Scholarship Programs

This two-year scholarship is given to graduating seniors from Coral Gables High School who have shown an interest in the culinary arts during his/her high school years and plan to enroll in a culinary arts and/or a hospitality program in college. Overall academic success, a love for the culinary arts/hospitality fields and an intention to study culinary arts/hospitality in college are factors in the evaluation process. Financial need may be an additional factor in the evaluation process.

In order to maintain the scholarship for two years, the recipient must maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA throughout his/her college studies and send transcripts to the Foundation upon the completion of each academic year.

Scholarship Requirements:

• Exemplary dedication to the Culinary Arts program in high school and service to his/her school and community
• Has attended Coral Gables Senior High School for at least two years, including the Senior Year
• Enroll as a full-time undergraduate student in post secondary community college, vocational technical school or state or private two or four year college or university to pursue a course of study related to the culinary arts and/or hospitality.
• Personal Statement of Financial Need

The value of the two-year Scholarship is $1,000-2,000 each year. Checks are sent directly from the Coral Gables Community Foundation to the bursar’s office of the recipient’s college or university.

Scholarship Deadline: Friday, March 5, 2021

The Dave Ragan Jr. Memorial Scholarship provides college tuition assistance to a graduating senior who has shown in interest in golf during his/her high school years. Overall academic success, a love for golf and an intention to play golf at the collegiate level are factors in the selection process.
The Dave Ragan Jr. Memorial Scholarship Fund was established by Dave Ragan III, Head Golf Professional at Deering Bay Yacht & Country Club in his father’s memory to support youth development and educational opportunities through golf.

About Dave Ragan Jr.: Dave Ragan was an accomplished American professional golfer, playing on the PGA Tour and the Senior PGA Tour. Born in Daytona Beach, Florida, Dave attended the University of Florida and played on the men’s golf team. He won two Southeastern Conference championships and the SEC individual championship as a senior, and was recognized as an All-American. He was later inducted into the UF Athletic Hall of Fame as a Gator Great. Dave turned professional in 1956 and won three PGA Tour events. He finished second to Jack Nicklaus in the 1963 PGA Championship. He was a member of the 1963 PGA Ryder Cup Team.

The value of the Scholarship is a minimum of $500, but the amount varies from year-to-year. Scholarship checks are sent directly from the Coral Gables Community Foundation to the bursar’s office of the recipient’s college or university.

Scholarship Requirements:

• Applicant must intend to play golf in college.
• Overall GPA of 3.0 or higher
• Attends public or private high school in Miami-Dade County, Florida or Jefferson County, Alabama
• Recipients must possess a financial need

Scholarship Deadline: Friday, March 5, 2021

Named after the late Ralph V. Moore upon his retirement as Principal of Coral Gables Senior High School, this scholarship was established in his name at the Coral Gables Community Foundation for his years of service to the school and his community.

This scholarship is given annually to a graduating senior who has shown the most dedication to Coral Gables Senior High during their years of attendance. Academic achievement and financial need may be additional factors in the evaluation process.

Scholarship Requirements:

• Exemplary service to school and community
• Demonstrate all around excellence in academics, athletics and/or extra-curricular activities with a minimum weighted GPA of 3.0 or higher
• Attended Coral Gables Senior High at least two years, including the senior year
• Enroll as a full time undergraduate student in a post secondary community college, vocational technical school or state or private four year college or university and pursue any recognized course of study
• Personal Statement of Financial Need

The value of the scholarship is $500-$1,000 for one year. Checks are sent directly from the Coral Gables Community Foundation to the bursar’s office of the recipient’s college or university.

Scholarship Deadline: Friday, March 5, 2021

The fund was created by Lady Tweed before her passing in 1994. It reflected her love for children and her desire to help deserving students continue their education. Lady Tweed desired to have a scholarship program benefiting students’ commitment to education, volunteerism and leadership.

Scholarship Requirements:

• Demonstrate all around excellence in academics, volunteerism, athletics and/or extra-curricular activities with a minimum weighted GPA of 3.0 or higher
• Attended Coral Gables Senior High at least two years, including the senior year
• Enroll as a full time undergraduate student in a post secondary community college, vocational technical school or state or private four year college or university
• Pursue any recognized course of study
• Personal Statement of Financial Need

The value of the scholarship is $500-$1,000 for one year. Checks are sent directly from the Coral Gables Community Foundation to the bursar’s office of the recipient’s college or university.

Scholarship Deadline: Friday, March 5, 2021

Established by the Coral Gables Community Foundation’s Board of Directors in 2015, this 4-year scholarship is given annually to 4 students who have demonstrated overall academic achievement and dedication to service within the school and in his/her community. The Foundation also considers applicants’ financial need and personal experiences.

In order to maintain the scholarship each year, the recipient must maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA throughout his/her college studies and send transcripts to the Foundation upon the completion of each academic year.

Scholarship Requirements:

• Overall minimum GPA of 3.0
• Attends Coral Gables Senior High School and has for at least two years
• Plans to enroll as a full-time undergraduate student in post secondary community college, vocational, technical school or state or private four-year college or university
• Personal Statement of Financial Need
• Essay: Have there been obstacles you have overcome or events you have experienced that have helped define who you are or what you want, which you would like the Scholarship Committee to be aware of when reviewing your application? (700 word maximum)

The value of the 4-year Scholarship is $10,000 over the course of 4 years. The scholarship is distributed in $2,500 installments per year for 4 years. Checks are sent directly from the Coral Gables Community Foundation to the bursar’s office of the recipient’s college or university.

Scholarship Deadline: Friday, March 5, 2021

This four-year scholarship is given annually to a student(s) who has overcome a hardship or series of difficulties in their life and has had to persevere in order to attend an institution of higher learning. The Scholarship was established in 2015 by the late Carlos F. Garcia and Debbie Garcia La Rocca. Recognizing the importance of higher education, the Garcia family established the Garcia Perseverance Scholarship Fund to help our community’s best and brightest achieve their dreams of higher education.

The Garcia Perseverance Scholarship is designed as a supplemental scholarship that will help recipients attending state schools in Florida fill unmet financial needs.

The value of the 4-year Scholarship is $4,000 over the course of 4 years. The scholarship is distributed in $1,000 installments per year for 4 years.  Scholarship checks are sent directly from the Coral Gables Community Foundation to the bursar’s office of the recipient’s college or university.

Scholarship Requirements:

• Intend to study full time at a state school in Florida
• Have an overall GPA of 3.0 or higher
• Attend a public or private high school in Miami-Dade County
• Experienced and overcome a hardship in his/her life

Scholarship Deadline: Friday, March 5, 2021

The James Captain Memorial Scholarship provides summer camp tuition scholarships to in-need children from Coral Gables and Coconut Grove. Founded by Coral Gables resident Tim Anagnost in loving memory of his brother and role model, James Captain, this scholarship fund was established at the Coral Gables Community Foundation in 2018. Applicants should be honored for consideration of this award. Mr. Anagnost feels that all children can benefit from a camp experience, especially those who may otherwise be unable to attend due to financial constraints or family situations.

About James Captain: James Captain was born in Brooklyn, New York in 1934. His family moved to South Florida when he was a child. Growing up, James always acted as a positive role model for his younger brother Tim. James graduated from Miami Senior High School and attended the University of Miami, where he received a degree in Speech Correction. He went on to receive a master’s degree in Communication Disorders and Audiology from St. Thomas University. James was a speech therapist in the Miami-Dade County Public Schools system for over three decades. Having worked with children all of his adult life, Mr. Captain was a very special man who always demonstrated kindness and compassion to the children he helped. James loved sports and helping disadvantaged children in his community. This Memorial Scholarship celebrates his legacy and those who receive it should strive to emulate his traits of kindness and compassion.

Scholarship Requirements:

• The scholarship is only to be used toward summer camp tuition assistance
• Recipients must be residents of Coral Gables or Coconut Grove
• Recipients must possess a financial need
• The scholarship may be awarded annually to up to two (2) children to attend summer camp.
• Scholarship committee will not consider siblings and kindly requests one application per household
• Summer camp must be one of the approved summer camps on application list

The value of the scholarship varies from $1,000 to $3,000 based on the cost of selected camp. Checks are sent directly from the Coral Gables Community Foundation to the recipient’s camp of choice.

Scholarship Deadline: May 1, 2021

Created by Fred and Elaine Swanson in the name of their children, this scholarship is awarded annually to a Coral Gables Senior High graduating senior who will be studying Nursing in college.

Scholarship Requirements:

• Minimum 3.0 GPA
• Coral Gables Senior High graduating senior
• Must major in Nursing
• Personal Statement of Financial Need

The value of the scholarship is $1,000 for one year. Checks are sent directly from the Coral Gables Community Foundation to the bursar’s office of the recipient’s college or university.

Scholarship Deadline: Friday, March 5, 2021

Named after long serving Commissioner William H. Kerdyk, Sr. and continued by his family, this scholarship fund was established at the Coral Gables Community Foundation and applicants should be honored for consideration of this award. Bill Kerdyk, Sr. had a love of music he shared with his own children and established this scholarship fund to help students who also have a love of music.

This scholarship is given annually to a graduating senior who has shown an interest in music during his/her high school years. Overall academic success, a love for music and an intention to study music are factors in the evaluation process.

Scholarship Requirements:

• An applicant’s desire to study music in college and/or pursue a career in music will be weighed heavily
• Overall GPA of 3.0 or higher
• Applicants who are Coral Gables residents or attend high school in Coral Gables will be weighed heavily

The value of the scholarship is $1,000-$2,000 for one year. Checks are sent directly from the Coral Gables Community Foundation to the bursar’s office of the recipient’s college or university.

Scholarship Deadline: Friday, March 5, 2021

The Mitchell Zuñiga scholarship provides college assistance to a graduating high school senior who played football for Coral Gables Senior High School.

About Mitchell Zuñiga. Mitchell was born in in Red Bank, New Jersey, and raised in Miami. Football was his great passion in his high school years at Coral Gables Senior High School. He played football on the offensive line for 4 years. Helping and caring for others was his nature. His friends would say he was gifted in making everyone who came across feel special and how he taught others how to love life. He volunteered at Habitat for Humanity for several years.  Mitchell attended Santa Fe College in Gainesville where he graduated with an Associate’s Degree. He then transferred to University of Central Florida and graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Hospitality Management.

Mitchell’s Foundation, founded by his mother, Martha C. Méndez Mishael, is intended to keep his memory alive by providing students the opportunity to excel in education while participating in football.

Scholarship Requirements:

• Applicant must be a football player
• Overall GPA of 2.8 or higher
• Graduating from Coral Gables Senior High School

The value of the scholarship will vary from year to year. Checks are sent directly from the Coral Gables Community Foundation to the bursar’s office of the recipient’s college or university.

Scholarship Deadline: Friday, March 5, 2021

The Ervin A. Gonzalez Scholarship Fund was established by the Coral Gables Bar Association in 2017 in Ervin’s memory. The Ervin A. Gonzalez Scholarship provides college tuition assistance to a graduating high school senior who has shown an interest in pursuing a career in law, political science, public policy or related fields. Overall academic success, an interest in civics and the law and an intention to become a lawyer are factors in the selection process.

About Ervin A. Gonzalez: A Coral Gables resident, Ervin Gonzalez was a premier civil trial attorney who led some of the most significant personal-injury and class-action cases in Florida and nationally. He was a partner with the prominent Coral Gables law firm Colson Hicks Eidson and gave back to his community. Ervin served as governor of The Florida Bar, president of the Dade County Bar Association, president of the Dade County Trial Lawyers Association, a member of the National Board of Trustees of The National Institute of Trial Advocacy, and the American Board of Trial Advocates. He also served as an adjunct professor at the University of Miami School of Law where he enjoyed mentoring young law students.

Scholarship Requirements:

• Applicant must anticipate attending law school after college
• Overall GPA of 3.0 or higher
• Attend public or private high school in Coral Gables or attends Immaculata-La Salle High School (Ervin’s alma mater)
• Possess a financial need

The value of the scholarship varies each year. Checks are sent directly from the Coral Gables Community Foundation to the bursar’s office of the recipient’s college or university.

Scholarship Deadline: Friday, March 5, 2021

Julian Perez Memorial Scholarship

The Julian Perez Memorial Scholarship provides college tuition assistance to a graduating, male senior(s) from Coral Gables Senior High School or MAST Academy. The Julian Perez Scholarship Fund was established by Julian’s loving wife and Coral Gables resident, Mayra Vide-Perez, and Julian’s family and friends in his memory to support educational opportunities for deserving, college-bound young men who possess financial need.

About Julian Perez:
Born in La Salad, Cuba, Julian arrived to the United States in 1961 – first to the New Jersey/New York area before settling in Miami. Julian had a successful career with Miami-Dade County for 35 years and is remembered by those who knew him as a gentleman as he was an incredibly loyal and kind man. Julian and his wife of 40 years, Mayra, lived in Coral Gables and loved their community. Throughout the years, both Mayra and Julian mentored young people through their volunteer efforts. Mayra is honored to carry on Julian’s legacy through this scholarship fund.

Scholarship Rules & Criteria
1. Applicant must be a college-bound male currently enrolled as a Senior at either MAST Academy or Coral Gables High School.
2. Overall GPA of 3.0 or higher maintained over the most recent two semesters
3. Attends Coral Gables Senior High School or MAST Academy
4. Recipients must possess a financial need

Value of Scholarship: A minimum of $1,000, but the amount varies from year-to-year.

Scholarship Deadline: Friday, March 5, 2021

Scholarships will be awarded by the Rotary Foundation of Coral Gables based on community service, strong academic performance, demonstration of leadership, integrity, financial need and potential to achieve career goals. Children and grandchildren of Rotarians are not eligible to apply.

Rotary is an organization of business and professional leaders united worldwide to provide humanitarian service, encourage high ethical standards in all vocations, and help build goodwill and peace in the world. In more than 200 countries worldwide, approximately 1.2 million Rotarians belong to 33,000 Rotary clubs. The Rotary motto worldwide is Service Above Self.

Scholarship Deadline: Friday, March 10, 2021