The Uncommon Friends Foundation is now accepting applications for its 2018 student scholarships, which will be awarded to deserving individuals (including veterans, single parents, and the disabled) who are pursuing degrees in education, law, technology, healthcare, and other studies. The deadline for nominations is April 1, 2018.

Nominees must reside in Lee, Charlotte, Collier, Glades, or Hendry Counties, need financial assistance, excel in school and/or their personal lives, and possess high quality character traits. Scholarships vary in application requirements and commitments, duration and financial amounts, educational programs, and institutions.

Visit https://uncommonfriends.org/scholarships/opportunities/ for scholarship application forms and specific requirements of each scholarship. Completed applications and/or any questions should be directed to scholarships@uncommonfriends.org. Winners will be announced by early summer and will be honored at the Uncommon Friends Foundation’s Uncommon Evening on Thursday, November 8.

Uncommon Friends Foundation board member Brenda Stewart will again chair the scholarship committee that includes volunteers and community service organizations. Over the past 22 years, the Foundation has awarded nearly 500 educational scholarships totaling hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Uncommon Friends Foundation 2018 Scholarship Award Categories

NEW! James F. Chelius, Jr. Scholarship for Disabled Students ($1,000) – For any age student with a disability such as dyslexia, hearing, sight, physical, epilepsy, and cerebral palsy who has ambition and positive character traits.

Hilliard Scholarships ($4,000) – Two, two-year scholarships for high school seniors residing in either Glades or Hendry Counties to attend FGCU.

Florida Prepaid College Foundation Scholarship – Covers two years of state college tuition and fees for a freshman or sophomore who meets specific conditions and stays free of drugs and crime.

Special Recognition Scholarship – Three scholarships for any age student to help defray cost of books or education for one semester.

Technical College Scholarship – For any age student to help defray tuition, books and supplies at a technical college.

Berne Davis Future Teacher Scholarship ($5,000) – For a student enrolled in a program leading to a degree in education.

Single Parent Scholarship ($1,000) – For a deserving single parent who has overcome difficult obstacles to further their education and gain skills to enter the workforce.

Lee County Bar Association Scholarship ($1,000) – For a student who is enrolled in, or intends to pursue, a program leading to a law degree to help defray tuition, books and supplies at a Florida college.

Veteran’s Scholarship ($1,000) – For a deserving veteran of any age to help defray the costs of books or education.

Health Sciences Scholarship ($1,000) – For any age student working toward a degree in a health field, (e.g., nursing, dental hygiene, technologist, or therapist) to help defray cost of books or education.

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. For more information, visit https://uncommonfriends.org/ or call Executive Director Jennifer Nelson at (239) 337-9503.

 

Photo of 2017 scholarship winners:

 

Front Row, L to R: Shelby Reed, Anna Bonilla, Jacqueline Rodriguez, Tequon Chatman, Martha Williams, and Stephanie Carnales Back Row, L to R: Sabah Yassin-Gomez, Judith Otero, Jessica Groll-Whipple, Giovanni Cruz, Brenda Stewart (Scholarship Chair), Sarah Tamplin, David Delices, Sarah Haggard, Chelsea Emmerich, and Amy Sukay Not in photo: Gerardo Alvarado, Joshua Ashby, Alexander Canto, Katiuska Carrillo, Yasmin Castelo, Savanna Galloway, and Fortashia Leonard