Students who live in Southern Scholarship Foundation homes pay $0 for rent. As a 63 year old non-profit, SSF provides rent-free, cooperative living housing for students who lack financial resources, demonstrate excellent academic merit and exemplify good character.

Students pay for their food and utilities only, while also being accountable to manage the household budget, cook and clean for each other, and take on leadership positions in each house. SSF houses become homes, with support from peers that evolve into lifelong friendships. Each house, on average, is home to 17 students. SSF operates 17 houses in Tallahassee, and 10 additional houses around Florida.

Compared to other housing options SSF saves each resident about $13,200 annually, making a college education affordable and attainable.

While most SSF residents have not struggled with housing, some know housing instability as their ‘normal’, moving from apartment to apartment in the night, sleeping in vehicles, or traversing a never-ending series of couches.

Our goal for FSU's Great Give is to provide one student who has experienced homelessness a rent-free home—and help him/her in the journey to attain a higher education.