Feb. 15 is deadline to apply for scholarships
More than $200,000 worth of scholarships are available for eligible public high school seniors in Alachua County again this year through the Education Foundation of Alachua County.
Applicants need to only fill out one form to apply for multiple scholarships. The scholarships this year will be provided by 39 local families, businesses and civic organizations in partnership with the foundation.
Last year, $220,000 worth of scholarships were awarded to 58 seniors in Alachua County.
The deadline to apply for the scholarships is Feb. 15, and information about the application process can be found by visiting http://edfoundationac.awardspring or calling 352-955-7250.
One scholarship application opens the door to 67 scholarship opportunities, said Tia Brock-Paul, director of the foundation's scholarship program.
"It is important that students attending the public schools in Alachua County complete the Senior Scholarship application because it will assist them financially in attending college to further their education in what they aspire to do career wise,” wrote Brock-Paul via email. “Ninety-nine percent of the class of 2021 that received a senior scholarship last year said that the scholarship would ease the financial burden of paying for college. Sixty-eight percent of these same students said that by completing the Senior Scholarship application process it also helped them make a more informed decision on where they wanted to attend college.”
A full list of the foundation's scholarships can be found at https://bit.ly/3GWZA6F.
Below is a list of some of the available scholarships:
• 1992 Rams Black Alumni $1,000 Scholarship for Eastside High School seniors only. The EHS Class of 1992 will award two scholarships to EHS seniors who demonstrate leadership and teamwork. The students must have a 3.0 GPA or higher and plan to attend a historically Black college or University (HBCU).
• Alachua Business League Scholarship for Santa Fe High School students only: Five $1,000 scholarships will be awarded to aspiring business professionals or business owners. Students must have attended SF High School for two years and plan to attend Santa Fe College full time to be eligible for this scholarship.
• Alachua County Public Schools Support Staff Scholarship: $1,000 scholarship to a senior who is a child of an ACPS employee who works as a food service worker, custodian, school bus driver or para professional.
• Alachua County Retired Educators Association Scholarship: A $1,000 scholarship will be awarded to a student planning a career in teaching and plans to major in education in college. The student must have a 3.0 GPA or higher and planning to attend a college or university in Florida. Preference will be given to a student with a SAT score of at least 1150 or ACT score of at least 26.
• Barbara Finlayson Memorial Scholarship for an EHS culinary arts student only. The $1,000 scholarship will be awarded to student who is planning to continue his/her education in culinary arts. Finlayson was a former teacher and professional chef who generously volunteered her time and talents to improve the EHS program.
• Believe, Achieve, Succeed Salvamoser Family Scholarship. This $1,000 scholarship will be awarded to a worthy and deserving high school senior with a 3.0 GPA or higher who wishes to attend college. This is a financial-need based scholarship.
• Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc. Gainesville Alumni chapter's Dr. E.A. Cosby Scholarship. This is a $1,000 scholarship awarded to a student who has at least a 2.5 GPA and plans to attend a four-year college or university.
• FAMU Alachua County Alumni Scholarship. Four $1,000 scholarships awarded to students holding a 3.0 unweighted GPA, demonstrate financial need and will attend FAMU for the 2022-2023 academic year.
• Frankie W. and Robert B Ayer Jr. Memorial Scholarship: A $1,000 scholarship will be awarded to a high school senior with a 3.0 GPA or higher who is planning to attend a Florida HBCU and study teacher education, science, technology, engineering, arts or math (STEAM). The Ayers together served 60 years teaching, leading, mentoring and inspiring students in Alachua County.
• Gainesville Charitable Foundation Scholarship: The 10th Masonic District will award six $1,000 SF College scholarships to at least one hardworking student from each high school in the district.
• GHS Class of 1962 Scholarship: A $3,000 scholarship will be awarded to an outstanding and deserving graduating senior.
This article originally appeared on The Gainesville Sun: Feb. 15 is deadline to apply for Education Foundation of Alachua County senior scholarships
