Collaboratory scholarship applications to open Nov. 1
FAFSA form required for scholarships
Collaboratory’s scholarship application for the 2024-2025 school year will open on Nov. 1.
Since 2014, FutureMakers Coalition at Collaboratory has been working toward a goal of transforming Southwest Florida’s workforce by increasing the percentage of working age (25-64 years old) adults who hold post-high school credentials to 55 percent by 2025.
Collaboratory’s scholarships support this goal by providing funding to a variety of students including traditional college-bound individuals as well as those that want to earn a credential after high school and adults looking to reconnect with education to start or advance a career. Scholarships are available for students seeking or continuing education at vocational and technical colleges, community colleges, and state colleges and universities.
FutureMakers Coalition Navigators are available to connect adults needing training programs to acquire better paying jobs as well as students who previously attended college but did not complete a credential or certification.
In 2023, Collaboratory awarded more than $1.1 million and 164 scholarships to local high school students, adult learners, undergraduate and graduate students from Charlotte, Collier, Glades, Hendry and Lee counties. One in five students who applied received a scholarship. Collaboratory had over a 50 percent increase in applicants compared to the previous year and awarded 28 of the scholarships as multi-year awards which will continue to help the students each year towards completion.
Students can apply at collaboratory.org.
The scholarship application process will close Jan. 12, 2024, at 11:59 p.m.
Applicants may apply for multiple scholarships and can upload a transcript, letter of recommendation, and the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) Submission Summary, which is a summary of the data provided on the FAFSA form. All scholarships require the FAFSA form available at fafsa.gov which is set to open in December this year.
“FutureMakers Coalition partners throughout Southwest Florida have been vital in spreading the word about the scholarships offered and helping increase the number of awards,” said Crystal Maldonado, scholarship coordinator at Collaboratory. “We have scholarships available for students across many categories and encourage all to apply to expand their educational opportunities.”
For those interested in starting a Collaboratory scholarship fund, email scholarships@collaboratory.org or call 239-308-1214.
About Collaboratory
Collaboratory is committed to coordinating the solving of all Southwest Florida’s social problems by 2040 including homelessness, poverty, mental illness, illiteracy and more. We plan to do this with the entire community working together including people of all ages, colors, beliefs, and imaginations across all five counties. We’re not oblivious to people saying this is ridiculous and crazy, but we’re driven by the inspiration of all those great figures in history who have come before us to achieve things no one ever thought remotely possible.
Collaboratory was founded in 1976 as the Southwest Florida Community Foundation. It has made over $100 million in grants since then and is home to more than 650 philanthropic funds. It is upon that legacy of a commitment to community we plan to fulfill on that mission at the level of its greatest expression. As Collaboratory, we will finish what we started. Collaboratory provides backbone support to FutureMakers Coalition. To learn more and get involved, call 239-274-5900 or visit collaboratory.org.
Source: Collaboratory