The Community Foundation of Sarasota County has opened its Traditional Scholarship Application for students planning for the 2024-2025 school year. With a single application, a student may be considered for up to 79 different scholarships available to students residing in Sarasota, Manatee, Charlotte and DeSoto counties. This year’s application cycle at the Community Foundation is extended due to changes in the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) that are expected to prolong the FAFSA experience for many students. As a part of its mission to provide access to post-secondary pathways, the Community Foundation prioritizes students who demonstrate financial need. Another key component of the Community Foundation’s scholarship strategy is assistance for non-traditional post-secondary education, such as community college or technical college. President and CEO Roxie Jerde said that investing in postsecondary education offers community-wide benefits. “While scholarships go to individual students to pursue individual goals, when they accomplish their dream of mastering skills and subjects, we all win,” Jerde said. “Not just for now, but for generations to come—the greatest predictors of a child’s success in life are their parents’ educational level and income. What we do now has major positive ripple effects down the line.” Applications are reviewed by nearly 90 local community volunteers in the spring months and scholarships winners will be notified via email by May 21, 2024. Last year, the Community Foundation awarded roughly $1 million in Traditional scholarships to applicants under the age of 24, including those enrolling for the first time in postsecondary programs as well as those who sought scholarship renewals to help them make it to the finish line. Overall, the Community Foundation awards more than $2 million annually to more than 700 recipients. More can be learned about the robust and varied scholarship opportunities available for adult learners, parents seeking higher education, and people aspiring to nursing programs by visiting the Community Foundation website.  The Adult Scholarship Application, for people 24 and older, runs Feb. 15 through April 15, 2024.  The Community Foundation is also seeking volunteers to serve on a scholarship review committee. This rewarding undertaking connects adults in the community with those up-and-coming leaders, allowing a glimpse into the lives and aspirations of college-bound students. Volunteer scholarship committee members fulfill a vital part of the Community Foundation’s mission of supporting the next generation of leaders, innovators, creators, and community caretakers.