Selby Scholars are outstanding students graduating from high school in Charlotte, DeSoto, Manatee, or Sarasota County who exhibit academic preparedness, academic rigor, resilience, resourcefulness, and grit. In 2026, a record number of DeSoto County students submitted applications and qualified for scholarship review.
There is one high school in DeSoto County, and its high-achieving students have the opportunity to take only four AP (advanced placement) courses but may also be duel enrolled in South Florida State College. As access education is important in every part of our region, the Selby Foundation has focused efforts on communicating the scholarship opportunity through the local school, youth-serving organizations, and teachers/ career counselors.
This year, eighteen students will move through the competitive process to determine if they will be one of 40 students selected to receive up to $7,000 in scholarship funds for each year of undergraduate college education (up to four years). Arcadian Carrie Fuller, founder of Grants On Point and lifelong educator, returns to the Selby Scholarship Selection Committee this year.
Working in partnership with organizations including The Patterson Foundation, Links to Success, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Sarasota and DeSoto Counties, Take Stock in Children of Sarasota (also serving DeSoto), and DeSoto County Schools, the Selby Foundation has aspired to reach larger audiences of students to provide information about the life-changing scholarship opportunity. Other supportive partners include United Way Suncoast, YMCA of Southwest Florida, JRpreneur Brunch Nonprofit, DeSoto Education Foundation, and South Florida State College.
Selby Scholars will be announced in May. To learn more email Senior Scholarship Manager Kiarra Womack at KWomack@SelbyFdn.org.