Scholarship Programs

Established by the Coral Gables Community Foundation’s Board of Directors in 2015, this 4-year scholarship is given annually to 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.

SCHOLARSHIP CRITERIA

• Overall minimum GPA of 3.0 in high school
• 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
• Summary of Community Service Activities
• Recommendation from a counselor, teacher, coach, mentor or supervisor in a job/project.
  • New format: You provide an e-mail for the person giving the reference. They get a link and type or paste just 500 words about you and why you deserve the scholarship.
• 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?”

VALUE

The value of the 4-year Scholarship is up to $10,000 over the course of 4 years. The scholarship is distributed in installments of up to $2,500 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.

MAINTENANCE

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.

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.

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

VALUE
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.

MAINTENANCE
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.

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.

The Dr. Thomas E. Deal Scholarship provides four-year college tuition assistance to a graduating senior from Coral Gables Senior High School who plans to pursue a career in medicine. It was established by his daughter Sarah and her husband, Steven, a fellow Gables graduate, to support educational opportunities for deserving high school graduates planning to pursue a career in medicine.

REQUIREMENTS

• Applicants must attend Coral Gables Senior High School
  Overall GPA of 3.5 or higher
• Must intend to study and pursue a career in medicine
• However not contingent upon enrollment in one of these institutions, apply and getting accepted to the University of Notre Dame or the University of Florida will be looked at favorably
• Possess a financial need

VALUE
The value of this four-year scholarship is $20,000 over the course of 4 years. The scholarship is distributed in $5,000 installments per year for 4 years. Checks are sent directly from the Dr. Deal Scholarship Fund at the Coral Gables Community Foundation to the bursar’s office of the recipient’s college or university.

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

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.

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

VALUE

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

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 GONZALEZ
A Coral Gables resident, Ervin A. Gonzalez (1960-2017) 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.

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

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

DEADLINE EXTENSION: 
The Kerdyk Scholarship deadline is now Monday, March 6th, 2023 at 11:59 p.m.

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

VALUE
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.

Named after the late Ralph V. Moore Jr. 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.

ABOUT RALPH MOORE
Ralph V. Moore, Jr. was the principal of Coral Gables Senior High School 1977-1993 and was involved in the 1991 founding of the Coral Gables Community Foundation.

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
• Letter of Recommendation from counselor, teacher, mentor, coach or supervisor on a project/job

VALUE
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.

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 Salud, Cuba, Julian Perez 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.

REQUIREMENTS
Applicant must be a college-bound male currently enrolled as a Senior.

• Overall GPA of 3.0 or higher maintained over the most recent two semesters
• Attends Coral Gables Senior High School or MAST Academy
• Recipients must possess a financial need
• Summary of Community Service and Activities
• Letter of Recommendation by a counselor, teacher, mentor, coach or supervisor on a job/project

VALUE
A minimum of $1,000, but the amount varies 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.

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.
David William Ragan Jr., (1935-2018) 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.

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

VALUE
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.

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.

2023 APPLICATIONS:  Instructions for submission via e-mail are on the form below.

Deadline: Wednesday, February 15th at 2:00 p.m.

Established by long-time Coral Gables Community Foundation Board Member and Scholarship Committee Chair, Matthew Meehan and Rod Hildebrant, the Shine Bright Scholarship is given annually to a student(s) who has demonstrated overall academic achievement and leadership within the school and in his/her community.

As a young adult, Matthew was a recipient of a college scholarship and knows firsthand the value of higher education. Born in Atlanta, Matthew settled in Coral Gables almost two decades ago and is the owner of over 30 companies spanning multiple industries across the U.S. including ShineWater – the inspiration for the Shine Bright Scholarship. In addition to promoting optimum health using natural ingredients, ShineWater impacts individuals beyond their distribution footprint and is devoted to partnering with communities in developing countries to bring permanent, sustainable healthcare to the chronically underserved.

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: How have you shown leadership in your school or community and how has this helped define who you are? (700 word maximum)

VALUE
The scholarship varies in value, and can be up to four years. For example, in 2022 there was a one-year, $2,000 award and a four-year, $10,000 award ($2,500 x 4).

MAINTENANCE
If the recipient(s) is chosen for a multi-year scholarship award, 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.

The Jeannett Slesnick Community Spirit Scholarship provides four-year college tuition assistance to a graduating senior from Coral Gables High School, Miami Senior High School or International Studies Preparatory Academy (ISPA) who has demonstrated an interest in communications, journalism, leadership and/or historic preservation. The Jeannett Slesnick Community Spirit Scholarship was established in 2022 by Jeannett and Don Slesnick to support educational opportunities for deserving local high school graduates. As a Past Chair of the Board of the Coral Gables Community Foundation, Jeannett has dedicated her life to being involved in her community. In addition to her successful real estate career, Jeannett served as a City Commissioner in Coral Gables and has served on numerous boards of non-profit organizations including the South Florida Red Cross, Coral Gables Museum, Actors’ Playhouse, Junior League of Miami and St. Phillip’s Episcopal Church. Jeannett is a proud mother and grandmother and resides in Coral Gables with her husband, Don Slesnick who served as Mayor of Coral Gables.

REQUIREMENTS:

• Applicants must attend Coral Gables High School, Miami Senior High School or ISPA
• Minimum GPA of 3.0
• Possess a desire to study in communications, journalism, leadership and/or historic preservation
• Possess a financial need
• However not contingent upon enrollment in one of these institutions, the recipient(s) of this award must apply to at least one of the University of Florida, the University of Virginia, St. Thomas University (Miami) and/or the University of Mary Washington (Virginia).
• Letter of Recommendation from a teacher, counselor, mentor, coach or supervisor on a job/project

VALUE
The amount of the award varies. In 2022 six, 1-year awards were made ranging from $500 to $2,500.

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

The Luke Sturgill Memorial Scholarship is awarded to a graduating senior(s) who plan to attend a vocational or technical school. Students must pursue a degree or certificate from a vocational or technical institution, or an Associates Degree.

The Luke Sturgill Memorial Scholarship Fund was established by Luke’s aunt and Coral Gables resident, Laura Russo, in his memory to support educational opportunities for deserving high school graduates.

REQUIREMENTS

• Overall GPA of 2.5 or higher
• Applicants who are Coral Gables residents or attend high school in Coral Gables will be considered.
• Must intend to attend a vocational or technical school and/or pursue an Associate’s Degree.

VALUE
The value of the scholarship is $500-$1,500 for one year.

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.

NEW!

The Walter & Alma Vogel Memorial Scholarship was established in 2022 by Lori Thomas, in honor of her parents, to support educational opportunities for deserving local high school graduates. As a Merrick Society Member since 2015, Lori has been involved in her local community in addition to her involvement with Young Patroness of the Opera, American Red Cross of South Florida, Nicklaus Children’s Hospital and the Miami-Dade County Board of Elections.

Scholarship Requirements:

• Must be a full time senior student at Coral Gables Senior High School.
• Minimum GPA of 3.5 while in high school.
• Possess a financial need
• Optionally submit SAT or ACT scores
• College Studies majoring in science, technology, music or music education.

Value of Scholarship: The value of this four-year scholarship is up to $10,000 over the course of four years. The scholarship is distributed in annual installments.

Maintaining the Scholarship: In order to maintain the scholarship each year, the recipient must maintain a 3.0 GPA throughout his/her college studies, must be enrolled full time in a minimum of 12 credit hours per consecutive semester and send transcripts to the Coral Gables Community Foundation (scholarships@gablesfoundation.org) upon completion of each academic year.

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.

This is a scholarship intended for young kids to go to SUMMER CAMP.

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.

NOTE:  When you apply for The James Captain Scholarship you’ll be creating a profile (account) with “Kaleidoscope.” Info and help for Kaleidoscope is here.