Providing Paid Educational Leave to Eligible Employees Completing Their Associate's, Bachelor's, Master's, or Doctoral Degrees.
The Grant-in-Aid program supports FGCU's commitment to the development and retention of high-performing, qualified faculty and staff.
About Grant-in-Aid
Eligibility requirements and selection criteria
- Grant-in-Aid applicants must have at least two years of satisfactory performance in a permanent or continuing full-time position prior to the beginning of the academic year in which the grant will be awarded.
- Recipients agree to continue employment with Florida Gulf Coast University for one calendar year after completion of the program. If employment is not continued, a prorated amount of the funding received under the program must be returned to Florida Gulf Coast University.
- Applicants must be pursuing an Associate's, Bachelor's, Master's or Doctoral degree.
- Applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents.
Applicants will be evaluated on specific criteria
- Contribution to the University's goals
- Personal statement
- Benefit to the University
- Career and educational enhancement
- Academic record
- Length of service to Florida Gulf Coast University
- Anticipated completion date of the degree
- References
If a recipient would like to apply for a second award, they must satisfy the one-year employment requirement prior to receiving a second award.
Apply
The 26-27 Grant-in-Aid application has expired. Please keep a look out in December 2026 for the next opportunity to apply.
If you encounter any errors while applying or have questions, don't hesitate to get in touch with the Ombuds Office (ombuds@fgcu.edu).
In the 2023-2024 academic year, I was fortunate enough to be awarded educational leave
through the Grant-in-Aid program, which allowed me to devote extra time and energy
to my research and dissertation writing. I was able to work part-time during the fall
and spring semesters, and my department received valuable support during my absence.
Thanks to this opportunity, I was able to successfully complete my Doctor of Education
(Ed.D) program in less than six years. I spent a significant portion of the fall and
spring terms crafting my dissertation, serving as a Teaching Assistant, and conducting
interviews for my research.
Dr. Natasha “Tasha” Ziegler
Center for Academic Achievement
Division of Student Success & Enrollment Management
The opportunity to be the recipient of the Grant-in-Aid Educational Leave award allowed me to work part-time for the 2020-2021 academic year while continuing to support my sons as well as my educational and career goals.
I completed the Doctor of Education (Ed.D) program in Spring 2021 and have continued
to support curriculum development activities now in a leadership capacity as Director.
Thank you FGCU!
Dr. Lucero Carvajal
Director, Academic and Curriculum Support
Academic Programs and Curriculum Development
I was a recipient of the Grant-in-Aid Educational Leave Program 2015/2016. This program
provided me with an outlet to achieve my education goal of completing a doctorate.
I was able to utilize the time to write in preparation for my doctoral proposal defense
in 2017. The GIA Education Leave Program benefit allowed me the opportunity to progress
in my doctoral program while working. I am so grateful for this wonderful program
and the potential it afford employees who are willing to furthering their education.
It is so nice to have such a program that benefits, and fosters the developmental
growth of employees.
Dr. Locksley Knibbs
Academic Advising
As a recipient of the Grant in Aid award, it enabled me to focus on my Undergrad qualitative research for my senior capstone class. The award also allowed me to utilize campus resources such as the Center for Academic Achievement. The Center for Academic Achievement’s supplemental instruction and tutoring services were instrumental in my success in earning a high grade in a challenging math class. I am thankful to this day for the opportunity Grant in Aid provided me to finish my Bachelor’s Degree.
Lauren Cargo
Coordinator of Campus Visits
Margaret S. Sugden Welcome Center
Division of Student Success & Enrollment Management
The opportunity to be a recipient of the Grant in Aid Award presented me with the opportunity to take professional development leave from my teaching responsibilities for the Spring 2024 Semester. I am in the dissertation phase of the Doctor of Education Program (Ed.D), and utilized the time to focus primarily on sorting through and analyzing the large data set I had collected the previous year.
To be afforded the time to focus on and complete data analysis was invaluable, as it would have taken significantly longer to complete while also teaching a full load of classes in the Spring 2024 semester.
Thank you to FGCU for providing me with this opportunity!
Chad Evers
Instructor II, The Water School: Department of Ecology and Environmental Studies
I was truly honored to be a Grant-in-Aid award recipient for the 2024-2025 academic year. This award allowed me to focus on finishing my degree while working part time. It was invaluable in allowing me time to prioritize my education and achieve my ultimate goal of earning a bachelor’s degree. I am beyond grateful for the opportunity that I was given and all the support provided by my family, friends, and colleagues.
I am proud to say that I completed my bachelor’s degree in integrated studies in spring 2025 and could not have done it without the Grant-in-Aid program.
Thank you,
Missy Berkley, B.A. | Coordinator, Building Access
Physical Plant
I am profoundly grateful to have been a recipient of the Grant-In-Aid Scholarship
for the 2024–2025 academic year. This generous support allowed me to prioritize my
education and served as a pivotal milestone in the pursuit of my longstanding goal
of earning a Bachelor's degree. What once felt like a distant aspiration was transformed
into an achievable reality.
With the support of this program, I am proud to share that I earned my Bachelor's
degree in integrated studies in Spring 2025.
Debra Boucher
Whitaker Institute Administrative Assistant
Paid Educational Leave
Contingent upon funding, a total of up to four awards may be given annually. The recipients may choose to use full-time leave for one semester, or part-time leave for two semesters. Support Personnel (SP), Administrative/Professional (AP), and Faculty are eligible.
When full-time leave is granted, the employee will receive their full salary. The award recipient is required to carry a full-time course load but does not have to perform any work-related duties at FGCU. When half-time leave is granted, the employee will receive their full salary. The award recipient is required to work half-time and carry a half-time course load. At the doctoral level, satisfactory progress toward the degree is required.
Deadline: Has passed for 2026-27
The committee will be meeting March 18, 2026 (2:00 pm in Lib 431)
