FAFSA form required for scholarships
Collaboratory’s scholarship application for the 2026-2027 school year will open Nov. 1, 2025.
In 2025, Collaboratory awarded more than $1.2 million and 177 scholarships to local high school students, adult learners, undergraduate and graduate students from Charlotte, Collier, Glades, Hendry and Lee counties. One in seven students who applied received a scholarship.
Collaboratory had a 13 percent increase in applicants compared with the previous year. It awarded 31 of the scholarships as multi-year awards that will continue to help support the students beyond their freshman years.
“Collaboratory partners have been vital in spreading the word about the scholarships offered, which has helped increase the number of awards throughout Southwest Florida,” said Crystal Maldonado, scholarship coordinator at Collaboratory.
Since 2014, Collaboratory has been working toward a goal of transforming Southwest Florida’s workforce by increasing the percentage of working age (25-64 years old) adults who hold post-high school credentials to 60 percent by 2030.
Scholarships at Collaboratory are made possible through the generosity of its donors, which allow funding for a wide range of students. Applicants include traditional college-bound individuals, those pursuing a credential or certification after high school, and adults seeking to return to education to start or advance their careers.
“We have scholarships available for students across many categories and encourage all to apply to expand their educational opportunities,” Maldonado said.
Collaboratory is committed to making its scholarship application accessible to all students regardless of circumstances and abilities. Scholarships are based on a range of qualifications including community service, academics, financial need, fields of study, or even attendance at a particular school. Scholarships are available for students seeking or continuing education at vocational and technical colleges and state colleges and universities.
Students can apply at https://collaboratory.org/. The scholarship application process will close Jan. 14, 2026, at 11 p.m. Applicants may apply for multiple scholarships and can upload a transcript, letter of recommendation, and the 2026-27 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) Submission Summary, which is a summary of the data provided on the FAFSA form. All scholarships require the FAFSA form, available at www.fafsa.gov, which is now open.
For those interested in starting a Collaboratory scholarship fund, contributing to the general scholarship fund, or serving as a scholarship application reviewer, email scholarships@collaboratory.org or call (239) 308-1214.
About Collaboratory
Collaboratory is a regional community foundation with an evolved mission committed to coordinating the solving of Southwest Florida’s major social problems by 2040. Not alone, but with everyone—the entire community working together across all five counties: Lee, Hendry, Glades, Charlotte and Collier.
Collaboratory provides community leadership, raises and coordinates funding, and disburses funds to organizations that are helping solve the problems our donors and the community have identified as priorities. Collaboratory also provides capacity building with training and resources for regional partners. Given the complexities of the social challenges in our region, Collaboratory ensures we are all working together and that every generous donor achieves the biggest impact with their funds. By using and sharing data to track progress, we ensure that donor dollars are best invested to move the needle on improving social issues.
Connection and collaboration are at the heart of our mission. Since 1976, we have made over $130 million in grants to individuals and organizations across the region to enhance the quality of life for current and future generations. It is upon that legacy of a commitment to community we will collectively achieve our 2040 goal. To learn more and get involved, call 239-274-5900 or visit www.collaboratory.org.
