Community Foundation of Sarasota County Scholarships
Scholarship Sponsored by Community Foundation of Sarasota County
Intro
Scholarships for applicants under age 24 are offered year-round, though individual awards may have different submission deadlines. To qualify, you must meet the residency or school requirements listed below and be under age 24 on December 31 of the calendar year in which you apply. (If you will be 24 on that date, please see our page for Students 24 Years of Age or Older.)
Who is eligible
- Residency / school requirement: You must either live in Sarasota, Manatee, DeSoto, or Charlotte County, or be a graduating senior or graduate of a high school located in one of those four counties.
- Age: Younger than 24 years old as of December 31 of the application year.
- Type of study: Scholarships cover many paths to higher education — not only four‑year colleges. Eligible programs include accredited colleges, community colleges, vocational or technical schools, and approved training programs for certain careers (for example, cosmetology, automotive or equipment repair, and health and safety professions).
- Enrollment status: Both students already enrolled in school and those planning to enroll may apply, provided they meet the residency/school and age requirements.
Application details and expectations
- School choice: You do not need to be planning to attend a Florida state school; any accredited institution or program is acceptable. It is advantageous, however, to have a clear idea of the school and career path you intend to pursue.
- Essays: Every applicant must submit a general essay describing their educational goals. You may reuse a common essay for this purpose, but specific scholarships sometimes require unique essay responses tailored to that award.
- Interviews and donor meetings: Interviews are not typically required but may be requested. Students may also be invited to meet donors at a lunch or reception and are expected to attend if invited.
- Required documents and deadlines: All application materials must be submitted and received by the posted deadline. NO EXCEPTIONS.
- Confidentiality: Information provided to the scholarship committee, including financial and personal details, is kept confidential and is not made public.
- Notification timeline: Applicants will be informed of whether they received an award in May.
For specific scholarship deadlines and additional details, see Scholarships For Students Under 24 Years of Age.