Awards and Grants
To help achieve FAIE’s mission and promote our core values, we commit a large portion of our resources to scholarships, travel funding, and conference grants. This support goes to international students and educators around the state and we are dedicated to using this sponsorship to promote current and future IE leaders.
If you would like to donate to FAIE so we can increase our award and grant funding, click the button below. You can also become an award sponsor by contacting our Development Coordinator, Betty Jensen.
What do we award?
FAIE awards a variety of funding to educators and students at all levels. Below you will find descriptions of the various awards and grants, a listing of past winners, and information about how to apply for available awards and grants.
Click the links below to view more details about each award or apply:
- NAFSA Region VII Conference Grant
- FAIE Annual Conference Grants
- “You Made a World of Difference” Award
- Dr. Alejandra Parra International Student Scholarship awarded by Study Florida & FAIE
If you have questions, please contact our Awards and Grants Coordinator, Randolph Scott.
NAFSA Region VII Conference Grant
Each fall, we award up to 3 grants for $500 to help cover the travel costs to attend the NAFSA Region VII Conference. The 2024 conference took place in Jacksonville, FL from November 11-13, 2024.
This grant is open to any international education professional currently working in the state of Florida who has not received an FAIE grant previously. Preference will be given to those attending their first Region VII conference.
Applications for the Region VII Grant are currently closed.
Congratulations to our recipient of the grant for the 2024 conference!
Bryan Shuler
Hillsborough Community College
FAIE Annual Conference Grants
Each year, we award up to 3 grants for complimentary registration to the FAIE Annual Conference. Anyone can apply for these grants.
Applications for our 2025 Conference Grants are currently closed. We hope to see you in Tampa!
Congratulations to our recipients of the grant for the 2025 conference!
Tikia Brown
University of Florida
Iva Lien
Santa Fe College
Jennifer Papageorgiou
Miami Dade College
Natalie Word
Florida A&M
“You Made a World of Difference” Award
The You Made a World of Difference award was first established in 2007 to honor an individual who has made a meaningful contribution to the field of international education.
Congratulations to the 2024 Recipient,
Vilma Fuentes
Florida State University
You Made a World of Difference Award Nomination Criteria:
Nominees must be FAIE members who have made an outstanding contribution in any area of international education that has significantly impacted their institution, community, and/or the professional practice. Current FAIE Board members are not eligible to receive the award.
A committee led by the FAIE Awards and Grants Coordinator will select the winner. The committee will look for evidence of the following in selecting the recipient:
- Leadership, initiative, and excellence
- Scope and impact of contributions
- Service to students, college, and/or profession
- Encouragement and motivation of others
- Originality/creativity
- Influence on positive change, innovation, and improvement of practice
- Reach of contribution beyond normal job expectations
Nomination Process
Nominations must be in the form of an essay, no longer than 2 pages, single-spaced (12 pt type). Nominations longer than 2 pages will not be considered. Supporting documents may also be included. The winner will be announced at the 2025 FAIE Annual Conference.
Deadline is
Friday, January 3, 2025.
Past Winners
2024
Vilma Fuentes – Florida State University
2023
Angelica Rodriguez Jimenez – Ogletree Deakins
2022
Dr. Alejandra Parra – Florida International University
2021
Dr. Marieta Chemishanova – Valencia College
2020
Paloma Rodriguez – University of Florida
2019
Aaron Blumberg – Fragomen
2018
Aggie Johnson – Flagler College
Dan Rodkin – Santa Fe College
2017
Jenifer Ruby – Rollins College
2016
Pat White – Insurance For Students
2015
Bliss Thompson – Valencia College
2013
Marcia Taylor – University of South Florida
2009
Catherine Seybold – University of South Florida
2008
Dr. Rachid Bendriss – University of Central Florida
Ruth Lopez – University of North Florida
Betty Jensen – Tallahassee Community College
Erika Rigby – University of North Florida
2007
Bliss Thompson – Valencia Community College (now Valencia College)
Sally Moorehead – University of Tampa
Dr. Alejandra Parra International Student Scholarship
Awarded by Study Florida and FAIE
FAIE partners with Study Florida to support three $2,000 scholarships. These scholarships are awarded annually to international students pursuing higher education at a college or university in Florida.
2024-2025 Scholarship Winners
Graduate Winner | Jaekyeong Ko
- Pursuing a Ph.D in Combined Counseling and School Psychology at Florida State University, Tallahassee
- Home Country: South Korea
Undergraduate Winner | Jiwon Baek
- Pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders at the University of South Florida, Tampa
- Home Country: South Korea
Secondary School Winner | Maritonni Dagala
- Trinity Catholic High School, Ocala graduate attending the College of Central Florida, Ocala
- Home Country: Philippines