The Uncommon Friends Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit committed to building character education and integrity in tomorrow’s leaders, is now accepting application for its 2016 scholarships. Scholarships will be awarded to deserving students, veterans, struggling adults, and single parents who are pursuing degrees in education, law, technology, and other studies. Nominees will be from Lee, Charlotte, Collier, Glades, or Hendry Counties and need financial assistance, excel in school and or in their personal life, and possess high quality character traits. Scholarships vary in application requirements, duration and financial amounts, while some are for specific schools such as Florida Gulf Coast University, High Tech Center, and PACE Center for Girls of Lee County.
Scholarship application forms and requirements can be found at https://uncommonfriends.org/scholarships/applications-nominations/. Application packets require an application form, as well as an essay from the applicant to show how they emulate the character traits of the Uncommon Friends Foundation. Applicants must also supply a digital color photograph and include one or more letters from a personal sponsor, such as a service agency, school counselor, teacher, or principal. Applicants must submit complete application packets by April 1, 2016 via email to scholarships@uncommonfriends.org. Winners will be announced in May. All winners will be honored at the Uncommon Friends Foundation Uncommon Evening annual event to be held Thursday, November 3, from 6 – 9 pm at the Burroughs Home and Gardens Riverfront Pavilion. Tickets and sponsorships to the event can be purchased by emailing angela@uncommonfriends.org.
The annual scholarship committee has been chaired for the last 13 years by Uncommon Friends Foundation Board Member Brenda Stewart and several other volunteers. Working together with many community service organizations serving special and underserved populations, the committee identifies deserving individuals who will benefit through its needs and character based scholarships. Over the past 21 years, the foundation has awarded nearly 470 educational scholarships totaling hundreds of thousands of dollars.
The Uncommon Friends Foundation is a nonprofit organization established in 1993 and dedicated to lifelong character building among today’s youth and business leaders. It promotes character education in schools, ethics in the workplace, and preservation of the historic Burroughs Home & Gardens and James Newton Archives. The Uncommon Friends Foundation is located at the Burroughs Home & Gardens on the riverfront in downtown Fort Myers at 2505 First Street. Public tours are available by reservation. For more information, visit https://uncommonfriends.org/ or call Executive Director Angela Melvin at (239) 337-9503.
Uncommon Friends Foundation
2016 Scholarship Award Categories
Three Hilliard Scholarships for $2,000 each for high school seniors in Glades and Hendry Counties to attend FGCU – For high school seniors residing in either Glades or Hendry Counties who will be attending Florida Gulf Coast University. Nominees should need financial assistance, have the potential to succeed in school, and possesses positive character traits.
Florida Prepaid College Foundation for freshmen and sophomore high school students for two years at a state college – Uncommon Friends Foundation and Florida Prepaid College Foundation cooperate to provide two-year scholarships for state college tuition and fees to select freshmen and sophomore high school students who contract to succeed in high school, stay free of drugs and crime, and fulfill other scholarship conditions.
Special Recognition Scholarship for one semester – For applicant who needs financial assistance, has the desire and potential to succeed in school, and possesses positive character traits. It is to help defray costs of books or education.
High Tech Center Scholarship for one term – To assist a student of any age with tuition, books and supplies for one future term at High Tech Center to defray costs not covered by other scholarships or grants.
Future Teacher Scholarship for $1,000 – For students enrolled in a program leading to a college degree in education.
Single Parent Scholarship for $1,000 – To help a single parent further his or her education to gain skills needed to enter the workforce. This scholarship is focused on single parents who have overcome extraordinary obstacles and demonstrate high character and integrity.
Lee County Bar Association Scholarship for $2,000 – For students enrolled in a program leading to a degree in law to assist with tuition, books and supplies at any Florida college or university. It recognizes a student’s exemplary achievements in high school and performance in the Lee County Bar Association’s Mock Trial competition.
Veteran’s Scholarship for $1,000 – For a deserving veteran of any age who has a financial need, the desire and potential to succeed in school, and possesses positive character traits to help defray the costs of books or education.
PACE Center for Girls of Lee County Scholarship for $1,000 – PACE will nominate a current student who has completed the Uncommon Friends Character Education curriculum and demonstrates the high character traits of the Uncommon Friends Foundation, including loyalty, friendship, honesty, and integrity.