Polk County Public Schools, Students
The tentative opening of the 2012 PEF Scholarship Application will be February 13, 2012 and the application will close on noon, March 1, 2012. To apply, Polk County public and charter high school students must have a 2.5 weighted GPA and have completed a year of Algebra II (or a higher math) with a “C” or better in each semester. Students will be able to apply for all of the scholarships they qualify for with the one online application. Students can start gathering the following application requirements: Parents’ 2011 income tax information (tax forms, W-2s and Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or Student Aid Report (SAR) copies accepted), and a picture of the applicant (headshot please). The application requires a general personal essay, with some awards requiring an additional essay on a specific topic. Some scholarships also require letters of reference. **STUDENTS- THIS APPLICATION WILL PULL YOUR SAT/ACT SCORES AS WELL AS YOUR COMMUNITY SERVICE HOURS FROM YOUR COUNTY FILE. PLEASE MAKE SURE YOU HAVE YOUR CURRENT INFORMATION TURNED IN TO YOU COUNSELOR SO HE/SHE CAN POST ONLINE BEFORE YOU SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION. WE CANNOT CHANGE INFORMATION ONCE THE APPLICATION HAS BEEN SUBMITTED.
Click on the link below to view the 2012 PEF Scholarship List. This can help you plan for the various awards that you may qualify for and start preparing additional essays, letters of reference, etc.
**NEW- ALL Current and Future College Students in Florida MUST file a FAFSA report in order to receive their Bright Futures scholarship funds. CLICK HERE for the new announcement.
For previous scholarship recipients who need to request funds, please complete the form below and return it to the Polk Education Foundation using the address provided on the form. A copy of the thank you note written to your donor must also be on file with this form to have funds disbursed.
Scholarship College Information Sheet
Recipients receive a copy of the Scholarship Policy with their award letter. A policy copy is also sent to each college or university with scholarship checks.
Pictured are the Presidents Round Table Scholarship recipients with Susan Copeland, PEF Executive Director. Students from left to right are: Jarvis Wiley, Alejandro Bustos, Magdalene Dupree and Andrea White
Scholarships- You can sponsor a scholarship for Polk County High School graduating seniors in your club or business name or in memory of a loved one. After the application period ends, all scholarships are collected, screened and selected through a competitive application process. We strive to make sure each application is given focus and attention to allow for the best candidates to be awarded scholarships. Donors can choose to participate in the selection process or allow PEF committees to make those selections. Donors determine the criteria and the award amount for the award. Scholarships can be designated for certain schools or groups of recipients.
Scholarships are promoted online every January/February through the Polk County School District and Polk Education Foundation. A listing of current scholarships can be found by clicking the Scholarships Information button on the menu to the left. Monies are awarded in the spring of each year; funds are not distributed directly to the student. A check is mailed payable to the college of the student's choice once the student is enrolled. Thank you notes are required to be sent to each donor of a scholarship by its recipient. If you need additional assistance, please call Susan Copeland at (863) 534-0434. Mrs. Copeland will be happy to meet with you in order to help you plan your scholarship program. Help make a difference in students' lives!
Endowed Scholarships - By creating an endowed scholarship, you enable the Foundation to establish a permanent pool of funds that are professionally invested. While the investment remains intact, the Foundation is awarded the earnings for use to fund your scholarship. A $10,000.00 donation equals a perpetual $500.00 scholarship. Endowed amounts and corresponding awards increase incrementally by each $10,000 donated. For more information, please contact Susan Copeland phone: (863) 534-0434.