There are specific requirements for each of our scholarship funds. MCF will be qualify scholarship applicants based on the application they submitted. Once the application has been submitted, you can see which scholarships you qualify for in the AwardSpring system.

For non-renewals:
-Have completed the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and have your Student Aid Report (SAR)
-Personal Statement
-If your parents/guardian claim you as a dependent on their taxes, Parent/Guardian financial information. Otherwise, if no one can claim you as a dependent on their taxes, your financial information is needed.
-The email addresses of two people you would like to serve as your reference
-Your most recent school/college transcript.

For renewals:
-Have completed the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and have your Student Aid Report (SAR)
-Your most recent school/college transcript.

This is a sample of what we are looking for when it comes to the Student Aid Report. It needs to show your name and the Expected Family Contribution (EFC). Please note that when you fill out the FAFSA it may take 2 – 3 weeks to receive the email with your EFC information so please don’t wait to complete it. 

Please note: As of November 2023, the FAFSA will be changing. As soon as we learn more information, we will share it on this page. 

There’s multiple resources available online, but here’s one to get you started.

Please proofread your personal statements as it is a deciding factor on if and how much funding students are awarded. Make sure to review your letter and application (and maybe have someone review it) before you submit it. 

Our new scholarship system via AwardSpring no longer accepts Letters of Recommendation, Instead, people that you ask to serve as reference for you must complete a survey about your work ethic, leadership and more. Please note, it is your responsibility to make sure that your references are submitted by the deadline. 

Non-renewable scholarships are one-time scholarships. Renewable scholarships or recurring scholarships provide scholarship awards for up to 4 years provided the continue to meet the requirements of the scholarship. Some of MCFs Scholarships are considered renewable. The following scholarships are renewable:
-Olive Boyles Golden Scholarship Fund
-Francis E. and Gaile A. McCracken Education Scholarship Fund  
-Bradenton AAUW Education Scholarship Fund
-Bradenton Branch AAUW Scholarship Foundation Fund
-Woman’s Club of Palmetto Scholarship Fund
-Manatee County Medical Education Foundation Scholarship Fund
-Johanna P. Hagedoorn Scholarship Fund
-Lewis K. Cooksey Educational Fund

Please note: The Manatee Community Foundation General Scholarship Fund is NOT renewable.

Please check your scholarship award letter that you received via email when your scholarship check was mailed. If you received a scholarship from the following funds listed in the prior question, please do not apply in the general application call. You will complete the renewable scholarship application that opens on May 1 and closes on May 31. Please be sure to attach your transcript with the current year’s Spring semester grades. 

You can reapply in our general application cycle that opens in January 1, 2024 and closes March 1, 2024. 

Please check the email you entered in the application, as that will be the one we will be communicating updates to. Please do not call or email prior to the notification date as we will still be reviewing applications and will not have an update for you until the scheduled notification date and time. 

Notification Date for General Scholarship Applications: April 15, 2024.
Notification Date for Vocational Scholarship Applications: Within 3 – 4 weeks.

Again, please check the email you used in the application, including spam/junk folders if you still haven’t received anything.

We have scholarship funds that do not require you to be a citizen. Please apply. 

We have scholarship funds that also accept students from Sarasota County. Please apply. 

We do not ask about criminal history. If you feel you meet the criteria for MCF scholarships, please apply.

Most of our vocational scholarships only cover attendance at USF, MTC, or SCF by Manatee County residents. As of November 1, 2023 we only have vocational dollars available for Manatee County residents.

A majority of the time, a student may not receive a scholarship simply because we don’t have enough scholarship dollars to fund each student who applies. That’s why we encourage all students to apply again the following year. 

Students can work with their colleges to determine which semester they would like their scholarship to go towards. 

Unfortunately, no. Due to our review times, we won’t be able to send out checks in time to cover summer tuition.

Manatee Community Foundation
ATTN: MCF Scholarship Committee
2820 Manatee Avenue West
Bradenton, Florida 34205

Applicants can only receive one scholarship from MCF per fiscal year (July 1 – June 30).

MCF loves to highlight their scholars. If you’re interested in being a MCF Scholar Spotlight, please complete this survey.