The Scholarship Source

Name of Organization:  American Association of University Women (Manatee County Branch)
Deadline:  03/01/25; check back here in the Fall for 2026 information
Area of Study: Varies
Eligibility: For all details, go to the Manatee Community Foundation website and select Scholarships
Number of Awards:  TBA
Award Amounts:  Varies, depending upon the scholarship for which one applies
Contact Information:  For all details, contact ml.chickp@verizon.net

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:  04/04/2025
Area of Study:  Varies
Eligibility: View scholarship opportunities, details and deadlines, click here. Applications must be postmarked by April 4, 2025 and sent to Carrie Halpern
 at ARTBA, 250 E Street SW, Ste 900, Washington DC 20024. Questions may be directed to Ms. Halpern at 202.289.4434,
chalpern@artba.org
Number of Awards:  To be announced
Award Amount:  Up to $10,000 per year
Contact Information: The online link is at https://artbatdf.org/scholarships-awards/lanford-scholarship/. Select Foundation, then click on Scholarships

Name of Organization:  Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce
Deadline:  Feb. 28, 2025
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 of $1,000 each 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:  02/15/2025
Area of Study:  Undergraduate studies in the fine arts including visual arts, performing arts, creative writing, architecture and related endeavors. 
Eligibility & Application:  Go to https://www.artsadvocates.org/scholarships/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:  02/11/2025 Go to Arts for Life website for scholarship info and application.
Area of Study: Creative writing, dance, drama, music or visual art.
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 of $1,000 each throughout Florida
Award Amount:  One-time award of $1,000
Application and Contact Information: https://artsforlifeaward.org/#apply

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. Must possess a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale. Get all details and apply at https://asalh-manasotafl.org/student-scholarships
Number of Awards:  Varies
Award Amount:  Varies
Contact Information:  Go to https://asalh-manasotafl.org/student-scholarshipsfor 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:  Visit your school’s guidance office to use Scholarship Central for your school.

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:  02/15/2025
Area of Study:  Not specified
Eligibility:  Manatee County Senior Cross Country or Track runner with a minimum 3.0 GPA. Summer runners camp open to all Manatee County high school students.
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 31,2025
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 2025; 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 2025 Scholarship Application at the Online Portal

Name of Organization:  DAR Osceola Chapter Scholarship
Deadline:  05/15/2025
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: Amount not specified
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: 05/01/25
Area of Study:  Not specified
Eligibility: 17 years of age as of March 1, 2025; 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 2025 or if the applicant is in college, the same grade point average to date in college; demonstrate financial need.

Download scholarship Application
Awards amount not stated

Name of Organization:  Elks Most Valuable Students (MVS)
Deadline:  Closed for 2025; 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: https://www.elks.org/scholars/default.cfm

Name of Organization:  Florida Engineering Society through the Florida Engineering Foundation Inc.
Deadline:  02/15/26
Area of Study:  Engineering
Eligibility:  Graduating senior planning to study engineering and pursue a career in engineering; check frequently for updated scholarship information at Florida Engineering Society website. 
Number of Awards:  Not specified
Award Amounts:  Not specified
Contact Information:  Click here to view the Florida Engineering Society website for application form and complete details for submission.

Name of Organization:  Italian Heritage Scholarship, Sons of Italy in America
Deadline:  03/15/2025
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:  Not specified
Award Amount:  Not specified
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 open as of  February 2025; get info by email at info@kidschancefl.org
Area of Study:  Not specified
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 by email to 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: Visit your school’s guidance office to view Scholarship Central for your school.

Name of Organization:  Manatee Arts Education Council
Deadline: February 3, 2025
Area of Study: Visual and Performing Arts
Eligibility: Senior in Manatee County Public & Charter Schools and Enrolled in a Visual and/or Performing Arts Course.
Number of Awards: Seven awards – one in Art, Band, Chorus, Dance, Film, Orchestra, and Theatre
Award Amount: $1,000 Scholarship
Contact Information: Jeramiah Bowman, bowmanj@manateeschools.net
Application: Logon – Scholarship Lifecycle Manager

Name of Organization:  Manatee Community Foundation
Deadline:  03/01/2025, go to Manatee Community Foundation 
Area of Study:  Various
Eligibility:  Various
Number of Awards:  To be announced
Award Amount:  Varies among scholarships
Contact Information: Manatee Community Foundation

Name of Organization:  Manatee County Historical Society
Deadline:  03/01/25
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: Visit your school’s guidance office to view Scholarship Central listings for your school.

Name of Organization:  Matthew Carter Scholarship by Gamma Xi Boulé Foundation
Deadline:  04/11/2025
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:  03/31/2025
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. Get all details & apply at The Mark Wandall Foundation
Number of Awards:  Not specified
Award:  $10,000 total 
Contact Information:  Learn more at The Mark Wandall Foundation website. Completed applications must be emailed to ksmith.themarkwandallfoundation@gmail.com.

Name of Organization:  New College of Florida – Scholarships for Florida Freshmen
Deadline:  04/04/2025  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 

Name of Organization:  Palmetto High School 
Deadline:  Varies
Area of Study:  Various
Eligibility:  Various
Number of Awards:  Various
Award:  Various
Contact Information: Visit your school’s guidance office to use Scholarship Central for your school.

Name of Organization:  Parrish Community High School
Deadline:  Varies
Area of Study:  Various
Eligibility:  Various
Number of Awards:  Various
Award:  Various
Contact Information:  Visit your school’s guidance office to use Scholarship Central for your school.

Name of Organization:  Polish American Association of Sarasota
Deadline:  Go to www.polishsarasota.org for updates
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.T

Name of Organization:  Sara de Soto NSDAR 
Deadline:  05/15/25
Area of Study:  Not specified
Eligibility:  Manatee County student planning to pursue degree from accredited college or trade school; permanent resident or work in Sarasota or Manatee counties
Number of Awards:  One (1)
Award:  $1,000 per year
Contact Information: Info and application at Sara De Soto NSDAR Chapter  

Name of Organization:  Southeast High School
Deadline:  Varies
Area of Study:  Various
Eligibility:  Various
Number of Awards:  Various
Award:  Various
Contact Information:  Visit your school’s guidance office to use Scholarship Central.

Name of Organization:  State College of Florida Foundation
Deadline:  04/15/2025
Area of Study:  Various
Eligibility:  Go to the SCF Scholarship Page to apply for several different types of scholarships available.
Number of Awards:  Not specified
Award:  Varies
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, Manatee County
Deadline:  03/31/2025
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:  See your school guidance department
Area of Study:  Not specified
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:  January 31 of every year; applications accepted November 1 through January 31 of the 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:  Not specified
Award:  Not specified
Contact Information:  Woman’s Exchange, Inc. – Grants & Scholarships

Name of Organization:  The Links Incorporated Higher Education Scholarship
Deadline:  Applications now closed for 2025; go to The Links website often to find new details
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: United States Merchant Marine Academy
Deadline: Starts May 1, closes Feb 1 for the next school year, detailed application process at U.S. Merchant Marine Academy 
Area of Study: Ships Design, Building, Operation, and support activities. Deck and Engineering Officers. Very much a STEM program. BS Degree
Eligibility: US Birth citizenship, Congressional Nomination, Academic SAT minimum 1100 average 1300. Physical Fitness, Leadership. Competitive selection process. Preferences given for Scholastic Achievements, Athletics, Leadership and Band. One year internship with global travel part of 4 year program.
Number of Awards: Very Competitive, approximately 15 seats allocated to Florida.
Award: Tuition, Books, Room and Board; value approximately $300,000
Contact Information: U.S. Merchant Marine Academy. Information by email to KPRepSWFL@gmail.com

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:  For information, send email to Chapter1601@moosesunits.org. Mail application materials to: WOTM Chapter 1601, Bradenton Beach FL 34217-0328.