Gulf Coast Community Foundation Scholarships: Empowering Dreams Through Education
The Gulf Coast Community Foundation (Gulf Coast) plays a vital role in empowering students of all ages to pursue their educational dreams. Through its comprehensive scholarship program, Gulf Coast invests in the future of its community by connecting students with opportunities that propel them forward. By ensuring access to higher education, the foundation helps cultivate a skilled workforce and contribute to a thriving region.
Overview of the Gulf Coast Community Foundation Scholarship Program
Gulf Coast has established a scholarship program to assist students with financial need who plan to continue their education in college or vocational-technical schools within the United States. The program is administered by Scholarship America®, the nation’s largest designer and manager of scholarships and other education support programs for corporations, foundations, associations, and individuals. Gulf Coast Community Foundation’s scholarship program helps students of all ages pursue their dreams of a better life-for themselves and their families-through education. At the same time, it ensures that our region prepares the skilled workforce we need for the future.
Eligibility Requirements and Application Process
To be eligible for a Gulf Coast Community Foundation scholarship, applicants must meet specific criteria. Generally, applicants must reside in Sarasota County, Charlotte County, DeSoto County, Lakewood Ranch, or Longboat Key. They must also plan to attend a qualified post-secondary institution during the academic year.
The Gulf Coast Community Foundation scholarship cycle is December 1-February 28. To review requirements and complete the online application, applicants may visit GulfCoastCF.org/scholarships.
Candidates can complete a single application to be considered for all scholarship opportunities for which they qualify.
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Required Documents
Applicants must submit several documents to support their application, including:
- A current, complete transcript of grades. Grade reports are not accepted.
- A copy of the first two pages of the most recently filed IRS Form 1040 used for the Financial Information section of the application.
- NOTE: If you are providing SAT or ACT test scores, and those scores are not listed on your high school transcript, you will need to upload a copy of your test score report(s) separately.
Selection Process
Selection of recipients is made by Scholarship America and Gulf Coast Community Foundation and/or a selection committee. Not all applicants to the program will be selected as recipients. Students may reapply to the program each year they meet eligibility requirements. Awards are not renewable. Scholarship America processes scholarship payments on behalf of Gulf Coast Community Foundation.
** All communication regarding scholarship applications with GCCF will be exclusively conducted between the student applicant and a designated GCCF representative.
A Diverse Portfolio of Scholarship Funds
Gulf Coast awards scholarships from more than 66 scholarship funds it administers, including many established by donors to support specific fields of studies, schools or communities. The Gulf Coast Community Foundation offers a diverse array of scholarships, each with its own specific eligibility criteria and focus. These scholarships reflect the varied interests and philanthropic goals of the foundation's donors, providing opportunities for students from different backgrounds and pursuing different academic paths. Here are some examples of the scholarships available:
- AAUW Venice Endowed Scholarship Fund
- Amy Lee Haffner Scholarship Fund
- Ann Brown Spaulding Scholarship Fund
- Anthony Forsthoefel Scholarship Fund
- Arne and Dorothy Iversen Scholarship Fund
- Arthur E. and Audre B. Smith Scholarship Fund
- Arthur E. Gulick M.D. Vocational Scholarship Fund
- Charles S. Herron, Jr. M.D. Student Healthcare Scholarship Fund
- Christopher L. Woiak Memorial Scholarship Fund for Big Brothers/Big Sisters
- David Dunbar Scholarship for the Arts
- DPW Scholarship Fund
- Edward B. and Violet M. Cuthbert Scholarship Fund
- Englewood Masonic Lodge #360 Scholarship
- Englewood Methodist Men's Fellowship Scholarship
- Englewood Youth Foundation Scholarship Fund
- Englewood Youth Foundation Scholarship Matching
- EYFS - In Memory of Nick Pihowicz
- EYFS In Memory of Frances B. Concordia
- EYFS Janet E. and Henry J.G. Davis Memorial Scholarship Fund
- Garald and Dorothy Allen Charitable Fund
- George F. Dignam Memorial Scholarship Fund
- Geri and Ron Yonover Scholarship Fund
- Gould Family Trust Scholarship
- Grace Herrmann Nursing Scholarship Fund
- Gulf Coast Community Foundation Part-Time Scholarship
- Gulf Coast Community Foundation Scholarship
- Harry and Joyce Wachter Business Scholarship Fund
- Helen L. Iler/Herbert A. Brobst Scholarship Fund
- Helen Wedding Vocational Scholarship Fund
- Hospital Volunteers of Venice Scholarship Fund
- Joseph and Dina Marshall Scholarship Fund
- Joy F. Mahler Scholarship Fund
- Karen Bogues/Community Youth Development Scholarship Fund
- L.A. Ainger Jr. High School Foundation Scholarship
- LBHS Virginia Preston Memorial Scholarship
- LBHS Walter J. McCormick, Jr. Scholarship
- Lemon Bay American Legion Scholarship Fund
- Lemon Bay High School Mary B. Conwell Scholarship
- Lemon Bay Sunrise Rotary Scholarship Fund
- Lloyd J. Dunn Memorial Fund
- Lois Paul Scholarship Fund
- Lorraine M. Qualter Nursing Scholarship Fund
- Margaret D. Lincoln Scholarship Fund
- Marian Graves Scholarship Fund
- Marion B. Thompson Scholarship Fund
- Michael Bingamen Memorial Scholarship Fund
- Mission Valley CC Scholarship Fund in Memory of Paul Peters, Jr.
- North Port Community Scholarship Fund
- Pamela Duncan Backhaus & Anne Duncan Jones Memorial Arts Scholarship Fund
- Patricia Bradley Venice Nokomis Elks 1854 Scholarship Fund
- Philip B. Dobrin, MD Memorial Scholarship Fund
- Richard M. Morrison M.D. Student Healthcare Scholarship Fund
- Rick Martin Memorial Fund
- Robert and Ida Shelton Scholarship Fund
- Robert E. Schill Nursing Scholarship Fund
- Robyn Knapp Gullotta Soccer Scholarship Fund
- Toledo Blade Scholarship Fund
- Tom and Annette Dignam Family Trust Scholarship
- Venice High School Scholarship Fund
- VHSRotary Futures Scholarship Fund
- Walter and Virginia Chaddock Scholarship Fund
- Wayne Lechlitner Fund
- Wellington Chen M.D. Student Healthcare Scholarship Fund
- William E. and Karen S.
Scholarships with Specific Essay Prompts
Some scholarships may require applicants to respond to specific essay prompts. These prompts are designed to assess the applicant's values, experiences, and aspirations. Examples include:
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- How are you using, or how do you plan to use, your education and degree to make a positive impact in your local community?
- Describe a specific experience where you have made a meaningful impact on or demonstrated a commitment to supporting the African American community.
- Describe a specific experience where you have made a meaningful impact on or demonstrated a commitment to Asian culture or heritage.
Other Scholarship Opportunities
In addition to the scholarships administered directly by the Gulf Coast Community Foundation, there are other scholarship opportunities available through schools and organizations in the region. These include:
- The Career Women’s Club Scholarship Fund was established in January 1996 to provide scholarship assistance to a post-traditional student anticipating a career track curriculum. Post-traditional students are typically aged 25 and older and have taken time off from pursuing higher education due to other commitments, such as caring for family and/or holding full-time jobs. The applicant must have been a resident of Harrison, Hancock, Jackson, Stone or George County for at least three years and must provide evidence of financial need.
- The Hollie Gonsoulin Memorial Scholarship was established in 2018 to commemorate D’Iberville High School student Hollie Gonsoulin, who passed away in 2014. The $5,000 scholarship will go toward the college education of a D’Iberville High School dance team member. Also, the scholarship will award a member of the D’Iberville High School cheerleading team with a $5,000 scholarship.
- The Mary and Gene Levens Scholarship Fund was established in January 2000 to recognize the importance the Levenses placed on a college education for their nine children.
- The Lawrence and Lucimarian Roberts Helpline Scholarship Fund was established in July 2002 to help individuals further their education in human service professions such as psychology, counseling, social work, or other majors in the behavioral health and science field. The applicant must be currently enrolled in a two- or four-year college or university in the state of Mississippi or a high school senior who is planning on attending a two- or four-year college or university in the state of Mississippi. The applicant should have an overall grade point average of at least 2.5 (based on a 4.0 scale) from a state or private college or university or from a public or private high school.
- This scholarship program is to support the post-graduate education of graduating Pascagoula High School Seniors. Scholarship recipients must have demonstrated financial need, in addition to having exhibited leadership qualities, and maintained a minimum of 2.5 G.P.A. on a 4.0 scale and have achieved a minimum 18 score on the ACT at the time of application.
- The Harold and Mary Perlman Scholarship Fund was established in November 2006 in memory of Harold and Mary Perlman. Mr. and Mrs. Perlman were both educators along the Mississippi Gulf Coast. The scholarship will provide assistance for college, junior college, or graduate school students who plan to attend or are currently attending William Carey College, The University of Southern Mississippi, or any campus of Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College. The applicant should have an overall grade point average of at least 3.0 (based on a 4.0 scale). The individual must have family residency in Harrison, Hancock, Jackson or Stone County and provide evidence of financial need. The applicant must participate in extracurricular and/or community activities.
- The Ocean Springs High School Class of 1973 recognized the significance and importance of our formative years at Ocean Springs High School. This scholarship has been created to not only give back to our school and its future graduates, but to also foster and encourage the engagement for future students in the school and in the community.
- The Rotary Club of Biloxi Scholarship Endowment Fund was established in June 1999. This scholarship is funded by the Rotary Club of Biloxi for the purpose of providing scholarship assistance to a graduating senior of Biloxi High School, St.
- The Rotary Club of Gulfport Scholarship Endowment Fund is funded by the Rotary Club of Gulfport and was established in February 1997 for the purpose of providing scholarship assistance to graduating seniors of Gulfport High School, St. Patrick Catholic High School, West Harrison High School and Harrison Central High School in recognition of their academic accomplishments.
- The Jack A. Wilson Engineering Scholarship Fund was established in December 2001 by Ms. Gertrude A. Wilson through the Gulf Coast Community Foundation to honor Mr. Wilson. The purpose of the fund is to award a scholarship for a college, junior college, or graduate school student entering their third or more years of engineering education.
- The Kelly Education Scholarship will be awarded to a Gulfport High School student majoring in education.
- The Dorothy Eaton Scholarship for Performing Arts Scholarship was established in December 1995 in honor of Dorothy M. Eaton and her many contributions to public education and community life in the city of Gulfport. Dorothy had a special interest in the performing arts and theater community. Awarded by Gulfport High School.
- The James S. Eaton Scholarship Fund was established in November 1994 as a memorial to Mr. Eaton in recognition of his many contributions to public education in the city of Gulfport and his distinguished service on the Gulfport School Board. Awarded by Gulfport High School.
- The Gulfport Gridiron Club Scholarship Fund was established in May 1993. This award recognizes a graduating senior who exhibits exceptional high school athletic performance and shows dedication, commitment and the willingness to perform to the best of their ability. Some preference is given, but not limited, to football players.
- The Ross Langston Sports Medicine Scholarship Fund was established in August 1989. Scholarships will be awarded to Harrison, Hancock or Jackson County residents who are high school seniors or students engaged in undergraduate programs requiring four years for a baccalaureate degree. The scholarship is awarded to honor the 30+ years of service Langston gave in caring for the medical needs of young athletes across the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Applicants must be or plan to be enrolled in an NATA-approved curriculum program or other sports medicine related program and intend to pursue a profession in a field of Sports Medicine or other medically related fields. Applicants must complete an essay on the importance of individuality. The essay must be no less than 500 words and be typed and submitted in printed form to the Biloxi High School Career Center.
- The Michael Mixon Memorial Scholarship was established in July 2011. Mr. Mixon was valedictorian at Biloxi High School, class of 1986. He was a graduate of Georgia Tech, where he received his degree in Chemical Engineering and also received a degree in Biology. Mr. Mixon completed his master’s degree requirements in Bio-Chemical Engineering at the Baylor School of Medicine, where he pursued a doctoral degree and was involved in breast cancer research. The award will be granted to a graduating senior from Biloxi High School who understands and exemplifies the belief system that Michael Mixon himself purported: Aspire to excellence, but be yourself.
- The Jeremiah J. and Annette S. O’Keefe Scholarship Fund was established in July 1997 as a tribute to the founders and primary benefactors of the O’Keefe Foundation. The fund annually awards a scholarship to a deserving student at St. Patrick Catholic High School (Jeremiah J. O’Keefe, Sr.) and a scholarship to a deserving student at Ocean Springs High School (Annette S. Patrick Catholic High School and Ocean Springs High School. To apply, contact a counselor at St.
- The Kevin L. Rayburn Memorial Scholarship Fund was established in November 2004 to award scholarships to a graduating senior from the Stone High School Band Drumline with good morals and Christian character. Awarded by Stone High School Band Director and Ebenezer Baptist Church Pastor.
- The Eileen S. & Earl C. Whittemore, Jr. Scholarship was established in December 2008. The fund provides an annual scholarship to a nurse enrolled in an accredited nurse practitioner program. Awarded by Mississippi Nurses Foundation.
Gulf Coast's Commitment to Education
Through its annual scholarship program, Gulf Coast assists students of all ages in pursuing higher education at accredited two and four-year colleges, universities, or technical schools. Since establishing its scholarship program in 1997, Gulf Coast has awarded more than $12 million in scholarships to help students pursue their dreams of post-secondary education.
“Education is a foundation of a strong and thriving community,” said Phillip Lanham, Gulf Coast’s President | CEO. “Scholarships are an investment in our community, connecting students with opportunities that propel them forward and help them reach their full potential.”
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