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Manatee Community Foundation Degree-Seeking Scholarship Program


Name: Manatee Community Foundation (MCF) Degree-Seeking Scholarship Program

Award Amount: Varies by scholarship fund

Information And Eligibility:
The Manatee Community Foundation (MCF) Degree-Seeking Scholarship Program provides financial assistance to students pursuing postsecondary education through a wide range of donor-established scholarship funds. These scholarships are designed to support students who demonstrate academic promise, financial need, community involvement, or alignment with specific donor intentions such as field of study, geographic ties, or personal background.

MCF administers a centralized scholarship application that allows students to be considered for multiple scholarship opportunities through a single submission. This streamlined approach helps reduce application fatigue while expanding access to a broad network of locally funded scholarships. Each scholarship fund has its own criteria, but all are unified by a shared mission to support educational advancement and workforce development.

The program is open to degree-seeking students pursuing associate, bachelor’s, or graduate-level education, depending on the specific scholarship fund. Applicants must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and submit the resulting Student Aid Report as part of the application process. In addition, students are required to provide a personal statement and two references to help scholarship committees better understand their goals, achievements, and financial circumstances.

  • Supports students pursuing postsecondary degrees
  • Centralized application for multiple scholarship funds
  • Scholarships funded by local donors and organizations
  • Criteria varies by individual scholarship fund

MCF scholarships are particularly focused on supporting students connected to Manatee County and surrounding communities. Many funds prioritize local residency, attendance at specific schools, enrollment in high-need fields such as healthcare or education, or demonstrated commitment to community service. Because donor intent varies, students are encouraged to apply even if they are unsure which specific scholarships they may qualify for.

Applicants who previously received a renewable MCF scholarship are still required to complete the full application each cycle to be considered for continued funding. All applications are reviewed through MCF’s scholarship system, and eligible students are matched to scholarship funds that best align with their qualifications.

  • FAFSA Student Aid Report required
  • Personal statement essay required
  • Two references required
  • New account creation required for all applicants

Award amounts vary widely depending on the scholarship fund and available resources. Funds may be applied toward tuition, fees, books, or other education-related expenses, as determined by each scholarship’s guidelines. Because these scholarships are donor-funded, availability and award sizes may change from year to year.

Eligibility Requirements:

  • Must be a degree-seeking student
  • Must complete the FAFSA and provide the Student Aid Report
  • Must submit a personal statement and two references
  • Must meet individual scholarship fund criteria

Deadline: March

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Request to Update or Remove This Scholarship. The CollegeWhale ID number for this Scholarship is #17920. This Scholarship was added in January 2026 and last reviewed by a member of our staff on January, 2026.

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This Scholarship is tagged with the following criteria: Florida / March

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