VyStar Credit Union is proud to award two one-year Florida University Plan scholarships to deserving high school seniors, helping create a clear path to college through the Stanley Tate Project STARS Program and reinforcing our commitment to expanding access to education.
Each student received two one-year plans. These scholarships, made possible in partnership with the Florida Prepaid College Foundation (FPCF), will support students as they begin their higher education journeys this fall at Bethune-Cookman University and Florida A&M University.
“At VyStar, we believe every student deserves the opportunity to pursue their education and build a meaningful future,” said VyStar SVP/Foundation President Patricia McElroy. “Through our partnership with the Florida Prepaid College Foundation, we are proud to support these students as they take this important next step, providing both resources and encouragement to help them succeed.”
Meet the 2026 VyStar Project STARS scholarship recipients:
- Janiya Gordon, Jones High School, Orlando, Florida (Florida A&M University)
- Jah’Nasia Thomas, Jones High School, Orlando, Florida (Bethune-Cookman University)
Project STARS is Florida Prepaid College Foundation’s flagship scholarship program, created to give hope and opportunity to students who face significant life challenges. Funded through private donations and legislative support, the program helps students who show academic promise and perseverance in the face of adversity.
Through a partnership with the FPCF, scholarship recipients are selected based on their commitment to staying crime-free, drug-free, and excelling academically. Each recipient is paired with a mentor to help guide them through the transition to college and beyond, giving them the tools to succeed.
“These students have shown an incredible commitment to building a brighter future for themselves and their communities,” said Florida Prepaid College Foundation Director Cynthia O’Connell. “Through these scholarships, they have the support and opportunity to turn that commitment into a college education and a path forward. We are proud to be part of their journey.”
Learn more about the Stanley Tate Project STARS Program and the Florida Prepaid College Foundation at https://www.
To learn more about VyStar, please visit vystarcu.org
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About VyStar Credit Union
VyStar Credit Union is the second-largest credit union headquartered in Florida, with 78 full-service branches across Florida and Georgia, more than 1 million members and assets of over $14 billion. VyStar is a major employer in the region with over 2,300 employees across the communities it serves. VyStar membership is open to everyone who lives or works in the 49 contiguous counties of Central to North Florida, 29 Georgia counties, as well as past and present military members and their families all over the world. Members benefit from convenient access to over 55,000 surcharge free ATMs worldwide. VyStar has earned national recognition from Time Magazine, Fortune, USA Today and Forbes for excellence in financial services, innovation and customer service, reflecting its commitment to delivering value and exceptional experiences to members. For more information, visit vystarcu.org, and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, X (Twitter), and LinkedIn.
About the Florida Prepaid College Foundation
Since its founding in 1990, the Foundation has committed to giving aspiring students the opportunity to build a better future for themselves and our state by providing college scholarships funded through partnerships with individuals, businesses, educational foundations, and the Florida Legislature. The Foundation administers several innovative scholarship programs, including Project STARS and the new Challenge Match Scholarship Programs, designed to help students achieve their dream of earning a college education. To date, the Foundation has awarded more than 58,000 Florida Prepaid College Plan scholarships, and more than 36,000 Foundation scholarship recipients have gone to college using their benefits. The Foundation is the 501(c)(3) direct support organization for the Florida Prepaid College Board. To learn more about the Florida Prepaid College Foundation, visit here.
Vystar Credit Union
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Carlo Fassi Vice President of Government Affairs
- July 09, 2026
- (954) 625-9176
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