Opening Doors to College for Every Student
Since 2003, the New College Foundation has invested in the academic futures of thousands of students across Sarasota, Manatee, and Charlotte counties. Through merit and need-based scholarships, immersive research fellowships, and community college readiness initiatives, we ensure that financial circumstance never determines educational destiny.
$14.2M
Scholarships Awarded Since 2003
3,800+
Students Supported
91%
Degree Completion Rate
Scholarship Eligibility Estimator
Answer a few questions to see which New College Foundation scholarships you may qualify for and your estimated award range.
How the Foundation Strengthens Higher Education Access
Every initiative is guided by rigorous evidence, deep community partnerships, and an unwavering commitment to educational equity across the Gulf Coast.
Scholarship & Financial Aid
Our endowed scholarship portfolio encompasses over forty individually named funds, ranging from the flagship Foundation Merit Scholarship for academically distinguished students to the Gulf Coast Access Grant designed for families earning below the area median income. Each fund maintains clearly defined eligibility criteria, a transparent review process conducted by an independent Scholarship Review Committee, and multi-year renewable terms that support students from enrollment through graduation. During the 2025–2026 academic year, the Foundation distributed $1.87 million across 412 individual awards.
Explore All Scholarship Funds →Academic Enrichment Programs
From the College Bridge Intensive summer residential experience to the Coastal Science Research Fellowship and the Data Science Computing Bootcamp, our academic programs prepare students with the skills, confidence, and credentials they need to thrive in rigorous collegiate environments. Every program is free of charge, professionally staffed, and aligned with nationally recognized learning outcome frameworks. Program alumni report 23% higher four-year graduation rates than regional averages.
Browse Programs →Community College Readiness
The Foundation partners with fifteen regional high schools, four community colleges, and a network of faith-based and civic organizations to deliver college readiness workshops, SAT/ACT diagnostic clinics, FAFSA completion assistance, and campus visit coordination. Our dedicated College Access Counselors work directly with families navigating the admissions process for the first time, ensuring that first-generation students receive the same caliber of guidance as their more resourced peers.
Our Community Model →Find Your Program
Browse our academic enrichment and college readiness programs by category. Each program is designed around evidence-based pedagogical methods and is fully funded through the Foundation.
College Bridge Intensive
A six-week summer residential program for rising high school seniors. Participants complete college-level coursework in expository writing, quantitative reasoning, and laboratory science. The program includes campus living experience, financial literacy workshops, and one-on-one admissions counseling. Students earn three transferable credits upon successful completion of the capstone research project.
College ReadinessCoastal Science Research Fellowship
A year-long mentored research experience pairing undergraduate scholars with faculty investigators studying marine ecology, environmental chemistry, and coastal resilience. Fellows receive a $3,200 annual stipend, present at the Gulf Coast Undergraduate Research Symposium, and co-author findings in the Foundation Research Quarterly. Laboratory equipment and field station access are provided at no cost.
STEM & ResearchCivic Engagement Leadership Academy
A semester-long immersive cohort for students interested in public policy, community organizing, and non-profit management. The academy includes structured mentorship with local elected officials and civic leaders, a service-learning practicum with a Sarasota-area non-profit partner, and weekly seminars on ethical governance, public budgeting, and deliberative democracy.
LeadershipCreative Expression Workshop Series
Open-enrollment studio workshops in creative writing, documentary filmmaking, ceramics, and digital illustration. Led by visiting artists and faculty, the series culminates in a juried public exhibition and literary reading at the Foundation Gallery. Participants develop professional portfolios suitable for graduate school applications or career entry. All materials and studio time are covered by a generous endowment.
Arts & HumanitiesAcademic Success Center
Free drop-in tutoring, structured study groups, and academic coaching sessions available year-round. Our trained peer mentors and professional staff specialize in gateway courses including introductory calculus, general chemistry, composition, and statistics. Students who participate in three or more sessions per semester show an average 0.4 GPA increase. Evening and weekend hours accommodate working students.
Academic SupportSAT/ACT Preparation Clinic
An eight-week diagnostic-driven test preparation program covering reading comprehension, evidence-based writing, algebra, and advanced mathematics. Each student receives a personalized study plan based on an initial diagnostic assessment, access to a proprietary question bank with over 2,400 practice items, and two full-length proctored simulations. Average score improvements exceed 140 points on the SAT combined scale.
College ReadinessData Science & Computing Bootcamp
An intensive twelve-week program introducing students to Python programming, statistical analysis, machine learning fundamentals, and data visualization. Students build portfolio projects using real-world datasets from public health, environmental monitoring, and economic research. Industry mentors from regional technology firms provide career guidance and internship placement assistance. No prior coding experience is required.
STEM & ResearchGlobal Perspectives Exchange
A short-term study abroad opportunity providing students with cross-cultural immersion in partner institutions across Costa Rica, Germany, and South Korea. The program covers airfare, housing, and tuition. Participants engage in comparative education seminars, community development projects, and language learning. Exchange scholars present their findings at the annual Foundation International Symposium upon return.
LeadershipStories from Our Scholars and Partners
Hear from scholarship recipients, faculty mentors, and community partners about the Foundation's impact on their academic journeys.
"Without the Pathfinder Award, I would not have been able to attend a four-year university. My parents immigrated from Honduras and did not attend college themselves. The Foundation gave me not just financial support but a community of mentors who understood my journey and believed in my potential before I believed in it myself."
Class of 2024, First-Generation Scholar, Biology Major
"The Coastal Science Fellowship transformed my understanding of what research could be. I spent an entire summer collecting water quality samples in Sarasota Bay and analyzing nutrient loading data alongside Dr. Patel. That experience led directly to my acceptance into a marine science doctoral program at the University of South Florida."
2023 Research Fellow, Environmental Chemistry
"As a high school guidance counselor, I have seen the Foundation's College Access workshops change the trajectory of dozens of students each year. Their FAFSA completion sessions alone have unlocked millions in federal aid that families did not realize they were eligible for. This is how you close the equity gap in real terms."
Director of Guidance, Riverview High School
Trusted by Educators, Families, and Donors Since 2003
The New College Foundation maintains the highest standards of fiscal transparency and nonprofit governance. Our financials are independently audited each year by Carr, Riggs & Ingram, LLC. We are registered with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services under charitable solicitation registration number CH-48201.