The Haitian-American Community Coalition of Southwest Florida is accepting applications for the 2026 scholarships.
HACC Scholarship Chair Betsy Vaughn said this is the 10th year they have awarded scholarships to Lee County high school graduating seniors of Haitian heritage.
“We started in 2018 with three $500 scholarships, raised the amount to $1,000 awards in 2018, and then to $1,500 in 2022. We have awarded over $40,000 in scholarships. This year, our four 2026 recipients will receive $1,500 each,” she said.
The scholarship is open to graduating seniors of Haitian heritage who are enrolled at a Lee County school, as well as being enrolled, or will be enrolled in a degree or certification program by Sept. 1, 2026.
“The mission of the Haitian-American Community Coalition of Southwest Florida, a 501c3 not-for-profit organization, is to improve the quality of life of the local Haitian-American community,” she said. “HACC values education as a stepping stone to success. We want to ensure that all children are provided the proper tools for academic success and that they have the opportunity to pursue a post-secondary education. Scholarships may be applied to a technical college, state college, or university.”
The application must include two letters of recommendation from a teacher, coach, administrator, or school counselor and a school transcript that includes grades through the fall 2025 semester. A personal essay, 300 to 500 words, is also required and must answer what are the applicant’s short- and long-term educational and career goals and how have the goals for the future been shaped by the applicant’s life experiences.
The application must be postmarked by April 1, 2026, and sent to Haitian-American Community Coalition of Southwest Florida, 3949 Evans Ave., Suite 304, Fort Myers, FL 33901.
Vaughn said 2026 HACC Scholarship Applications are available on Lee County high school websites and from school counselors, as well as on HACC social media, such as Facebook and Instagram.
The names of the winners will be announced on, or before, May 1, 2026.
“Over the years we have received many amazing stories of ambition, hard work. Especially impressive are the students who came to the U.S. as middle school students speaking no English and wound up at the top of their high school class,” she said.
For more information, email Vaughn at esv460@gmail.com.
“Donations for scholarships are always welcome,” Vaughn said.
Those interested can contact Beatrice Jacquet-Castor at HACCSWFL@outlook.com.
“Our annual gala has always been the cornerstone of our scholarship fundraising,” Jacquet-Castor wrote in a letter. “Through ticket sales, silent auction proceeds, and, most importantly, the generosity of our sponsors, HACC has been able to award scholarships year after year. Unfortunately, about six weeks ago, our board made the difficult decision to cancel this year’s gala. Given the current political climate and the increased ICE raids locally and nationally, we feared the event would not be successful.”
She continued to write that “this concern is not unfounded. At our Haitian-American Health Fair and Family Fun Day in May, attendance dropped to less than half of what we’ve seen in prior years. Across churches, schools, and community gatherings, Haitian-American participation has declined sharply. The reality is that many in our community are afraid to attend large events. Compounding this, numerous families are facing job losses due to the expiration of Temporary Protected Status and Humanitarian programs, which directly impact their work authorization and driving privileges.”
Although the organization is not holding the gala, it is seeking the community’s support. The community can help by making a tax-deductible donation of any size, or sponsoring a student directly with a $1,500 gift to fully fund one scholarship.
“No gift is too small. Every dollar brings us closer to ensuring that our Haitian-American youth have the opportunity to pursue higher education without financial barriers,” Jacquet-Castor wrote. “We invite you to stand with us during this difficult season and invest in the next generation of leaders. Together, we can continue to empower and uplift our community.”
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