Scholarships will help local graduates continue their education and prepare for what comes next
Fort Myers, Fla. — Graduating seniors in Lee County will have an opportunity to receive financial support for their education through the 2027 Suncoast Credit Union Scholars program.
Through a partnership with the Suncoast Credit Union Foundation, The Foundation for Lee County Public Schools will award eight scholarships to Class of 2027 graduates who demonstrate financial need, academic promise and a passion for learning.
The Suncoast Credit Union Scholars program brings together Suncoast Credit Union, the Consortium of Florida Education Foundations and local education foundations to help students continue their education after high school. Local education foundations are positioned to identify students in their communities and connect scholarship support with students who can benefit from the investment.
Applications opened on November 1, 2026, and must be submitted by January 19, 2027. Eligible students can learn more and apply at apply.leeschoolfoundation.org.
“Suncoast Credit Union understands the need to help students take that next step without accumulating a great deal of debt to start their careers,” said Marshall T. Bower, President & CEO of The Foundation for Lee County Public Schools. “These students will be better prepared to begin their future as our next business and community leaders.”
The Suncoast Credit Union Scholars program reflects the Suncoast Credit Union Foundation’s long-standing commitment to supporting education and helping young people reach their potential.
“Students across Florida have talent, ambition and plans for their futures, and strong partnerships can help put those plans within reach,” said Amity Schuyler, president and CEO of the Consortium of Florida Education Foundations. “Through Suncoast Credit Union’s investment and the local knowledge of education foundations, scholarship dollars can reach students in their own communities and help them move forward with confidence.”
The Suncoast Credit Union Foundation supports initiatives that promote the education, health and emotional well-being of children. Since its inception in 1990, the Foundation has contributed more than $63 million to organizations and initiatives serving children and families.
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About the Consortium of Florida Education Foundations:
The Consortium is the membership organization for Florida’s school district-wide local education foundations. Established in 1987, the Consortium connects individuals, organizations, and financial resources to build the capacity and effectiveness of Florida’s local education foundations. The Consortium manages the nation’s only 1:1 legislative match for education foundation initiatives and a variety of privately funded grant programs. To learn more about the Consortium or connect with any member local education foundation, visit https://educationfoundationsfl.org.
About Suncoast Credit Union
Suncoast Credit Union is the largest credit union in Florida, the seventh largest in the United States by membership and the 10th largest by assets, with more than $22 billion in assets. Chartered in 1934 as Hillsborough County Teachers Credit Union, Suncoast operates 98 full-service branches and serves more than 1.5 million members statewide. As a local, community-focused credit union, anyone who lives, works or attends school in Suncoast’s service area is eligible for membership. In August 2026, members of Launch Credit Union approved a merger with Suncoast. Launch will operate as Launch, a Branch of Suncoast Credit Union, during the transition period while the organizations work toward full operational integration by mid-2027. Guided by its “people helping people” philosophy, Suncoast is dedicated to supporting the communities it serves. Since 1990, the Suncoast Credit Union Foundation has raised and donated more than $68 million to organizations and initiatives that support the health, education and emotional well-being of children. For more information, visit suncoast.com or follow us on social media: Facebook, LinkedIn, X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram.
About The Foundation for Lee County Public Schools
The Foundation for Lee County Public Schools, Inc. is a private 501(C)3 organization established in 1986. Its mission is to enhance and enrich the quality of public education in Lee County for students and educators through programs, resources, and experiences made possible through corporate, individual, and educational partnerships. Find us online at www.leeschoolfoundation.org, on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and X.
Media Contact:
Marshall T. Bower, Esq.
President and CEO
Tel. (239) 337-0433
Marshall@LeeSchoolFoundation.org