Give Now
To support the Florida Prison Education Project with a tax-deductible donation, follow the link below to the University of Central Florida Foundation page.
Thanks to your support we are able to offer quality higher education at no cost to students. Donations are used to supplement the costs of instruction including purchasing supplies for courses and materials.
We offer courses and programs led by university faculty from the College of Arts and Humanities, College of Sciences, College of Community Innovation and Education, College of Health Professions and Sciences, and Rosen College of Hospitality Management. These programs are not possible without the support of federal and state grants, private foundations, and donor gifts.
Your support allows us to purchase supplies and textbooks, provide scholarships to our students, and expand our course offerings.
- $50 provides paper and pens for a writing course
- $100 provides art supplies for a drawing course
- $500 provides a set of textbooks for a course
- $1000 supports our scholarship program for UCF students who were formerly incarcerated or are system-impacted
- $1500 supports our visiting artist and scholar series
Other Ways to Give
Every gift has an impact.
Click here to learn more or to contact a UCF Foundation representative.
Are you looking for Bright Futures hours?
The Books Behind Bars Fellowship gives middle and high school students the opportunity to support incarcerated men and women in Florida by running secondhand book drives and engaging in conversations about prison education with the larger community. We are looking for dedicated students (ages 12-18) to run book drives and participate in book boxing events at UCF.
Responsibilities:
- Host book drive events on your own time.
- Participate in Zoom calls at the beginning and end of the semester about prison education, the importance of literacy, and the reason behind this work.
- Attend at least one in person book boxing day at UCF each semester.
Eligibility:
- Florida students aged 12-18, must be in middle or high school for the 2027-2028 school year.
Applications open March 1, 2027 – July 31, 2027.
Email aiya.messina@ucf.edu with any questions.
Are you a UCF student looking for ways to volunteer?
The Books Behind Bars Internship is intended for UCF undergraduate students who are passionate about prison education and fostering literacy. We are looking for dedicated students to run book drives and help host our teen fellowship book packing days. All hours spent on this project are eligible for service-learning class requirements.
Responsibilities:
- Host book drive events.
- Attend monthly teen fellowship days.
- Engage UCF students on campus.
Eligibility:
- Undergraduate students with at least one semester left at UCF.
Applications open year-round.
Email aiya.messina@ucf.edu to get started.
FPEP is a member of the Florida Coalition for Higher Education in Prison.
The Florida Coalition for Higher Education in Prison (FCHEP) is a statewide network of programs that provides educational opportunities to incarcerated and formerly incarcerated people. Members include the Entrepreneurial Business in Prison Program at the University of South Florida, the Institute for Educational Empowerment at Miami Dade College, the Philosophy in Prison Program at the University of North Florida, and Exchange for Change, a Miami-based non-profit that partners with faculty at the University of Miami, Florida Atlantic University, and Florida International University.
FPEP partners with the Reentry Center of Brevard to provide returning citizens access to vital post-release services, and the Florida Rights Restoration Coalition to help returning citizens become full members of society.
Are you interested in teaching in an area prison or volunteering for FPEP?
If you would like to teach or volunteer, just email aiya.messina@ucf.edu or keri.watson@ucf.edu. We are currently looking for faculty interested in teaching a variety of courses and students who would like to facilitate our social media efforts.
In order to teach in the program, you will need to apply with the Florida Department of Corrections, as well.
Are you a currently enrolled UCF student who is justice impacted?
FPEP offers a $1,000 scholarship each spring. Click here for details and to apply.