Community Foundation of Sarasota County Scholarships: Investing in the Future

The Community Foundation of Sarasota County plays a vital role in supporting the educational aspirations of students in the region. Through its scholarship programs, the Foundation invests in the future workforce and empowers individuals to achieve their dreams. These scholarships help reduce financial barriers, making postsecondary education more accessible to deserving students.

Traditional Scholarship Application for Students Under 24

The Community Foundation of Sarasota County has opened its Traditional Scholarship Application for students planning for the 2025-26 school year. With a single application, students residing in Sarasota, Manatee, Charlotte, or DeSoto counties can be considered for over 70 different scholarships. The application deadline is March 2nd.

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for these scholarships, applicants must meet the following criteria:

Be a current resident of Sarasota, Manatee, DeSoto, or Charlotte counties, or a graduating high school senior or graduate of a high school located within one of these four counties.
Be younger than 24 years of age as of December 31st of the year in which they apply.

Scholarships are not restricted to four-year universities; the Community Foundation considers higher education to be college, vocational or technical school, and accredited courses of study for select career fields.

Application Requirements

The Traditional Scholarship Application requires several documents:

Read also: About Grossmont Community College

Transcript: Transcripts must include the applicant's name, grades for all courses taken (including Fall 2024), and overall cumulative GPA. Unofficial transcripts and screenshots of portals are accepted if they contain all the required information.
Resume: Resumes should include work experience, extracurricular activities, honors, and leadership roles.
2025-2026 FAFSA Submission Summary: The FAFSA Submission Summary must be the full document length (approximately 9-11 pages).

All documents must be submitted in their entirety by the deadline. Incomplete or inaccurate applications will not be returned for corrections.

Selection Criteria

While academics are considered, other important factors in the selection process are:

Financial need
Community service and extracurricular activities
Work experience
Home life
An essay

Scholarship Awards

For the 2024-25 school year, the Community Foundation awarded $790,000 in Traditional Scholarships to applicants under the age of 24. The average scholarship award was $3,500, a 34% increase from 2023-24. The foundation also increased the number of renewable scholarships it awarded in the 2024-25 year, up to 32% of total applicants from 23% the previous year.

Scholarships for Adult Learners (24 Years and Older)

The Community Foundation also offers scholarship opportunities for adult learners, parents seeking higher education, and individuals pursuing nursing programs. The Adult Scholarship Application, for people 24 and older, opens in February.

More information about these varied scholarship opportunities can be found at cfsarasota.org/students/scholarships-for-students-24-years-or-older.

Gulf Coast Community Foundation's Scholarship Program

Gulf Coast Community Foundation’s scholarship program helps students of all ages pursue their dreams of a better life through education. At the same time, it ensures that our region prepares the skilled workforce we need for the future. Scholarship funds established by our donors reflect their individual interests and values. They may be designated to support a particular field of study, to assist students from a specific community or school, and more.

Other Scholarship Opportunities

In addition to the Community Foundation of Sarasota County's scholarships, several other organizations offer scholarships to students in the region:

Chick-fil-A Remarkable Futures Scholarships: Employees of Chick-fil-A are eligible to apply for scholarships to be used at accredited institutions.
Florida Retired Educators Foundation (FREF) Scholarship: Statewide scholarship for graduating seniors who wish to become teachers in Florida.
Manasota ASALH Scholarship Program: For African American seniors in Sarasota or Manatee counties with a minimum GPA and demonstrated leadership.
US JCI Senate Foundation Scholarship: For graduating high school seniors in the United States planning to continue their education.
Oaks Women’s Club Scholarship: For female students graduating from Sarasota County Schools with a minimum GPA and financial need.
Southern Scholarship Foundation: Awards rent-free housing to qualified students attending select Florida universities and colleges.
Andrew Monroe Memorial Scholarship: For soccer players in Sarasota County planning to attend a college, university, or technical institute.
Butterflies & Dreams Book Club Award: For African American students from Manatee or Sarasota counties planning to attend a postsecondary institution and inspired by reading.
Sandra K. Lacey Scholarship: For Sarasota County residents with severe and profound hearing loss.
American Legion Scholarships: Various scholarship opportunities available through The American Legion.
UNCF Scholarships, Programs, Internships, and Fellowships: Various scholarship programs for minority groups.
The Cooke College Scholarship Program: Nationwide undergraduate scholarship program for high-achieving high school seniors with financial need.
The Mensa Foundation Scholarship: Nationwide opportunity for college-bound students requiring an essay.
Chick-fil-A Community Scholars: Nationwide opportunity for high seniors or current college students who demonstrate academic success, community service, and financial need.
Most Valuable Student Award: Nationwide renewable scholarship for graduating seniors pursuing a 4-year college degree and demonstrating leadership, academic achievement, and financial need.
The Education Foundation of Sarasota County Scholarship: Local scholarship for recent Sarasota County public school graduates under the age of 24 enrolled in a 2- or 4-year college, university, or vocational/technical school with financial need.

Manatee County Scholarships

Several scholarships are specifically for residents of Manatee County:

For qualified females from Manatee County who are pursuing a degree in Business with an emphasis in Finance, Accounting, or Economics. Selection is based on academic achievement, financial need, community involvement, educational activities, and career objectives.
For residents of Manatee County pursuing a college degree in the field of Education. The individual must be accepted to an accredited 2 or 4 year State of Florida public university. Selection is based on academic achievement, financial need, community involvement, educational activities and career objectives. Renewable for up to four years based on fund availability and providing the applicant maintains a 2.5 grade point average.
For residents of Manatee County for the past two years who are pursuing a college degree in the field of Education. The individual must be accepted to an accredited 2 or 4 year State of Florida public university, excluding State College of Florida - Manatee/Sarasota and the University of South Florida. Selection is based on financial need, academic achievement, community involvement, educational activities and career objectives. Renewable for up to four years based on fund availability and providing the applicant maintains a 2.5 grade point average.
To provide scholarships for residents in underserved communities of Manatee County attending accredited 2 -4 year vocational, technical or collegiate educational institutions. Open to minority students who are United States citizens and residents of Manatee County. Applicants must have been accepted into an accredited vocational, technical or collegiate educational institution with a minimum 3.0 grade point average. Applicants must complete an application in which financial need is demonstrated, and community involvement or service is demonstrated through community service hours.
Matthew Powers Memorial Scholarship: To provide a scholarship annually to a deserving female Palmetto High School graduate attending the State College of Florida.
For citizens legally residing in Manatee County for the past two years who are pursuing careers in Nursing or specific health-related fields (that provide direct medical care to individuals and excluding pre-med, chiropractic, optometry, pharmacy, dental or general sciences). The individual must be accepted to an accredited 2 or 4 year educational institution health related program with all prerequisites completed and must have a minimum 2.5 grade point average. The individual must demonstrate a clear financial need. This scholarship is renewable based on fund availability.
For citizens legally residing in Manatee County whose educational prospects may be at risk due to tragic circumstances so they may pursue their academic degree and/or technical/vocational training.
For students to attend college, graduate school or technical/vocational/industrial school. Selection is based on basis of character, financial need, and evident scholarship. This scholarship is renewable based on fund availability and providing the applicant maintains a 2.5 grade point average.
Created to provide annual scholarships to one or more qualified candidate(s) who are graduating or have graduated from Palmetto High School and demonstrate financial need.
This fund is to provide scholarships for qualified individuals who are employees or children of employees of Chiles Hospitality to pursue academic and/or vocational training. The primary criteria for qualifications in determining which individuals will receive scholarships will be financial need, but the individual’s scholastic record, information gathered from personal interviews, volunteer activities, and career objectives will be taken into consideration in making the scholarship award.
This fund shall provide one or more scholarships annually for deserving female student(s) in Manatee County to further their education at any accredited educational institution, including technical, vocational or collegiate (2 or 4 year) institutions.
Provides scholarships for residents of Manatee County to pursue vocational training. Scholarship recipients are chosen based on financial need, community involvement, educational activities and career objectives.
Provides scholarships for residents of Manatee County to pursue vocational training in medical and health-related fields with direct patient care. Scholarship recipients are chosen based on academic achievement, financial need, community involvement, educational activities and career objectives.
The purpose of this Fund is to provide scholarships for residents of Manatee County pursuing a college degree in the field of education. In addition to tuition, the scholarship award may cover books and fees associated with the student’s coursework.

Vocational Scholarships

Several scholarships are specifically for vocational training:

Created to promote interest and excellence in the property management and construction industries. citizen or documented permanent resident of the United States and reside in Manatee or Sarasota Counties (Florida). Applicants must be a member in good standing of Community Associations Institute (CAI) West Florida Chapter, or be related to such a member by blood, adoption or marriage. Award is based on the applicant’s interest in property management or property construction; extracurricular activities; employment experience if any; personal evaluations; applicant’s requests; and financial need. Applicants may apply for the scholarship to assist in vocational, technical or certificate-based training, education, continuing education, or other programs that relate to the property management or construction industries, or for 2 or 4-year college degree programs related to those industries.
This fund shall provide one or more scholarships annually for deserving female student(s) in Manatee County to pursue a certification or degree in nursing.
Created by the Rotary Club of Lakewood Ranch to provide scholarships for residents of Manatee County to pursue training in vocational areas of study at the MTI East Campus. Selection is based on academic achievement, financial need, community involvement, educational activities and career objectives.
The Rotary Club of Lakewood Ranch created this additional scholarship to provide scholarships for residents of Manatee or Sarasota County to pursue training in vocational and educational areas of study. Applicants must be accepted into an accredited vocational, 2-year, or 4-year educational institution. Selection is based on academic achievement, financial need, community involvement, educational activities and career objectives. Preference is given to students working on or participating in programs sponsored by the Rotary Club of Lakewood Ranch.
Provides scholarships for residents of Manatee County to pursue vocational training. Scholarship recipients are chosen based on financial need, community involvement, educational activities and career objectives.
Provides scholarships for residents of Manatee County to pursue vocational training in medical and health-related fields with direct patient care. Scholarship recipients are chosen based on academic achievement, financial need, community involvement, educational activities and career objectives.

Application Tips

Start early: Gather all required documents and information well in advance of the deadline.
Read the instructions carefully: Ensure that you meet all eligibility requirements and follow the application instructions precisely.
Write a compelling essay: Clearly articulate your educational goals, financial need, and commitment to community service.
Proofread your application: Check for any errors in grammar or spelling before submitting.

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