NFC Foundation awarded $100,000 from the Community Foundation of Sarasota County to benefit student scholarships
MADISON, FL (October 27, 2022) – The North Florida College Foundation has been awarded $100,000 from the Edward K. Roberts Community College Fund of the Community Foundation of Sarasota County. The Community Foundation generously increased this year’s award by $40,000. These additional scholarship funds that assist with tuition and living expenses have significantly impacted many NFC students.
The Community Foundation’s 2022-2023 funding has helped 57 NFC students in the summer and fall terms with tuition, books, and supplies, in addition to essential living expenses like housing, childcare, and transportation needs. The remaining scholarship dollars will be awarded in the spring term.
Edward K. Roberts Scholarships have traditionally been awarded with preference given to part-time NFC students who may not qualify for other financial aid. Two years ago, the scholarship’s criteria grew to include a preference to student parents, single or married, who are working to better themselves and their families through education.
“Studies show that supporting both parents and children in a two-generation (2Gen) approach empowers families and creates a legacy of economic, psychological and social success that is passed on to the next generation,” said NFC Director of Resource Development Traci McClung. “The Community Foundation has brought our attention to this exceptional group of students and allows us the flexibility to provide for the individual needs of our local students. We are proud to be partners with the Community Foundation for such meaningful outreach.”
The scholarship impacts recipients in many ways. “Being a single mother of five, who has been detrimentally affected by the pandemic and the ensuing aftermath, this scholarship has given me the financial help to continue with my dream of obtaining a college degree,” said Madison County resident Angelina Curtis. “I am very excited to have my children witness my walk across the stage and see me complete this dream.”
“Since being named as one of the recipients of the Edward K. Roberts Scholarship, my dream of becoming a teacher has been made possible. I am a mother of four special needs children who I have adopted through the foster care system. I hope to be able to work with children of different ages, not only in regular classrooms, but also Exceptional Student Education (ESE) classrooms, providing support for all children,” said Suwannee County resident Ashley Sharpless. “Your scholarship will help me earn my AA degree and be able to make my dream a reality. I truly thank you for the blessing of this scholarship and will work very hard in my studies.”
Recipients like Leon County resident Michael Norwood recognize the difference that this scholarship award can make during their education, “I would like to give thanks on behalf of myself and other recipients of the Edward K. Roberts Scholarship fund for all of your benevolence. We don’t take it lightly.”
For 40 years, the Community Foundation of Sarasota County has matched donors with causes, creating lasting impact across generations. This is the 12th consecutive year that NFC has been awarded funding from the Community Foundation to assist North Florida students. Since 2011, NFC’s Edward K. Roberts Scholarship has helped a total of 552 NFC students.
The NFC Foundation is grateful to the Community Foundation of Sarasota County and recognizes Mr. Edward K. Roberts for the role each has played in the lives of so many NFC students.
Edward K. Roberts Scholarships are still available for the spring term through the NFC Foundation! If you are a part-time student or a student-parent who needs assistance paying for tuition, books, supplies, or essential living expenses such as housing, childcare, or transportation, click on or type in the following link to apply for an Edward K. Roberts Scholarship by November 11: www.nfc.edu/foundation-giving/scholarships. For more information, contact the NFC Foundation office at 850-973-9414 or [email protected].
About the Community Foundation of Sarasota County: The Community Foundation of Sarasota County is a public charity founded in 1979 by the Southwest Florida Estate Planning Council as a resource for caring individuals and the causes they support, enabling them to make a charitable impact on the community. With assets of $520 million in more than 1,570 charitable funds, the Community Foundation awarded grants and scholarships totaling $27.5 million dollars last year in the areas of education, the arts, health and human services, civic engagement, animal welfare and the environment. Since its founding, the Community Foundation has been able to grant more than $350 million to area nonprofit organizations in our community thanks to the generosity of charitable individuals, families, and businesses. For more information, visit www.CFSarasota.org or call (941) 955-3000.
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Michael Norwood