Sarasota Foundation Gives Scholarships To Florida Community College Students

Seven community colleges were recently awarded $50,000 each as a gift from the Edward K Roberts Fund of the Community Foundation of Sarasota County. The community colleges that were selected are to use the award money for grants given to part-time students who may not qualify for other financial aid. The award money can be used for tuition, board, books, childcare, whichever will help keep the student in school.
 

“Edward K Roberts established a trust designed to distribute funds to underfunded community colleges in Florida, to the needs of single mothers, and to new and emerging charitable needs,” says Robin Lankton, director of marketing and communications for the Community Foundation of Sarasota County. “Ed believed that his resources should be shared with others, particularly those motivated to move themselves forward to make their own way in the world.”
 

According to Lankton, 456 students received scholarships last year at seven colleges as a result of the fund. This year the following Florida community colleges received $50,000 each: Chipola College, Marianna; Florida Gateway College, Lake City; Gulf Coast Community College, Panama City; North Florida Community College, Madison; Pasco-Hernando Community College, New Port Richey; Sante Fe College, Gainesville; and South Florida Community College, Avon Park.
 

“These were all colleges Mr. Roberts supported in the past with Sante Fe and Gulf Coast added,” Lankton says. “Scholarships will be awarded based on individual student needs and student information will be provided to the Community Foundation of Sarasota County for documentation.”
 

Writer: Kimberly Patterson

Source: Robin Lankton, Community Foundation of Sarasota County