Christopher L. Woiak Memorial Scholarship for Big Brothers Big Sisters

Award Amount
Application deadline
Awarded By:

Gulf Coast Community Foundation of Venice

Number of Awards & Eligibility: The number of awards offered varies annually.
In order to qualify, students must meet the following criteria:
  1. This award is for U.S. students.
  2. Must have a cumulative grade point average of 2.5 or higher.
  3. Must be a U.S. citizen, U.S. citizen national or U.S. permanent resident (who has an I-151, I-551, or I-551C alien registration card).
  4. Must be a graduate of a high school in the foundation's service area or be a permanent resident in a city the foundation serves. The foundation's service area is southern Sarasota County, Florida, from Osprey to Boca Grande, including Englewood, North Port, Placida and Venice.
  5. Must have experience in community service and/or employment.
  6. Must enroll full time (twelve hours undergraduate, nine hours graduate).
  7. Must have been involved in the Big Brothers Big Sisters program for at least one year.
  8. Must be a high school senior or older to apply for this undergraduate/graduate award.

In order to qualify, students must meet the following criteria:

Description: This award is available for U.S. undergraduate and/or graduate students who are graduates of a high school in the foundation's service area or be a permanent resident in a city the foundation serves. The foundation's service area is southern Sarasota County, Florida, from Osprey to Boca Grande, including Englewood, North Port, Placida and Venice and have experience in community service and/or employment. Students must have a cumulative grade point average of 2.5 or higher and have been involved in the Big Brothers Big Sisters program for at least one year.

Application requirements for the Christopher L. Woiak Memorial Scholarship for Big Brothers Big Sisters are:

  • Application form
  • Recommendation letters (2)
  • FAFSA (with SAR)
  • Essays (2)
  • Official Transcript
  • Acceptance letter
  • Tax return
Additional Information: The Gulf Coast Community Foundation of Venice supports students who demonstrate potential for success in higher education but lack the financial resources necessary. This program targets students who reside in Venice or its surrounding communities, demonstrate financial need, and have experience in community service and/or employment. Financial need is established based on the FAFSA and college aid award letter. For students meeting the financial need criteria, academic achievement and extracurricular activities will be taken into consideration.

Award Amount: The amount of each award varies annually. Last year, the Foundation awarded over $370,000 in scholarships to more than 200 deserving local students. This award is non-renewable, but applicants can re-apply each year.  The total dollars awarded for this scholarship is $5,000.

Deadline Information:

Deadline for this scholarship is Wednesday, March 4

Deadline Information:

Deadline for this scholarship is Wednesday, March 4

The application deadline date has not yet been finalized for this year, but is expected to remain the same as last year. The deadline date shown here is tentative based on last year's date. Please check back in January for a refreshed application deadline date. Applications are available online from the Gulf Coast Community Foundation of Venice website. In addition to a completed application, the applicant must also submit the following: two letters of reference (one from an academic-related reference and the other from a personal- or community-related reference); page one of his/her Student Aid Report (SAR) showing the Expected Family Contribution (EFC); two personal essays addressing the topics listed on the application; a copy of his/her college acceptance letter; his/her most recent transcripts; copies of the most recent IRS tax returns for the applicant and his/her parents/guardians (unless the applicant is a financially independent student); a copy of his/her college aid award letter; and a typed paragraph detailing the applicant's involvement in Big Brothers Big Sisters. The SAR is received after completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The FAFSA is available online at www.fafsa.ed.gov, at high school guidance offices, and at college financial aid offices. All materials must be received by 11:59 p.m. EST on the deadline date.
About Gulf Coast Community Foundation of Venice:
Contact Information: Angela Gray, Program Manager
Address: 601 Tamiami Trail S. Venice, Florida 34285

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