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, a student residing in Sarasota, Manatee, Charlotte or DeSoto counties may be considered for more than 70 different scholarships available. The application deadline is March 2.
“Scholarships help people achieve their dreams, which is personally fulfilling, but we realize that in our dynamic and changing economy, it is vital that we build and maintain a workforce of skilled professionals, critical thinkers and problem-solvers,” said Kirsten Russell, vice president of Community Impact. “Expertise and competence required in our evolving world are developed and refined in postsecondary educational experiences, whether that’s college, technical institutes, or other credential-bearing training opportunities.”
While academics are considered, other important factors are financial need, community service and extracurricular activities, work, home life, and an essay. The strategy is to provide access for students to pursue their goals, reducing barriers to ease the financial burden of postsecondary educational attainment.
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. Visit cfsarasota.org/students/scholarships-for-students-under-24-years.
Overall, the Community Foundation awards more than $2 million annually to more than 500 recipients. More can be learned about the varied scholarship opportunities for adult learners, parents seeking higher education, and people aspiring to nursing programs by visiting cfsarasota.org/students/scholarships-for-students-24-years-or-older. The Adult Scholarship Application, for people 24 and older, runs Feb. 15 through April 15.
Applications are reviewed by community volunteers and scholarships winners will be notified via email by June 2025.
The Community Foundation also is seeking volunteers to serve on a scholarship review committee. This rewarding undertaking connects adults in the community with those up-and-coming leaders, allowing a glimpse into the lives and aspirations of college-bound students. Volunteer scholarship committee members fulfill a vital part of the Community Foundation’s mission of supporting the next generation of leaders, innovators, creators, and community caretakers. Visit cfsarasota.org/students/become-a-scholarship-committee-volunteer
Submitted by Rebecca Abrahamson
