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Gulf Coast Community Foundation Scholarships

Gulf Coast Community Foundation 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.

Applications Open - Deadline March 2, 2026 3:00 PM CT

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Gulf Coast Community Foundation Scholarships

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. Eligibility for individual programs is determined at the sole discretion of the sponsor and eligible applications are reviewed by Scholarship America’s evaluation team.

Scholarship Funds

Applicants will complete one application for consideration for all the scholarship funds under the Gulf Coast Community Foundation Scholarships. Financial need, as calculated by Scholarship America, must be demonstrated for the student to receive an award.

Scholarship funds included in the Gulf Coast Community Foundation

Funds selected by Scholarship America:

Funds selected by Gulf Coast Community Foundation and/or a selection committee:

Eligibility

Applicants to the Gulf Coast Community Foundation Scholarships must:

  • Be a legal resident of Sarasota County, Charlotte County, DeSoto County, Boca Grande, or Lakewood Ranch, in the state of Florida
  • Plan to enroll full-time or part-time in an undergraduate, graduate or post-graduate degree at an accredited two- or- four-year college or university, graduate school, or vocational-technical school within the United States for the upcoming academic year (unless specified otherwise)

Financial need, as calculated by Scholarship America, must be demonstrated for the student to receive an award.

Gulf Coast Community Foundation offers a variety of scholarships, each with specific eligibility criteria. Any applicants that meet the required eligibility for a specific scholarship will be considered.

Funds selected by Scholarship America:

Amy Lee Haffner Scholarship Fund

  • Minimum GPA 3.0
  • Be enrolled full-time
  • Be a senior at Venice High School

Ann Brown Spaulding Scholarship

  • Minimum GPA 2.5
  • Studying nonprofit management (or something in the nonprofit sector)

Arne and Dorothy Iversen Scholarship Fund

  • Minimum GPA 3.0
  • Be a graduate of Lemon Bay High School

Arthur E. and Audre B. Smith Scholarship Fund

  • Minimum GPA 3.0
  • Be enrolled full-time

Charles S. Herron, Jr. M.D. Student Healthcare Scholarship Fund

  • Minimum GPA 3.0
  • Be enrolled full-time
  • Pursuing a degree in Healthcare
  • Preference given to students who are employed as Radiology Technicians
  • Plan to reside in the area of service upon graduation
  • Preference given to students who plan to attend higher education in the state of Florida
  •  Essay
    • 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 the challenges you hope to address, the actions you’ve taken or plan to take, and the lasting change you aim to create.

DPW Scholarship Fund

  • Be an active-duty military, veteran or immediate family member of an active-duty military or veteran
  • Planning to attend a post-secondary vocational/technical school in Sarasota or Charlotte counties

Dr. Francis and Marilyn Dwyer Charitable Foundation

  • Plan to pursue a nursing degree or certification

Edward B. and Violet M. Cuthbert Scholarship Fund

  • Minimum GPA 3.0
  • Be enrolled full-time

Englewood Masonic Lodge #360 Scholarship

  • Minimum GPA 2.5
  • Be a high school senior attending Lemon Bay High School

Gerald and Dorothy Allen Charitable Fund

  • Minimum GPA 2.5
  • Pursuing a degree in Engineering

Geri and Ron Yonover Scholarship

  • Minimum GPA 2.5
  • Be a Booker High School graduate or a Sarasota High School graduate
  • Essay
    • Describe a specific experience where you have made a meaningful impact on or demonstrated a commitment to supporting the African American community. What motivated you to take action, and how has this experience shaped your perspective and future commitment to advocacy or support for these communities?

Gould Family Trust Scholarship

  • Be a high school senior or graduate of a high school located in on of the following counties:
    • Charlotte County
    • Sarasota County

Grace Herrmann Nursing Scholarship Fund

  • Minimum GPA 3.0
  • Be enrolled full-time
  • Pursing a degree in Healthcare or nursing (certification is eligible)

Gulf Coast Community Foundation Scholarship

  • Minimum GPA 3.0
  • Be enrolled full-time

Gulf Coast Community Foundation Part-time Scholarship

  • Minimum GPA 3.0
  • Be enrolled part-time

Harry and Joyce Wachter Business Scholarship

  • Minimum GPA 3.0
  • Be enrolled full-time
  • Pursing a degree in Business

Helen L. Iler / Herbert A. Brobst Scholarship Fund

  • Minimum GPA 2.5
  • Be a high school senior at Lemon Bay High School

Helen Wedding Vocational Scholarship

  • Planning to attend a vocational-technical school
  • Currently in the workforce, but are desiring to enroll for the upcoming academic year

Hospital Volunteers of Venice Scholarship Fund

  • Minimum GPA 3.0
  • Plan to attend a post-secondary school in the state of Florida
  • Be a resident of one of the following- Sarasota County, Charlotte County or Boca Grande County
  • Pursuing a degree in the medical field – such as, but not limited to medicine, pre-med, nursing, sports medicine, dental or dental hygiene, or other fields of study requiring medical based studies

Joseph and Dina Marshall Scholarship Fund

  • Minimum GPA 3.0
  • Be a high school senior at Venice High School

Larry D. and Linda G. Cochran Scholarship Fund

  • Be a high school senior of the following high schools:
    • Venice High School
    • North Port High School
    • Pine View High School

Lemon Bay American Legion Scholarship Fund

  • Minimum GPA 3.0
  • Lemon Bay High School Graduate
  • Be enrolled full-time

Lois Paul Scholarship

  • Pursing a degree in healthcare such as a nursing degree or certification, LPN, RN, or MD
    OR
  • Pursing a degree in music

Lorraine M. Qualter Nursing Scholarship Fund

  • Be a high school senior or graduate of a high school in South Sarasota County – Pine View High School, Venice High School or North Port High School
  • Pursing a degree in healthcare such as a nursing degree or certification, LPN, RN, or MD

Margaret D. Lincoln Scholarship Fund

  • Minimum GPA 2.5
  • Reside in Charlotte County, FL
  • Preference given to a South Port Square employee

Marian Graves Scholarship Fund

  • Meet the general eligibility

Marion B. Thompson Scholarship

  • Meet the general eligibility

North Port Community Scholarship

  • Minimum GPA 3.0
  • Be enrolled full-time
  • Live in North Port

Pamela Duncan Backhaus & Anne Duncan Jones Memorial Arts Scholarship

  • Be currently living in South Sarasota County or Englewood
  • Pursuing a career in music (voice or instrumental),culinary arts, fashion design or interior design

Patricia Bradley Venice Nokomis Elks 1854 Scholarship Fund

  • Minimum GPA 2.5
  • Be enrolled full-time
  • Be a high school senior attending Venice High School
  • Have an interest in American History
  • Essay/Statement
    • Which event in US history most impressed you and why?

Richard M. Morrison M.D. Student Healthcare Scholarship

  • Minimum GPA 3.0
  • Be enrolled full-time
  • Pursuing a degree in healthcare such as a nursing degree or certification, LPN, RN or MD
  • Plan to reside or find a career in the service area of Sarasota area
  • Preference will be given to students attending a post-secondary school in Florida

Robert and Ida Shelton Scholarship

  • Minimum GPA 2.5
  • Currently in the workforce, but are desiring to enroll in the post-graduate/graduate school

Robert E. Schill Nursing Scholarship Fund

  • Minimum GPA 3.0
  • Reside in Charlotte County, FL
  • Plan to enroll at an accredited four-year university in the state of Florida
  • Pursuing a degree in nursing or nursing certification

Toledo Blade Scholarship

  • Minimum GPA 2.5
  • Attended Toledo Blade Elementary
  • Be a high school senior at North Port High School

Venice High School Dein Scholarship

  • Min GPA 2.5
  • Be enrolled full-time
  • Be a Venice High School graduate
  • Demonstrate strong financial need

Venice High School Lloyd J. Dunn Memorial Scholarship

  • Minimum GPA 3.0
  • Be enrolled full-time
  • Graduate of Venice High School
  • Attending Florida State University (FSU)
  • Be a college sophomore or higher

Walter and Virginia Chaddock Scholarship Fund

  • Be a graduate of one of the following:
    • Venice High School Graduate
    • Lemon Bay High School Graduate
    • Cardinal Mooney High School Graduate
    • North Port High School Graduate

Wellington Chen M.D. Student Healthcare Scholarship Fund

  • Minimum GPA 3.0
  • Be a high school senior
  • Be enrolled full-time
  • Pursuing a degree in healthcare
  • Plan to reside in Florida upon graduation
  • Plan to attend higher education in the state of Florida
  • Essay
    • Describe a specific experience where you have made a meaningful impact on or demonstrated a commitment to Asian culture or heritage. What motivated you to take action, and how has this experience shaped your perspective and future commitment to advocacy or support for these communities?

William and Karen S. Cornelius Scholarship Fund

  • Minimum GPA 2.5

Funds selected by Gulf Coast Community Foundation and/or a selection committee:

AAUW Venice Endowed Scholarship Fund

  • Minimum GPA 2.5
  • Self-identify as female
  • Reside in Sarasota County, FL
  • Be non-traditional student (at least 4 years past high school graduation date or at least 21 years old or older

Arthur E. Gulick M.D. Vocational Scholarship Fund

  • Minimum GPA 2.5
  • Plan to enroll at a vocational-technical school
  • Must be from an acceptable zip code: 34229, 34272, 34274, 34275, 34284, 34285, 34290, 34291, 34292, 34293, 34286, 34287,34288, 34289, 34290, 34291, 34223, 34295, 34260

Christopher L. Woiak Memorial Scholarship for Big Brothers/Big Sisters

  • Minimum GPA 2.5
  • Be enrolled full-time
  • Been involved with Big Brothers and Big Sisters Program

Englewood Youth Foundation Nick Pihowicz Memorial Scholarship

  • Minimum GPA 3.0
  • Be enrolled full-time
  • Be a Lemon Bay High School graduate OR attending Heritage Christian Academy

Englewood Youth Foundation Scholarship Fund

  • Minimum GPA 3.0
  • Be enrolled full-time
  • Be a graduate of Lemon Bay High School OR attended Heritage Christin Academy

Englewood Youth Foundation Scholarship in Memory of Francis B.

  • Minimum GPA 3.0
  • Be enrolled full-time
  • Be a Lemon Bay High School graduate OR attended Heritage Christian Academy

Englewood Youth Foundation Scholarship Matching

  • Minimum GPA 3.0
  • Be enrolled full-time
  • Be a graduate of Lemon Bay High School OR attended Heritage Christin Academy

EYFS Janet E. and Henry J.G. Davis Memorial Scholarship Fund

  • Minimum GPA 3.0
  • Be enrolled full-time
  • A graduate of Lemon Bay High School OR have attended Heritage Christin Academy

George F. Dignam Memorial Scholarship Fund

  • Minimum GPA 3.0
  • Be enrolled full-time
  • Be a graduate of Lemon Bay High School OR attended Charlotte Vo-Tech Academy

Joy F. Mahler Scholarship Fund (BBBS)

  • Minimum GPA 2.5
  • Have participated in Big Brother or Big Sister program

Karen Bogues/Community Youth Development Scholarship Fund

  • Minimum GPA 2.5
  • Be a current high school senior
  • Reside in Sarasota County
  • Preference will be given to applicants who completed the STAR Leadership Training Program*
    *The STAR (Students Taking Active Roles) Leadership Training Program is a 65-hour leadership development curriculum coordinated through Boys & Girls Clubs of Sarasota and DeSoto Counties. The program is targeted to high school students and focuses on active citizenship, roles and responsibilities of civic engagement, and understanding local government
  • Essay
    • Explain how your participation in community service made an impact on you and the group you served.
      OR
    • Describe your role as a leader of a group or activity and the most important action you took to affect the success or failure of the group or activity.

L.A. Ainger Jr. High School Foundation Scholarship

  • Minimum GPA 3.0
  • Be enrolled full-time
  • Be a graduate of Lemon Bay High School
  • Attended L.A. Ainger Jr, High School

LBHS Virgina Preston Memorial Scholarship

  • Minimum GPA 3.0
  • Be enrolled full-time
  • Be a high school senior of Lemon Bay High School OR have attended Heritage Christian Academy

LBHS Walter J. McCormick, Jr. Scholarship

  • Minimum GPA 3.0
  • Be enrolled full-time
  • Be a graduate of Lemon Bay High School

Lemon Bay High School Mary B. Conwell Scholarship

  • Minimum GPA 3.0
  • Be enrolled full-time
  • Be a high school senior at Lemon Bay High School

Lemon Bay Sunrise Rotary Scholarship Fund

  • Minimum GPA 3.0
  • Be enrolled full-time
  • Be a graduate of Lemon Bay High School OR have attended Heritage Christian Academy

Michael Bingamen Memorial Scholarship Fund

  • Minimum GPA 2.5
  • Be a high school senior of Lemon Bay High School

Mission Valley CC Scholarship Fund in Memory of Paul Peters, Jr.

  • Minimum GPA 3.0
  • Be enrolled full-time
  • Graduate of Venice High School

Philip B. Dobrin, MD Memorial Scholarship Fund

  • Minimum GPA 2.5
  • Be a junior or senior level student at an accredited 4-year university
  • Have graduated from a high school located in Charlotte County, FL

Tom and Annette Dignam Family Trust Scholarship

  • Minimum GPA 3.0
  • Be enrolled full-time
  • Graduate of Lemon Bay High School or current lives in Englewood, FL or attend a state college in Florida

Venice High School Rick Martin Memorial Scholarship

  • Minimum GPA 3.0
  • Be enrolled full-time
  • Be a high school senior at Venice High School
  • Achieved academic improvement
  • Essay
    • Please write about how you achieved your academic improvement since beginning high school.

Venice High School Rotary Futures Scholarship

  • Minimum GPA 3.0
  • Be enrolled full-time
  • Be a high school senior at Venice High School

Venice High School Scholarship

  • Minimum GPA 3.0
  • Be enrolled full-time
  • Be a high school senior at Venice High School

Venice High School Wayne Lechlitner Scholarship

  • Minimum GPA 3.0
  • Be enrolled full-time
  • Restricted to Venice High School seniors
  • Was a letter winner in athletics at Venice High School
  • Essay
    • Write about how academic and athletic achievement has prepared you for your future.

Yates Family Memorial Scholarship

  • Minimum GPA 3.0
  • Be enrolled full-time

Yvonne Pinkerton Scholarship Fund

  • Be a current high school senior or graduate of Venice High School
  • Preference will be given to current high school seniors of Venice High School
  • Pursuing a degree or area of study in teaching
  • Preference will be given to students planning to pursue a degree to teach drama

Awards

The authorized distribution will be determined by Gulf Coast Community Foundation.

Awards are not renewable. However, recipients may reapply each year they meet the required eligibility.

Awards will be used for required eligible educational expenses- tuition, fees, books, supplies and required materials.

Notification

All applicants will be notified in May.

Notifications are sent via email. When setting up your account, avoid using a school or work email. Instead, use an active, personal email address that you will continue to have access to.

Please make sure to add studentsupport@scholarshipamerica.org as well as the program email address as safe senders in your email contact list.

Payment of Scholarships

Scholarship America processes scholarship payments on behalf of Gulf Coast Community Foundation. Payment is made in August.

Selection of Finalists and Recipients

Scholarship finalists and recipients are selected on the basis of:

  • Academic performance
  • Demonstrated leadership and participation in school and community activities
  • Work experience
  • Community Service
  • Unusual personal or family circumstances
  • Financial Need
  • Essays

Financial need, as calculated by Scholarship America, must be demonstrated for the student to receive an award.

Selection of recipients is made by Scholarship America and Gulf Coast Community Foundation and/or a selection committee. Scholarship America will provide the finalists for specific Funds, and Gulf Coast Community Foundation and/or Committees will select recipients.

Not all applicants to the program will be selected as recipients. Students may reapply to the program each year they meet eligibility requirements. All applicants agree to accept the decision as final.

Requirements

As part of your application, you must upload the following:

  • A current, complete transcript of grades. Grade reports are not accepted. Transcripts must display:
    • Student name
    • School name
    • Grades
    • Credit hours for each course and term in which each course was taken.
  • Copy of the first two pages of the most recently filed IRS Form 1040 used for the Financial Information section of the application. Please black out all social security numbers and bank account information.

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. If you are uploading a college transcript, those scores are not required.

Your application is not complete unless all required materials are submitted electronically.

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