Degree Seeking

Simone Peterson, MCF’s Community Impact Officer, can answer all of your scholarship questions. You can reach her at (941) 556-5448 or at SPeterson@ManateeCF.org. We appreciate parents and their interest in scholarships, but we particularly love to work directly with students.

APPLICATIONS ARE CLOSED!

Applications for the 2024-25 school year will be available in December 2023/January 2024.

Olive Boyles Golden Scholarship Fund

For qualified females from Manatee County who are pursuing a degree in Business with an emphasis in Finance, Accounting or Economics. Selection is based on academic achievement — scholarship applicants must have a minimum 3.0 grade point average. In addition, an applicant’s financial need, community involvement, educational activities and career objectives will be taken into consideration. Renewable for up to four years based on fund availability and providing the applicant maintains a 3.0 grade point average.

Francis E. and Gaile A. McCracken Education Scholarship Fund

For residents of Manatee County pursuing a college degree in the field of Education. The individual must be accepted to an accredited 2 or 4 year State of Florida public university. Selection is based on academic achievement, financial need, community involvement, educational activities and career objectives. Renewable for up to four years based on fund availability and providing the applicant maintains a 2.5 grade point average.

Bradenton AAUW Education Scholarship Fund

For residents of Manatee County for the past two years who are pursuing a college degree in the field of Education. The individual must be accepted to an accredited 2 or 4 year State of Florida public university, excluding State College of Florida — Manatee/Sarasota and the University of South Florida. Selection is based on financial need, academic achievement, community involvement, educational activities and career objectives. Renewable for up to four years based on fund availability and providing the applicant maintains a 2.5 grade point average.

Bradenton Branch AAUW Scholarship Foundation Fund

For adult students 25 years of age by December 31st of the year they first apply and:

have completed at least 15 hours of college credits or, in the case of a technical school applicant, 450 hours toward a degree, by the application deadline, or who are enrolled or accepted and will enroll in an advanced degree program;
have demonstrated financial need;
have been a legal resident of Manatee or Sarasota County for at least one year;
have a GPA of 3.00 (or 80% for technical/vocational students) or higher; and
have been accepted for enrollment and will attend an accredited college, university or technical college.

To qualify for a renewal scholarship, students must be in good standing with a minimum of 3.00 GPA (or 80% average for technical/vocational students).

Joseph T. and Naomi Bivens Scholarship Fund

To provide scholarships for minority residents of Manatee County attending accredited 2 -4 year vocational, technical or collegiate educational institutions. Open to minority students who are United States citizens and residents of Manatee County. Applicants must have been accepted into an accredited vocational, technical or collegiate educational institution with a minimum 3.0 grade point average. Applicants must complete an application in which financial need is demonstrated, and community involvement or service is demonstrated through community service hours.

Matthew Ryan Powers ‘March on for Matt’ Memorial Scholarship

Matthew Powers was a treasured member of his school, community and Bands of Lakewood Ranch. The Powers family established this scholarship in memory of Matt who loved music and his band family and was always quick to help people. Applicants for scholarship must:

Be a graduating senior or graduate of Lakewood Ranch High School in Manatee County Florida
Be/have been active in the Bands of Lakewood Ranch at Lakewood Ranch High School
Be a U.S. Citizen or Permanent Legal Resident
Be accepted into an accredited 2- or 4-year educational institution
Demonstrate clear financial need
Have a minimum GPA of 3.2
Submit a personal essay to include “why music is important”.

Woman’s Club of Palmetto Scholarship Fund

To provide a scholarship annually to a deserving female Palmetto High School graduate attending the State College of Florida. In the unlikely event that Palmetto High School or State College of Florida should cease to exist, the scholarship shall be awarded to a student meeting all other requirements below, graduating from a Manatee County public school while residing in Palmetto, and attending a Florida public college or university. The scholarship may be renewable if the student remains enrolled in good standing at State College of Florida, making progress towards a degree.

A female Palmetto High School graduate in Manatee County, Florida
Accepted into State College of Florida
Demonstrating clear financial need
A U.S. Citizen or Permanent Legal Resident
Submit a personal essay
Have a minimum GPA of 3.5
Demonstrate leadership potential through community service, extracurricular activities and/or work

Manatee County Medical Education Foundation Scholarship Fund

For U.S. citizens legally residing in Manatee County for the past two years who are pursuing careers in Nursing or specific health-related fields (that provide direct medical care to individuals and excluding pre-med, chiropractic, optometry, pharmacy, dental or general sciences). The individual must be accepted to an accredited 2 or 4 year educational institution health related program with all prerequisites completed and must have a minimum 2.5 grade point average. The individual must demonstrate a clear financial need. This scholarship is renewable based on fund availability.

Johanna P. Hagedoorn Scholarship Fund

For U.S. citizens legally residing in Manatee County for the past three years who have been accepted to an accredited medical school located in the US. The individual must demonstrate a clear financial need. This scholarship is renewable based on fund availability.

Lloyd Williams Scholarship Fund

Created by members of the Manatee-Sarasota Building Industry Association to honor Lloyd Williams to provide scholarships for U.S. Citizens residing in Manatee or Sarasota County to pursue education or technical/vocational training in the area of building construction and the building trades.

A.C.M.E. — (Academic Crossroads Memorial Endowment) Scholarship Fund

For U.S. citizens legally residing in Manatee County whose educational prospects may be at risk due to tragic circumstances so they may pursue their academic degree and/or technical/vocational training.

Lewis K. Cooksey Educational Fund

General Education Fund
For students to attend college, graduate school or technical/vocational/industrial school. Selection is based on basis of character, financial need, and evident scholarship. This scholarship is renewable based on fund availability and providing the applicant maintains a 2.5 grade point average.

Friends of the South Manatee Library Scholarship Fund

Created to provide annual scholarships to one or more qualified candidate(s) who have applied or are already enrolled in an accredited master’s library science degree program. It also provides grants to staff members of the South Manatee Branch Library to attend workshops, seminars, or other educational programs to further their training in library science services. [Application]

George Walter Edmonds and Violet C. Edmonds Scholarship Fund

Created to provide annual scholarships to one or more qualified candidate(s) who are graduating or have graduated from Palmetto High School and demonstrate financial need.

West Florida Chapter CAI Scholarship Fund

Created to promote interest and excellence in the property management and construction industries. Applicants must be a U.S. citizen or documented permanent resident of the United States and reside in Manatee or Sarasota Counties (Florida). Applicants must be a member in good standing of Community Associations Institute (CAI) West Florida Chapter, or be related to such a member by blood, adoption or marriage. Award is based on the applicant’s interest in property management or property construction; extracurricular activities; employment experience if any; personal evaluations; applicant’s requests; and financial need. Applicants may apply for the scholarship to assist in vocational, technical or certificate-based training, education, continuing education, or other programs that relate to the property management or construction industries, or for 2 or 4 year college degree programs related to those industries. [Application].

View additional scholarship opportunities on the Manatee Education Foundation’s website.