LHS Scholarship Coordinator:

Email: Liz Brewer

$1.4 Million Annually for Students in Collier County

Here's how you can receive some of that too!

1. Complete the Collier Scholars Common Application

We have scholarships for students with a wide variety of backgrounds, GPAs, areas of study, and levels of education. The application is typically open from November – February of each year.

The Collier Scholars Common Application for the 2024-25 academic year awards is now closed. The application for the 2025-2026 academic year will open November 1, 2024 – February 5, 2025. Please begin gathering the items needed:

List of awards/recognition received in the past 1-3 years

• List of volunteer/ employment/ extracurricular activities in which you have participated in the last 1-3 years
• Unofficial academic transcript
  • If you are a HS senior or a recent HS graduate you MUST upload a transcript that includes final fall semester grades from senior year.
  • If you are a current college student you MUST upload a transcript that includes final fall semester grades from current academic year.
  • If you earned your GED, please upload your certificate.
  • If you do not have GPA or transcript available, you will need to provide details on why you are not able to provide information
• One letter of recommendation is required from within the past year written by professional or academic contacts (please do not use family members or friends) that include the following:
  • Applicant’s work ethic and dedication
  • Applicant’s potential in chosen career field
  • Applicant’s educational and/or career goals
  • Insightful and not too brief
  • Personalized letter that provides details unique to applicant
• Up to two (2) optional letters of recommendation may be included on the application
  • Please note: specific opportunities may require additional letters of recommendation as supplemental info
• Most recent 1040 tax form from two year’s prior (for 2024 application it would be taxes from 2022)
  • If you are considered “dependent” for financial aid purposes, you will need to provide your parent(s)/guardian(s) tax information
  • If you are considered “independent” for financial aid purposes, you will need to provide your parent(s)/guardian(s) tax information
• Answers to the following essay topics:

1. Personal Statement

• Tell us your story–share about your family, background, and personal interests.
• Describe a person, event or activity that has shaped who you are as a person.
  • Why or how has this been significant to you?
  • What lessons have you learned from this?
• How will receiving this scholarship help you achieve your goals or dreams?
  • Share what you hope to do in the future

2. Academic/Career Goals

• Why do you want to go to college?
• What are your academic and career goals?
• Is there a specific institution you wish to attend? If so, why?
• Has something or someone significantly influenced your choice of study/career/major?
• Discuss any circumstances that have encouraged you to pursue your education.

3. Community Impact

• How have you made a difference in your community?
• How will you make a difference in your community and beyond in the future?
• What does leadership mean to you?
• How will you be a leader in your community in the future?

• Page 1 & 2 of the most recent 1040 tax form (2 year’s prior taxes—for the 2024-2025 academic year application, use 2022 taxes)
  • Needed to verify household adjusted gross income
  • Applicants considered “dependent” for financial aid (FAFSA) purposes will need to submit parent(s)/guardian(s) tax returns
  • Applications considered “independent” for financial aid (FAFSA) purposes will need to submit their own tax returns

If you need help determining your dependency status, please visit the Federal Student Aid website

☐ List of awards/recognition received in the past 1-3 years

☐ List of volunteer/employment/extracurricular activities in which you have participated in the last 1-3 years

☐ Unofficial academic transcript for current academic year

• high school seniors and current college students must include fall semester grades

☐  Two letter(s) of recommendation from within the last year written by professional or academic contacts (please do not use family members or friends)

☐ An up-to-date resume

Answers to the following essay topics:

☐ Describe your educational and career goals (Personal Statement)

☐  Describe a person, event, or activity that has helped shape you into who you are today (Person You are Today)

☐ How you make or plan to make a difference in your community, and how your education/career will help you to improve your community and become a leader (Community Impact)

The following financial information:

☐ Page 1 & 2 of the most recent 1040 tax form (2 year’s prior taxes—for the 2022-2023 academic year application, use 2020 taxes)

• Needed to verify household adjusted gross income
• Applicants considered “dependent” for financial aid (FAFSA) purposes will need to submit parent(s)/guardian(s) tax returns
• Applications considered “independent” for financial aid (FAFSA) purposes will need to submit their own tax returns