Community Foundation Of Collier County Awards $456,000 In Scholarships For 2014-2015 Academic Year
Naples, FL (PRWEB) May 07, 2014 -- The Community Foundation of Collier County has awarded 57 scholarships totaling more than $456,000 to students enrolled in accredited high school, trade school, community college and university programs for the 2014-2105 academic year. The majority of the scholarships are designated for students who currently attend schools in Florida’s Collier and Lee Counties.
Scholarships were awarded through twenty-two funds administered by the Community Foundation of Collier County and established by generous local donors, corporations and organizations seeking to assist students in pursuing higher education. Most of these funds focus on students’ achievements, financial hardships and academics and all express a deep belief in the power of education to help young people achieve their dreams.
Objective selection committees appointed by the Community Foundation evaluate the candidates.
“The talent and potential represented by this year’s scholarship recipients is impressive," said Annette Kirk, Grant and Scholarship Coordinator for the Community Foundation of Collier County. “We are thrilled to support these students and grateful to the donors whose contributions make these awards possible every year.”
This fall, many scholarship recipients will attend Florida colleges and universities including FGCU, Edison, and Hodges. Scholarship award amounts range from $500 to $15,000. Some are renewable, providing students with a “full ride” - financial support for multiple years to ensure college completion.
Kirk explained that students are extremely grateful for any form of assistance that eases their financial obligations of continuing or advanced education. She shared comments from Arletys Gomez, one of the many students who expressed thanks for the award. Gomez is the recipient of a scholarship from Jubilee Scholarship Fund - Grace Place, administered by the Community Foundation, and will begin her studies at FGCU in fall 2014.
“Thank you for providing me with the opportunity to attend college without the added stress of financial burdens,” she noted. “Thank you for continuing to believe in the importance of achieving a higher education, and the future impacts it will have upon the community. I hope one day to be able to help other students achieve their goals, just as much as you all have helped me.”
Since 2008, CFCC has awarded more than $1.1 million in scholarship funds to support students who are seeking a college education.
Eileen Connolly-Keesler, President and CEO of the Community Foundation, noted that, while this year’s scholarship cycle has come to a close, students should be preparing for next year by gathering official transcripts, requesting letters of recommendation and writing strong personal statements. “It is never too early to start the process,” Connolly-Keesler said. “If a student dreams of a college degree, they should be planning now to finance that dream.”
For a complete list of 2014 scholarship recipients and the high schools/institutions they currently attend, please visit http://www.cfcollier.org.
About the Community Foundation of Collier County
The Community Foundation of Collier County is a tax-exempt, public charitable organization established in 1985 with a $300,000 endowment. The first grants were awarded in 1986 towards Cambier Park’s band shell construction project and The Shelter for Abused Women initial development.
Today, the Community Foundation oversees more than 550 funds, collaborates with over 450 local nonprofits, manages nearly $73 million in assets and has distributed more than $70 million in grants. For more information about the Community Foundation of Collier County call (239) 649-5000 or visit http://www.cfcollier.org.
Craig Jones - Marketing Director, Community Foundation of Collier County, http://www.cfcollier.org, +1 239-649-5000, [email protected]
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