Community Foundation of Sarasota County Awards More Than $2.1 Million in Scholarships to 500-Plus Students

Recipients range from recent high school graduates heading off to college to mid-career professionals furthering their education.

Sarasota, Florida — As the 2025-2026 school year comes to a close, students around the region are making plans for the next steps in their educational journey, and more than 500 of those students are doing so with financial assistance from the Community Foundation of Sarasota County. The foundation recently awarded more than $2.1 million in scholarships to 566 students, helping everyone from recent high school graduates heading off to college for the first time to students returning to school in search of a degree or certification that will enhance their careers.

Each year, the foundation accepts applications for Traditional Scholarships that are intended for students under the age of 24, as well as Adult Scholarships, which are given to students 24 and up. In addition, a number of specialty scholarships with unique criteria are also awarded. This wide-ranging mix of opportunities reflects the foundation’s goal of supporting students at all levels, regardless of where they are on their educational path. Overall, 636 scholarships were awarded this spring, with some students receiving multiple forms of support.

“While the image of students heading off to college after graduating from high school may be the most common one that comes to mind when people think of scholarships, we know that no two educational trajectories are exactly alike and that different students require different types of assistance,” says Jessica Muroff, president and CEO of the Community Foundation. “Our scholarship programs are designed to meet student needs in a multitude of ways, improving long-term outcomes and ensuring that everyone has access to high-quality education.”

In addition to evaluating applicants based on their academic performance and financial need, the foundation examines students’ extracurricular activities and community services, as well as their work experience, their life experience and their household duties, such as caring for siblings or other family members. According to data analyzed by the American Association of Caregiving Youth, an estimated 5.4 million youth in the United States care for relatives or other household members with chronic illnesses, disabilities and other health conditions.

Recent research has also found that an increasing number of college students are non-traditional. According to the education technology company Genio, 40.2 percent of college students in the United States are age 22 or older and 19.2 percent have children. Many are also first-generation college students (29.6 percent) or immigrants (25 percent). As a result of these interlocking challenges, many students require specialized support to earn their diplomas.

To qualify for Community Foundation scholarships, students must be a current resident of Sarasota, Manatee, Charlotte or DeSoto County, or a graduate of a high school in one of those four counties. They must also be pursuing or planning to pursue further education at an accredited university, community college, technical school or certification program. The foundation oversees a total of 97 different scholarship opportunities, and applications are reviewed by a mix of foundation staff and community volunteers.