The Education Foundation of Sarasota County has received a grant of $5,000 from the Florida Lottery (Lottery). Through the Lighting the Way to a Bright Future program grant, this grant will support the Education Foundation’s work to help low-income students prepare for college, career, and life. Thanks in part to this support from the Lottery, the Education Foundation will reach more low-income students and help them prepare for life after high school by: Opening a Student Success Center at Sarasota Military Academy, a free charter school near downtown Sarasota. Students can access comprehensive resources and relationships to prepare for life after graduation, including working one on one with a Student Success Coach to plan for life after graduation. Providing a Student Success Coach with deep connections to North Port High School and the surrounding community to meet students where they are and help them identify college and career pathways and prepare for life. Offering free SAT/ACT preparation workshops to low-income students at LaunchPad4U. The Lottery recognizes that while all Florida students can earn a Bright Futures Scholarship, many may need additional support to meet the criteria and prepare for post-secondary success—particularly students of low socio-economic backgrounds and aspiring first-generation college students. This year the Florida Lottery provided $50,000 to the Consortium of Florida Education Foundations to fund nine standout projects by local education foundations that “light the way” for thousands of students to earn a Bright Futures Scholarship for college and career certification programs throughout Florida, including Sarasota County. 

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