A List of Scholarships Available to Our Students
The Manatee Education Foundation is pleased to provide a directory of available scholarships provided by local service clubs, foundations, schools, businesses and organizations. The Scholarship Source is sponsored by Manatee Community Foundation. Scholarships are listed in alphabetical order by the name of each presenting organization. Click the organization titles to view the details for each scholarship listed.
Name of Organization: American Legion, Auxiliary & Florida Department
Deadline: View website for deadlines and all information
Area of Study: Various
Eligibility: Applicant must be related to a veteran. To see scholarships available, eligibility requirements and to apply, go to https://www.legion.org/scholarships. Several scholarships are listed. Select one(s) for which you want to apply.
Number of Awards: Varies
Award Amount(s): Varies depending on scholarship for which you apply
Contact Information: For American Legion scholarships click here. For Florida Department scholarships, click here. Click on Programs & Services tab, then select Scholarships.
Name of Organization: American Road & Transportation Builders Association Foundation (ARTBA)
Deadline: 04/19/2024
Area of Study: Varies
Eligibility: View scholarship opportunities, details and deadlines, click here. Applications must be postmarked by April 14, 2023 and sent to Melanie Laird at ARTBA, 250 E Street SW, Ste 900, Washington DC 20024. Questions may be directed to Ms. Laird at mlaird@artba.org.
Number of Awards: To be announced
Award Amount: Up to $5,000 per year
Contact Information: The online link is at www.artbatdf.org. Select Foundation, then click on Scholarships.
Name of Organization: Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce
Deadline: March 28, 2024
Area of Study: Various
Eligibility: The Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce is offering scholarships to Manatee County graduating seniors seeking a four-year degree or seeking local trade or career focused education. For the application, go to Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce or see your high school guidance counselor.
Number of Awards: Three one-time awards to students pursuing 4-year degrees, and one one-time award to a student seeking local trade or career focused education.
Award Amount: $1,000 each
Contact Information: Go to Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce and select the Event and Scholarship tab the top of the page. Then select Event & Scholarship Forms from the dropdown menu.
Name of Organization: Arts Advocates
Deadline: 03/15/2024
Area of Study: Undergraduate studies in the fine arts including visual arts, performing arts, creative writing, architecture and related endeavors.
Eligibility: Go to www.artsadvocates.org. Choose “Read more about how to apply.”
Number of Awards: To be announced
Award Amount: To be announced
Contact Information: E-mail to scholarship@artadvocates.org
Name of Organization: Foundation for Excellence in Education
Deadline: Closed for 2024; Go to Arts for Life website for 2025 opportunities open this fall.
Area of Study: Visual and performing arts
Eligibility: High school students who are graduating from a public, private, or virtual school or a home education program in Florida during the current academic year.
Number of Awards: 25 awards throughout Florida
Award Amount: One-time award of $1,000
Application and Contact Information: https://artsforlifeaward.org
Name of Organization: Association for the Study of African American Life and History
Deadline: Feb. 15 every year
Area of Study: Various
Eligibility: Must be a graduating Black high school student who has been admitted to and registered in an accredited four (4) year college or university; Must possess a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale; Must include a recent photo, copy of high school transcript, FAFSA Form. Your complete application will include a typed essay answering questions listed by the Association (available at your school guidance counselor’s office). An interview with the Scholarship Committee will be arranged prior to the final award.
Number of Awards: Varies
Award Amount: Varies
Contact Information: Go to https://asalh-manasotafl.org/student-scholarships for online application and details. Click “Apply now.” Questions to Mrs. Harriet A. Cowan at hcowan4521@aol.com
Name of Organization: Rays Baseball Foundation
Deadline: TBA
Area of Study: Look for new application at https://mefinfo.org/students-families/
Eligibility: The Barry Jones Memorial Scholarship is made possible by the Rays Baseball Foundation and presented by Manatee Education Foundation. Applicant must be a graduating senior from a School District of Manatee County public high school planning to enroll in an accredited institution for 4-year or 2-year degree/program. Go to https://mefinfo.org/ and choose the For Students tab for application and details.
Number of Awards: One (1)
Award Amount: $2,500 one-time award
Contact Information: Manatee Education Foundation – Students page. Click the link on that page and scroll to the feature for this scholarship. For complete details and application form, please follow the instructions on the form.
Name of Organization: Bayshore High School Scholarships
Deadline: Varies
Area of Study: Various
Eligibility: Various
Number of Awards: Various
Award Amount(s): Various
Contact Information: Check your school website, and type Scholarship Central into the “I’m looking for” search box at top. Or visit your school’s guidance office.
Name of Organization: Braden River High School Scholarship
Deadline: Varies
Area of Study: Various
Eligibility: Various
Number of Awards: Varies
Award Amount(s): Varies
Contact Information: Check your school website, and type Scholarship Central into the “I’m looking for” search box at top. Or visit your school’s guidance office.
Name of Organization: Bradenton Runners Club
Deadline: 03/15/2024
Area of Study: General
Eligibility: Manatee County Senior Cross Country or Track runner with a minimum 3.0 GPA.
Number of Awards: Varies each year
Award Amount: Varies
Contact Information: Bradenton Runners Club college scholarships webpage. Contact scholarships@bradentonrunnersclub.com
Name of Organization: Suncoast Credit Union Scholarships
Deadline: March 31,2024
Area of Study: Various
Eligibility: Go to www.mefinfo.org for details & application portal. Graduating senior attending a public or private school or be homeschooled; Demonstrated financial need; Enrolled in accredited 4-year college/university, 2-year college or technical school in Florida; Begin post-secondary school in 2024-2025 academic year; Use scholarship funds for tuition, required educational institutional fees, and/or other direct course related expenses required of all students enrolled in the course of instruction.
Number of Awards: Three (3)
Award Amounts: $2,000 per scholar.
Information: Go to 2024 Scholarship Application at the Online Portal
Name of Organization: DAR Osceola Chapter Scholarship
Deadline: 03/01/2024
Area of Study: Not specified
Eligibility: Be a citizen of the United States, including naturalized citizen; be a resident of Florida; be a current student at Manatee County high schools (Lakewood Ranch, Braden River, Manatee, Parrish); plan to attend an accredited college/university in the USA.
Download scholarship application
Awards: $1,000
Contact Information: Get the application form by email to osceolascholarship@gmail.com
Name of Organization: Democratic Women’s Club of Manatee
Marge Kinnan Scholarship and
Shirley Snyder Scholarship
Deadline: 03/01/2024
Area of Study: Not specified
Eligibility: 17 years of age as of March 1, 2024; Manatee County resident; must be a registered Democrat in the state of Florida or have at least one parent who is a registered Democrat if the applicant is 17 years of age; must have a 3.0 (B) or higher grade point average in high school and plan to attend college in the fall of 2023 or if the applicant is in college, the same grade point average to date in college; demonstrate financial need.
Download scholarship Application
Awards: $1500 each
Name of Organization: Elks Most Valuable Students (MVS)
Deadline: Closed for 2023-24; Check Elks website this summer for new deadlines
Area of Study: Various
Eligibility: View information at www.elks.org/scholars. For any high school senior who is a U.S. citizen. It is not necessary to be related to an Elk. For information and application go to www.elks.org/scholars. Ranging from $1,000 per year to $12,500 per year, MVS scholarships for students pursuing a four-year degree, on a fulltime basis (minimum 12 semester hours), in a U.S. college/university. Scholarships are in the form or certificates of award conditional upon the fulltime enrollment of the winner in an accredited U.S. college or university. The 20 top finalists will participate in an all expenses paid Leadership Weekend in Chicago during which they will interview with the national judges, vying for awards of $20,000 to $50,000.
Number of Awards: Varies
Award: Varies from $1,000 to $12,500 per year
Contact Information: Elks National Foundation – https://www.elks.org/scholars/scholarships/MVS.cfm
Name of Organization: Florida Engineering Society through the Florida Engineering Foundation Inc.
Deadline: 02/15/24
Area of Study: Engineering
Eligibility: Graduating senior planning to study engineering and pursue a career in engineering; see full eligibility information at https://fleng.org/support-future-engineers/scholarships/#hs_scholarships; submit certified transcript.
Number of Awards: Not specified
Award Amounts: Total $36,000 among several scholars
Contact Information: Click here to view the Florida Engineering Foundation Scholarships webpage, for application form and complete details for submission.
Name of Organization: Italian Heritage Scholarship, Sons of Italy in America
Deadline: 03/15/2024
Area of Study: Social Sciences
Eligibility: For full details, go to Sons & Daughters of Italy Bradenton Lodge 2782 website. Student must be of Italian descent and a State of Florida resident; meet grade and SAT or ACT requirements; be accepted as a full-time student at an accredited junior college, college or university and must enroll immediately following graduation from a Manatee County High School.
Number of Awards: TBA
Award Amount: TBA
Contact Information: Go to Sons & Daughters of Italy Bradenton Lodge 2782 website. Mail completed application, check list, and all supporting documents to: Bradenton Sons and Daughters of Italy Scholarship, c/o Maria Stoddard, 401 68th Ct NW, Bradenton FL 34209. Phone 941-792-9169, email to mstoddard2@verizon.net
Name of Organization: Kids Chance of Florida
Application portal opens: March 1, 2024 but students may create profile now at Kids Chance of Florida website
Area of Study: See downloadable application guidelines at Kids Chance of Florida website.
Eligibility: Dependent children of a worker killed or seriously injured in a claim accepted as compensable under The Florida Workers’ Compensation Act (Chapter 440, Florida Statutes); the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act (33 U.S.C. § 901 et seq.); or the Federal Employees’ Compensation Act (5 U.S.C. Chapter 81); pursuing 2-year or 4-year program. Get all information and application documents at Kids Chance of Florida website.
Number of Awards: Varies
Award Amount: Varies
Contact Information: Go to Kids Chance of Florida website or call (941)744-6455.
Name of Organization: Lakewood Ranch High School Scholarship
Deadline: Varies
Area of Study: Various
Eligibility: Varies
Number of Awards: Varies
Award: Varies
Contact Information: Check your school website, and type Scholarship Central into the “I’m looking for” search box at top. Or visit your school’s guidance office.
Name of Organization: Manatee Community Foundation
Deadline: 03/01/2024, go to Manatee Community Foundation and choose “Scholarships”
Area of Study: Various
Eligibility: Various
Number of Awards: To be announced
Award Amount: Varies among scholarships
Contact Information: Simone Peterson, speterson@ManateeCF.org
Name of Organization: Manatee County Historical Society
Deadline: 03/01/24
Area of Study: Various
Eligibility: Full eligibility information and application available at https://manateecountyhistoricalsociety.org/
Number of Awards: One (1)
Award Amount: $1,000 non-renewable
Contact Information: For all details, go to Manatee County Historical Society website. Completed applications may be emailed to: mchhistoryscholarship@gmail.com.
Name of Organization: Manatee High School Scholarship
Deadline: Varies
Area of Study: Various
Eligibility: Various
Number of Awards: Various
Award: Various
Contact Information: Check your school website, and type Scholarship Central into the “I’m looking for” search box at top. Or visit your school’s guidance office.
Name of Organization: Matthew Carter Scholarship by Gamma Xi Boulé Foundation
Deadline: 04/12/2024
Area of Study: All details at Gamma Xi Boulé Foundation.
Eligibility: Full details, requirements, application form and submission instructions at Gamma Xi Boule Foundation
Number of Awards: Go to Gamma Xi Boule Foundation
Award: Gamma Xi Boule Foundation
Contact Information: Apply online at Gamma Xi Boulé Foundation
Name of Organization: The Mark Wandall Foundation
Deadline: 03/31/2024
Eligibility: Graduating seniors or young adults (age 25 or younger) who are residents of the State of Florida seeking post-secondary education and who have suffered the death of a parent, sibling, or guardian. (age 17-25). Get all details at The Mark Wandall Foundation
Number of Awards: TBD
Award: $10,00 total
Contact Information: Apply online or learn more at The Mark Wandall Foundation website
Name of Organization: New College of Florida – Scholarships for Florida Freshmen
Deadline: Varies depending upon the specific scholarship for which you are applying. Get all details for several scholarships at New College of Florida – Scholarships
Area of Study: Various
Eligibility: Click on New College of Florida – Scholarships for information about guaranteed scholarships, freshman scholarships and other opportunities. Eligibility varies depending upon the specific scholarship for which you are applying.
Number of Awards: Varies depending upon the specific scholarship for which you are applying.
Award: Varies depending upon the specific scholarship for which you are applying.
Contact Information: New College of Florida – Scholarships website page
2Name of Organization: Palmetto High School Scholarship
Deadline: Varies
Area of Study: Various
Eligibility: Various
Number of Awards: Various
Award: Various
Contact Information: Check your school website, and type Scholarship Central into the “I’m looking for” search box at top. Or visit your school’s guidance office.
Deadline: Varies
Area of Study: Various
Eligibility: Various
Number of Awards: Various
Award: Various
Contact Information: Check your school website, and type Scholarship Central into the “I’m looking for” search box at top. Or visit your school’s guidance office.
Name of Organization: Polish American Association of Sarasota
Deadline: 04/01/2024
Area of Study: Various
Eligibility: Graduating senior from Manatee or Sarasota Counties; GPA at least 3.5 (transcript required); Polish ancestry of at least one parent; requires essay and interview; full details at https://www.polishsarasota.org/
Number of Awards: To be announced
Award: To be announced
Contact Information: Go to https://www.polishsarasota.org/ for all eligibility and submission details.
Name of Organization: Sara de Soto NSDAR
Deadline: TBA
Area of Study: General
Eligibility: Manatee County student planning to pursue degree from accredited college or trade school; permanent resident or work in Sarasota or Manatee counties, or member of Chi Chi Okobee Chapter of C.A.R.
Number of Awards: One (1)
Award: $1,000
Contact Information: Info and application at Sara De Soto NSDAR Chapter https://www.fssdar.com/SaraDeSoto
Name of Organization: William G. and Marie Selby Foundation
Deadline: 03/01/2023
Area of Study: General
Eligibility: Full details at William G. and Marie Selby Foundation and select Scholarships.
Number of Awards: TBA
Award: TBA
Contact Information: Kiarra Womack, 941-957-0442; kwomack@selbyfdn.org
Deadline: Varies
Area of Study: Various
Eligibility: Various
Number of Awards: Various
Award: Various
Contact Information: Check your school website, and type Scholarship Central into the “I’m looking for” search box at top. Or visit your school’s guidance office.
Name of Organization: State College of Florida Foundation
Deadline: 04/15/2024
Area of Study: Various
Eligibility: Go to the SCF Scholarship Page to apply for several different types of scholarships available. Minimum requirements: 2.0 GPA and enrolled six semester hours. Apply by April 15, 2024.
Number of Awards: 700+
Award: Varies, up to $1,500/year for full-time students
Contact Information: State College of Florida Foundation , click on Scholarships menu. Questions can be answered at 941-752-5395 or by e-mail FoundationScholarships@SCF.edu.
Name of Organization: Suncoast Credit Union Scholars, Manatee County
Deadline: 03/31/2024
Area of Study: Various
Eligibility:Graduating senior attending a public or private school or be homeschooled; Demonstrated financial need; Enrolled in accredited 4-year college/university, 2-year college or technical school in Florida; Begin post-secondary school in 2024-2025 academic year; Use scholarship funds for tuition, required educational institutional fees, and/or other direct course related expenses required of all students enrolled in the course of instruction
Number of Awards: Three (3)
Award: $2,000 per scholar
Contact Information: Application may be accessed at https://mefinfo.org/students-families/
Name of Organization: National Sons of the American Revolution (Enhanced JROTC Program Scholarship)
Deadline: TBA 2024-25
Area of Study: General
Eligibility: Contact your school Guidance office for application information, eligibility requirements and contact information. The school’s Senior Military Instructor is asked to make sure that their nominee meets the program criteria before it is submitted to the chapter.
Number of Awards: TBA
Award: TBA
Contact Information: Contact your school Guidance office and/or the school’s Senior Military Instructor.
Name of Organization: The Exchange (Woman’s Exchange, Inc.)
Deadline: 01/31/24 for 2024-25 school year
Area of Study: Visual or Performing Arts
Eligibility: Full details and application form appear at Woman’s Exchange, Inc. – Grants & Scholarships
Number of Awards: To be announced
Award: To be announced
Contact Information: Woman’s Exchange, Inc. – Grants & Scholarships webpage
Name of Organization: The Links Incorporated Higher Education Scholarship
Deadline: March 2025
Area of Study: Various
Eligibility: Open to full-time minority female students pursuing undergraduate degrees at accredited colleges or universities in the United States.
Number of Awards: Varies each year
Award: Varies
Contact Information: Go to www.bslinksinc.org and select Scholarships for the detailed information, including application form.
Name of Organization: Women of Manatee County Republican Club
Deadline: TBA
Area of Study: Scholarship intended to promote voter awareness of local, state and federal political environment and self-supporting ethics in our communities.
Eligibility: Seniors in Manatee County high school should contact their school Guidance office for details.
Number of Awards: To be announced.
Award: $TBA
Contact Information: Contact your school Guidance office.
Name of Organization: Women of the Moose Chapter 1601
Deadline: TBA
Area of Study: Various
Eligibility: Graduating senior, GPA at least 2.5; enroll as a fulltime undergraduate student (minimum 12 credit hours per semester) in a Florida post-secondary community college, vocational-technical school or state private educational institution. Submit: completed typed/printed application, one-page biographical sketch (goals, community and school activities), 3 letters of recommendation (from an adviser or counselor, from a teacher, and one from a non-family member), official transcript, offical copy of SAT or ACT scores, evidence of acceptance to college.
Number of Awards: Varies
Award: $1,000
Contact Information: Email to Chapter1601@moosesunits.org. Mail application materials to: WOTM Chapter 1601, PO Box 328, Bradenton Beach FL 34217-0328.
Name of Organization: Young Artist Showcase by St. Boniface Church
Deadline: 04/20/24
Area of Study: Music
Eligibility: High school and undergraduate level music students from the Southwest Florida region. For all details, go to bonifacechurch.org/music and scroll to Young Artist Showcase, click “Learn More.”
Number of Awards: TBA
Award Amounts: Up to $1,500 total (distributed evenly among recipients if more than one is selected)
Contact Information: For all details, go to bonifacechurch.org/music and view Young Artist Showcase Audition. Questions to jweinstein@bonifacechurch.org