The next scholarship cycle for students 24 years of age or older will open in March 2021. Pictured: Amber Patrick, 29, and her family. Photo credit to Amy McKinlay Photography.

Amidst shifting economic realities brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, adults in the area are pursuing scholarships for further education this year at higher numbers than years passed. Notably more than half of this year’s nearly 200 award winners plan on studying nursing, reflecting a national trend in the demand for healthcare professionals. Applications by adults ages 24 and older for scholarships to attend university, community college, technical school or certification programs eclipsed recent years, increased by 40 percent over 2019 at the Community Foundation of Sarasota County, which awarded more than $350,000 in scholarships to pursue academic and professional goals. Amber Patrick, 29, is one of the 173 scholarship recipients who is able to continue or expand their education to advance their careers. Patrick received funds from the Edward K. Roberts Scholarship Fund, which was created in 2009 to support programs and opportunities for single mothers. As a single mother of two boys impacted earlier this year by a furlough due to COVID-19, Patrick has returned to school at the State College of Florida pursuing a major in Pre-Med in the hopes of one day becoming a physician. “This scholarship will allow for me to continue my education through the spring semester as originally planned, where had I not received this, I can’t say for certain I would have been able to afford to attend at all,” says Patrick. “Your contribution means so much to me and my family, and I intend to one day follow in donor footsteps and give back to the community that has given so much to me.”

The next scholarship cycle for students 24 years of age or older will open in March 2021. Pictured: Amber Patrick, 29, and her family. Photo credit to Amy McKinlay Photography.

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