The University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee campus is offering a unique opportunity to future teachers and school administrators from Manatee County:  A scholarship to cover any unmet financial needs. The McCracken Educators Scholarship is available for undergraduate and graduate students who reside in Manatee and have been admitted to a degree program in USF Sarasota-Manatee’s School of Education. The scholarship may be used for tuition or any other unmet educational expenses. “This scholarship is ideal for future teachers and educational administrators who are Manatee County residents. In collaboration with the School District of Manatee County, our hope is to provide a pathway for students to begin their careers in the district or to further their careers there with a graduate degree,” Marie Byrd, EdD, director of the School of Education, said. The scholarship’s aim is to encourage undergraduate and graduate students from Manatee to pursue degrees and careers in education. It’s designed to assist students already enrolled in degree programs in the School of Education as well as those planning to seek admittance in the future, including Manatee County high school students entering the pre-education program and State College of Florida students transferring to the USF Sarasota-Manatee campus. As part of the eligibility requirements, undergraduate and transfer applicants must possess at least a 2.5 Grade Point Average and graduate students must maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA. Students must apply for the scholarship between November and May 22.

To apply, visit usf.edu/financial-aid/scholarships/, click “Apply Now” and follow the instructions to submit an application for the McCracken Scholarship, or apply for other available scholarships.