Applications for 2025-2026 scholarships are closed.
CONTACT OUR SCHOLARSHIP DEPARTMENT
If you have any questions regarding your application, please contact our Scholarship Department using the link above.
Matching Students with Their Dreams
Gulf Coast Community Foundation’s scholarship program helps students of all ages pursue their dreams of a better life—for themselves and their families—through education. At the same time, it ensures that our region prepares the skilled workforce we need for the future. Since 1997, together with our donors, we have invested more than $11.5 million in promising students through scholarships.
Gulf Coast awards scholarships to assist students from Sarasota County, Charlotte County, DeSoto County, Boca Grande, Lakewood Ranch, and Longboat Key, Florida in pursuing higher education at accredited postsecondary institutions (universities, two- and four-year colleges, and technical schools).
Scholarship funds established by our donors reflect their individual interests and values. They may be designated to support a particular field of study, to assist students from a specific community or school, and more. To learn about establishing a scholarship fund, go here.
Our annual scholarship application is typically available early in the calendar year, and scholarships awards are announced in late spring. Scholarships are awarded from more than 60 different charitable funds administered by Gulf Coast, including:
- AAUW Venice Endowed Scholarship Fund
- Amy Lee Haffner Scholarship Fund
- Ann Brown Spaulding Scholarship Fund
- Anthony Forsthoefel Scholarship Fund
- Arne and Dorothy Iversen Scholarship Fund
- Arthur E. and Audre B. Smith Scholarship Fund
- Arthur E. Gulick M.D. Vocational Scholarship Fund
- Charles S. Herron, Jr. M.D. Student Healthcare Scholarship Fund
- Christopher L. Woiak Memorial Scholarship Fund for Big Brothers/Big Sisters
- David Dunbar Scholarship for the Arts
- DPW Scholarship Fund
- Edward B. and Violet M. Cuthbert Scholarship Fund
- Englewood Masonic Lodge #360 Scholarship
- Englewood Methodist Men's Fellowship Scholarship
- Englewood Youth Foundation Scholarship Fund
- Englewood Youth Foundation Scholarship Matching
- EYFS - In Memory of Nick Pihowicz
- EYFS In Memory of Frances B. Concordia
- EYFS Janet E. and Henry J.G. Davis Memorial Scholarship Fund
- Garald and Dorothy Allen Charitable Fund
- George F. Dignam Memorial Scholarship Fund
- Geri and Ron Yonover Scholarship Fund
- Gould Family Trust Scholarship
- Grace Herrmann Nursing Scholarship Fund
- Gulf Coast Community Foundation Part-Time Scholarship
- Gulf Coast Community Foundation Scholarship
- Harry and Joyce Wachter Business Scholarship Fund
- Helen L. Iler/Herbert A. Brobst Scholarship Fund
- Helen Wedding Vocational Scholarship Fund
- Hospital Volunteers of Venice Scholarship Fund
- Joseph and Dina Marshall Scholarship Fund
- Joy F. Mahler Scholarship Fund
- Karen Bogues/Community Youth Development Scholarship Fund
- L.A. Ainger Jr. High School Foundation Scholarship
- LBHS Virginia Preston Memorial Scholarship
- LBHS Walter J. McCormick, Jr. Scholarship
- Lemon Bay American Legion Scholarship Fund
- Lemon Bay High School Mary B. Conwell Scholarship
- Lemon Bay Sunrise Rotary Scholarship Fund
- Lloyd J. Dunn Memorial Fund
- Lois Paul Scholarship Fund
- Lorraine M. Qualter Nursing Scholarship Fund
- Margaret D. Lincoln Scholarship Fund
- Marian Graves Scholarship Fund
- Marion B. Thompson Scholarship Fund
- Michael Bingamen Memorial Scholarship Fund
- Mission Valley CC Scholarship Fund in Memory of Paul Peters, Jr.
- North Port Community Scholarship Fund
- Pamela Duncan Backhaus & Anne Duncan Jones Memorial Arts Scholarship Fund
- Patricia Bradley Venice Nokomis Elks 1854 Scholarship Fund
- Philip B. Dobrin, MD Memorial Scholarship Fund
- Richard M. Morrison M.D. Student Healthcare Scholarship Fund
- Rick Martin Memorial Fund
- Robert and Ida Shelton Scholarship Fund
- Robert E. Schill Nursing Scholarship Fund
- Robyn Knapp Gullotta Soccer Scholarship Fund
- Toledo Blade Scholarship Fund
- Tom and Annette Dignam Family Trust Scholarship
- Venice High School Scholarship Fund
- VHSRotary Futures Scholarship Fund
- Walter and Virginia Chaddock Scholarship Fund
- Wayne Lechlitner Fund
- Wellington Chen M.D. Student Healthcare Scholarship Fund
- William E. and Karen S. Cornelius Scholarship Fund
- Yates Family Memorial Scholarship Fund
- Yvonne Pinkerton Scholarship Fund