Scholarships Program

About the Scholarships Program

Coral Gables Community Foundation is honored to partner with our fundholders to administer generous scholarships as well as manage the Foundation’s own scholarship funds.

The Foundation and its fundholders have proudly awarded over $6.7 million in scholarships in just the last decade.

Most scholarships offered through the Foundation’s scholarship program are based on academic achievement and financial need. Scholarship awards are designated as one-year awards or renewable multi-year awards depending upon the scholarship fund criteria. Criteria is unique to each scholarship and may be found on our website. Students can prepare by reviewing descriptions online.

CONTRIBUTORS

The Community Foundation wishes to acknowledge the generosity of  The Stamps Foundation, The Kirk Foundation, The Batchelor Foundation, the Cocoplum Woman’s Club, and two anonymous donors for helping to build the Scholarship Fund that supports the Coral Gables Community Foundation Four-Year Scholarship. Scholarships are also supported by Merrick Society members and by patrons of the Gables Gala, Wine Auction and Tour of Kitchens.

Scholarships for High School Seniors

The Coral Gables Community Foundation administers a portfolio of more than twenty unique scholarships offered to graduating high school students. Some are targeted to help you study Law, Medicine, Nursing, Golf, Soccer, Journalism, Leadership, Historic Preservation and more. Awards range from $1,000 to $20,000 for 2026.

Scholarships by Interest Area

• Law: Ervin A. Gonzalez / Coral Gables Bar Assoc.
• Food Service: Culinary Arts Scholarship
• Healthcare: Dr. Thomas E. Deal Medical Scholarship
• Sports: 1980 Cavaliers Boys Soccer State Championship Scholarship Fund in memory of Bruce Hayes (Soccer); Dave Ragan Jr. Memorial Scholarship (Golf); Mitchell Zuniga Scholarship (Football).
• Music: Kerdyk Family Trust Music Scholarship; Walter & Alma Vogel Memorial Scholarship.
• Leadership: Shine Bright Scholarship; Rotary Foundation of Coral Gables Scholarship; Jeannett Slesnick Community Spirit Scholarship; Lady Suzanna P. Tweed Scholarship
• Vocational/Technical: Luke Sturgill Memorial Scholarship
• Communications: Jeannett Slesnick Community Spirit Scholarship
• Science/Technology: Walter & Alma Vogel Memorial Scholarship

Step By Step

Before you apply, be prepared

1. Request your high school transcript from your CAP Advisor (this is better than downloading the summary version you see at Dadeschools.net).
2. Request a teacher, counselor, coach, mentor or supervisor, to act as a reference. You can prepare by getting their email address in advance. Put the email for the person giving the reference into your application and we will ask them to upload it.
3. Write a “personal statement of financial need” (300 words is fine). Tell the committee in plain terms why you need financial support. How does your family get financial support?
4. Read the requirements – some scholarships also require essays responding to a prompt.
5. Register to create an account for yourself. Be sure to use your permanent email address (not “dadeschools.net”).
6. APPLY for scholarships. WAIT. You’ll get word probably around mid April to late April.

Camp Arsht Theatre Scholarships

CAMP ARSHT SCHOLARSHIPS invites theater-loving students between the ages of 10 and 17 to learn to act, sing and dance from South Florida-based choreographers, musicians and directors. No musical theater experience is required. The week-long program July 28 – August 1, culminates in a musical finale on the Arsht Center stage. The Tim Anagnost Fund for the Performing Arts supports scholarships for two youth, ages 10-17, based in Coral Gables/Coconut Grove. More information is here.

Ev Clay PRSA Miami Scholarships

Established in 1955, public relations pioneer Everett “Ev” Clay was a founding member of the Public Relations Society of America’s Miami (PRSA) chapter. In 1985, PRSA Miami Chapter established an endowed scholarship fund in Ev Clay’s memory to provide assistance to promising South Florida public relations students who demonstrate academic performance, aptitude and financial need. The Community Foundation is honored to administer the Ev Clay Endowed Scholarship. More information is here.

James Captain Memorial Camp Scholarship

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. More information is here.

Chifles® Beyond The Bag Employee Scholarship

Chifles^® Beyond the Bag Scholarship: Provides educational and tuition assistance to children or minor dependents of employees of Plantain Products Company (Chifles^®). Established in 2024 by the Rivas Family, this scholarship honors the hard-working men and women at Chifles. The award aims to remove barriers and create new opportunities, helping students reach their full potential both in the classroom and beyond. More information is here. Applications are open now, and the deadline is January 2, 2026.

Beca Chifles® Beyond the Bag: Brinda asistencia educativa y de matrícula a hijos o dependientes menores de los empleados de Plantain Products Company (Chifles®). Establecida en 2024 por la familia Rivas, esta beca honra a los hombres y mujeres que trabajan duro en Chifles. El premio tiene como objetivo eliminar barreras y crear nuevas oportunidades, ayudando a los estudiantes a alcanzar su máximo potencial tanto en el aula como fuera de ella. Valor: Hasta $25,000 para gastos de matrícula y educación.  Mas informacion aqui.