Palm Beach and Martin Counties Scholarships
Scholarship Sponsored by Community Foundation for Palm Beach and Martin Counties
About the Scholarship Program
Since 1985, the Community Foundation has awarded both need- and merit-based scholarships to expand college access and help local students reduce educational debt. Thanks to the generosity of our donors, we administer more than 120 distinct scholarship funds. Completing the Foundation’s general scholarship application places applicants under consideration for all eligible awards.
How the application is handled
- The scholarship cycle opens December 2025 for students planning to begin college in summer/fall 2026.
- The Community Foundation evaluates submitted applications and aligns candidates with scholarships that fit the donors’ criteria.
- A Scholarship Committee reviews finalists and conducts interviews with prospective recipients.
- The Committee forwards recommended awardees to the Board of Directors.
- The Board of Directors conducts a vote to approve final scholarship recipients.
- Scholarship payments are issued directly to the recipient’s college, university, or vocational/trade school.
Key dates (Timeline)
- February 2, 2026 - Scholarship Applications Open
- March 4, 2026 - Scholarship Applications Close at 5 p.m. ET
- March 6, 2026 - Letters of Recommendation Due by 5 p.m. ET
- April 2026 - Scholarship Interviews
- Mid-May 2026 - Scholarship Awards Announced
- June 19, 2026 - Scholar Celebration
- July 2026 - Scholarship Payments Released
Eligibility (baseline)
(Some scholarships include extra or different criteria.)
- Minimum cumulative GPA: 2.0 or higher
- Graduating high school seniors from Palm Beach County or Martin County, and/or students entering a college, university, or vocational/trade program
- Demonstrated financial need and/or academic accomplishment
- Required application materials: unofficial academic transcript, completed essay responses, and letter(s) of recommendation
If you have questions about specific scholarship requirements or need help with the application, please contact the Community Foundation for guidance.