Academic Scholarships

Academic
Scholarships

Community Foundation Tampa Bay works with our fundholders, community groups, businesses and other foundations to provide scholarships. The awards support students with a variety of goals, backgrounds and characteristics. Scholarship recipients may be graduating high school seniors or students enrolled in a college, university or technical school.

Helping Students
Change the World

We believe that access to education opportunities for everyone, regardless of their status in life, improves their economic standing. We believe education opens doors and changes lives. And we believe that expanding the number of individuals with quality education and training beyond high school uplifts the entire community.

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Community Scholarships Established By Our Donors

Scholarship	Description	Eligibility Requirements	Where to Apply
Alumni Scholarship Fund for Trinity College of Florida	Scholarships for Trinity College of Florida students who are pursuing an undergraduate degree.	Applicants must: * be pursuing an undergraduate degree at Trinity College of Florida * exhibit an interest in learning, be diligent in their studies, and active in class * be involved in church, college extracurricular activities, or community service * have a 3.0 or higher GPA	Trinity College of Florida students may contact the Financial Aid Office View Website
Andrew J. (Andy) Aviles Memorial Scholarship Fund	Established by Pam Iorio in memory of an 18 year old Marine killed in Iraq who was a Robinson High School graduate.	Applicants must: * be a graduating high school senior attending Robinson High School * demonstrate financial need * be pursuing vocational school or undergraduate college education * have demonstrated high moral and ethical character * have participated in community work, either through school, clubs, church or other organizations	Robinson High School students must contact their high school Guidance Counselor
Aucremann Medical Education Fund	Scholarships to benefit students pursuing their initial medical education, graduate medical education, or specialty medical education.	Applicants must: * be an employee or dependent of an employee at Bayfront Health * intend to specialize in Family Medicine or OB/GYN * have been accepted into medical school	Must be invited to apply by Bayfront Health
Bayfront Auxiliary General Scholarship Fund	General scholarships to benefit students who are pursuing clinical or nursing studies. Physicians and their dependents are not eligible.	Applicants must: * be an employee or dependent of an employee at Bayfront Health * be pursuing clinical or nursing studies	Must be invited to apply by Bayfront Health
Bloomingdale Civic Association	Scholarship available to one male and one female graduating senior from each of the following high schools: Riverview, Bloomingdale, Durant, Brandon, and Newsome.	Applicants must: * be a graduating high school senior attending Riverview, Bloomingdale, Durant, Brandon, or Newsome High School * be a US citizen * have demonstrated high moral and ethical character * have participated in community work, either through school, clubs, church or other organizations * have a GPA of 2.5 or higher * be pursuing vocational school or undergraduate college education	Students can apply on the Hillsborough Education Foundation website: View Website
Certified Public Accounting Scholarship Fund	Scholarships for junior, senior, or graduate students who are pursuing a degree in accounting at Florida Southern College, Saint Leo University, University of South Florida or University of Tampa.	Applicants must: * be pursuing an accounting degree at Florida Southern College, Saint Leo University, University of South Florida or University of Tampa * be a junior, senior or graduate college student	Students are selected by college representatives
Cody Miley Memorial Art Scholarship	Established in Cody’s memory by his parents to provide scholarships to deserving Chamberlain High School graduating seniors who are pursuing a post-secondary degree.	Applicants must: * be a graduating high school senior attending Chamberlain High School * be pursuing post-secondary education (trade school, college, graduate and postgraduate education) * demonstrate financial need * have demonstrated high moral and ethical character * have participated in community work, either through school, clubs, church or other organizations * have a GPA of 3.2 or higher	Students can apply on the Hillsborough Education Foundation website: View Website
Duain A. and Helen F. Johnson Scholarship Fund	Scholarships for academically achieving students graduating from East Bay High School, Riverview High School or Lennard High School in Hillsborough County, FL, or from a high school located in one of the following school districts in Illinois: Alwood School District, R.O.W.V.A Community District, or Orion C.U.S.D.	Applicants must: * be a graduating high school senior attending East Bay, Riverview or Lennard High School OR or from a high school located in one of the following school districts in Illinois: Alwood School District, R.O.W.V.A Community District, or Orion C.U.S.D. * have demonstrated academic achievement	Students can apply on the Hillsborough Education Foundation website: View Website Students from Illinois must contact their high school Guidance Counselor for more information.
Ellsworth G. Simmons Scholarship	To honor students who are graduates of East Bay High School or Earl J. Lennard High School with a preference to those who have been active in community activities. The scholarship is renewable for a total of 4 years.	Applicants must: * be a graduating high school senior attending East Bay or Earl J. Lennard High School * have demonstrated high moral and ethical character * be pursuing undergraduate college education within the state of FloridaWhere to Apply: Students are selected by college representatives	East Bay High School and Earl J. Lennard High School students must contact their high school Guidance Counselor
Ethel Hill Nursing Scholarship Fund	Scholarships to benefit nursing students or current nurses pursuing advanced (BSN, ARNP, Masters, Doctorate) degrees. Preference will be given to Bayfront Health St. Petersburg employees.	Applicants must: * be an employee or dependent of an employee at Bayfront Health * be pursuing clinical or nursing studies	Must be invited to apply by Bayfront Health
Frank and Betty Gooden Estes Scholarship Fund	To honor students residing in Houston County, GA and Meriwether County, GA. Scholarship is renewable for a maximum of 4 years.	Applicants must: * be a graduating high school senior attending a high school in Houston and Meriwether County in Georgia * demonstrate financial need * have demonstrated high moral and ethical character * have demonstrated academic achievement	Students attending high schools in Houston and Meriwether County in Georgia must contact their high school Guidance Counselor
FUSE Scholarship	To support students entering a 'graduation pathway' (known as a Fuse pathway) at the Florida state college level with intent to matriculate to the University of South Florida. Students must be accepted into the Fuse program and have financial need.	Applicants must: * be enrolled in the FUSE program at St. Petersburg College, Hillsborough Community College or University of South Florida * demonstrate financial need	Students are selected by college representatives
Gayanna Moss Bailey Scholarship Fund	To assist worthy college students for whom Wesley United Methodist is their church home and who are attending accredited educational institutions. Scholarship is renewable for a total of 4 years and may be used for tuition only.	Applicants must: * demonstrate financial need * attend Wesley United Methodist Church * be attending an accredited college or university full time (minimum of 12 credit hours)	Students may contact a Wesley United Methodist Church employee for more information.
George and Beatrice Berlin Nursing Scholarship Fund	Established by Don and Lois Walden in memory of her parents. For Plant City High School students who will be pursuing a nursing and RN degree.	Applicants must: * be a graduating high school senior attending Plant City High School * be pursuing a nursing and RN degree * have demonstrated academic achievement * demonstrate financial need	Plant City High School students must contact their high school Guidance Counselor
Great Bay Distributors Scholarship Fund	To provide scholarship support to graduating high school seniors who are children of Great Bay Distributors employees. Scholarship is renewable for a total of 4 years.	Applicants must: * be a dependent of an employee at Great Bay Distributors * be a graduating high school senior * be pursuing education from a technical school, college or university * enroll in a minimum of 12 credit hours per semester or enroll in a technical program * have a GPA of 2.5 or higher * have participated in community work, either through school, clubs, church or other organizations * have demonstrated leadership ability	Must be invited to apply by Great Bay Distributors
Janel Simpson Memorial Scholarship	Scholarship established to honor the memory of Janel Simpson to support students in their pursuit of higher education.	Applicants must: * be a graduating high school senior attending Uniondale High School * have particpated in band for a minimum of two years * be pursuing undergraduate college education at a 2 - 4 year college or university * have a GPA of 3.0 or higher * have completed 50 hours of community service over four years	Uniondale High School students must contact their high school Guidance Counselor
John J Todia, III Scholarship Fund	Scholarships for students who will attend a vocational school or pursue an undergarduate degree. Preference will be given to students intending to pursue a degree in the arts and/or music related fields.	Applicants must: * be pursuing vocational school or undergraduate college education * have demonstrated high moral and ethical character * have participated in community work, either through school, clubs, church or other organizations	Students may contact Rotary Club of Indian Rocks Beach: View Website
Lawrence Hundley Dimmitt IV Memorial Scholarship	To provide support to Dimmitt Chevrolet, Inc. employees and their immediate family members to advance their education. Students may reapply for subsequent years.	Applicants must: * be an employee or dependent of an employee at Dimmitt Chevrolet, Inc. * be a graduating high school senior or already enrolled in college or vocational school * have a GPA of 2.5 or higher * enroll in a minimum of 12 credit hours per semester or enroll in a technical program	Must be invited to apply by Dimmitt Chevrolet, Inc.
Lee Roy Selmon Scholarship	The Tampa Chamber of Commerce established this scholarship to honor one of Tampa’s pillars of strength. The student needs to have adequate academic qualifications, have demonstrated leadership ability and participated in community work.	Applicants must: * be a participating member at All Sports Community Service Foundation * be a graduating high school senior attending a public high school in Tampa * enroll at University of South Florida, University of Tampa, or Hillsborough Community College * have demonstrated academic achievement * have demonstrated leadership ability * have participated in community work, either through school, clubs, church or other organizations	Students must contact All Sports Community Service Foundation for more information
Live for 24 Scholarship	Scholarship established to honor the memory of Melissa Vanderhall to support students in their pursuit of higher education.	Applicants must: * be a participating member at Big Brothers Big Sisters of Tampa Bay, Inc.	Students must contact Big Brothers Big Sisters of Tampa Bay, Inc. for more information
Marvin Hamlisch Scholarship Fund	Scholarships for pianists pursuing a music degree who have financial need.	Applicants must: * demonstrate financial need * have demonstrated high moral and ethical character * have participated in community work, either through school, clubs, church or other organizations * be a pianist pursuing a music degree	Students must contact the University of Tampa at: (813) 253-3333
Mary O'Donnell Memorial Fund	Scholarships for deserving upper level undergraduate or Master's degree student interns in the School of Aging Studies at the University at Buffalo.	Applicants must: * demonstrate financial need * be pursuing an upper level undergraduate or Master's degree at University at Buffalo * be an intern in the School of Aging Studies at the University at Buffalo * have demonstrated high moral and ethical character * have a GPA of 3.0 or higher	Students are selected by college representatives
Mayor Dick Greco Scholarship	Scholarships for graduating high school seniors residing in the City of Tampa that demonstrate financial need.	Applicants must: * be a graduating high school senior residing in the city of Tampa * attend a vocational school, college, or university in Hillsborough County * demonstrate financial need * have participated in community work, either through school, clubs, church or other organizations * have demonstrated leadership ability * provide a letter of recommendation from a guidance counselor or other community organization	Students can apply on the Hillsborough Education Foundation website: View Website
Melissa Vanderhall Memorial Scholarship	Scholarship established to honor the memory of Melissa Vanderhall to support students in their pursuit of higher education.	Applicants must: * be a graduating high school senior attending Uniondale High School * have particpated in athletics for a minimum of two years * be pursuing undergraduate college education at a 2 - 4 year college or university * have a GPA of 3.0 or higher * have completed 50 hours of community service over four years	Uniondale High School students must contact their high school Guidance Counselor
Myrtle Phillips Baker Memorial Scholarship Fund	To provide scholarships for students with a demonstrated financial need graduating from a high school in Hillsborough County.	Applicants must: * be a graduating high school senior attending a high school in Hillsborough County * demonstrate financial need * be pursuing an R.N. degree or enroll in a nursing program at the baccalaureate level * attend a Florida College or University * have demonstrated high moral and ethical character * have participated in community work, either through school, clubs, church or other organizations	Students can apply on the Hillsborough Education Foundation website: View Website
Oldsmar and Upper Tampa Bay Scholarship Fund	Scholarships for students living in the Oldsmar and Upper Tampa Bay area who are pursuing vocational or undergraduate college education.	Applicants must: * demonstrate financial need * reside in the Oldsmar and Upper Tampa Bay area and be graduating from either private, church related, or public high schools * be pursuing vocational or undergraduate college education * have demonstrated high moral and ethical character * have participated in community work, either through school, clubs, church or other organizations	Students may visit the Upper Tampa Bay Chamber Education Foundation website: View Website
Oscar and Dorothy Ronken	For students with a demonstrated financial need graduating from a high school in Hillsborough County.	Applicants must: * demonstrate financial need * be a graduating high school senior attending a high school in Hillsborough County * be pursuing vocational or undergraduate college education * have demonstrated high moral and ethical character * have participated in community work, either through school, clubs, church or other organizations	Students can apply on the Hillsborough Education Foundation website: View Website
Patty Neblett Hartsock Scholarship Award Fund	Established by Bart Hartsock in memory of his wife, Patty, to provide scholarships for female graduates of Plant High School. Scholarship is renewable for a total of 4 years.	Applicants must: * be a female graduating high school senior attending Plant High School * be pursuing undergraduate college education * have demonstrated high moral and ethical character * have participated in community work, either through school, clubs, church or other organizations	H.B. Plant High School students must contact their high school Guidance Counselor
Pelican Players Scholarship fund	Scholarships for seniors graduating from a Hillsborough County high school and majoring in the performing arts.	Applicants must: * be a graduating high school senior attending a high school in Hillsborough County * be pursuing a major in the area of performing arts * attend a school of higher education in the Tampa Bay area	Students can apply on the Hillsborough Education Foundation website: View Website
Phyllis Marshall Career Assistance Grants	The Athena Society annually awards career assistance grants to deserving Hillsborough County women who need support to reach their educational goals.	Applicants must: * be women residing in Hillsborough County * be pursuing post-secondary education (trade school, college, graduate and postgraduate education)	Students can visit the Athena Society website: View Website
R. F. Pittman Scholarship Fund	Established in memory of Tampa Tribune publisher R. F. “Red” Pittman. Recognizes the top three percent of the graduating class at each public and private Hillsborough County high school. These honorees are selected each year by their respective schools using the school’s own measures of academic standing.	Applicants must: * be a graduating high school senior attending a public or private high school in Hillsborough County * be in the top three percent of the graduating class at their high school	Students are selected each year by their respective schools using the school’s own measures of academic standing
Ray and Catherine Benecke Memorial Scholarship Fund	Scholarships for Titusville High School students who will major in education. Scholarship is renewable for a total of 4 years.	Applicants must: * be a graduating high school senior attending Titusville High School * be pursuing a major in Education * must have a 2.5 GPA or higher	Titusville High School students must contact their high school Guidance Counselor
Rozale Millinor Smith Scholarship Award Fund	Established in memory of Smith's mother, a long term English teacher at Plant City High. Scholarships are awarded to honor the most outstanding English student of the Plant City High School senior class.	Applicants must: * be a graduating high school senior attending Plant City High School * be the recognized as the most outstanding English student of the Plant City High School senior class * have demonstrated high moral and ethical character * Preference will be given to students participating in community activities	Plant City High School students must contact their high school Guidance Counselor
Ruth V. Loechler Scholarship Fund	To provide scholarships for students majoring in English or Humanities who are entering as first year students at Hillsborough Community College (HCC). Students may recieve the scholarship for a second year if recommended by HCC, and may receive the scholarship for an additional two years provided the student receives an AA degree from HCC. Students may receive the scholarship for a maximum of 4 years. Scholarship can be used for tuition, fees, and books.	Applicants must: * be entering as first year students at Hillsborough Community College (HCC) * be pursuing a major in English or Humanities	Students are selected by Hillsborough Community College representatives
Sam Astin Jr. Agricultural Scholarship	Scholarships for Plant City High School or Durant High School seniors who have been active in agricultural activities for more than one year, plan to study agriculture, or are from an agricultural family.	Applicants must: * be a graduating high school senior attending Plant City or Durant High School * have been active in agricultural activities for more than one year, plan to study agriculture, or are from an agricultural family. * have a 2.5 GPA or higher * attend a university, community college or technical school	Plant City High School and Durant High School students must contact their high school Guidance Counselor
Southern States and Fischer Family Scholarship	Scholarships to provide support for the children of employees of Southern States Toyota Lift and Southern States Enterprises. Students may reapply for subsequent years.	Applicants must: * be a dependent of an employee of Southern States Toyota Lift or Southern States Enterprises * be current graduating high school seniors or currently enrolled students at an approved educational institution * have a 2.5 GPA or higher * enroll in a minimum of 12 credit hours per semester or enroll in a technical program	Must be invited to apply by Southern States Toyota Lift and Southern States Enterprises
SouthShore UCC - Edwin J. Dietz Scholarship	To provide educational scholarships beyond secondary school for students living in Hillsborough County, and may be used for educational expenses at vocational schools, as well as degree granting institutions. Scholarship is renewable for a total of 4 years.	Applicants must: * be a graduating high school senior attending Earl J. Lennard High School * reside in Hillsborough County * Scholarship can be used for students pursuing post-secondary education (trade school, college, graduate and postgraduate education)	Earl J. Lennard High School students must contact their high school Guidance Counselor
Sun Towers Residents Good Samaritan Fund	To provide scholarships for employees of the Sun Towers Residents Association.	Applicants must: *be an employee of Sun Towers Residents Association	Must be invited to apply by Sun Tower Residents Association
Tampa Federation of Garden Club Circles, Inc. Scholarship	Scholarship fund for college senior or graduate students pursuing a major relating to the objectives of the Tampa federation such as ecology, horticulture, conservation, floriculture, or allied subjects. Students must be a U.S. citizen, a resident of Florida and attending a college in the Tampa Bay area.	Applicants must: * be a college senior or graduate student * be pursuing a major relating to the objectives of the Tampa federation such as ecology, horticulture, conservation, floriculture, or allied subjects * be a U.S. citizen and a resident of Florida * be attending a college or university in the Tampa Bay area	Contact The Tampa Garden Club: View Website
The Albert Gruenig Scholarship Fund	Scholarships for high school seniors graduating from Brookeville High School in Ohio to attend a vocational school, college or university. At least one of the scholarships each year will be based on financial need. A five-page essay about Brookville, Ohio or one of its founders is required. Scholarship is renewable for a total of 4 years.	Applicants must: * be a graduating high school senior attending Brookeville High School in Ohio * be pursuing vocational or undergraduate college education * have participated in community or church activities * have demonstrated high moral and ethical character * be in the top 25 percent of their class * At least one of the scholarship each year will be based on financial need	Brookeville High School students must contact their high school Guidance Counselor
The Clyde Theron and Martha Shirley Clark Christian Education	Scholarships to provide financial assistance for graduate seminary students who are either members, children of members, or stepchildren of members of First Baptist Church of Carrollwood and The Palma Ceia Presbyterian Church. Students may apply each year they plan to attend seminary.	Applicants must: * be a graduate seminary student * be either a member, child of a member, or stepchild of a member of First Baptist Church of Carrollwood or the The Palma Ceia Presbyterian Church	Contact First Baptist Church of Carrollwood: View Website or The Palma Ceia Presbyterian Church:View Website
The Henry A. Kaplan Scholarship	Scholarships for deserving students with a demonstarted financial need from Asbury Park High School in Asbury Park, New Jersey. Students must have demonstrated high moral and ethical character. Students must have participated in communitty work either through church, school, clubs, or other organizations and have a GPA of 3.0 or higher.	Applicants must: * be a graduating high school senior attending Asbury Park High School in Asbury Park, New Jersey * demonstrate financial need * have demonstrated high moral and ethical character * have participated in community work, either through school, clubs, church or other organizations * have a GPA of 3.0 or higher	Asbury Park High School students must contact their high school Guidance Counselor
The Hill Ward & Henderson Scholarship	For high school seniors graduating from Plant High School. Based on financial need, academic achievement, extracurricular activities, moral and ethical character, and demonstrated leadership abilities. Scholarship is renewable for a total of 4 years.	Applicants must: * be a graduating high school senior attending Plant High School * demonstrate financial need * have demonstrated academic achievement * have participated in extracurricular activities * have demonstrated high moral and ethical character * have demonstrated leadership ability	H.B. Plant High School students must contact their high school Guidance Counselor
The Jack Romano Scholarship	Established in Jack’s memory by a group of his close friends. Scholarships for deserving Plant High School students with a demonstrated financial need who have demonstrated high moral and ethical character, leadership qualities, and who have participated in community service work. Scholarship is renewable for a total of 4 years.	Applicants must: * be a graduating high school senior attending Plant High School * demonstrate financial need * have demonstrated high moral and ethical character * have demonstrated leadership ability * have participated in community service work	H.B. Plant High School students must contact their high school Guidance Counselor
Walter C. Japp Memorial Scholarship	This scholarship is created in memory of Walter Jaap to assist students interested in a career in a science and especially those with the goal of preserving coastal and oceanic habitats and organisms.	Applicants must: * be interested in a career in a science and especially those with the goal of preserving coastal and oceanic habitats and organisms * be attending an accredited college or university * be pursuing a major in Biology, Marine Biology, Ecology, Geology, Environmental Science, or Chemistry * have a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher * Preference shall be given to students who meet any of the following criteria, in descending order of importance: 1) practices the Episcopalian faith 2) is studying marine biology 3) is studying biology 4) is attending a college or university in the Tampa Bay area 5) previously received this scholarship and is re-applying	Students must be invited by their college or university to apply

Over $1.5 Million
in Support Annually

We awarded over $1.5 million in scholarships during the 2021-22 academic year. The awards, made possible by the charitable support and passion of our fundholders, came from 74 scholarship funds. More than 375 students benefitted. Scholarships offered through Community Foundation Tampa Bay may be need- or merit-based. Eligible students may attend universities, colleges or technical schools.

I worked four to five shifts a week in order to save as much as possible before starting the CRNA program here at USF. Words cannot express what an absolute blessing this scholarship is to me. Please know that in the future, I plan to donate to future students in need as you have so kindly done for me.

Savannah Tyson

Hazel and Hershel Cole Scholarship

Getting this scholarship has not only helped me financially but it has also encouraged me in more than one way. Knowing that someone believes in me enough to invest in my education has inspired me to keep moving towards completing my degree and to also maintain my GPA.

Ashley Falco

FUSE Scholarship Recipient

Being a first-generation student in my family to attend and graduate college has been challenging. The funding that I have received from this program will positively impact my dream of becoming a medical doctor, which has motivated me even more to achieve my goals.

Mariana Gomez

FUSE Scholarship Recipient

By awarding me this scholarship, you have truly lightened my financial burden which will allow me to focus on my studies. It is my hope that one day, as a therapist, I will be able to assist young people achieve their goals just as you have helped me.

Brianna Kendler

FUSE Scholarship Recipient

By granting me this opportunity, rather than cheering from the sidelines, my sponsors are in the front with me, preventing me from worrying about financial stability and thus keeping me focused on getting my degree. I am thankful for your gracious support because it has provided a solid path to my future.

Peturla Scarlett

FUSE Scholarship Recipient

Contact Us

For questions regarding scholarships, please email scholarships@cftampabay.org.

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