The Education Foundation of Sarasota County is launching a new scholarship for low-income students called Jumpstart Your Future! Thanks to generous donors, the Education Foundation has created the Shanney / Richardson Scholarship Fund. The fund allows the Education Foundation to partner with the Florida Prepaid College Foundation to provide 75 low-income students with one-year Florida Prepaid College Foundation Scholarships, which will cover 30 credit hours at the Florida state college tuition rate. In addition to receiving scholarships, recipients will have the opportunity to attend three virtual workshops in areas such as financial aid, life skills, and career explorations. These workshops will help students prepare for life after high school.

Low-income class of 2022 public high school seniors in Sarasota County Schools with an unweighted GPA of 2.5 or higher who plan to enroll full time at a Florida technical college, state college, or state university will be eligible to apply for a Jumpstart Your Future! scholarship. Students must be low income as verified by parents 2021 IRS 1040 Federal Income Tax Return These students must show proof of demonstrated financial need, and preference will be given to students who have attended a Title 1 school, who are currently employed, or who will pursue a career. Students currently dual-enrolled at Suncoast Technical College are highly encouraged to apply. At a time when college applications, especially to community colleges, are down due to the pandemic, the Education Foundation is grateful for the opportunity to provide such valuable assistance to low-income students who aspire to earn a high-value technical certification or college diploma. Applications will open on February 22 and close on April 15. The Education Foundation will award 75 scholarships by May 15.

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