Applying for Scholarships
During the 2025 scholarship cycle, Collaboratory awarded $1,250,757 and 177 scholarships through the generous support and passions of our donors.
Our Scholarships Program is designed to support students at every stage of their journey. Opportunities are available to high school students, adult learners, and undergraduate and graduate students largely from Charlotte, Collier, Glades, Hendry, and Lee counties. Funding supports those attending vocational and technical colleges, state colleges, and universities anywhere in the country.
Awards are based on a variety of criteria, including academic achievement, community service, chosen field of study, athletic participation, and even attendance at specific schools.
With a single application, students can be considered for multiple scholarships that align with their goals and aspirations.
Applying through Collaboratory
When to apply for the 2026 Scholarship Cycle
- Application Opens: November 1, 2025
- Application Deadline: January 14, 2026
Recipients are notified between late April and end of May 2026.
Steps to apply
About the Collaboratory Main Application
You apply for scholarships online using the Kaleidoscope Platform. Late or incomplete applications will not be accepted or considered.
About the Platform:
- Your email address will serve as your user ID.
Do not use your high school email address— you’ll lose access after graduation. Choose an email account you regularly use and can access long-term. - Save your login details.
Write down your user ID and password and store them in a secure place. - Take your time.
You can log in and out of the application at your convenience. Start early and give yourself enough time to thoughtfully complete each section—don’t rush! - Check your email often.
Important updates and requests for additional materials will be sent via email. - Complete the entire application before submitting.
Unfinished applications will not be considered. - Integrity matters.
The platform uses advanced AI and plagiarism detection software. While AI can be a helpful tool, students are expected to submit original work that reflects their own thoughts and experiences.
What to Expect:
- Eligibility Questions
You’ll first answer a series of questions to determine your scholarship eligibility. Be honest and read each question carefully.
- Scholarship Listing
After completing eligibility questions, a list of scholarships you qualify for will appear.- Select the scholarships you’d like to apply for by checking the box next to the scholarship name.
- If no scholarships appear, it means you do not currently meet the eligibility criteria for any scholarships.
- Short Response Questions
Within the main application, you’ll respond to several short-answer questions. Make sure to:- Follow the instructions
- Answer each part of the question
- Stay within any word or character limits
Tip: You can preview these questions under the “Required Materials Checklist” section.
- Required Material Uploads
Before you can submit your main application, you’ll need to upload the following:- Academic Transcript
- One Letter of Recommendation
- FAFSA Submission Summary
- Additional Scholarship Materials
Some scholarships may require extra documentation (e.g., essays, additional letters, or specific forms). You’ll upload these after submitting your main application if prompted. Not all applicants will need to upload additional materials—only those applying for specific scholarships that require them.
Required Materials Checklist
To ensure a smooth application process, please prepare the following documents for upload:
Academic Transcript (Required)
Submit your most up-to-date official or unofficial transcript based on your academic status.
- High school seniors: Contact your school counseling office to get your current transcript for upload.
- College students: Upload your most recent college transcript.
- GED Holders: Upload a copy of your GED certificate.
One Letter of Recommendation (Required)
This letter must be written during the current academic year by someone who knows you well and can speak to your character, goals, and potential. Letters from family or friends will not be accepted.
Acceptable recommenders include:
• Teachers
• Coaches
• Mentors
• Faith leaders
• Employers
• Volunteer supervisors
The letter should include:
• The recommender’s relationship to you
• Insight into your character and personal qualities
• Your potential in your chosen career path
• Comments on your educational and/or career goals
• Specific examples that highlight your strengths
• Thoughtful, personalized, and not overly brief content
Tip: Reach out to your recommender early to give them ample time to craft a thoughtful and detailed letter.
2026-2027 FAFSA Submission Summary (Required)
All Collaboratory scholarships require the submission of a FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). After completing your FAFSA, download your FAFSA Submission Summary from your StudentAid.gov account.
Apply at: www.fafsa.gov
FAFSA Opens: October 1, 2025
Unable to Submit a FAFSA?
If you are not eligible to complete the FAFSA (e.g., due to ineligible noncitizen status, other extenuating circumstances, etc…), please email us at scholarships@collaboratory.org. We’ll guide you through alternative steps—we’re committed to helping all eligible applicants.
Main Application Short Response Questions (Required)
You have 300 words for each answer. We’re looking for quality here. Make sure you answer each question in a way that allows us to see who you really are as a person. Be you.
Choice of Major
- Please explain why you chose your major and how do you plan to use your degree/certification?
Financial Need
- Please, explain your financial circumstance and why you are seeking scholarship funds. In your explanation, provide details about your circumstances and what impact receiving a scholarship would have on you.
Community Service, Leadership, and Work Experience
- Please share more about your community service, leadership, and/or work experience?
- How do you spend your time when you are not in class? Do not forget to include work experience, taking care of family members, extracurricular activities, community service projects and any other after-school responsibilities you may have. Provide details.
Your Impact
Connect these two responses back to your future career goals.
- What local community problem do you want to solve and how do you plan to use your future success to help solve it?
- What is your passion and how did you discover it?
Your Drive
- If you had an entire day and no limits on what you could do, buy or experience, how would you spend this day and why?
- The lessons we take from obstacles we encounter can be fundamental to later success. Recount a time when you faced a challenge, setback or failure that made you think you were not going to make it through, but you did. How did that affect you? What did you learn from the experience?
Personal Statement
- If you could have dinner with one living person and one historical figure who has inspired you, who would your choices be, and what would you want to discuss?
- Write a letter to your future self. What would you like him/her/they to remember about the person you are today? Provide details about the qualities you currently possess and characteristics. (Please do not use your name and address it as “Dear Future Self”)
Frequently Asked Questions
1) How do I return to my started application on the Kaleidoscope platform?
You can log in to your account at any time to start or continue an application or check on an application status. To do so, visit apply.mykaleidoscope.com/login.
2) What is FAFSA?
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is the form used to apply for federal grants, scholarships, work-study, and loans to help pay for college or career school. It’s a crucial step in accessing federal student aid and is free to fill out. To get started, visit www.studentaid.gov.
3) How do I access my FAFSA Submission Summary after submitting my FAFSA form?
You’ll typically receive your FAFSA Submission Summary within one to three days after submitting your FAFSA online.
- Log in to StudentAid.gov:Use your FSA ID (account username) and password to access your account.
- Go to “My Activity”:Locate the “My Activity” section on your dashboard.
- Find your FAFSA Submission:Select the specific FAFSA form submission that you want to view.
- Access the Summary:On the “Details” page of your FAFSA submission, click “View FAFSA Submission Summary”.
- Download: You can print the summary to a PDF file from the same page for your records.
4) How do I know if I am eligible to apply for any scholarships?
After completing the eligibility questions within the main application, any opportunities you are eligible for will appear in the next section. You must check the box of the scholarship opportunities you would like to be considered for.
5) How to check for additional scholarship requirements?
After submitting your Main Application, some scholarships may require extra materials or information to be considered. Here’s how to find them:
- Go to your Kaleidoscope dashboard
- Click on the “Explore” tab located at the top left of your dashboard. This is where you’ll find any scholarship programs that require additional steps. To get started, click on “Complete Application” for each program.
- To return to an in-progress application, click on the “Applications” tab located at the top left of your dashboard.
- Tip: Make sure that the dropdown menu in the top right corner is set to “Collaboratory (formerly Southwest Florida Community Foundation)”. This ensures you’re viewing Collaboratory-related scholarships.
6) Where can I find a list of all the scholarships offered through Collaboratory?
You can view a full list of Collaboratory scholarships, including descriptions and eligibility criteria, after completing the eligibility questions in the Main Application on the Kaleidoscope platform.
Special note: There is a link to a pdf of the scholarships and descriptions on top of the listing page- make sure to review this document to ensure you meet the criteria and check if additional materials are needed for any of the scholarships you plan to apply for.
7) How will I know if I was selected for a scholarship?
Notification emails will be sent between late April and end of May 2026.
8) Does the check come to me, or does it go directly to the school?
Scholarship payments are sent directly to the institution you attend after we verify your enrollment information.
9) If I have applied previously, do I need to reapply?
You should re-apply every year to be considered for additional scholarships. Scholarship opportunities are open to high school seniors, current college students, and adult learners. Use the same login every time you access the portal for any activity (do not create a new account each year)
10) I received a renewable scholarship; how do I renew?
Each year you will need to submit your enrollment information, your college transcripts, and an update for the scholarship donor.
Check Out More Resources
FAFSA First (click here to visit)
FAFSA first is here to help make the application process as easy as possible. Check out all the great resources to help students and parents in completing the FAFSA.
Scholarship Resource List (click here to visit)
Compilation of local (Southwest Florida) and national scholarships to help you get started with your scholarship search process.
FutureMakers Navigators Program (click here to visit)
It is a free support program designed to help adult learners navigate their path toward a successful career.
Whether you’re starting, returning to, or completing your education or training, Navigators are here to help you:
- Identify the right education or training programs
- Connect with financial aid and scholarship resources
- Overcome personal or logistical barriers (like transportation, childcare, or access to technology)
- Stay motivated and on track to reach your goals
This program is ideal for adults who are looking to start or advance in a career but need guidance, support, or access to resources to move forward.
If you are interested in becoming a scholarship reviewer, starting a scholarship fund or contributing to the general scholarship fund, contact us at scholarships@collaboratory.org or call 239-274-5900.
For accessibility assistance, contact us via phone: 239-274-5900 or email: info@collaboratory.org
Hi, I’m Crystal Maldonado. I’m deeply committed to helping students of all ages get the learning opportunities they deserve. Email me or give me a ring at 239 308 1214 and I’ll get in touch.
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