Community Foundation of Sarasota County Scholarships

For students under 24 years of age, scholarships are available throughout the year, although specific application deadlines may differ. To be eligible, applicants must be:

A current resident of Sarasota, Manatee, DeSoto, or Charlotte counties, or be a graduating high school senior or graduate of a high school located within one of these four counties.

Younger than 24 years of age as of December 31st of the year in which they apply (if you will be 24 years of age as of this date, please visit our page for Students 24 Years of Age or Older).

Eligibility

Who is eligible for these scholarships?

You are eligible for these scholarship opportunities if you are:

• A current resident of Sarasota, Manatee, Charlotte, or DeSoto County, a graduating high school senior or graduate of a high school in one of these counties.
• Under 24 years of age as of December 31st of the year in which you apply.

If I am already enrolled in school, am I still eligible to apply for a Community Foundation of Sarasota County scholarship?

Yes, if you are a current resident of Sarasota, Manatee, DeSoto, or Charlotte County, or you are a graduate of a high school located within one of these four counties.

Do I have to be attending a four-year college or university to be eligible for a scholarship?

No. Scholarship funds may also be used at vocational or technical schools and community colleges.

Application Process

Do I need an interview?

Scholarship applicants may be asked to attend an interview, but this is not typically the case. Students may be invited to committee or donor appreciation events.

Do I have to write an essay?

Yes. Our Traditional Scholarship requires a general essay in response to the following prompt:

We all have a background, identity, interest, or talent so significant that it influences our educational and career aspirations. Write 500-700 words explaining the factors that have led to the educational and career aspirations you plan to pursue.

In addition to this required essay, students may be given the option to write additional essays to be considered for other scholarship opportunities.

Outside the Traditional Scholarship, most of our applications require an essay specific to the scholarship opportunity.

What documents must I include with my scholarship application?

• Transcript, Official or Unofficial - Must be in a non-editable format
• FAFSA Student Aid Report (FAFSA SAR) - See FAFSA SAR and Other Documents section for more information.
• Letters of Reference and Additional Attachments are optional, but will stregthen your application.