Selby Foundation Supports 45 Students With Academic Scholarships

June 24, 2024 | Sarasota

The William G. and Marie Selby Foundation has named 45 new Selby Scholars, outstanding students who are eligible for up to four years of a renewable scholarship award to their chosen accredited college or university.  

Twenty-four Scholars are first gen students, the first in their families to attend college. Graduating high schools in Sarasota, Manatee, Charlotte, and DeSoto Counties, students are engaged in their communities and plan to use their education to help others.

Many Scholars plan to major in STEAM fields including mechanical engineering, food and nutrition science, computer science, bioengineering, aerospace engineering, and chemistry and more specifically, in health-related fields including nursing and behavioral cognitive neuroscience. Others will pursue degrees in business, finance, journalism, and other disciplines.

The Selby Foundation scholarship program is unique, offering “last dollar funding” to students that is personalized based on individual student need and financial aid. Annual support varies and can increase for many, as single-year scholarships from other providers are not renewed.

Throughout their experience in undergraduate school, Selby Scholars also receive access to special opportunities such as mentor matching with a professional in their desired field of study; education sessions to help students succeed in life, studies, and work; and options for a Student Emergency Persistence Fund for certain expenses that may prevent students from remaining enrolled.

College students in the 2020 class of Selby Scholars have either graduated from college this year or graduated early. Some are pursuing advanced degrees, while others are entering the workforce or military service.

“The Selby scholar program allowed me to fully focus on school and extra-curricular activities without having to worry about working long hours or having the stress of student loans,” said Alexandro Xavier Garcia, a recent graduate of Florida State University with degrees in General Music and Economics and a minor in Statistics. “I can now start my career without any loan payments holding me back, something that I am extremely grateful for.”

Lilly Potter, a University of South Florida graduate in Secondary English Education and Music Studies said, “The Selby Scholar program largely impacted my college experience by providing me with financial security.”

“Without that vital assistance, I would not have been able to dedicate myself to my studies and perform as well as I did. Now that I have completed the program, I will focus on securing a teaching position in my field of study.”

Kiarra Womack is the Senior Scholarships Manager of the Selby Foundation. Working in partnership with the all-volunteer Scholarship Selection Committees, she guides an in-depth selection process to choose students with high financial need that demonstrate academic rigor, academic preparedness, commitment, resilience, and resourcefulness.