00 |
| Other/Unknown | 6.00 |
The most common ethnicity is Hispanic/Latino (41%) followed by White/Caucasian (39%.)
| Gender | Percentage of Students |
|---|---|
| Female | 66.00 |
| Male | 34.00 |
At 66%, female students outnumber male students by a very significant margin. Percentages are based on "as reported" values.
Our College's student body is diverse and represents a wide variety of students of all ages and backgrounds. The age range of our students is from 18 to 76.
| Total Students: | 2,892 |
|---|---|
| Undergraduate Students: | 2,892 |
| Graduate Students: | 0 |
| Average Student Age: | 24 |
Costs and Financial Aid (as of 2023)
SFSC provides a full range of federal, state, institutional, and Foundation financial aid to support students as they pursue their educational goals.
for Full-Time
per Credit Hour
per Credit Hour
Scholarships
Tuition for the bachelor’s degree programs are slightly higher. See the SFSC College Catalog for detailed costs.
SFSC’s Online Scholarship Manager, AwardSpring, can help you find nearly 100 scholarships, which are funded by generous contributions to the SFSC Foundation, Inc. Once you have been admitted to the College, whether you are a new or continuing student, you may use AwardSpring to apply for scholarships. You are encouraged to reapply every academic term.
You may apply if you meet the following minimum requirements:
- File the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
- Maintain at least a 2.5 cumulative GPA
- Enroll in an eligible degree or certificate program
- Enroll at least half-time
- Demonstrate unmet financial need, based on the results of the FAFSA
View a full list of scholarships online by visiting Foundation Scholarships or visit AwardSpring.
| Category | Cost |
|---|---|
| Full-Time Tuition | 2593.00 |
| Books and Supplies | 1350.00 |
| Housing Costs | 7302.00 |
The total estimated full time costs of $11,245.00 consists of $2,593.00 for Tuition, $1,350.00 for Books and Supplies, and $7,302.00 for Housing.
Admissions (as of 2023)
Staff is available to answer any of your questions 8 a.m. - 5 p.m., Monday-Friday, and Monday-Thursday during the summer months.
Accepted
Application Fee
Tuition Deposit
for Merit Scholarship
Our online application process provides rapid email feedback and support to help our students enroll efficiently and effectively. Visit our application website to learn more at southflorida.edu/future-students/apply.
| Academic Period | Admissions Deadline | Financial Aid Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 Fall | 08/18/2023 | 05/15/2023 |
| 2024 Spring | 01/08/2024 | 05/15/2023 |
| 2024 Summer | 05/09/2024 | 05/15/2023 |
Deadlines vary according to term. See SFSC's 2023-2024 Academic Calendar for academic dates and deadlines.
Distance Learning (as of 2023)
You can earn your AA degree entirely online.
A distance learning student may enroll in courses at SFSC. Seek advice from your advisor before registering for any courses at other institutions as this may affect your financial aid, program completion, and graduation.
SFSC does not have a standard distance learning fee. Certain online courses do carry a course fee which covers the costs of consumable materials, supplies, insurance, or services purchased by the College. The transient student fee (per course) is $5.
SFSC offers the opportunity to receive instruction at a distance. Currently, three instructional delivery modes are in use. Each involves at least some learning that takes place outside the traditional classroom setting. A self-test is available and designed to aid in deciding whether you are suited for distance learning and to assist you in choosing the most appropriate type of distance learning courses. To complete this self-test, contact one of our supportive Educational Technology Support staff at 863-784-7016. This self-test should be completed prior to registering for any distance learning courses.
- Nursing (Bachelor of Science)
- Liberal Arts and Sciences (General AA Degree)
- Business Administration (Associate in Science)
- Supervision and Management (Bachelor of Applied Science)
- Criminal Justice Technology (Associate in Science)
South Florida State College publishes Distance Learning courses on the FloridaShines Course Catalog. Students enrolled in other Florida public institutions can start registration as transient students directly from the catalog.
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The Advising and Counseling Center supports students through academic advising, personal counseling support, and general guidance. An early alert process is in place to assist students who are at risk for failing. Telephone, email, and walk-in advising services are available at each College location to provide information about programs and resources, academic planning, scheduling and registering for classes, time management, recognizing diversity and inclusion, conflict management, personal responsibility, and transfer services.
For advising and counseling:
- Highlands Campus: 863-784-7131, Advising@southflorida.edu
- DeSoto Campus: 863-784-7040, AdvisingDeSoto@southflorida.edu
- Hardee Campus: 863-784-7060, AdvisingHardee@southflorida.edu
- Lake Placid Center: 863-784-7082, AdvisingLakePlacidCenter@southflorida.edu
The Advising and Counseling Center supports students through academic advising, personal counseling support, and general guidance. An early alert process is in place to assist students who are at risk for failing. Telephone, email, and walk-in advising services are available at each College location to provide information about programs and resources, academic planning, scheduling and registering for classes, time management, recognizing diversity and inclusion, conflict management, personal responsibility, and transfer services.
For advising and counseling:
- Highlands Campus: 863-784-7131, Advising@southflorida.edu
- DeSoto Campus: 863-784-7040, AdvisingDeSoto@southflorida.edu
- Hardee Campus: 863-784-7060, AdvisingHardee@southflorida.edu
- Lake Placid Center: 863-784-7082, AdvisingLakePlacidCenter@southflorida.edu
Campus Life (as of 2023)
The highlight of our SFSC campus life is College Week, which is a weeklong student competition in the spring. Students choose teams and compete in various events around campus.
| Greek Academic Organizations | |
|---|---|
| Greek Fraternities | |
| Greek Sororities | |
| Social Fraternities | |
| Social Sororities | |
| Academic Honor Societies | |
| Professional Associations | |
| Marching Band | |
| Special Interest Clubs / Organizations | |
| Symphony Orchestra | |
| Student Government Association | |
| Theater |
Students enjoy an active student life that includes clubs, organizations, athletics, and cultural programs. Campus housing is available as well.
Sports
SFSC has three women's intercollegiate athletic teams and one men's team.
| Sport | Men's Team | Women's Team | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scholarships Available | |||
| Baseball | |||
| Cross Country | |||
| Softball | |||
| Volleyball | |||
South Florida State College takes great pride in its athletic programs: women's volleyball, women's softball, women's cross country, and men's baseball. The Panther athletic facilities currently include Panther Gym, Panther Pool, Panther volleyball sand courts, Panther Fitness Center, Panther tennis courts, and Panther athletic complex which houses the baseball field, softball field, and cross-country facilities.
- NJCAA
- SunLakes NJCAA D2
Returning Students (as of 2023)
A significant percentage (slightly over 50%) of students are considered non-traditional in that they are over the age of 24. Students of all ages can enroll and graduate from SFSC.